Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2901 to 2925 of 5000 results

Revelation 2:1-7

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... love, we should carefully define and clarify what love is and isn’t (see 1 Cor. 13). Otherwise, due to the confusion surrounding the word “love,” people could begin to judge others as unloving when, in fact, they have been very loving indeed. Illustrating the Text Jesus is both powerful and present. Quote: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis. There is a brief episode in Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia when the children first hear about Aslan, the mysterious, frightening Christ figure ...

2902. Message to Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

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J. Scott Duvall

... more than a branch of Judaism. The New Testament clearly does not support such a view. As Christians, we should appreciate our religious heritage in Judaism but maintain our clear confession of Jesus of Nazareth as both Lord and Messiah. Illustrating the Text Church history is filled with examples of believers whose hope in eternal life sustained them through terrible trials and even death. History: Letters, by Pliny the Younger. Emperor Trajan appointed Pliny, a distinguished Roman senator, governor of ...

2903. Message to Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... is promised at the messianic banquet in the new heaven and new earth can begin now with the family of God as people experience these very realities. The church can be the place where the eschatological promises begin to be fulfilled. Illustrating the Text We are called to persevere as faithful witnesses, even in the most difficult circumstances. Biography: Pastor Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, founders of Voice of the Martyrs, were no strangers to persecution. A Romanian minister, Richard watched as that ...

2904. Message to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

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J. Scott Duvall

... toward developing a victim mentality or a persecution complex and thus pursue “unnecessary separatism.” These believers were not excluding others or withdrawing from public witness, but were being excluded “against their will on account of their witness.”3 Illustrating the Text God’s strength shines brightly through our weakness. Prop: Use a length of climbing rope. Explain that there are various types of ropes for different kinds of rock-climbing scenarios, but the basic function of the rope ...

2905. God on His Throne as the Sovereign Creator

Revelation 4:1-11

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J. Scott Duvall

... with reference to specific local churches, but believers are mentioned throughout Revelation by a host of names, and many of those believers are located on earth after Revelation 4 (e.g., saints, brothers, those who keep God’s commands).10 Illustrating the Text Only God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, is worthy of worship. News: Each year newspapers report a tragically high number of cases of abused and neglected children. Reading these stories—where children are treated like an afterthought ...

2906. The Celebration of the Great Multitude in Heaven

Revelation 7:9-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... , enthusiastic worship of God in Spirit and truth now for all he has done can only prepare us all the more for life in the new heaven and new earth, where the primary activity will be worship (see Rev. 21:1–22:5). Illustrating the Text God is gathering people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Applying the Text: Encourage your congregation to practice intercessory prayer for the spread of the gospel to all peoples. One excellent resource is found at joshuaproject.net. This website compiles volumes ...

2907. The Seventh Trumpet (Third Woe)

Revelation 11:15-19

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J. Scott Duvall

... his people, end suffering, and make all things new. God is faithful to keep his covenant promises. Our deepest longings, hopes, and dreams will all be fulfilled and realized as we experience the glorious presence of God, for which we were created. Illustrating the Text Our hearts long for God to establish his eternal kingdom and reign over creation. Quote: Kingdom Come, by Sam Storms. There are many and considerable disagreements among Christians on the subject of biblical eschatology. But none of them is ...

2908. The Beast from the Earth (The False Prophet)

Revelation 13:11-18

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J. Scott Duvall

... of Revelation considered the teachings of Jezebel, the Nicolaitans, and the Balaamites persuasive and apparently benign, but Jesus characterizes them as deadly. Are we educating people in the church to be truly discerning about what is good and what is evil? Illustrating the Text In the face of persecution, we are called to courage. History: In a famous episode from World War II, the citizens of the village of Le Chambon—sober, conservative members of the Reformed Church of France—found themselves ...

2909. Proclamations of Judgment and Reward

Revelation 14:6-13

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J. Scott Duvall

... after death (14:13). This passage reminds us of the encouragement Paul also gave the Corinthians: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV). Illustrating the Text Sometimes we need to speak about the reality of hell. Quote: Revelation, by Craig Keener. Many today avoid trying to “scare” people into the kingdom. In a culture in revolt against authority and skeptical of threats, emphasizing God’s loving ...

2910. The Harvest of the Earth

Revelation 14:14-20

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J. Scott Duvall

... an opportunity to teach on the reality of hell and the coming judgment, as well as the appropriate attitudes believers should have in light of these sobering realities (cf. Paul’s attitude about the destiny of his fellow Jews in Rom. 9:2–3). Illustrating the Text The coming day of judgment is real. History: At the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Rwanda, the story of the Hutus’ genocidal rampage against the Tutsis in 1994 is told in excruciating detail. Panel by panel, object by object, one is ...

2911. Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

Revelation 15:1-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... God and give him glory (Rev. 14:6–7) is not answered positively by all, but many do respond and experience God’s saving mercy (Rev. 21:24–26; 22:2). Shouldn’t the church strive now to reflect God’s goal of a multicultural people? Illustrating the Text For God’s people, the reality of God’s judgment is good news. Human Experience: Anyone who has parented small children understands what it means to “play the judge”! At least five—or fifty—times each day, one of the kids comes into the ...

2912. The Warrior Messiah Conquers the Two Beasts and Their Followers

Revelation 19:1-21

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J. Scott Duvall

... 1 Pet. 3:9). This text recalls the horrible fate for those who rebel against God. While rejoicing that God will bring justice and conquer evil, we can simultaneously pray for the conversion of unbelievers and seek to love them into the kingdom of God. Illustrating the Text Christ’s return is the center of our hope. Quote: The Long Journey Home, by Os Guinness. If we are not careful, our hope for the Lord’s return can be dulled by diversion. Guinness comments: Modern society itself is one grand diversion ...

2913. The Temporary Imprisonment of Satan

Revelation 20:1-7

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J. Scott Duvall

... the devil . . . was thrown into the lake of fire” where he will be “tormented day and night forever and ever” (20:10). While we don’t have all the eschatological answers that our curiosity craves, we do know beyond all doubt that God is in control! Illustrating the Text Deception is a real danger. News: It was one more tragedy for the Kennedy family. When John F. Kennedy Jr. took off from Essex County Airport with his wife, Carolyn, and sister-in-law, Lauren, on July 16, 1999, he thought they were ...

2914. The Millennial Reign, Followed by Satan’s Release, Defeat, and Punishment

Revelation 20:1-7, Revelation 20:8-10

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J. Scott Duvall

... proves beyond a doubt that the wicked deserve (and even prefer) God’s punishment. They have had every chance to repent and submit to their Creator and Redeemer but have stubbornly refused (e.g., 9:20–21; 16:9, 11). God’s justice endures. Illustrating the Text We need to interpret controversial passages with a healthy dose of humility. Object Lesson: Have three puzzles set up, each at a different stage of completion. One should barely have a frame. One should be a quarter finished. The third should ...

2915. The Final Judgment

Revelation 20:11-15

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J. Scott Duvall

... to teach others “to obey everything I have commanded you,” not merely to know his commands (Matt. 28:20). This text provides a crucial opportunity to examine our own lives to make sure that our faith is a lived and expressed faith. Illustrating the Text Hell is truly horrifying. Art: It has been fashionable to lampoon older artists for their graphic portrayals of hell. These artists are often faulted for being morbidly curious about judgment, death, and hell. But the truth is, the reality will be ...

2916. The Conclusion

Revelation 22:7-21

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J. Scott Duvall

... of his return should motivate us to become intensely involved in God’s mission in this world. Crying out for Christ’s return is also crying with the Spirit for people to “come” and experience the free gift of life while there is still time. Illustrating the Text Revelation is an open, accessible book for the church. Human Experience: Every January, the forms begin coming in: W-9s, W-4s, 941s, 1040s, 1099-MISC, 9922s, W-2s. The letter-number combinations are enough to make an English major’s head ...

2917. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... New Testament does (especially in Hebrews) see the whole Old Testament sacrificial system as pointing to the atoning work of Christ, a work often understood in terms of substitutionary atonement (see Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24). Illustrating the Text Sacrifice was practiced throughout the ancient world. ‎Historical Artifact: The White Obelisk of Ashurnasirpal (I or II), now in the British Museum, shows, according to its inscription, a ritual for the goddess Ishtar (see the image). A person (the ...

2918. Grain Offerings

Leviticus 2:1-16

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... in distant places when we prefer that they stay close to home. Sometimes that may mean spending time in devotion and prayer to God when we would rather watch a ball game. God deserves our best. He receives honor and pleasure as we give our best to him. Illustrating the Text The state of our heart is more important than the size of our gift. News Story: The New York Daily News tells the story of Myles Eckert, an eight-year-old whose father was killed in the Iraq conflict. On his way into a restaurant, young ...

2919. The Fellowship Offering

Leviticus 3:1-17

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... ” above). Although animal sacrifice plays no role for Christians under the new covenant, the principle of giving thanks to God for food still does. We too should regularly express gratitude to God for the food that he has graciously granted us to eat. Illustrating the Text God wants us to celebrate joyfully. Human Experience: A small church in rural Georgia had the custom once a year of having a big barbecue meal. That meal served two purposes. Primarily, it was a fund-raiser that attracted not only ...

2920. The Guilt Offering

Leviticus 5:14--6:7

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... and requires expiation. The ram of the guilt offering served as the guilty party’s atoning sacrifice that allowed God to grant forgiveness (Lev. 5:16, 18; 6:7). This requirement shows us something of the gravity of sin in the sight of God. Illustrating the Text When we treat God’s holiness lightly, we show contempt for him. News: When Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard drew a controversial cartoon of Muhammad in September 2005, it set off violent Muslim protests around the world. On January 1, 2010 ...

2921. The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Leviticus 8:1-36

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... to doing good works (Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:1–2, 11; 1 Cor. 7:35; Col. 4:2; Titus 3:8, 14). Thus, the symbolic admonitions to Aaron and his sons to purity and dedication in Leviticus 8 are, by analogy, also admonitions to us. Illustrating the Text Though we do not live under the law, the practice of ordination has continued significance. Cultural Institution: When a husband and wife are married, there is significance beyond the ceremony. In the exchange of vows, sharing of rings, and saying of prayers, much ...

2922. Aaron Begins His Duties

Leviticus 9:1-24

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... love of Christ and of God by keeping their commands (John 14:15, 21, 23; 1 John 5:3). God’s love is made complete in those who obey him (1 John 2:5). Like the Old Testament saints, we too must do “as the Lord has commanded.” Illustrating the Text It is a privilege to approach God. Quote: Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon’s words about approaching God strike a perfect balance, encouraging us to draw near to the throne of grace with reverent boldness: Beloved, the gathering up of all our remarks is just this ...

2923. Unclean Animals

Leviticus 11:1-47

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... with death moves one away from God. Rather, we are to associate God with the one who said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), and who will overcome death itself (1 Cor. 15:24–26). Illustrating the Text The Jewish food laws have been a source of unity and disunity throughout history. History: The food laws united the Jewish people and helped them maintain their identity as a people for centuries without a homeland. But those laws once served to divide them ...

2924. Uncleanness Due to Childbirth

Leviticus 12:1-8

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... to sacrifice something after the birth of her child. So it is in keeping the dignity of the poor and for their spiritual well-being that they contribute something as a sacrifice to God as well, even if their contribution can only be small. Illustrating the Text God institutes a culture of life that opposes the culture of death. Quote: In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II contrasted the “culture of death,” fostered by a secular age without God-consciousness, and the “culture of life ...

2925. Purification from “Leprosy”

Leviticus 14:33-57, Leviticus 14:1-32

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... we can enter where God is: “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22). Illustrating the Text Jesus’s blood brings healing. Literature: Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, by Lew Wallace. Wallace’s renowned novel (1880) and its classic film version (1959) center on the story of Judah ben Hur, who lived at the time of Jesus Christ ...

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