Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3001 to 3025 of 3852 results

Luke 14:25-35, Luke 14:15-24

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R.T. France

... –20 they all alike began to make excuses. Parables often contain features that would be improbable in real life. It is most unlikely that the three “excuses” listed (especially getting married!) could have arisen unforeseen in the short time between the original invitation and the call to table, or that anyone would buy a field or oxen (let alone the considerable investment of five pairs) without first inspecting them. Such implausible excuses would be a calculated insult to the host, and his anger ...

3002. Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-7, Luke 15:8-10, Luke 15:11-32

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R.T. France

... elements: the father representing God, the younger son representing the sinners and tax collectors to whom Jesus is ministering, and the older son representing the self-righteous religious leaders who are rejecting Jesus’s ministry to the lost. Only when this original context is understood can the parable be appropriately contextualized today. In terms of application, it is helpful to point out in your teaching that each of us at times plays the role of each character: (1) wandering away from God or ...

3003. God and Mammon

Luke 16:16-18, Luke 16:1-15

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R.T. France

... ensure that they will be welcome in heaven when this life is over. A responsible and generous use of possessions is one way to make such preparation (cf. 14:14). 16:10–12 Whoever can be trusted with very little. This short complex of sayings may originally have been independent, but it follows appropriately from the comments on the message of the parable in 16:8–9. The way you use your possessions on earth shows whether you can be trusted with spiritual wealth. 16:13 No one can serve two masters ...

3004. Challenge and Counterchallenge

Luke 20:9-19, Luke 20:1-8

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R.T. France

... duty to regulate religious affairs. This self-appointed “messiah” seemed determined to cause trouble. For Jesus, of course, the temple was not theirs, but simply “my Father’s house” (2:49). 20:4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? What looks like an evasive changing of the subject (especially when Jesus will go on to refuse a straight answer to their question) in fact implies a bold claim. John also had no formal authorization, but his ministry (here referred to by its ...

3005. At the Tomb

Luke 24:1-12, Luke 23:50-56

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R.T. France

... thinking; it was well known that a woman could not be trusted, still less a whole bunch of them in an emotional state! 24:12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. This verse (absent from some early Western manuscripts but accepted as an original part of Luke by most commentators) seems like a brief reference to the visit spelled out in more detail by John 20:3–10, where the position of the linen wrappings is given some prominence as evidence. Luke’s account does not develop this theme, nor ...

3006. The Risen Jesus Revealed

Luke 24:13-35

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R.T. France

... them to accept, but 24:16 also indicates a divine purpose to postpone recognition until the climactic moment. 24:33–35 There they found the Eleven and those with them. A lot has happened in the five hours or so since the two set off for Emmaus. The original scorn of the male disciples at the women’s report has given way to dawning belief. The decisive new event has been the appearance to Peter, which must be presumed to be subsequent to his inconclusive visit to the tomb in 24:12. The Gospels have no ...

3007. Paul Reinterprets the Story of Israel

Romans 2:17-29

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C. Marvin Pate

... by to bring water, with which she sprinkles and washes the room, after which it is cleansed and pleasant. The Interpreter then explains to Christian that the dust-filled room is the human heart, where the law (the sweeper) has raised the dust of original sin and inward corruption that defiles the soul and spirit. Only the water of grace can subdue that dust, but the dust must be raised in order to bring about awareness of personal uncleanness. It is idolatrous to worship the Bible and not God. Theological ...

3008. The Faithfulness of God and the Covenantal Curses on Israel

Romans 3:1-8

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C. Marvin Pate

... us in this part of the world to give to missions to the point of sacrifice. Second, from 3:3–4 we learn that God disciplines those whom he loves, whether the Old Testament people of God or the New Testament people of God. God is the originator of “tough love” when it comes to his children. Such discipline demonstrates God’s concern for us much like parents’ discipline of their sons and daughters shows their love for them. Third, from 3:5–8 we learn that the divine judge over the world is coming ...

3009. God’s Saving Righteousness and the Restoration of Israel

Romans 3:21-31

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C. Marvin Pate

... approach sees grace/faith in the Old Testament (= Abrahamic covenant). My approach also is better than the New Perspective on Paul because that approach sees only grace in the Old Testament, not legalism, whereas my approach (which, of course, I did not originate) sees legalism in the Old Testament (= Mosaic covenant). Teaching the Text The best way to preach or teach Romans 3:27–31 is to title the message something like “No Boasting before God” and then simply to explain the three contrasts between ...

3010. The Story of Abraham versus the Story of Israel

Romans 4:1-25

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C. Marvin Pate

... 4:17b–25, “The God of the Impossible” is a sermon/lesson that could develop the four impossibilities that God performed: creation, procreation, resurrection, and justification. The first of these four miracles God did out of nothing. When it comes to the origin of the universe, there really are only two possibilities: either matter is eternal or God is eternal. While in the past some scientists and philosophers argued for the former, these days the Big Bang theory is hospitable to the claim that the ...

3011. New Dominion as a Blessing of the New Covenant: Dead to Sin

Romans 6:1-14

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C. Marvin Pate

... the inclusion of baptism in the Christian message (Matt. 3; Mark 1:1–11; Luke 3:1–22; John 1:29–34 implicitly), once belonged to the Essene community.[2] If so, his message of a baptism of repentance to Jews may have originated with the Essenes, who also required Jewish initiates to be baptized, a practice normally reserved for Gentiles. Fourth, it used to be fashionable among scholars to root Paul’s message of baptism in the mystery religions. Richard Reitzenstein and Wilhelm Bousset claimed that ...

3012. The Divine Plan of Salvation

Romans 11:33-36

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C. Marvin Pate

... wisdom of God, not the law, undergirds the divine plan of salvation history. 11:36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. Fittingly, Paul concludes the hymn of 11:33–36 with a doxology to God. All things, especially the plan of salvation, originated in God and were implemented through him and for his glory. And Jesus Christ was the means for doing so. Thus, the plan of salvation is based not on the works of the law or any human merit, but rather on God’s grace through Christ, who is ...

3013. Introduction and “Hello”

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

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Preben Vang

... what they are to be about. God has already determined the agenda! The task of Christian churches is to determine how to apply that agenda most effectively in their location and context. It follows that there can be no pride in one’s context or origin. Given the call from God to spread the gospel of Christ, the recipients’ citizenship as “Corinthians” was not worthy of mention except to indicate their place of service. The same is true today. It makes no difference for the gospel that a church or a ...

3014. Church Divisions and Confusion of Allegiance

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

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Preben Vang

... . that you be perfectly united. The word kat?rtismenoi (“be perfectly united”) brings the sense of restoration to the context—putting things back to the order they were intended to have (cf. Mark 1:19). It may even contain a subtle reference to God’s original plan for his creation (Heb. 11:3). What God intended from the beginning, and what Christ caused among you when you first received the gospel, should again be a reality among you. in mind and thought. Having the “same mind” (NRSV; or “same ...

3015. Wisdom and Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

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Preben Vang

... up on the connection made between “gospelizing”1and Christ’s cross in verse 17, Paul summarizes the gospel as the “message [lit., ‘word’] of the cross.” In this context “word” functions as a synonym for preaching, while “cross” identifies the origin of the message. Paul’s aim here is to show how Christ’s cross should have a transformative effect on believers. Paul’s proclamation reveals a wisdom that differs 180 degrees from human wisdom because it is generated by Christ’s ...

3016. Applying God’s Wisdom to Life’s Issues

1 Corinthians 2:6-16, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

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Preben Vang

... read “mystery” (myst?rion) rather than “testimony” (martyrion) of God.3In this context, however, the difference in meaning between these readings seems minor. Paul’s point is clearly that the content of his proclamation came as revelation from God and did not originate in human thinking. God’s testimony to the world, his salvation through Christ, remains a mystery to human wisdom (2:7) that the unspiritual do not understand (2:8, 13). 2:2 nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and ...

3017. Christian Maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

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Preben Vang

... that they belong to God’s Spirit and have learned his ways. 3:3 You are still worldly. To be worldly, or carnal (sarkikos, “fleshly”), is to be infantile. “Carnal” must not be misunderstood to indicate impermissible sexual behavior. Rather, it speaks to the origin of their thinking (cf. Rom. 12:1–2). Sarkikos, like sarkinos in 3:1, speaks to that which comes from human nature rather than from God (9:11; 2 Cor. 1:12; 10:4; Rom. 15:27).[5] The Corinthians were infantile because their thinking ...

3018. Christian Success and Christlikeness

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

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Preben Vang

... a conclusion. After urging the Corinthians in 1:10 to end their cliquish behavior, Paul has spent the next four chapters spelling out the unfortunate reasons for, and effects of, this behavior. Now, in the tersest way possible, he restates his original appeal in a three-word solution clause that solves the issue outlined in 1:10: “Become my imitators” (NIV: “imitate me”). Although some have understood this statement as Paul’s attempt to claim or regain a special and privileged place of authority ...

3019. Resurrection and Christian Living

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

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Preben Vang

... structure. Most Greeks believed that at death the soul was released from the body and the “good” soul would soar back to the realm of God (or the gods).[1] To them, human beings consisted of two parts, one eternal and of divine origin, the other mortal and made of matter. To Paul, such an understanding militates against the Christian message, which envisions neither the existence of a disembodied soul nor an eternal soul with no need of recreation. Rather, the promise of Christ’s resurrection is ...

3020. Resurrection and Transformation (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

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Preben Vang

... the first Adam, will be changed into the image of the last Adam when they are raised. Christ, the man from heaven, is the firstfruits of those who are raised to live in God’s new reality. God will through Christ restore his creation to its original order (cf. Gen. 1:26; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15). Theological Insights Since the fall placed creation in the intolerable situation of perishable mortality, all of creation must be transformed to be fit for the full presence of God. The promise of resurrection is ...

3021. Greeting, Doxology, and Confession

Revelation 1:4-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... and the Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet). Combined with the threefold description of God’s eternal nature repeated from verse 4 (who is, was, and is to come), these statements assert God’s sovereign control over all of history. Also, the original readers would have been deeply comforted by hearing John’s favorite title for God: “the Almighty” (see also Rev. 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22; cf. 2 Cor. 6:18). Whereas Caesar (autokratōr, or emperor) rules over ...

3022. Message to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

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J. Scott Duvall

... , but when the underlying principle is applied, it can lead to profound insight. When we consider, “What is the greatest reward God could give us?” a little logic can help. If the greatest gift humans can receive is an experience of a perfect love, and if God himself is the origin and apex of love, then the greatest gift God could give us is himself. When we settle for anything else, we’re being illogical!

3023. The Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... cannot be restricted to any one period of history. Death, as the apostle Paul reminds us, is the last enemy and affects us all (1 Cor. 15:25–26). A much better approach is to look for the effect of the vision on the original readers and, by implication, on us as contemporary readers. Mounce rightly concludes that “visions at best are to be experienced rather than analyzed.”6 When the seven churches first heard Revelation 6, they were no doubt filled with fear and anxiety. They would have been ...

3024. The Protective Sealing of God’s People on Earth

Revelation 7:1-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... or protected against his judgments. God promises to bring judgment on a wicked world, and that includes allowing evil forces to carry out their destructive activity. But we see in the Scriptures a clear distinction between the wrath/persecution originating from evil forces and the wrath/condemnation coming from God. While believers may experience persecution, they will never experience God’s wrath because God has sealed or protected them. Sadly, some Christians become so fascinated with battling evil that ...

3025. The Celebration of the Great Multitude in Heaven

Revelation 7:9-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... –11; 40:34–38). 7:16–17 Never again will they hunger; . . . For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; “he will lead them to springs of living water.” “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” The promises originally made to the exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylon now provide a fitting description of how God plans to remove all pain and suffering: “They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has ...

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