Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3051 to 3075 of 4943 results

3051. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... single structures that make up the whole (cf. also Abbott, pp. 74, 75. Barth, Eph. 1–3, p. 272; Foulkes, p. 87). The NIV follows this line of interpretation in its translation, in him the whole building is joined together. The concept of a building process is continued in the following phrase: Christ is the one in whom it rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Though the imagery is that of a building, the next verse (2:22) makes it clear that the author has a spiritual “house” in mind where God ...

3052. Unity in the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:1-16

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... of each member are supplemented by the gifts of all members. It is the working together of each part that produces unity and growth. Here it is the gift that Christ apportioned, not the gift of the Spirit, as in Corinthians (1 Cor. 12:7–13). The continuity of this passage is interrupted by a parenthesis at 4:9–10. The writer has introduced Christ as the giver of spiritual gifts, but before he goes on to enumerate them (4:11), he pauses to reflect upon the “giver” and how Christ’s dispensing of ...

3053. Wives and Husbands

Ephesians 5:22-33

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... spoke in Eph. 2:14–16 shall be extended into every house and praised by the conduct of husband and wife” (Eph. 4–6, p. 655). The subjects of husband-wife relationships, the equality of women, and the role of women in the church continue to be debated and controversial issues today. With respect to Ephesians, several things must be noted: First, the author is talking about husband-wife relationships, not male-female differences and the equality, rights, roles, and so on of women. Some of those issues ...

3054. Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17--3:5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... )—not now, not by others, not even by himself, but only by Jesus en te autou parousia, “in his parousia,” The metaphor continues. Games were often held in honor of a visiting dignitary, whose arrival would be spoken of as his parousia, his “coming,” or ... Timothy could do so in his own right, but as Paul’s emissary, he assures the Thessalonians of Paul’s continuing concern. Sterizō means “to fix,” “to make fast” (from sterinx, “a support”) and expresses precisely what converts need— ...

3055. Stand Firm

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... . 4:4–6; 1 Pet. 1:2; Jude 20f. and possibly Acts 20:28). The perfect participle loved is the same as in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 and again carries the assurance that the love once shown them in Christ—the love which was the mainspring of their salvation—continues to enfold them, come what may—even the lawless one! They give thanks because from the beginning God chose you. This is the only instance in the NT of the use of the simple verb haireō (in the middle voice) of God’s choice. It is used, however ...

3056. Warnings Against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... in the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 6 the longer form is used, “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” but in the name of becomes an assertion of authority. Without it, the phrase is better understood as a reminder of where they stand and of Paul’s continuing relationship with them because of it and despite their shortcomings. They were still his brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 3:15; see note on 1 Thess. 1:1 for the titles Lord and Christ). 3:13 The admonition of this verse addresses all of the ...

3057. Instructions on Worship

1 Timothy 2:1-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... ; and the Marshall essay just mentioned. 2:7 There is an emphatic I in Paul’s sentence here, but the verb is in the passive, indicating that his ministry was not of his own choosing but of God’s. Proper Demeanor in Prayer In this paragraph Paul continues his instructions on “prayers” begun in verse 1. But now the concern is for proper demeanor on the part of the “pray-ers.” But why these concerns, and why in this way? And why the inordinate amount of time devoted to the women in comparison with ...

3058. Instructions to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... Paul and refer to his and others’ ministries (cf. Col. 1:29, where they also occur together). The first verb, we labor, has to do with engaging in athletic contests (see disc. on 6:12; cf. 2 Tim. 4:7; 1 Cor 9:25) and thus continues the athletic metaphor begun in verse 7. The verb strive is more frequent; it occurs again in 5:17 regarding the teaching ministry of the elders. What the NIV translates as “that” (following its parenthesis) should in fact be translated “because.” Thus Paul concludes the ...

3059. Paul's Charge to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... the prize. Both the language (eternal life, cf. disc. on 1:16) and the nature of the metaphor, as well as the parallel in 2 Timothy 4:7–8, imply that the main thrust of the imperative is eschatological; that is, Timothy is to continue in the contest until it consummates in triumphant conclusion. But as usual in such texts, there is an inherent tension between the “already” and the “not-yet” of the believer’s eschatological existence. The imperative, take hold of, implies a present action as well ...

3060. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... in verse 10, plus the exhortation to perseverance, with its warning against apostasy in verses 11–13, bring Paul—and Timothy—back to the hard realities of the situation on Ephesus, with the presence of the false teachers (cf. 1 Timothy). Apparently they continue to plague the church, as Onesiphorus had probably informed him, although clearly not all have capitulated. This concern dominates the appeal from here to 4:5. In 2:14–3:9 the focus is almost entirely on the false teachers and what Timothy ...

3061. Titus' Task on Crete

Titus 1:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... typical instance of Paul’s referring to believers as the people of God by using OT language (e.g., Ps. 105:43; Isa. 65:9, 15; cf. his use of “saints”). In Paul’s view those who have put their trust (faith) in Christ are therefore the true continuation of the ancient people of God. Such a designation is surely intended for the ears of those who are in churches where the errors have a decidedly Jewish cast to them (see esp. 1:10, 14; 3:8–9). His apostleship is also “with a view to their coming ...

3062. Doing What is Good

Titus 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... to be rejected is precisely that, in his divisiveness, such a man demonstrates that he is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. In persisting in divisive behavior, the false teacher “has become perverted” or “turned aside” (Gk. perfect tense) “and is continuing in his sinning” (Gk. present tense), thus being self-condemned. That is, by his very persistence in his sinful behavior he has condemned himself, thus putting himself on the outside, hence to be rejected by Titus and the church. It is ...

3063. The Remaining Promise of Rest

Hebrews 4:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... of fulfillment (v. 6). What the Israelites failed to receive becomes available to those who believe in the good news of Jesus Christ (cf. vv. 2 and 3). Thus the negative argument of the quotation serves ultimately as a support for the argument concerning the continuing availability of rest. God declared on oath that the Israelites would never enter his rest even though that rest was already a reality. The implication is that he had others in mind who would indeed enter that rest. The reality of God’s rest ...

3064. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... his death) might pass from him. The fact that the prayers and petitions are said to have been directed to the one who could save him from death indicates almost certainly that the prayers were centered on the avoidance of death. But how then can the author continue by saying that he was heard? God always hears the prayers of those who suffer (see Ps. 22:24, a psalm that the early church understood as foreshadowing the passion of Jesus). Yet, it is clear that he does not always answer in the way that might ...

3065. The Blood of Christ

Hebrews 9:11-28

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... once-for-all” sacrifice of Christ that is the new covenant’s counterpart to the sacrifices of the old covenant. Christ himself is the reality to which the copies pointed. His sacrificial work thus was presented, so to speak, in heaven itself, and there he now continues in his high priestly ministry of intercession in God’s presence (cf. 6:20; 7:25; Rom. 8:34). This is what is meant by the statement that Christ did not enter a man-made (lit., “handmade”) sanctuary. This was but a copy (“anti-type ...

3066. Suffering for Being a Christian

1 Peter 4:12-19

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... upon his care and protection. God is faithful. He always keeps his promises to do what he says he will do. For their part, believers are not to droop in a resigned fashion under persecution, but to respond to it positively, however difficult that may be, by continuing to do good—and perhaps having Christ’s words in mind Peter means “especially to persecutors” (2:12; 3:9; Matt. 5:16; Luke 6:27). Additional Notes 4:12 Dear friends translates agapētoi, beloved (by God), as in 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:1, 8 ...

3067. Prophecy of Scripture

2 Peter 1:12-21

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... life into the next. Jesus himself once said that “if anyone keeps my word, he will never notice death” (John 8:51, lit.). Peter is looking forward to his own “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom” (v. 11; cf. 1 Pet. 1:4), but he is concerned for the continued well being of his readers beyond the day of his passing. 1:15 Peter is not only writing the present letter for the benefit of his readers. He will make every effort to do something more. We may well assume that what Peter has in mind is a more ...

3068. The Plague on the Firstborn

Exodus 11:1-10

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... (Fretheim, Exodus, p. 131). Using the strong word “plunder” may miss the point of the text. The new respect and graciousness of the ordinary Egyptians is an ironic miracle, demonstrating the lordship of Yahweh over all people. 11:4–10 Verse 4 continues Moses’ conversation with the pharaoh and the description of the tenth plague. Moses’ last comment had been, “Just as you say . . . I will never appear before you again” (10:29). Here he delivers his eighth and last, “This is what the LORD ...

3069. Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... bread was to be very personal, close at hand, and on your mind so that you speak of it frequently. The section concludes with the refrain, For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand (13:3, 9, 16). 13:11–16 Moses continues to speak to the people, establishing a perpetual ordinance for the redemption of the firstborn. The law of the firstborn redemption (vv. 11–16) mirrors the killing of the firstborn in Egypt and the protection of Israel’s firstborn (12:1–13). This protection was ...

3070. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... not leave them, day or night. God was a unique physical and visible presence (see also 24:15–17; 40:34–38; Ps. 18:9–13). This new reality would have further implications for their aid and for their judgment as the revelation of the Lord to the people continued in the wilderness and at Sinai. 14:1–31 The Lord set a strategic trap for Pharaoh in the exit from Egypt. God sent the people of Israel to a vulnerable location next to the sea and “hemmed in by the desert.” This was part of the Lord’s ...

3071. Water from the Rock

Exodus 17:1-7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... characteristic reliable and gracious provision. Later, when the people had had time to process and assimilate their experience, yet persisted in their challenges, God’s righteous anger would strike against the perpetrators of rebellion. In this text, however, the Lord continues to lead with practical patience with this newly forming people. The Lord gave Moses five steps for surviving this crisis. God told him to “take some of the elders of Israel” and walk ahead of the people. This could also ...

3072. Jethro Visits Moses

Exodus 18:1-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... covenant at Sinai (chs. 19–23). Jethro’s brief appearance and return to his “own country” mark the parting of a God-fearing Gentile from the midst of the Israelites. He offered them a structure for the administration of law that they readily accepted. They would continue to follow the Lord’s leading and receive the laws of Sinai. 18:1–12 The text once again calls Jethro the priest of Midian (2:16; 3:1; see comment on 2:18). What Jethro believed and came to believe is a matter of wide speculation ...

3073. At Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:1-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... his holy nation and a kingdom of priests to the world. This call begins with a description of God’s grace in three stages: bringing Israel out of bondage, providing for them in the wilderness, and guiding them to an encounter with God that would continue to transform their lives. The Lord reminds them that they had indeed been witnesses to these gifts. They had seen “what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” The Lord spoke very personally, saying: “I ...

3074. Protection of Property

Exodus 22:1-15

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... with the casuistic laws of the book of the covenant. These case laws protected property in cases of theft or negligent damage and established civility between neighbors by setting limits of liability for another’s property. They continue through verse 17, after which the legal form changes to commandments (apodictic law). The commandments address three more capital offenses, limitation of the use of power with the vulnerable, and one’s relationship to God. The Lord established law and the rule of ...

3075. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... present in John 1 (see Hooker, “Johannine Prologue”). Exodus 34:6 is especially well represented in the words “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) particularly resonate with Exodus 34:6. See also Exodus 33:18–23 as a background to John 1:18. Revelation continues with the theme of the Lord’s “tenting” with the people. God spread his tent of the new heavens over the people (Rev. 7:15; 21:3). The book of Hebrews draws on the pattern of heaven (Exod. 25:9, 40) focused on the new creation and ...

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