Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3126 to 3150 of 5000 results

3126. A Festival Procession for Giving Thanks

Psalm 118:1-29

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... 19–20, 26–27). It alternates between referring to Yahweh in the third person and addressing him in the second person, and between hymnic sections, spoken by “we,” and thanksgiving sections, spoken by “I.” The “gate liturgy” (vv. 19–20, 26) illustrates that we cannot distinguish sharply between the individual and the group. A speaker commands, “Open for me” and “I will enter,” but the psalm then points to a group: “This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter ...

3127. Meditating on the Lord’s Instruction: From A to Z

Psalm 119:1-176

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , however, signal a shift from a temple-based religion to a torah-based religion. The primary locus of Yahweh’s revelation here is written Scripture, not the temple with its festivals, sacrifices, and liturgies, which receive no mention. This shift is also illustrated in the synoptic accounts of the OT. First Kings 8:25 and 2 Chronicles 6:16 are identical, except that the former, preexilic passage enjoins the Davidic kings “to walk before me” and the latter, postexilic passage enjoins them “to walk ...

3128. Out of the Depths

Psalm 130:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

In this psalm of ascent, we see both the individual (“I” in vv. 1–2, 5–6) and the corporate body represented (Israel in vv. 7–8). This duality makes best sense if we imagine a liturgist leading a congregation in worship. Here we see illustrated the educative role of liturgy: in verses 1–6, the liturgist exemplifies a humble and expectant piety, first in prayer to God (vv. 1–4) and then in testimony to the congregation (vv. 5–6). Moreover, in verses 7–8, he exhorts them to follow this ...

3129. Nocturnal Praise

Psalm 134:1-3

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... praise of God sung by pilgrims during the day may continue into the night. Perhaps echoed here is an earlier psalm of ascent that claims, “he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (121:4). Also Isaiah 30:29 illustrates that “a holy festival” was celebrated into “the night.” Further, it is possible these “servants” who “minister by night” are priests or Levites. The closing benediction (v. 3) may support this suggestion because a priest pronounces it upon the (departing ...

3130. A Prayer for the Heart in the Midst of Threat and Temptation

Psalm 141:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , cf. 53:5). The closing verses (vv. 8–10) turn the worshiper’s attention to his relationship with God: But my eyes are fixed on you . . . ; in you I take refuge. The image of the speaker’s refuge is complemented by the image of his opponents’ entrapment, which in turn illustrates the principle of retribution in kind: Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

3131. God of Creation and Restorer of Jerusalem

Psalm 147:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... 17; 118:8–9; 146:3–4; Isa. 40:30–31). 147:12–20 The third call to praise focuses on those commanded to sing Yahweh’s praises: Jerusalem. (Zion is addressed directly as in 146:10.) As the transitional word in verses 13–14, we can see illustrated here that the Hebrew term šālôm has a broader range of meaning than the English peace. It includes both security from military attack (v. 13a) and “well-being” (vv. 13b, 14b) or to some extent, “prosperity” (so translated in the NIV in 72:3, 7 ...

3132. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15-22

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... between the two texts” (p. 301) but explains them as evidence of the freedom with which oral tradition interpreted the parables of Jesus. It is better to take the two accounts as separate but related narratives told on different occasions in order to illustrate or strengthen basic truths. It would be highly unlikely for Jesus to have told each of his parables on one occasion only. The so-called strange and unnatural additions appear as such only to those who would rewrite Scripture to match twentieth ...

3133. Marriage at the Resurrection

Matthew 22:23-33

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

3134. The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

3135. Whose Son Is the Christ?

Matthew 22:41-46

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

3136. Daniel in the Den of Lions

Daniel 6:1-28

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... been as offensive to ancient Israelites as they are to us. In the earliest form of the law, sins of the parents were visited on the descendants to the third and fourth generation (Exod. 34:7). There was a sense of corporate guilt in early Israel, which is illustrated by the stoning of Achan and his family after he took illicit spoil from Jericho (Josh. 7) and by the deaths of the rebels Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with all of their families (Num. 16:23–33). On the one hand, we might see the killing ...

3137. Jesus Walks On the Water

Mark 6:45-56

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... used it simply to complement the preceding passage (6:30–52), in which he gives other examples of the mighty power at work in Jesus. The present summary passage is not another revelation scene like the feeding or the sea miracle, but it does further illustrate the point that Jesus bore the power of God. As we have noted already, Mark’s attitude toward the popular notoriety of Jesus as a wonderworker is that Jesus did indeed do such works but that the crowd’s perception of Jesus was all too shallow ...

3138. The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... them, persecutions, makes plain the reality behind the language—that in this age no material profit is promised. The follower is, however, promised eternal life in the age to come, and the teaching that the rich and mighty will be less likely to enter the kingdom illustrates what is meant by the reversal described in verse 31. Additional Notes 10:17 A man: Mark tells us no more about the man than that he was wealthy and had a good record of religious observance. Only Matt. 19:20 says that he was young ...

3139. The Widow's Offering

Mark 12:41-44

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... and the rich who give impressive gifts to the temple reminds us of Jesus’ warning about how riches are an obstacle to discipleship and obedience to God (10:17–31). The virtue of the widow’s gift lies in her giving all she had (v. 44), illustrating for the disciples the wholesale commitment for which Jesus called (e.g., 8:34–9:1; 10:28–31). Her action exemplifies the complete devotion spoken about in 12:28–34, where it is hinted that commitment to God is not to be measured in the impressiveness ...

3140. The Boy Jesus at the Temple

Luke 2:41-52

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of his larger narrative. This episode concludes with a refrain (v. 52) similar to those closing other episodes within the infancy narratives (1:80; 2:40). This incident serves as a transition from the infancy to the adulthood of Jesus. It also illustrates Jesus’ growth and wisdom (2:40). The opening verse not only sets the stage for the episode itself, but once again underscores the faithfulness and piety of Joseph and Mary. Seen against the Passover celebration, Jesus’ teaching in the temple may very ...

3141. Jesus Heals Many

Luke 4:38-44

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... them. This enthusiasm for Jesus is due primarily to his healings and aid. In keeping with popular views about the blessings associated with the coming of the Messiah, the people expected such benefits and eagerly sought them. However, as the Nazareth sermon so graphically illustrated (4:16–30), Jesus’ idea of the good news of the kingdom of God is less eagerly received. Jesus states that he must preach in other towns also. The idea of Jesus traveling is an important theme in Luke’s Gospel and has been ...

3142. A Tree and Its Fruit

Luke 6:43-45

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... the sermon. (Mark has no equivalent sermon.) The sermon seems to be derived primarily from the sayings source utilized by Luke and Matthew. Thus, we may say that Luke 6:12–49 is based on material taken from Mark and from the sayings source. 6:43-45 Verses 43–45 illustrate metaphorically how people can be evaluated: Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.

3143. Jesus and John the Baptist

Luke 7:18-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... in the proper sequence. Taken either way, the point of the parable is that the people of Israel (particularly the religious authorities) have not been satisfied either with John or with Jesus. In vv. 33–34 Jesus further clarifies his point by illustrating the obstinate nature of his contemporaries. In response to John’s message and lifestyle they say, “He has a demon.” In response to the alternate style of Jesus’ message and ministry they say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend ...

3144. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Luke 8:40-56

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... been regarded as ritually “unclean” (Lev. 15:25–30), and so out of place at the synagogue, Jairus, an official of the local synagogue, who would have been regarded as ritually “clean,” also needed the ministry of Jesus. These episodes graphically illustrate humankind’s universal need for Jesus. Additional Notes 8:40 when Jesus returned: Jesus returned to Galilee, Jewish territory, on the west side of Gennesaret Lake. 8:41 a ruler of the synagogue: Ellis (p. 130) calls this person a “synagogue ...

3145. The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... mission is too urgent and too important for a task that just as easily could be settled by a rabbi (Ellis, p. 178; Fitzmyer, pp. 968–69). But the concern with a fair and proper division of the inheritance leads Jesus to tell a parable calculated to illustrate the folly of laying up treasures on earth (cf. vv. 15–21). Because of an abundant harvest the rich man finds it necessary to replace his barns with bigger ones. The man is implicitly selfish. He does not see this abundance as an opportunity to help ...

3146. Do Not Worry

Luke 12:22-34

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... :13–22: “… thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches …” (RSV); Sir. 47:18: “… you gathered gold like tin and amassed silver like lead” (RSV); see also 1 Kings 10:4–5, 21, 23; 2 Chron. 9:4, 20. 12:28 On using grass as an illustration cf. Isa. 37:27; 40:6–8; Job 8:12; Pss. 37:2; 90:5–6; 102:11; 103:15–16. you of little faith: Lachs (p. 133) cites this rabbinic parallel: “Whoever has a morsel of bread in a basket and says, ‘What shall I eat tomorrow’ is one ...

3147. The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15:11-32

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... as an unwarranted and undeserved celebration. The father explains to his older son that all the blessings and rewards for his faithfulness and loyalty are undiminished: “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (v. 31). The joyous celebration illustrates the joy of recovering what was lost (as in the preceding parables). The older son must understand this. He too should share in the father’s joy. In its original context the two sons very likely would have been understood as referring ...

3148. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9-14

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Luke’s Central Section draws to a close (with v. 15 Luke resumes following his Marcan source [at Mark 10:13]). This parable “makes a fitting finale for the Lucan Travel Account” (Fitzmyer, p. 1183), for it illustrates with graphic clarity what Luke sees as the correct attitude one should have before God. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is similar to the preceding parable in that its main point is seen in the individual responses of the two ...

3149. The Rich Ruler

Luke 18:18-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of violating the first and foremost commandment as well: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:3; Deut. 5:7, RSV). This person could not give up his wealth and follow Jesus (hence his sadness in v. 23). His reaction well illustrates Jesus’ pronouncement: “You cannot serve both God and Money” (Luke 16:13; see also Matt. 6:24). Following this exchange Jesus utters three more pronouncements regarding the relation of wealth to the kingdom of God (vv. 24–25, 27, 29–30). The first ...

3150. Whose Son Is the Christ?

Luke 20:41-47

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of authority, which they abuse, they will be punished most severely. This passage probably should be linked, at least thematically, with the one that follows (21:1–4). The poverty of the widow, who gave her last pennies to the temple, illustrates what Jesus meant when he said that the teachers devour widows’ houses. The poor are robbed, and the oppressive deeds are covered up with a show of prayer and religiosity. Additional Notes 20:43 footstool: In great antiquity vanquished enemies were often ...

Showing results