Sermon and Worship Resources

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1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . Note again that while we, and the Corinthians, naturally assume that the attributes Paul lists describe the character of Christ, the list is just as applicable to God. A Jewish audience subscribing to the affirmation that "God is love" could find Paul's list perfectly proper. The final style change in this unit takes place at verse 8. Paul now abandons the pedagogical format of Wisdom literature and picks up a more polemical style. Whereas he sought to gently instruct his readers in verses 17, he now sets ...

3227. Luke 16:1-13

Luke 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... only ones brought up short by such an outrageous action. Many scholars suggest that Luke 16:10-13 was added on to the original ending of Jesus' parable by the early church as it struggled to deal with "dishonest stewards" within its own walls. Finding the perfect lead-in to this issue with Luke 16:1-7, the first Christian communities supposedly skipped over the problematic verse 8 and added a further commentary on the rewards for honest and dishonest behavior in verses 10-13. The master's praise in verse 8a ...

3228. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of their offering (v.16). They used their positions of power to twist the moral standards of sexual behavior in order to serve their own desires (v.22). It seems the text's summation of the character of Eli's sons, they "were scoundrels" (v.12), was perfectly correct. An unnamed "man of God" (v.27) comes to Eli and delivers the first of God's pronouncements against that prophet's wicked sons, the promise that Eli's house will fall. The horrendous moral state of Eli's family and the decrepit spiritual life ...

3229. Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... his readers that they have escaped the clutches of the "ruler of the power of the air." He insists that those "in Christ" are raised up into "heavenly places." In verse 5 and again in verse 8, this author declares, in an extraordinary use of the perfect tense, that we "have been saved." This grammatical tense suggests that for confessed members of the body of Christ, salvation is already accomplished, not a state that will be entered into at some later time. Yet the focus in verses 7-10 does slip into the ...

3230. John 20:19-31

John 20:19-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Jesus' sacrifice, forgiveness is now made possible. The disciples themselves are not the cause of the forgiveness now offered to others, even though they have now received the Holy Spirit. The verb here, "they are forgiven," is proclaimed in the Greek perfect tense a grammatical structure that expresses a past action which results in a present state (Barclay M. Newman and Eugene A. Nida, A Translator's Handbook on the Gospel of John [New York: United Bible Societies, 1980], 615). Thus, Jesus' declaration ...

3231. John 10:11-18

John 10:11-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... sheep "know" is their faith in the Good Shepherd's unfaltering love and compassion. This is "knowledge" only in that it is knowledge of faithfulness. What the Father "knows," what the sheep "know," is that Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the one in perfect accordance with God's own will, gladly lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus' next revelation (v.16) has a history of varied interpretation within church tradition. The Greek clearly distinguishes between Jesus' reference to "this fold" (aulee) and the "one ...

3232. John 15:9-17

John 15:9-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... least, the context suggests that "these things" include the urging in verse 7 to "abide" and verse 8 "to bear much fruit." The theme of "joy" introduced here in verse 11 is a favorite of the Johannine writers. Jesus' "joy" comes from a relationship of perfect obedience to the Father, and the unity that the Father and Son therefore share. But even this joy can be expanded. It can be made more "complete." "Completed" or "fulfilled" joy (also used in 3:29) is accomplished when Jesus' disciples enter into an ...

3233. Mark 10:2-16

Mark 10:2-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... intentions. Marriage joins together the male and female to complete God's unity of creation. Jesus refuses to relegate marriage to jurisdictions of legal debates and nit-picking. For Jesus, marriage is part of the divine will for a completed, perfected creation. Because Jesus places marriage so wholly under God's authority, he declares it beyond the power of any human individual or human institution to separate that divinely intended unity. The yawning gap between divine intentions and human realities in ...

3234. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... for royalty, this road must be "straight," without curves (behind which a hidden enemy could lurk). The results of this messianic king's appearance are described in verses 5-6. Through a series of contrasting pairs crooked/straight, rough/smooth the perfected nature of life is described. If verse 5 describes what improvements await the created world, verse 6 reveals what change the Messiah-King's presence will have on humanity. "All flesh" will "see" or "experience" the accomplishment of God's true work ...

3235. Luke 7:36-8:3

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Jesus has abrogated any prophetic claims he might have had. Instead of responding to this woman's remarkable action, for the time being, the author leaves both her actions and her motives shrouded in mystery. Jesus first turns to Simon the Pharisee. In perfect keeping with the environment his host has provided, Jesus offers a parable as a means of corrective teaching. The parable of the canceled debts leads Simon and Luke's readers to conclude that the greater the debt forgiven the more love the debtor ...

3236. 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

today's text also has a chiastic structure perfect except at A', because Elisha does not return to Gilgal but rather continues past Bethel to Carmel and Samaria. Our reading, moreover, extends only to the center piece of the structure, verse 14: A. From Gilgal to Bethel (2:1b-2) B. Bethel (2:3-4) C. Jericho (2:5- ...

3237. Hebrews 12:18-29

Hebrews 12:18-29

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to the whole assembly. In this joyful context, not amidst the darkness and smoke of a distant mountain, the people meet "God the judge of all." But God is not alone. Also present are the "spirits of the righteous," the saints of Hebrew history whose perfected spirits (sans their yet-to-be-resurrected bodies) have granted them admission to this party. Along with the "firstborn" these spirits are present to encounter "Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant" (v.24). The party on Mt.Zion might be for the benefit ...

3238. Jeremiah 2:4-13

Jeremiah 2:4-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the Old Testament [Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997], 233ff.) That such behavior must shock even the heavens (v.12) is reflected in two particularly egregious sins: First, they have forsaken Yahweh, and second, they have fled to gods which are no gods (11,13). They are like someone who forsakes a perfectly good cistern full of "living water" for a self-dug and cracked cistern "that can hold no water" (v.13). Their behavior, Yahweh declares, holds no water.

3239. Jeremiah 18:1-11

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Today's Hebrew Scripture reading offers one of the most favorite, familiar, and enduring images known to believers. Jeremiah's image of God as the divine potter working on, smoothing over, lifting up and perfecting the potentiality of human "clay" is picked up and repeated elsewhere in Scripture (Job 10:9; 33:6; Isaiah 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; Romans 9:20-21; Revelation 2:27). One can also find it in other literature and, of course, in song. Jeremiah's use of this ...

3240. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... nature of the divine Christ. That Jesus came "to save sinners" affirms the whole reason for the Incarnation to redeem fallen, broken humanity. Paul celebrates his own experience of divine mercy and patience not only for his own sake, but because this makes him a perfect example to others of the depth and breadth of Christ's saving ability. If even Paul's great sinfulness were erased, who could be beyond the pale of God's grace? The "sureness" affirmed by verse 15, however, suggests that the focus here is ...

3241. 1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... all. Verse 6b subtly shifts the focus back from Christ's sacrifice to God's ultimate plan. The time of salvation was determined by God. There are no divine errors in time-keeping. The cross came at the "right time." Also part of God's perfectly timed plan for salvation is the divine choice of a proclaimer. Paul defines himself as "herald," "apostle" and "teacher." Again it would appear that Paul may have some gnostic disclaimers in mind for he emphasizes his role as "teacher" by more fully explaining his ...

3242. Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... comment of verse 8b do not seem to relate with apparent ease to the parable. Most scholars regard these two statements as Lukan additions and, indeed, the parable's original setting is lost to us. They are additions, however, which make perfect sense if one interprets the pericope in light of the heavy eschatological tones present throughout. That this is the proper hermeneutical direction is further indicated by the fact that Luke places this parable immediately following an explicitly eschatological, even ...

3243. Matthew 11:2-11

Matthew 11:2-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... for both his powerful witness and his precise message. First, he contrasts John's stalwart, roughshod image against the more refined images that usually attract a crowd's attention. Jesus' images here may be layered in meanings obscured by the centuries but perfectly transparent to his first-century audience. "Reeds" did indeed grow abundantly out by the Jordan River's edge. But a "reed" was also one of the images engraved on the coinage minted for Herod Antipas, John the Baptist's jailer. Likewise, "soft ...

3244. Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the moment of his birth, Jesus' life has been a divine instant replay of Israel's first deliverance. The wickedness and willfulness of Pharaoh are wholly reawakened in the person of Herod the Great. Israel's historic exodus out of Egypt is perfectly mirrored by the "little exodus" of Jesus' family back into Egypt. Like the baby Moses, the baby Jesus is born under a death sentence, which necessitates drastic parental action. Both Moses and Jesus live under divinely imposed exile until they are "re-called ...

3245. Weakness into Strength

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon

James McCormick

... , some kind of affliction that was causing him difficulty and he wanted it gone. He prayed about it again and again, but the thorn remained. Instead of removing the thorn, God kept saying to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Over time, Paul discovered in his own experience the truth of what God was telling him. So much so, that Paul concluded his statement by saying, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” What a strange thing to say. At first glance it ...

3246. Learning to Love Ourselves

Matthew 22:34-40

Sermon

James McCormick

... and the limitations that are yours. You love yourself as you are! Second, to love yourself in a healthy way means being able to forgive yourself. God has already forgiven us, but a great many people have difficulty forgiving themselves. The fact is, no one is perfect. Everyone has sinned. Everyone has made mistakes. But that’s what sunsets are for – to ring down the curtain on a day. At the end of every day, God wants to cut us free from everything we failed in, to help us learn from that, and ...

3247. Refusing to Quit

2 Timothy 4:5-8

Sermon

James McCormick

... , “Maybe later.” We know all the excuses. You could even add to the list. The fact is, each of us goes through those tough times when we become discouraged and we feel like quitting! Do you remember the story of Demas, Paul’s companion? Demas is a perfect example of a man who started well and ended poorly. When he is first mentioned in the New Testament, Paul refers to him as Demas, my fellow worker.” The second time he is mentioned, Paul refers to him simply as “Demas”. And the third time he is ...

3248. Back To Basics: The Three R's of Baptism - Sermon Starter

Mark 1:4-11

Illustration

Brett Blair

... All over the world Baptism unites us. It also brings us back to the basics. Perhaps in our lifetime the most public statement of repentance was that of President Bill Clinton's. The one he made before a Prayer Breakfast on September 10, 1998. He summed up the task perfectly when he said, "I don't think there is a fancy way to say that I have sinned." Then he quoted from a book given him by a Jewish friend in Florida. The book is called "Gates of Repentance." Clinton read this passage from the book: "Now is ...

3249. John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Son of God." Actually there is considerable evidence that what John recorded as the Baptist's new name for Jesus is more accurately rendered "the chosen one of God" (cf. NEB). Many scholars suggest that later copyists found the "Son of God" title so perfectly amenable to the writer's Christology that they decided to specify the exact nature of this "chosen one." The next pericope proceeds to the third and final day of John the Baptist's revelations about Jesus. Verse 35 loops the reader back to the previous ...

3250. Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . Meal times with Jesus meant soul food as well as body food. Jesus was heavily criticized for the sorts of people he sat at table with - either they were too rich or too poor, too sanctimonious or too sinful. But Jesus' example perfectly reflected the kind of community that now found itself gathered together for everyday sustenance, solace and support. Drawn from diverse lands, with different foods and formats, different dining traditions and customs, meal times could have been one of the most difficult ...

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