Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3276 to 3300 of 3852 results

Romans 6:1-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... history. Such a truth admits of no languid and nominal acceptance; a strain so rich pulls us from our seats to join the dance of life. The gospel is like the last train to freedom: it must be seized at all costs. “So also you,” says the original, “must count yourselves dead to sin but alive for ever more to God in Christ Jesus.” 6:12–14 We now encounter the first moral exhortation in Romans! The cross and resurrection of Jesus have broken the power of sin, and believers at last stand before a ...

3277. An Illustration from Marriage

Romans 7:1-6

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... code is what religion becomes when the word of God is separated from the Spirit of God. It belongs to the “old self” (6:6), to Adam, and to the “flesh.” It puts legal proscriptions in place of persons, and substitutes legal technicalities for the original and driving intent of the law. The Spirit alone can breathe life into the word of God, making it “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), regenerative rather than moribund. The new way of the Spirit is what Ezekiel foresaw when he spoke of need for a ...

3278. Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... , … therefore all died” (2 Cor. 5:14). “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (6:8). The hope of life eternal with Christ begins by living for Christ in bodily existence. Holy in both its Greek and Hebrew originals does not mean “perfection” so much as “set apart,” i.e., the separation of something from its former allegiances and its devotion to God. No one is a person without a body and the things which pertain to it. Likewise, the body, or the whole person ...

3279. Love

Romans 12:9-21

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... mood; i.e., first a virtue, then an action with respect to it. The sequence is enclosed between two homophones in Greek, Philadelphia (brotherly love, v. 10) and philoxenia (hospitality, v. 13). The following attempts to reproduce the flavor of the original: In brotherly love, being devoted to one another; in honor, outdoing one another; in zeal, never flagging; in the Spirit, being aglow; to the Lord, serving; in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, being patient; in prayer, being constant; to the needs of ...

3280. Love, for the Day Is Near

Romans 13:8-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... in armor of light (v. 12), indeed in the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 14). They are to be done with shameful acts, with orgies and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery, dissension and jealousy (v. 13). The word translated orgies (Gk. kōmoi), which originated in the Bacchus cult, means carousing and revelry to excess. In Greek the first four terms are plural, connoting frequency or habitual behavior. These are the properties of the flesh or sinful nature (v. 14). Christians are summoned to cater no longer ...

3281. The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... and informative study by R. Hock, The Social Context of Paul’s Ministry: Tentmaking and Apostleship (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980). This reference to Barnabas is striking, for according to the account of Acts, Paul had already separated from Barnabas when he originally came to Corinth and worked there to found the Corinthian church. How the Corinthians knew Barnabas or about him is impossible to determine, although the positive way in which Paul mentions and associates himself with Barnabas at this point ...

3282. The Collection for God's People

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... literal and ambiguous translation, “those whom you approve by letter I shall send off,” which may be the best solution. Orr and Walther (pp. 355–56) explain their rendering as a result of a disagreement concerning the proper sense of the original statement. Yet, it does seem less likely that Paul anticipated that the Corinthians would report their choice by letter and then later he would send the representatives with the collection, than that he intended to provide a letter for the delegates chosen ...

3283. Final Greetings

1 Corinthians 16:19-24

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... of Maranatha,” NTS 6 [1960], pp. 307–10). 16:24 The NIV concludes with an Amen, included in many manuscripts, but the omission in a few crucial ancient witnesses (e.g., Codex Vaticanus) probably means that this final word was by a copyist and was a liturgical addition to the original text of the letter.

3284. To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... 22:2), which symbolizes the new people of God (cf. 21:10). The eschatological consequence of the church’s present faithfulness is the complete transformation of its existence. This promise is nuanced by the story of Genesis 1–3 that it echoes. In God’s original paradise we find the first tree of life; there, like the Ephesian congregation, Adam and Eve forsook their first love and paid for the consequences of their sin. Not only does the triumph of God’s reign through Jesus Christ anticipate God’s ...

3285. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... congregations in his greeting (1:4), now at book’s end God’s grace is extended to all those congregations who might read it. Ford may be correct that this prayer is added by a later editor whose concern is no longer the seven congregations who first read John’s original composition but the whole church which now reads Revelation as its “scripture” (Revelation, p. 424).

3286. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of the book, and they are aptly titled “The Manual of Sacrifice.” These chapters were probably composed over a period of time. The rituals described no doubt date back into the history of ancient Israel. It may well be that the instructions were originally recited in public by priests. These chapters do seem to form a coherent unit and most likely were eventually housed at the central sanctuary in Jerusalem. This suggests preexilic usage. The OT’s accounts of the kingdom period describe a rather mixed ...

3287. The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Leviticus 8:1-36

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... describes the ordination of priests according to the instructions given to Moses in Exodus 29. Ordination sets the priests apart as those who officiate in the tabernacle cult and equips the ordinands with the tools of their tasks, such as the Urim and Thummim. The origins of the Aaronic priesthood are a matter of some debate (Budd, Leviticus, pp. 130–32) and like the sources of the rituals described in this ordination narrative, appear to be lost in history. 8:1–4 The first four verses set the scene for ...

3288. The Death of Nadab and Abihu

Leviticus 10:1-20

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... central issue and a sign of God’s graciousness. With the close of chapter 10, the historical narrative and the inauguration of the cult come to a full and eventful conclusion. The first two sections of Leviticus cover the cult, its nature, and its origin. Chapter 10 provides a significant transition to the remainder of the book. The mention in verse 10 of the priests’ task of teaching the distinction between clean and unclean prepares the reader for the Manual of Purity, which begins in chapter 11. In a ...

3289. The Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16:1-34

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Chapter 16 brings the reader to the Day of Atonement. We include this chapter in the Manual of Purity, since the Day of Atonement provides a way of removing the effects of uncleanness. However, this chapter was probably not originally composed along with chapters 11–15. Verse 1 indicates that chapter 16 has strong connections with Leviticus 10. This chapter was perhaps part of the Priestly narrative continuing from chapters 8–10. The ritual described here may be quite old and no doubt has a complex ...

3290. Rules for Priests

Leviticus 21:1--22:16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... , the holy and the unclean are mixed and such is dangerous. We have already seen this concern over the contagion of uncleanness. Any priest who is unclean and approaches the sacred offerings will be cut off from the divine presence, a penalty of divine origin. The list of causes of such uncleanness in the priests begins in verse 4. While the concern is that priests not eat holy food when they are unclean, after cleansing, they still may partake. The causes of uncleanness include infectious skin disease or a ...

3291. Oil and Bread Set Before the Lord

Leviticus 24:1-9

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... by anything else. “Pressed olives” might be better rendered as “beaten olives.” It was also important that the light not go out; it is to burn through the night. The light was a clay pot burning oil and not a candle, which would have been of much later origin. The lamps are in the sanctuary and not the Most Holy Place inside the curtain. Aaron as the holy priest is to tend these lamps in the sanctuary. Aaron and Moses are holy persons; the people will be in a clean but not holy state. Note that the ...

3292. The Census

Numbers 1:1-54

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... a theological one. Quite a number of people today are fascinated with numbers in the world of computers; the numbers measure their accomplishments. The first chapter of Numbers reminds readers of God’s accomplishments with ancient Israel. From the ancestral pledge originating as early as Genesis 12, God promised to the descendants of Abram and Sarai land and progeny. By the time readers reach Numbers 1, ancient Israel has become an imposing military force ready to march from Sinai. The covenant promise of ...

3293. The Passover

Numbers 9:1-14

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 9 and the tradition of not breaking the bones of the lamb. 9:2 In Lev. 23, Passover and Unleavened Bread are treated together as coming in the spring (March–April). Both relate to the exodus. The festival is often thought to have other origins related to fertility for nomadic flocks. For the literature, see Budd, Numbers, pp. 97–98; Davies, Numbers, pp. 80–81. 9:3 Twilight is lit. “between the two evenings,” probably the time between sunset and complete darkness (Davies, Numbers, pp. 81–82). 9:8 ...

3294. The Silver Trumpets

Numbers 10:1-10

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... refers to Jewish tradition which suggests that the signal to gather in assembly was a sustained trumpet sound, while the signal to break camp was a series of quick blasts (Numbers, pp. 87–88). 10:12 The verb set out has to do with breaking camp, originally with pulling up and driving in tent pegs. The exact location of the Desert of Paran is uncertain, but it is often thought to be in the northern Sinai peninsula, and south of the Negeb and Kadesh Barnea, with an eastern border probably running from the ...

3295. Fire from the Lord

Numbers 11:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... fire from the LORD burns some of the outskirts of the camp. Moses intercedes for the people and the punishment recedes. The location was named Taberah, which means “burning.” Most commentators agree that this brief narrative and the one to follow originate from the time of the monarchy and are part of the prior narrative strands that the Priestly tradents have included in Numbers. This section is an aetiological narrative which explains the name “Taberah,” a place of uncertain location. Also the ...

3296. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... Moses’ summons, the root word used is ‘alah, “We will (not) go up.” Here and in v. 14 the term apparently connotes going up to a superior. In v. 13, the term is used of the exodus from Egypt. A number of interpreters hypothesize that the original refusal to “go up” was a refusal to enter the land, as in ch. 14. 16:14 Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? Apparently the phrase is used metaphorically here to speak of Moses’ deception, attempting to mislead the people with false promises, to ...

3297. The Water of Cleansing

Numbers 19:1-22

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 19 with the question of how the community is to cope with impurity caused by contact with death. Some anthropologists interpret death as the most basic form of impurity. The circumstances described here are characteristic of settled communities, but stress on a Mosaic origin legitimates the ritual described in the chapter. 19:1–10 In this first part of the chapter the basic ritual is ancient. The address is to both Moses and Aaron. The people are instructed to bring . . . a red heifer. The animal is to ...

3298. Water from the Rock

Numbers 20:1-13

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... generation with Eleazar suggests that the holiness at the center of the camp could continue. Additional Notes 20:1–29 Most commentators agree that vv. 1–13 and 22–29 come from the Priestly tradents, and that they have included an earlier account in vv. 14–21. The origin of that earlier text is debated. 20:1 The journey is from the Desert of Paran to the Desert of Zin and Kadesh. See the notes on 10:12; 13:26. The Desert of Zin is usually located south of the Negeb. 20:3 The root word for quarreled ...

3299. Arad Destroyed

Numbers 21:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the people at the edge of the land of Canaan for the beginning of chapter 22. Additional Notes 21:1–35 It is likely that the chapter is composed of early narratives incorporated into the Priestly project, including several poetic fragments. It is impossible to determine the origin of the various parts. 21:1 Arad is south of Hebron and perhaps here should be thought of as a region with Hormah as its capital. The road to Atharim may be a route from south of the Dead Sea to Hormah; see Budd (Numbers, p. 230 ...

3300. Zelophehad's Daughters

Numbers 27:1-11

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... effort to produce a male heir for the property. Presumably Zelophehad had no such brother, or his wife was dead, and so Levirate marriage was not an option. The customs of Jubilee and redemption (Lev. 25) also are intended to bring property back to its original tribe and family. Behind all these practices is the view that the land finally belongs to God. A further question about the case of the daughters arises in the last chapter of Numbers: If the daughters marry outside the tribe, does the property go to ...

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