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Showing 3326 to 3350 of 4935 results

3326. Lying Prophets

Jeremiah 23:9-32, Jeremiah 23:33-40

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

Prophets Who Lie: Jeremiah now trains his sight on false prophets. The rest of the chapter collects various prose and poetic oracles pronouncing judgment on those who claim to speak God’s word when in actuality they do not. Jeremiah was not the only one offering a “word of the LORD.” The false prophets bear a special burden of God’s anger because they make it more difficult for the people to discern the authentic divine message. Jeremiah 28 will recount a particular conflict between Jeremiah and a false ...

3327. Repentance to Bring Blessing

Hosea 14:1-9

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

The God of Free Grace: We can reasonably consider this oracle to be the last message delivered by Hosea in his prophetic career, and therefore to be properly placed by the redactor at the end of the Hosianic collection. The NIV paraphrases verse 1b. The Hebrew of that line reads, “You have stumbled in your iniquity.” Israel has stumbled. It is already falling, and its end is near. Hosea has announced that inevitable end in the oracles that have gone before. The plagues of death and the destruction of Sheol ...

3328. Judgment Against Samaria and Jerusalem

Micah 1:1-7

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

The Superscription (1:1): 1:1 The superscription has been affixed to the prophecies of Micah by an unknown editor and is, in its initial phrase (The word of the LORD that came to Micah) the same form as that found in Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; and Zephaniah 1:1. The claim that what follows is “the word of the LORD” is intended to apply to the entire book. Not just selected portions of the book, and not just portions that scholars judge to stem from the prophet himself are to be understood as words from God. No. ...

3329. Jesus’ Baptism by John

Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 3:13-17

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: In introducing John the Baptist and narrating Jesus’ baptism, Matthew announces the restoration of God’s kingdom through Jesus’ own covenant faithfulness for all those who will repent. Understanding the Text Having narrated Jesus’ birth, Matthew fast-forwards to the events leading up to Jesus’ public ministry, including Jesus’ baptism by John (chap. 3). Matthew indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry prepares for that of Jesus (3:3; cf. Isa. 40:3) and also resonates with Jesus’ ministry, as ...

3330. Gentiles Exemplify True Discipleship

Mark 7:31-37, Mark 7:24-30

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: Salvation and the kingdom blessings, heretofore experienced primarily by the Jews, are now extended to the Gentiles. A Gentile woman of Tyre shows remarkable faith and humility, and a deaf mute in the Decapolis experiences messianic healing. Understanding the Text Mark now turns to examples of faith, as the Syrophoenician woman is one of the “little people” in Mark, characters who appear only once but carry the theme of what a true disciple should be. As such, she gives a lesson to the disciples ...

3331. Racism and Envy

Numbers 12:1-16

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Racism and envy can bring about God’s judgment. Understanding the Text When Israel leaves Mount Sinai, things quickly turn sour. Numbers 11 begins a series of three locations where the people grumble and complain. At Taberah they complain because of the hardships of the journey (Num. 11:1–3), and at Kibroth Hattaavah they complain because they are tired of manna and want the meat and vegetables that they had enjoyed in Egypt (Num. 11:4–35). Now at Hazeroth (Num. 11:35) two members of Moses’s own ...

3332. Escaping a Tangled Web

1 Samuel 30:1-31, 1 Samuel 29:1-11

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: When his chosen servants find themselves in a precarious position, the Lord is able to deliver them by his providence and renew their faith through his guidance and protection. Understanding the Text In 1 Samuel 29 the focus shifts back to David as the story continues where chapter 27 left off. A chronological flashback comes in chapter 29. According to 28:4, the Philistine army was encamped at Shunem when Saul visited the medium in Endor. The next day the Philistines and the Israelites fight on ...

3333. Zophar’s Final Words for Job

Job 20:1-29

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Zophar insists that God always punishes the wicked. Understanding the Text In Job 20, Zophar speaks to Job for his second and final time, because in the third cycle Zophar chooses not to answer him. So this chapter constitutes Zophar’s final answer to his friend. Numerous times he alludes to details in Job’s previous speeches, often trying to turn Job’s words against him, but in particular Zophar responds indignantly to Job’s reproof in 19:28–29. However, he dismisses what Job says rather than ...

3334. Accepting Responsibility

Ezekiel 33:1-20, Ezekiel 33:21-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Restoration and Renewal (33:1–39:29): The first part of chapter 33 takes up verses 1–20. With its emphasis on Ezekiel as a watchman, the importance of one’s present situation rather than the past, and individual responsibility, there are reverberations of Ezekiel 3:17–19 and 18:1–32. In 33:2 God tells Ezekiel to speak to his countrymen, indicating that what follows is an object lesson about the usefulness of a sentry to the townspeople. Those who hear the sound of the trumpet but choose to ignore it do so ...

3335. Hope: Return and know God

Hosea 6:1--7:16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

6:1-6 · Although the future seems certain and tragic, God surprisingly offers the possibility of hope if the people will admit their guilt and turn to seek him. God will allow them some time, so that they will come to the point where they are willing to confess their sins, want to know God, and long to experience his healing (5:15). They must earnestly seek God, acknowledge who God is, and desire to know him so that they can experience the material and spiritual blessings of his coming. Although God ...

3336. Do You Have Your Key Ready?

John 20:1-18

Sermon

King Duncan

Around the turn of the twentieth century there lived a man named Reuben John Smith. Smith was fond of the comforts of life. Since he had lived a comfortable existence in this world, he thought it only proper to be prepared for a comfortable existence in the next world as well. Thus at his death he left detailed instructions concerning his burial. He was to be buried in a new recliner chair of upholstered russet leather and was to be interred in a sitting position. On his lap was to be placed a checkerboard ...

3337. Titus Sent to Corinth

2 Corinthians 8:16--9:5

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

8:16–24 Having exhorted the Corinthians to complete the collection that they had begun (8:7–15), Paul recommends the emissaries he will send to take it to Jerusalem (8:16–24; cf. 1 Cor. 16:3–4, where Paul’s original plan was different). In doing so, Paul takes up where he left off in verse 6, with the sending of Titus. Paul wants to send Titus back to Corinth with two companions in order to bring the collection to a fitting conclusion. Paul did not need letters of recommendation to or from the Corinthians ...

3338. Would You Take the Crown Without the Cross?

Mark 1:9-15

Sermon

Brett Blair

The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, and one of the applicants - who was not known to be the brightest academically, was called in for an interview. "Okay," began the sheriff, "What is 1 and 1?" "Eleven," came the reply. The sheriff thought to himself, "That's not what I meant, but he's right." Then the sheriff asked, "What two days of the week start with the letter 'T'?" "Today & tomorrow." Replied the applicant. The sheriff was again surprised over the answer, one that he had never thought of ...

3339. God Encounter

Luke 1:1-4, Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Props/Visuals: You may want to use visuals of mountains or misty seas, or you may want to use the painting by Caspar David Friedrich, “Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog” or other paintings by Friedich. The Celtic Christian spiritual tradition has always noted the existence of something they call “thin places.” If you travel to Ireland or Scotland, especially to places like the Isle of Iona, you can’t help but realize how those ancient Christians came to think about “thin places.” Both countries boast ...

3340. By Invitation Only

Luke 14:1-14, Luke 14:15-24, Proverbs 25:1-28

Sermon

Lori Wagner

I want you to think about your dinner table for a moment. No, not to make you hungry during worship! But think about what it looks like, who is there, where it is, and where you are at the table. What is your place? Who is sitting at the head? Who is talking the most? Who is silent? Who is serving? Who cooked the meal? Who is on the periphery? Who is in charge? You see, we all have “table dynamics.” We have power and position dynamics in our families, as well as in our churches and in our culture. And we ...

3341. The Art of Critique

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Today, as our world continues to become ravaged by COVID-19, people are feeling anxious, impatient, frustrated, and critical. We are less busy with the things that normally hold our attention. We are bored with staying inside, refraining from seeing the people we love and doing the activities that animate us. We are sick and tired of being “sick and tired!” The more cooped up we feel, the angrier we get. And our often kind and calm demeanor is turning testier and more critical. As humans, when our ...

3342. Shuttered

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Lori Wagner

In the last year and a half during the worst pandemic of the last two centuries, doors were shut, businesses closed, and communities became ghost towns. People became shadows of their former selves, as they hid away from a virus that could kill them and their loved ones and friends. The world drew in and shuttered itself from danger. And lethargy set in. Professionals are calling it covid burnout: malaise, lethargy, low-grade stress, depression, lack of focus, lack of energy, faulty memory, lack of ...

3343. Yes, You Can Work Yourself to Death

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

A study came out last year that was disturbing but not necessarily surprising. The World Health Organization did a study of people around the world who worked 55 or more hours per week compared to those who worked 35-40 hours per week. The study covered health and workplace data from the 1970s to 2018 and included workers in 154 countries. They concluded that, “People working 55 or more hours each week face an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared ...

3344. The Power of Good

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Those who have read the Harry Potter series, the C. S. Lewis series, or the Tolkien series will recognize a pattern: power without goodness corrupts, and goodness always wins in the end. We wish that were truly the case. In best case scenarios, evil is vanquished and the power of love triumphs over all. But only with the help of certain chosen people (or Hobbits as it were for Tolkien) can all of this come about. Without the intervention of those called upon to battle injustice and sin, evil can reign for ...

3345. A Place at the Table

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon

Jill J. Duffield

Preacher’s kids, PKs for short, know a lot about church. Earlier this year, I was given the best church tour of my life by a young PK. I was in a town just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, to do a preaching series and the pastor of this church, a colleague and friend for many years, went to check on a worship detail while I waited in his office. As I waited, his eight-year-old daughter seized on the opportunity to show me around. I was escorted by a church expert in a princess costume into Sunday school rooms ...

3346. The King's Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

Context of the Lectionary The First Lesson. (Exodus 32:1-14) The passage recounts the experience of the people of Israel in the wilderness when Moses had gone up the mountain of Sinai. They assumed that he was not returning. They appealed to Aaron for a god to lead them. He got from the people all the gold of their jewelry and from that produced the golden calf. The people proceeded with an orgy of worship. Moses came down and discovered what was happening. In his anger he shattered the tablets which ...

3347. Moving At The Speed Of Light: At The Jordan

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

Peter had long practiced a religion which required the separation of Jews and Gentiles, and following Christ's ascension Peter continued to be a practicing Jew. Through the example of Christ, Peter began to think differently about those who were considered ritually unclean and unacceptable to God. Earlier in Acts 10, Peter has been staying in Joppa in the home of one who practiced an "unclean" profession, Simon the Tanner. From there he receives the call from God to travel to Ceasarea to the home of ...

3348. Epiphany 4

Lk 4:21-30 · 1 Cor 13:1-13 · Jer 1:4-10 · Ps 71

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Even before his birth Jeremiah was appointed a prophet. Jeremiah tells us of his call to preach. It came at the time Josiah was king of Judah (c. 627 B.C.). His call came as a dialogue with Yahweh who even before Jeremiah's birth knew that he was destined to be a prophet. In this dialogue he heard the voice of Yahweh and felt his hand on his lips. There was no human initiative in the call. The words he was to speak were totally the Lord's words. The message he was ...

3349. When Trouble Comes!

Job 1:1-5

Sermon

Zan W. Holmes

One of the most realistic stories in the Bible is the story of Job and his troubles. Job was a good and righteous man whom God blessed abundantly. God blessed him with seven sons and three daughters, a total of ten children, the number which signaled completeness. Likewise, God blessed Job with seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels, again seven plus three, giving us the number of perfection. Furthermore, God blessed Job with five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys which also adds up to ...

3350. Jacob And The Night Wrestler

Genesis 32:22-32

Drama

Jerry Eckert

Comment: A good story can be done a number of ways. A story about Jacob lent itself as a short story when I did it. Since then, I have come to see it as a radio drama, not unlike those frequently heard in the '40s and '50s in which the hero narrates and has some dialogue with a limited number of other characters. Sound effects would be nice and could be handled by a creative team working on this story. Those who study the biblical story closely will realize I have taken some liberties, as most storytellers ...

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