Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3351 to 3375 of 3926 results

3351. The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

John 9:13-34, John 9:35-41

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is important. The Pharisees have polarized everyone’s commitments: you cannot be a disciple of Moses and a disciple of Jesus at the same time. The chasm between church and synagogue is at hand (cf. 8:39–47). The blind man’s final defense (9:30–33) supports the logic both of his own case and John’s case in the Book of Signs. Are not the signs of Jesus compelling evidence? Why have these leaders rejected the man and Jesus? Because there is no acceptable excuse, the result is judgment (9:39, 41). In ...

3352. The Shepherd and His Flock

John 10:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... encounter we reach a sort of crescendo in the Gospel. The evidences accumulating in the Book of Signs will shift following this chapter. No longer will Jesus discourse with the Jewish leaders. He will later be with friends in Bethany (11:1–12:8), supportive crowds (12:12–19), and Gentiles (12:20–36). Then Jesus will “hide himself” from all but his personal disciples (12:36). Here in chapter 10 the height of Jesus’s self-revelation is completed: his identity with the Father is now explicit (10 ...

3353. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... John 14:17). As Jesus was alien to the world (1:10), so too his provision of the Spirit will be unknown and unrecognized. As Jesus was on trial in the world (cf. the Book of Signs), now his followers have a judicial aid to support them (15:18–27). The continuation of Jesus’s reassuring words now picks up the language of the second coming (14:18–24). Futurist eschatology imperceptibly blends with realized eschatology. In Judaism, disciples who had lost their rabbi were often called orphans (14:18), but ...

3354. Jesus' Death and Burial

John 19:28-37, John 19:38-42

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... imagery in that the Passover lamb could have no broken bones (19:36; Exod. 12:46). Jesus was already dead (19:30), but if a man were not, a violent blow to the legs with a lance would hasten death since the body would no longer have leg support. Finally, we should refer to the blood from Jesus’s side (19:34). (On the medical question see Zugibe, 118–31.) The sacrificial blood cannot be congealed—it must be a living victim—and here John has provided proof (see Mishnah Pesahim 5:3, 5). Second, the ...

3355. Ministries of Philip

Acts 8:4-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the city of Samaria no longer exists in the time of Philip can explain the omission of the definite article (“the”) in some manuscripts, thus allowing modern translators to render the phrase as “a city in Samaria” (NIV). Nevertheless, the external support for the inclusion of this article is strong, and it should be retained. While “the city of Samaria” had been renamed “Sebaste” in the first century AD, it is apparent that Luke includes this name to highlight the symbolic significance of ...

3356. Church at Antioch

Acts 11:19-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Luke notes that some begin to speak to the “Greeks” (11:20). Instead of “Greeks” (Hellēnas), some Greek manuscripts read “Hellenists” (Hellēnistas, cf. NRSV), a word that could refer to Greek-speaking Jews (cf. 6:1). The earliest manuscripts support the reading “Greeks,” and in light of the fact that this group is to be contrasted with “Jews” (11:19), Luke most likely intends to refer to Gentiles here. The connections between the Jerusalem church and the Antioch church are emphasized ...

3357. Persecution in Jerusalem

Acts 12:1-19a

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , who in AD 41 gained control of the entire reign of his grandfather. A popular ruler among the Jews (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 19.328–31), he ruled until AD 44. His popularity was probably rooted in his constant desire to please the Jews; this is supported by Luke’s statement that Herod persecuted the early apostles to strengthen his standing among the Jews (12:3). In listing the evil deeds of Herod, Luke mentions Herod’s execution of James the brother of John (12:2). Since James was one of the ...

3358. Before the Sanhedrin

Acts 22:30--23:11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 23:5). The center of Paul’s defense lies in the issue of resurrection (23:6–10). While most of the council members would have been Sadducees (cf. 5:17), some Pharisees are also present because without them the common people would not support the decision of the council (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.17). Being aware of the presence of these Pharisees, Paul brings up the issue of resurrection because he knows that the Pharisees believe in resurrection, angels, and spirits, though the Sadducees do not ...

3359. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his Jewish dialogue partner (2:17–20). (1) He proudly calls himself a Jew, identifying himself with the beliefs, rites, and customs of the adherents of Israel’s Mosaic and prophetic tradition. (2) Jews rely on the law in the sense that it gives them comfort, support, and contentment. (3) Jews boast in God; that is, they are confident their special relationship with God will vindicate Israel on the day of judgment. (4) Jews know the will of God, as God has revealed in the law the proper ways in which his ...

3360. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the principle being expressed, not to mention any attempt to apply it to different, broader questions about the roles appropriate to men and women in contemporary worship. It may be helpful, therefore, to note first that either meaning enables these words to support the instructions that follow. But it is also significant to observe that the second has the advantage of according greater continuity to the section as a whole (see 11:8–11). If the second of the metaphorical meanings is Paul’s here, then ...

3361. Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jesus. Then, as a last example typifying much of what he has said about facing danger, opposition, and hardship, Paul relates how he was forced to flee the city of Damascus in secret (11:32–33; Acts 9:23–25). It is in demonstrations of divine power at work to support him in such moments of human vulnerability that Paul urges his audience to seek confirmation of his right to be called an apostle.

3362. Second Meeting with Jerusalem Leadership

Galatians 2:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to God and not from the authority of the Jerusalem leadership. (He was not “summoned.”) Paul also indicates that he had his own purpose for attending the conference (2:2). It was imperative for the leader of the Gentile mission to have the trust and support of the Jerusalem church or to face the threat of continual schismatic strife. Though the early church seemed to be learning that the same Holy Spirit was given to all individuals upon their acceptance of Christ (see Acts 10:34–38; 11:18), the ...

3363. The Purpose of the Law

Galatians 3:15-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... angels (Acts 7:53) and Moses. While Abraham entered into a full covenant with God, Israel simply ratified an existing legal code accepted by their representative head, Moses. Thus, the superiority of the promise over the law may be in view as well as an additional support to the assertion of verse 17 that the law could not negate the promise. Further, the promised seed of verse 16, which was emphasized to be singular, may be in view here to show that only Christ, and not Moses, could be properly declared to ...

3364. Holy War: Fighting Right the Right Fight

Ephesians 6:10-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of God’s future. They are engaged in a holy war. As he closes the letter, Paul reassures the beleaguered readers that they are not left alone and unequipped to face their enemies. They have a dynamic leader, stout armor, and clear rules of engagement as their support in fighting right the right fight. Paul begins by urging the readers to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power,” not in any other person or power (6:10). The text then falls into two main sections, one devoted to the armor that ...

3365. Paul’s Apostolic Salutation and Prayer

Philippians 1:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in terms of their fellowship with Paul in his proclamation of the gospel. The Philippians have joined Paul in the mission of the gospel with their words, their hearts, and their deeds. Thus, Paul is thankful for their love and for their financial support in his imprisonment. This fellowship that Paul shares with the Philippians has been long and fruitful. In fact, Paul states that they were in fellowship from “the first day.” While Paul is still in chains and standing trial, he is confident about the ...

3366. Paul’s Ambition and Joy Is the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 1:12-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... gospel will continue to spread. 1:18b–26 · Paul’s own condition: After affirming the triumphant condition of the gospel, Paul moves to discuss his own condition. Although the Philippians are concerned about Paul, he rejoices because he is not without help. He is supported by the prayers of the Philippians and the help of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Paul is confident that his condition will turn out not only for the benefit of the gospel but also for his own benefit (1:19). He claims that, through the help ...

3367. A Call to Christlike Obedience

Philippians 2:12-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . He does not want all the love he has given to end up being for nothing. Paul’s next sentence suggests the possibility of martyrdom. Even though his life would be sacrificed, the Philippians’ faith would be a part of that sacrifice. They have offered their love and support to Paul and have genuinely shared in his pain and suffering (see Phil. 1:7; 4:14). Even in talking about his possible death, Paul is full of joy because of their faith and the hope he has for God’s work in that community. Thus, he ...

3368. Paul’s Life as an Example of the Truth of the Gospel

Philippians 3:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is introduced rather unexpectedly. This change of tone and subject has led several scholars to suggest that Philippians 3 is actually a fragment of an earlier letter that has been grafted into the main body of the epistle. There is, however, no manuscript evidence to support such a claim, and although the change of tone is striking, there is a basic similarity in theme between Philippians 3 and the rest of the letter. Paul still has the gospel at the center of his thinking, and the change in tone can be ...

3369. Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ

Colossians 2:6-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... its devotion looked like actual worship of angels. However, the phrase probably refers to worship with angels, suggesting that the worshipers are taken up (perhaps in an ecstatic state) into the heavens and there worship God along with the angels. This interpretation is supported by Paul’s claim in the next sentence that these people describe their visions in detail. Such bragging further condemns them (see also 1 Cor. 4:6, 18–19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4). Paul labels their behavior as false humility, although ...

3370. Rules for Christian Households

Colossians 3:18-4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... live in peace and in knowledge of the gospel, this section looking at the ancient household seems a letdown to modern ears. The shift appears so abrupt to some scholars that they suggest this list was inserted later. Yet read in context, the passage supports and fills out Paul’s previous explanation of life in the church. It might be possible to fool the public, but your family knows you well. Paul realizes this common human trait, and so after encouraging the Colossians to pursue peace in their community ...

3371. Final Greetings

Colossians 4:7-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ” (Phil. 4:23; Gal. 6:18) or even more expansive closings (2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Cor. 16:23–24; Rom. 16:25–27). He asks the Colossians to uphold him because of his chains (4:3). Not only does he desire their prayers but perhaps also their active (financial?) support. The Philippians, for example, sent Epaphroditus to help Paul in prison (Phil. 2:25–30; 4:18). As Paul closes, the Colossians are left in no doubt about his chains, nor his love for Christ and his church.

3372. Instructions to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Greek goddess Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). Located just outside the city limits, this was an open-air structure in which the “mysteries” of Artemis were celebrated. Its 127 towering marble columns, each 60 feet tall, supported a massive roof structure beneath which the elaborately decorated statue of the goddess was visible to those outside. Not Artemis, counters Paul, but “the mystery from which true godliness springs is great.” That mystery is not a statue in a physical ...

3373. Final Greetings

2 Timothy 4:9-18, 2 Timothy 4:19-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to him. The likelihood is that Alexander was the cause of Paul’s arrest (thus his mention right after the cloak and parchments Paul had to leave behind in Troas). Even the greetings he sends indicate Paul is still on the job. He undergirds supporters in Ephesus (Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus; 4:19); he notes that Corinth’s city treasurer Erastus is still there (see Rom. 16:23); he has left Trophimus in charge in Miletus despite the latter’s illness; he completes his greetings ...

3374. The High Priest of a New Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... external ordinance in the Old Testament but now in the new era has been inscribed on the heart is not only generally unbiblical (Deut. 4:8–9; 6:5–6; 30:6, 14; Ps. 40:8; Prov. 3:1, 3; Isa. 51:7; Jer. 24:4–7) but wholly without support in this letter. It is very important to recognize that the author’s exhortation is never in the form a fortiori (from the lesser to the greater; for example, “if they could persevere in the old covenant, how much more ought we to do so in the new . . .”). Third, the ...

3375. The Sin of Favoritism

James 2:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... kingdom of God (2:5). Favoritism, then, by mistreating “your neighbor,” involves a clear violation of the law (2:9). Significantly, favoritism at the expense of the poor is also condemned in the context of Leviticus 19:18 (cf. 19:15). Verses 10–11 support the conclusion reached in verse 9, that those who show favoritism are convicted as lawbreakers, by arguing that the infringement of any one law incurs the penalty for the breaking of the whole law. This is so because the law is the expression of God ...

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