Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 3401 to 3425 of 5000 results

3401. David Becomes King over Israel

1 Chronicles 11:1-3

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... The four pieces of information added by the Chronicler in 11:10 are very important for his ideology. Again all Israel was involved here, and they gave his kingship strong support in order to extend it over the whole land so that it could happen as the LORD has promised. One could say that this verse summarizes in a nutshell all the important themes that the Chronicler wanted to advance in his work. In the next verses (11:11–14) the information was taken over from the source text with minor changes to the ...

3402. God's Promise to David

1 Chronicles 17:1-15

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... and was thus omitted. In the direct speech of 1 Chronicles 17:1 a contrast is established between David (indicated with the first person pronoun I in the initial position of the sentence), who was living in a palace of cedar, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD (called “the ark of God” in 2 Sam. 7:2), which was at that stage under a tent. Although Nathan the prophet initially confirmed (in 1 Chron. 17:2 || 2 Sam. 7:3) that David should do whatever he had in mind, because God was with him, the next ...

3403. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... might be meant, but more probably it is a metaphor for home—the family or even for one’s own life; see 24:3 and 31:10–31. 14:2 Antithetic and juxtapositional. Here is an obvious contrast between the just and the wicked in their relationships to the LORD. 14:3 Antithetic. Here is another example of the effects of wise and foolish speech (cf. 10:21; 15:7; Eccl. 10:12–13). The rod to his back (cf. also the NRSV) is a silent correction. Literally, the MT has a “rod (or shoot) of pride”—this would ...

3404. A Message About Egypt

Jeremiah 46:1-28

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... All but the third oracle is in poetic format. 46:1–12 The first oracle is preceded by a superscription that introduces the whole section of oracles against the foreign nations that extends through chapter 51 (v. 1: This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations). The first set of these oracles is against Egypt and is introduced at the beginning of verse 2 by the simple prepositional phrase, Concerning Egypt. The second verse continues by giving a precise setting for ...

3405. A Lament and Call to Repentance

Amos 5:1-17

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... good because he commanded it. No ethical code, no set of religious rules, no ideals existed apart from their grounding in the will of God. Life could be had only in relationship with the source of life, and apart from trusting and loving and obedient communion with the Lord, life was impossible. Thus, in the great assize of Matt. 25:31–46, no act is good in itself and deserving of life. Rather it is good, only because it is an act done toward Jesus. At the heart of biblical faith is not a code of ethics ...

3406. Man's Plans and God's

Micah 2:1-5

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... :23). But out of love, Yahweh loaned the land to Israel to live upon, and all families of the covenant people were to share equally in the benefits of that loving loan (cf. 1 Kgs. 21, esp. v. 3). A family’s land was its inheritance from the Lord, and the ideal was that each person would “sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree” and no one would make them afraid (4:4). Those whom Micah addresses, however, plot how to increase their landholdings, probably by foreclosing on loans (cf. Isa. 5:8 ...

3407. Four Chariots

Zechariah 6:1-8

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... ; 5:28). Kings of Israel and Judah had owned chariots, but in postexilic Yehud the only chariots belonged to the Persian emperors. 6:4–5 Zechariah’s vision report gives his audience a different way of thinking about the Persian horses and chariots. The Lord has chariots, too (e.g., Hab. 3:8; Isa. 66:15). In Zechariah’s vision the horses emerge from between two mountains—mountains of bronze (v. 1). These two peaks may be the heavenly counterparts of the bronze pillars that flanked the entrance to the ...

3408. The First Two Days: John the Baptist’s Message

John 1:19-28, John 1:29-34

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... The prophecy of Malachi ends with God’s promise that “I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will ... claimed (in the words of Isaiah) to be only the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord!” (v. 23; cf. Isa. 40:3). From the narrator’s standpoint this meant that John the Baptist would prepare the way for ...

3409. The Jews Continue in Their Disbelief

John 12:37-50

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... he finds in the words of Isaiah 53:1 an equivalent to the idea that people would not believe in Jesus: Lord, who has believed our message? (with the implicit answer, “No one”). That the early Christians appealed to this verse in their ... the Passion. Both are grounded in the Father’s command (cf. 10:18) and in Jesus’ identity both as Son and Prophet, who the Lord had said would “tell them everything I command him” (Deut. 18:18). Additional Notes 12:43 Praise: Gr.: doxa, the same word translated “ ...

3410. Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Kings 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... And in a way the choice of the word love (ʾhḇ) itself reflects that—at least within the context of the book of Kings. It is certainly a word that has been carefully chosen; Solomon is the only king in Kings, in fact, who is said to have “loved” the LORD. It is not a verb used in relation to other kings’ religious orientation. And it is difficult to avoid the impression that its use here has quite a bit to do with the fact that it reappears twice in 1 Kings 11 (vv. 1 and 2) in relation to Solomon ...

3411. Sermon on the Mount: Final Warnings and Call to Obey Jesus’ Words

Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... (for the same phrase, see 12:49–50). The sermon has presumed covenantal categories and relationship (e.g., 5:13–16) as the context for discipleship as doing God’s will. As the sermon concludes, Matthew prioritizes praxis. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and as Lord is crucial for those who follow him, but so too is living out the will of God. Actions speak louder than words in this regard (7:21). Matthew will conclude the teachings of Jesus with a parable that indicates a criterion for final judgment that ...

3412. Sabbath Controversies with the Pharisees

Matthew 12:1-14

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Jeannine K. Brown

... action because his men are on a holy mission. The implication of this textual reference is to exonerate Jesus’ disciples based on the nature of their mission: they serve the mission of Jesus, who will prove to be not only the son of David but also David’s Lord (22:41–46). So the disciples are innocent of the charge of transgressing the law (12:5–6). 12:5 Or haven’t you read in the Law . . . ? If there is a specific Scripture text in mind here, it may be Numbers 28:9–10, which instructs Israel ...

3413. Eschatological Discourse: Being Prepared for Jesus’ Return

Matthew 24:36-51, Matthew 25:1-13

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... study?” “This is where I want to be found,” she said, pointing to a circle of low, thatched huts. A little boy came running up to us from the compound. His face was badly blighted and part of his hand was gone. “When do you think the Lord is coming back, my child?” asked Phoebe. A single tear ran down across his cheek. I handed her a bandage and couldn’t remember why I thought the question was so important.5 Jesus’ parables stress being watchful and faithful at all times so that his followers ...

3414. The Christian Shema: Loving God and Neighbor

Mark 12:28-34

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Grant R. Osborne

... from natural forces; indeed, he created them. So to represent God in any other created form is idolatry (Exod. 20:4–5). Indeed, the core of the Old Testament is the oneness of God. The Creator must transcend his world and be one (as in the Shema, quoted here). “The Lord is God; there is no other” (1 Kings 8:60 [cf. Isa. 45:5, 21]). The New Testament also affirms that God is one (Rom. 3:30; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:5; James 2:19). However, for all Christians, monotheism must be understood within ...

3415. Jesus Is Tested in Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... . (2) In times of deep hardship and trial prayer not only provides a remarkable surcease from the pain but also brings God’s presence into the situation. (3) Yet there are times when the ordeal is God’s will, and then, like Jesus, we must surrender to the Lord and trust that it will indeed “work for good” (Rom. 8:28). (4) We must determine never to fall asleep spiritually but instead to remain vigilant in every area of our lives. (5) All of us have a “weak flesh” and easily give in to our baser ...

3416. Priorities

Luke 12:35-48, Luke 12:22-34

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R.T. France

... in a more practical way in John 13:3–17. The sheer generosity of God’s reward for his faithful servants is breathtaking. 12:39 If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming. The need to be ready at all times for the Lord’s coming, and the danger of being caught unawares, is reinforced by this separate parable, which caught the imagination of early Christians (see 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; 16:15). The point of the comparison is, of course, the burglar’s choice of ...

3417. The Gospel of God in Christ through Paul

Romans 1:1-17

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C. Marvin Pate

... the Old Testament promise of the restoration of Israel, especially as presented by Isaiah.3 Note the connections laid out in table 1. Romans 1:16–17 and the Restoration of Israel: 1a. “not shamed” (compare 1:16 with 9:33; 10:16) 1b. one who trusts in the Lord will not be disappointed—that is, they will participate in Israel’s restoration (Isa. 28:16) 2a. “gospel” 2b. the good news of Israel’s return to their land (Isa. 40:9; 52:7; 61:1; Nah. 1:15; see also Isa. 60:6; Joel 2:32) 3a. “power ...

3418. The Story of Israel Now and Later

Romans 2:1-16

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... notably idolatry: “All her idols will be broken to pieces; . . . I will destroy her images” (1:7). And Micah 6:8 states that the other stipulation of Israel’s covenant with God is social justice: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Then, in Micah 6:9–7:7, the prophet spells out the acts of social injustice on the part of Israel against fellow Jews that annulled their covenant with God ...

3419. New Dominion as a Blessing of the New Covenant: Dead to Sin

Romans 6:1-14

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... booklets. So I began getting up an hour earlier each day in order to read and meditate on the Bible and then pray. I did this for about a year, but without getting anything out of my study times. I wanted to quit my devotional time with the Lord on a number of mornings because it seemed so dry. Yet I did stick with my daily devotional plan for a whole year without any noticeable change. After that first year of Bible study, however, something amazing happened—the Bible and prayer came alive to me! In fact ...

3420. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

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Preben Vang

... your rights. You gave them all up when Christ bought you with his blood, and you forfeited any claim you thought you had on your person, your possessions, and your life. You are not your own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death, to him. If the Lord of the universe gave up all of his rights for a sinner like you, let’s have no more quibbling from you about yours; you have already been given that which you had no right to expect in order to nullify the damnation you were fully entitled to receive ...

3421. Collection and Travel Plans

1 Corinthians 16:5-18, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... of the earliest references to Sunday as the day of worship. The Christian community moved its worship to Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection (John 20:1; Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; Acts 20:7), and Sunday quickly came to be interpreted as “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10). each one of you should set aside . . . in keeping with your income. That Paul connects the collection to the first day of the week implies that he has a public collection in mind. He does not simply envision that each family ...

3422. Greeting, Doxology, and Confession

Revelation 1:4-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... title for God: “the Almighty” (see also Rev. 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22; cf. 2 Cor. 6:18). Whereas Caesar (autokratōr, or emperor) rules over a limited area and could have threatened them with persecution, the Lord God “Almighty” (pantokratōr) rules over the entire universe and promises to come to their rescue.1 Theological Insights This passage echoes the larger biblical story in several ways. The churches are greeted with grace and peace from “him who is, and who was, and who ...

3423. Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

Revelation 15:1-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... his people. Lyrics from various Old Testament passages are combined to form a hymn with two parts. The first half features synonymous parallelism with a description of God’s actions and ways, followed by titles reflecting his attributes: Great and marvelous are your deeds, [Pss. 86:10; 111:3] Lord God Almighty. [e.g., Rev. 4:8; 11:17; 16:7; 19:6; 21:22] Just and true are your ways, [Deut. 32:4; Ps. 145:17; cf. Rev. 16:7; 19:2] King of the nations. [Jer. 10:7] In the context, God’s deeds relate primarily ...

3424. The Conclusion

Revelation 22:7-21

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J. Scott Duvall

... , but it is never about less. In the final paragraph, Christ reminds his people that he hasn’t forgotten about them (22:6–7, 10, 12, 20). This world is broken and can be fixed only by Christ’s final intervention. While crying out “Come, Lord Jesus” could foster an escapist mind-set, it doesn’t have to. Living in anticipation of his return should motivate us to become intensely involved in God’s mission in this world. Crying out for Christ’s return is also crying with the Spirit for people ...

3425. Ingratitude and Judgment

Num 11:1-35

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... God that fuel their complaints. Even the great Moses is subject to doubts (vv. 21–23), as are we. Third, ingratitude can lead to forfeiture of blessings (vv. 1–2, 20, 33–34). Israel’s unbelief brings down God’s judgment. At Taberah “fire from the Lord . . . consumed some of the outskirts of the camp” (v. 1). At Kibroth Hattaavah God rebukes the rabble’s rejection of God (v. 20) and brings with the quail a deadly plague on the rabble “who had craved other food,” many of whom die and are ...

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