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Showing 326 to 350 of 4681 results

326. Riddles and Metaphors

Ezekiel 15:1-8, Ezekiel 16:1-63, Ezekiel 17:1-24

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... then the shoot the eagle plucked from the cedar’s top must be a deposed king—evidently Jehoiachin, by whose years of exile Ezekiel dates his oracles. But who are the eagles? Sometimes the eagle is a comforting image describing God—especially the mother eagle, who bears her young up on her wings, teaching them to fly (Exod. 19:4; Deut. 32:11; and possibly Isa. 40:31; indeed, see Ezek. 17:22.). Usually, however, the eagle is a warlike image (see 2 Sam. 1:23) that often refers to conquering enemies (Hos ...

327. Parables Discourse: Importance of Response to the Kingdom Message

Matthew 13:1-23

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... fell on good soil, where it produced a crop. The picture in the parable is of a bumper crop that comes from seed falling on good soil (i.e., the message of the kingdom falling on ready and responsive ears). This picture corresponds to the Matthean motif of fruit bearing (e.g., 12:33). 13:9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew highlights this refrain of Jesus three times (11:15; 13:9, 43). In each case Jesus gives an invitation to hear in such a way as to receive his teaching about the kingdom. This ...

328. Prophetic Actions—The Temple Condemned and the Fig Tree Cursed

Mark 11:12-19

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... the danger of abandoning the will of God in our religious activity, and the divine judgment that results. Teaching the Text 1. Fruitfulness is a divine mandate. This is the theme in Jesus’s parable in John 15:1–8. If the branches of the vine wither and stop bearing fruit, they will be “picked up, thrown in the fire and burned” by God (15:6). This is intended as a warning for all of us. As Paul says, salvation comes only by “grace through faith,” not works (Eph. 2:8–9). But as James adds, true ...

329. The Day of Atonement: Preparation

Leviticus 16:1-34

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... has done, as was the scapegoat in ancient Israel. An example of scapegoating is when a political leader fires a staff member in order to blame that person for failed or unpopular policies that the leader had in fact promoted. In such a case, just as the scapegoat bears the guilt for Israel’s sins, so the member of the staff is blamed for the leader’s mistakes. Scapegoating in this sense is a bad thing. But the sort of scapegoating found in the Bible is a good thing. It was good and necessary that the ...

330. Portions for the Priests and the Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... the priests, receive no inheritance in the land (v. 23c; see v. 20), but they can go near the tent of meeting without threat of instant death (vv. 21–22). 18:23 bear the responsibility. Literally “bear their iniquity” (ESV, NASB). Levites do not bear iniquity for their own offenses (contra NRSV), but they bear Israel’s iniquity should the Levites be negligent and allow any encroachments against the sanctuary. In that case, they can be the objects of divine wrath. The tithe is compensation for the ...

331. “In the Lord I Take Refuge”

Psalm 11:1-7

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... he is love (1 John 4:8). See comments on 5:5–6. 11:6 he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur. The terms recall those of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24). The imperfect tense of the verb (“will rain”) bears the sense of continuity (“he regularly rains”),[3] thus suggesting that this is God’s way in general toward the wicked. 11:7 he loves justice; the upright will see his face. The first clause draws a contrast between the Lord—indeed, his character—who “loves ...

332. “When You Ascended on High, You Took Many Captives”

Psalm 68:1-35

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... The Lord’s sweeping victory through Canaan on his way to the Jerusalem sanctuary (68:17–18) h. [Praise of God for bearing Israel’s burdens and giving victory over his enemies (68:19–23)] i. God’s victory procession into the Jerusalem sanctuary (68 ... you sleep . . . sheathed with silver . . . with shining gold.This difficult verse may be part of the speech of those who bear the good tidings: “After you return from battle, you will rest in peace among the sheepfolds.”9The reference to wings of “ ...

333. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... argument to drive home the inconsistency of the action. The Old Testament refers to humans as made in God’s likeness (Gen. 1:26), and it uses that fact to argue about the seriousness of defacing that likeness (Gen. 9:6). Even the most depraved human bears God’s likeness, and the likeness in biblical thought was seen as representing the person it depicted. To bless or thank God and then to turn around and curse his likeness is like praising a king to his face and then smashing the head off his ...

334. Other Priestly Garments

Exodus 28:31-43

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... (vv. 38–39), indicate that the visible declaration of the Lord’s forgiveness was enough. The name of the Lord, borne by one man, made the gifts acceptable and holy. The parallel in Christ is unmistakable for Christians. Aaron himself, as a high priest bearing God’s name, became the conduit to grace. The author of Hebrews makes the connection to Aaron in order to explain the necessity of Jesus’ humanity. In the flesh, God’s son experienced human weakness and was thus qualified to be a high priest ...

335. Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

Deuteronomy 3:21-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... angry with me! The exclusion of Moses from entering the promised land figures so largely here, and was probably as much a surprise to the original readers as it is to us, that it invites some theological reflection. When one puts together all the passages that bear on Moses’ exclusion, they offer us at least two perspectives. On the one hand, our text here and the two closest to it in Deuteronomy, 1:37 and 4:21, give the impression that it was the people’s fault. Moses suffered “because of” them. On ...

336. What a Friend

John 15:9-17

Sermon

John Jamison

... any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends” (v. 15). This was a huge promotion, a major change in the relationship between Jesus and the men at the table. He then said: “And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name” (v. 16). Wait a minute. God will give us anything we ask for if we ask for it in Jesus’ name? Since we are no longer servants, but we are now ...

337. The Power of the Wilderness

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” When satan had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Then Jesus, filled ...

338. The Gardener

John 20:10-18

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Catholic tradition became a statue of a meditative saint, or another symbol of prayer. In fact, many a lawn still today bear statues of saints meditating among the trees and flowers. They are figures of resurrection hope that remind us of God’s ... , and at your table, and in your home. And watch your relationship with Jesus grow within you. May your life bear the fruit of the gospel, that you may bear the seeds of God’s love in other’s hearts as well. And may you enjoy the conversation with the Master ...

339. Lord of the Harvest

Matthew 9:35-38, Luke 10:1-24

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... and spoke like Jews. But only in their fruit could you tell who was truly a man of God and who wasn’t. There are also Christians who go to church, who talk like Christians and look like Christians. But when it comes down to the fruit they bear….it’s easy to tell the difference. At Harvest time, you can tell exactly who is wheat and who is weed. Imagine those waves of grain on the hillsides of Bethlehem. The crowds must have looked like that to Jesus when they came to celebrate the Harvest festival ...

340. The Sound of Joy

Genesis 17:1-27, Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day ... s mission, in Jesus’ mission, and it may be different for every one of us. Sarah’s mission was to be the Mother of Nations, to bear the son who would continue the lineage of those who are dedicated to God and vow to be the light to other nations. Abraham’s ...

341. Deep Faith

Genesis 6:1-8:22, Genesis 5:1-32

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... is not dark to you. Give us a candle of your Spirit, O God of the depths, as we encounter and are encountered by the deeps of creation’s being, that these might be for us the spring of new life, and that our service in your name might bear witness to the profound depths that you have traversed and continue to transverse in Jesus Christ. Amen. --Theologian Catherine Keller Based on the Story Lectionary Major Text The Story of Noah (Genesis 5-8) Minor Text The Story of Creation (Genesis 1) The Song of Moses ...

342. Mercy Me!

Romans 14:1--15:13, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 6:37-42, Luke 6:43-45

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... weight to your own spirit. “For every person will carry his own burden.” (Galatians 6:5) We like to say in our culture, we dig ourselves into our own holes. Often we do. But the worst like of pit is the one we refuse to emerge from unless bearing weapons of the tongue or worse. In our scriptures for today, Jesus teaches His disciples about the evil of judging. And Jesus gives this radical advice –it’s easy to be merciful to those you like, to your friends and family. It’s very hard to be kind and ...

343. Babel

Genesis 11:1-9

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... shut others out, but their builders shut themselves in and apart from God and God’s Divine Prime: Tend and Till, Conserve and Cultivate. Bear fruit. Or as Jesus would say it: Go out. Spread the gospel to all people in all places throughout all generations. The more we ... not who we were designed to be. God in Jesus came to set us free from that bondage, free from ourselves and the bricks we bear that wall us up, free from the chains we carry that drag us down. God tears down our walls and frees us to be ...

344. Lion of Judah

Gen 49:1-28, Judges 13-15, Matt 4:12-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... but merciful, courageous but loving, victorious but forgiving, prophetic but patient. It is in our image as children of our God that we bear the mark of the “lion.” In a sense, you could say, people of God have a lion tattoo engraved upon our hearts. ... beautiful, compassionate heart for forgiveness and grace. As Paul reminds us, we are the “true Israel.” All those who follow Jesus bear the sign of God upon their hearts and are protected from evil by way of God’s authority and strength (in Revelation ...

345. Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil

Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

R. Kevin Mohr

... hope for all who are baptized into the kingdom of God’s love. We pray that the heart of each child or adult brought to the font would be good soil for the promises of God planted in each one, so that the work of God begun at baptism would bear fruit all through each life and to eternity. That is our prayer for all of our children, for our youth, and for every face we see here this morning, as well as for those who should be here but aren’t for whatever reason. But we know, if we pray ...

346. Jesus' Advance Man

John 1:6-8; 19-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... The Lord’s blessing was plainly upon him.” It was six months after Gabriel had given the joyous news to Zacharias that he would father a son that Gabriel also appeared to a young woman in Nazareth named Mary. Gabriel’s message to Mary was that she too would bear a son, but not just any son. He would be the Son of the Most High God and his name would be Jesus. Mary was a cousin of Elizabeth. They must have been very close, for Mary spent three months of her pregnancy living with Zacharias and Elizabeth ...

347. And That’s All I Need To Know

John 10:11-18

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

... was told to them as children. A good shepherd, they would know, protects his sheep. When Jesus told them he was the Good Shepherd he added that he was the kind of good shepherd that would lay down his life for his sheep. If attacked by a lion or a bear, our good shepherd would not run, not give up protection even if it was a battle to the death. Jesus was the kind of shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep. When Jesus told them this truth, the disciples did not understand the prophetic nature of ...

348. For the Love Of God is Forgiving

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... people, the walking wounded. There's another way that I like to talk about sin. Some years ago, during a visit to Yellowstone Park, one writer observed that the only animal that the grizzly bear would share his food with was a skunk. It wasn't that the grizzly bear wanted to share his food with the skunk but rather that the grizzly bear chose to share his food. With one swing of his powerful paw the grizzly could have crushed the skunk. So why does the grizzly allow the skunk to eat with him? Because the ...

349. A Fruitful Life

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” “‘Sir,’ the gardener replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Just a little more patience, the gardener is advising, before you give up on that tree. This brings us to the first insight for the day: Life is short. Any good we would do in this world needs to be ...

350. Hanging Around Jesus Changes You

Philippians 3:17 — 4:1

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ...” (v.18). People don’t like this message, don’t want anything to do with the cross of Christ. No surprise. Who of us wants to mess with death and suffering? Why, it’s just common sense. Cross-bearing goes against the grain of what pop culture in America tells us about life. It goes against the grain of our desire for instant gratification. After all, we’ve been taught to follow our dreams, to let nothing get in the way of personal goals.[1] This is ...

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