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Showing 326 to 350 of 2844 results

326. Israel Forsakes God

Jeremiah 2:1-3:5

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

Former Bliss (2:1-3): 2:1–3 God again commissions Jeremiah to speak an oracle to the residents of Jerusalem. The oracle reminds the Judeans of their former intimate relationship with God. Jeremiah uses the metaphor of marriage to make his point here. The beginning of the relationship between God and his people was like a honeymoon—pure devotion. The bride, Israel, followed the groom, God, through hard places like the desert, also called a land not sown. This language reminds the hearers of the wilderness ...

327. How Deserted Lies the City

Lamentations 1:1-22

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

Lament for and by Jerusalem: 1:1–2 Alef/Bet. The poet does not name Jerusalem at the start, but simply speaks of the city. The name of the city does not have to be spoken; poet and readers would know the identity of the now deserted city of Jerusalem. As today there is no doubt when a New Yorker refers to “the city,” so there is no secret concerning the identity of the city among Judeans. This once bustling place (a city “closely compacted together” [Ps. 122:3]) is now eerily deserted. The poet engages the ...

328. How the Lord has Covered the Daughter of Zion

Lamentations 2:1-22

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

The Lord Is Like an Enemy: 2:1 Alef. The opening word (How) invites the reader to contemplate the extent of Judah’s destruction. It also strikes a tone of lament over that same suffering. One can hear a note of disbelief that God would bring such a horrific judgment on his people. Indeed, it is total as expressed by the fact that the cloud of his anger has engulfed all of the Daughter of Zion. The expression Daughter of Zion is an intimate way of referring to Jerusalem by its most sacred space and then ...

329. Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel

Philippians 1:12-30

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

Paul’s Present Situation The Christians of Philippi were deeply concerned about Paul. They cherished a warm affection for him; they knew that he was now in custody awaiting trial and that his case was due to come up for hearing soon before the supreme tribunal of the empire. How was he faring right now? And what would be the outcome of the hearing when once it took place? How, moreover, would its outcome serve to advance the gospel throughout the Roman world? Paul knows what is in their minds, and he ...

330. The Priority of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: Unless Christ’s loving character becomes evident in the use and application of any and all of the Spirit’s gifts, their practice becomes worthless for God’s kingdom and mere demonstration of Christian immaturity. Understanding the Text Although God grants his gifts as an act of grace and not on the basis of merit, there is a dynamic relationship between the effectiveness of the gift and the life of the Christian.1Paul treats this connection between spiritual gifts and the quality of the believer’ ...

331. Job's Reply to Bildad

Job 9:1–10:22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

How Can a Mortal Be Righteous before God?: Job’s response to Bildad’s speech moves the discussion in a new direction. Up to this point in the book Job has largely been addressing the extremity of his suffering and raising the agonizing question as to how a righteous person can be allowed to suffer so horrendously. Now, however, in response to Bildad’s suggestion that the resolution of Job’s suffering lies in his willingness to “look to God and plead with the Almighty” (8:5), Job begins to consider the ...

332. Restoration of Israel

Isaiah 49:8-26

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

To Restore the People and the Land: So 49:1–6 is a major turning point. So far the Poet’s focus has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far the addressee has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far Yahweh’s promise has thus concerned the fall of Babylon and the end of the Judeans’ enforced residence there. Henceforth it will concern the restoring of the city that virtually none of the exiles have ever seen. Once more there is no need to infer that time has ...

333. Jesus Destroys the Power of Sin

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

There is a story of a Vermont farmer who was sitting with his wife one evening on the porch, looking at the beautiful valley laid out before them. Everything about the moment was filled with peace. At last the farmer spoke quietly, as if reluctant to break the spell. “Sarah,” he said, “we’ve had a lot of ups and downs together during these forty years, and when I’ve thought of all you’ve meant to me, sometimes it’s been almost more than I could do to keep from telling you.” Sometimes things just “leak” out ...

334. Constant Companion

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Lori Wagner

If there’s anything we learned about the pandemic is that the virus wasn’t the only one. We are living in a pandemic of loneliness like we’ve never seen before. Even in our current semi-post-pandemic world, loneliness continues to plague our psyches. “Isolation, grief, and loneliness which continues even in this phase of the pandemic has “changed our brain” and will continue to do so.”[1] Although necessary, social distancing along with fear of the virus has put us into an almost continual “fight and ...

335. Looking Back; Moving Forward

Exodus 34:29-35

Sermon

Tony Everett

A young college student was searching for a summer job to help defray the rising cost of his education. He finally found one with the State Transportation Department, where he was given the task of hand-painting the white lines in the middle of the road. The supervisor informed him that she expected him to complete ten miles per week, and took him to the job site. "Place your paint buckets right here," she instructed, "and begin painting white lines from this spot." The first day went very well. The ...

336. Miracle Ten: Healing A Blind Beggar

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

Background Material This is the last miracle which Mark records. It concludes Mark's thrilling reports of the wondrous blessing which Christ bestowed upon the blind, the sick, the deaf, and even the dead. This particular miracle was reported by other Evangelists, who do not name the beggar. It is Mark alone who furnishes the name of Bartimaeus, which means son of Timaeus. It is somewhat curious how Mark had this information. Did he ask the man's name at the time of the miracle? Was the man a familiar ...

337. Labor Day

Lk 10:7 · 1 Tim 5:18

Children's Sermon

Robert B. Lantz

Lesson: In all labor there is a profit, or the laborer is worthy of his hire. Object: Toy tools Good morning, boys and girls. This is Labor Day Weekend in America. Does anybody know why we have this holiday, aside from it being the last weekend before many students go back to school? (Responses -- Someone will identify it as a time to recognize workers.) How big a list do you suppose we could make if we started to name all of the workers we can think of? There would be all the types of work that are ...

338. Pentecost -- A Wild, Weird, Wonderful Day

Sermon

John A. Stroman

The happenings on the day of Pentecost seemed so bizarre with the sound of a rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire resting on the participants, and the speaking in other languages, that it caused the onlookers to conclude, "They are filled with new wine." In other words, "They are drunk!" Peter observed that they were confusing inspiration with inebriation so he declared, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you ...

339. The Lamb's Book Of Life

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

Did you know that November first was a holiday? It was All Saints' Day. Did you get an All Saints' card or give an All Saints' gift? Did you greet anyone by saying, "Happy All Saints' Day"? Did you decorate your house for the occasion and invite your family to a festive meal? What is included in an All Saints' Day feast, anyway? Roast pork? Potatoes? Apple pie? No one knows. It seems we don't really celebrate the day outside of a few liturgical church rattlings here and there. So today we gather. We come ...

340. Sowers Of The Seed

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Genesis 25:19-34, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

This parable is titled "The Sower." That puts the emphasis on the person who preaches or teaches the word. Yet the parable does not do much in the way of describing the characteristics of the sower. In this particular instance one would suppose that Jesus implies that he is the sower. If we choose to emphasize this aspect of the parable, then we might concentrate on the question of how the contemporary sower corresponds to Jesus as the one who proclaims the message. We might also call this parable "The ...

341. The Half Pencil Doctor

1 John 3:11-24

Sermon

David O. Bales

Since his dying father placed a hand on his and asked that his ashes be taken to Bloomfield, Iowa, and while there an envelope be delivered to a Doctor Francis Casparis, Roger decided that he had better do it. His father had said, "I have metastatic cancer, and I will be dead within a week." And his father insisted that the envelope go to Iowa with his remains. His father said that Doctor Casparis had saved his life and that the doctor would tell Roger about it, and would help him also. Roger Leeth stood ...

342. It's Part Of The Plan

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Forgiveness This drama centers on the relationship between Joseph, Pharaoh's second in command, and Joseph's brothers who many years before sold him into slavery, bringing home the struggle and the immeasurable reward of forgiveness. Setting: Joseph faces his brothers as they come to Egypt to buy grain. Dialogue takes place in two different areas, left and right of stage Characters:JOSEPH: A strong man who carries himself with authoritySERVANT: Joseph's servant RUEBEN: Joseph's brotherJUDAH: Joseph' ...

343. A Blind Man Sees

John 9:35-41, John 9:13-34, John 9:1-12

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Sometimes the blind can see better than those who have sight. Summary: A man, blind from birth, is healed by Jesus but faces opposition from the temple authorities. The man sets them straight and then believes in Jesus. A humorous retelling of the old story. Playing Time: 5 minutes Place: The Holy Land Props: None Costumes: Dog, bird, peasant, Temple official Time: Bible times Cast: Dog -- a clever mutt Disciple -- not as clever as the mutt Bird -- a passerby Jesus -- the leader Man -- needs healing ...

344. Gifts of Lent III: A Family Gives Their Home

Luke 22:7-38

Drama

Donald Neidigk

Dramatic Monologue Are you bothering me? No, not at all. I come here often to reflect and pray. It's quiet in here, isn't it? Here the noise and bustle of the old city seem so far away. I was hoping you would come. Mary of Bethany said you might stop by. I see you had no trouble getting through the heavy oaken gate to the courtyard, and then up the staircase to this room. It hasn't always been that easy. There were times when that gate was locked against our enemies. Not that locking it would really have ...

345. Moving At The Speed Of Light: Unknown Apostles

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

How many people are helpful to us in a given stretch of time? How many are helpful to you in a given stretch of time? Folks whose names you may not know who go out of their way to help you out. A while back a mother was driving home, and an eruption of discontent came from the back seat -- two little boys who could not get along. She pulled off to the side of the road and stopped. Sensing there might be a mechanical failure, a police cruiser with two officers pulled up next to her inquiring if she needed ...

346. The Expectant Parents--And An Unexpected Baby

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

Some time ago I read a story in a church newsletter written by a pastor in Tennessee. He told about his congregation's being in a new sanctuary for their first Christmas there. It was going to be a great Advent Sunday. The choir had put in extra time working on their music. He had prepared a sermon on "The Unexpected God." The church was full that Sunday, and the service began with the singing of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Just as the affirmation of faith ended, a boy announced from the back of the ...

347. The Waste In Comparison

Genesis 37:1-11, 12-36

Sermon

Grandparents are some of the most well-balanced people on the face of the earth. They have to be. After all, they have to spend the same amount of time with each grandchild. They have to get something for every grandchild on every trip. And, of course, Christmas gifts must at least look like they cost exactly the same. Jacob has a long way to go in mastering that finesse. He picked a favorite wife and he chose a favorite son. Joseph was the special son who got extravagant gifts and extra attention. He got ...

348. A Habitat For Humanity

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

Shortly after the death of F. Scott Fitzgerald some of his close friends went through his papers and manuscripts. They discovered a number of proposed plots for stories. One such plot dealt with the varied members of a family who had inherited a house. The bequest had one stipulation. To receive possession of the house they had to live in it harmoniously and purposefully. That's quite a stipulation. Living together in harmony is no easy task in any house large or small. The testator in Fitzgerald's ...

349. When Hope Is Gone

Luke 7:11-17

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: A toy spider. Lesson: Hope; compassion. The spider I have brought for the children's sermon is actually a cat toy -- eight bright red pipe cleaner legs, a black "body" of fake fur, and two little plastic eyes. As spiders go, it is very nonthreatening. Kneeling in front of the assembled children, I plop the spider down on the floor between us and ask, "What is this thing?" "A spider!" most of them answer. "What kind of a spider might it be?" I continue. "A tarantula!" two of the boys assure me. ...

350. Where Does God Live?

Acts 17:24-28

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: A 3-foot x 5-foot (i.e., large) world map and a passport. Lesson: Community; relationships; God's presence; love. As the children seat themselves on the chancel steps, I spread out a map of the world on the floor in front of them. "Oooooooooooooooh!" comes their response as the map's features are revealed. "It's pretty!" Mary exclaims. "Yes, it is pretty, Mary," I answer. "There are lots of different colors to help us see where all the different countries are. Can any of you show us where we live ...

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