Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3501 to 3525 of 4914 results

3501. The Sword of Judgment

Ezekiel 21:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Ezekiel is told to set his face against Jerusalem and to preach against the sanctuary. Not only does this sharpen the focus of chapter 21; it also indicates that the destruction of the city and temple have not yet occurred. Thus, the oracle must be prior to 587/6 BC. The forest fire of 20:45–49 is now replaced by a sword (the word appears fifteen times in this chapter) as the symbol of destruction. We move from a natural-disaster analogy to a military analogy. In either case, the catastrophe will be far- ...

3502. Thanksgiving and Appeal

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

1:1–2 · Salutation: The apostle discerns that Timothy needs fortification beyond the words of 1 Timothy. The distinctive terms of this second greeting provide further strengthening for Paul’s protégé. Paul’s own call is by “the will of God” himself, and his call, like Timothy’s, serves the “promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.” In addition, here Paul calls Timothy “my dear son” (literally “my beloved son”). Timothy is thus reminded, first, that he ministers under an authority that he ought not to ...

3503. Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Mark 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

8:1–10 This is the second feeding account in Mark (cf. 6:30–44). The repetition of the same sort of miracle in so compressed a narrative as Mark and the similarities of the two accounts have provoked a great deal of scholarly study. Since our objective here is to try to understand what Mark intended by including these two accounts in his Gospel, we shall not discuss the various suggestions about the oral or written sources that Mark may have used for these stories. Mark 8:14–21 makes it evident that Mark ...

3504. The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:20-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Unlike Matthew (24:3–25:46) and Mark (13:3–37), Luke scatters his materials concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the last days, and the return of Jesus as Son of Man in at least five different locations (13:34–35; 17:20–37; 19:41–45; 21:7–36; 23:28–31). The passage presently under consideration (17:20–37) is paralleled at many points in Matthew (10:39; 16:21; 24:17, 18, 23, 26–28, 37, 39–41) and in Mark (8:31; 13:15–16, 21). 17:20–21 The first part of this section is that part which actually relates ...

3505. The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 14:1-5

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The trinity of evil ones has now been introduced as the enemy of the saints on earth (12:13–13:18). They are given the authority to overcome them (13:7) and to seduce the rest of the world into worshiping the Evil One rather than God (13:16–17). Chapter 13 concludes with a resounding note of secularism’s triumph: the worldwide kingdom of the Evil One is firmly established within human history. This remains the current status of the battle between God and the Evil One on earth. Ironically, even as Christ’s ...

3506.

Psalm 77:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Has God Forgotten to Be Merciful? Nothing like the silence of God in the face of distress brings the sinking feeling of despair. The Bible does not offer a prepackaged answer to this problem, but—remarkably—the divine word is a humane word, and so comes alongside to help. It offers not only God’s words to us but also words that we may bring to God—even when he does not seem to be listening. Psalm 77 gives no hint as to what may have been its immediate occasion. It simply refers to distress (v. 2). It soon ...

3507. One Like a Son of Man

Revelation 1:9-20

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

1:9 In the second half of his greetings (vv. 9–20), John expands his earlier prescript (v. 4a) by relating the remarkable christophany by which the Risen Christ commissions him to write Revelation. Such a commissioning vision is not unique to John; it is the normal vehicle by which God commissioned the OT prophets, and then Paul, who received his call through a christophany while traveling on the Damascus Road (cf. Acts 9:1–9). The function of such visions is twofold: the first and more explicit function ...

3508. To the Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

2:18 The next major city to the east of Pergamum on the Roman highway through Asia was Thyatira. Known throughout the ancient world as a city of merchants and trade guilds, its local gods were dedicated to the city’s economic well-being. Unlike Pergamum, which was a center of civil religion in Asia, the idolatry in Thyatira was materialism, whose power is measured by society’s robust commerce. Perhaps this explains the extensive use of “tools of trade” as symbols for Christ’s lordship over humanity’s ...

3509. Walking in the Light and the Problem of Sin

1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 1:5--2:14

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

Walking in the Light and the Problem of Sin The next two sections of 1 John are on the theme of walking in the light. The first section, 1 John 1:5–2:2, addresses the theme in relation to the issue of sin, while the second section, 1 John 2:3–11, focuses on walking in the light in relation to obedience, especially to the love command. The terms walk, light, and darkness occur throughout the section (1:5–7; 2:6, 8–11) and unify it. The Elder’s opponents are always present in the background. They have made ...

3510. Jerusalem's Deliverance Foretold

2 Kings 19:1-13

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The Assyrian Assault on Judah: The second David has arrived. He has reformed Judean worship according to Mosaic law, casting off foreign influence and domination. We wait to see what will happen when the king of Assyria tries to take the kind of vengeance on Judah that he has just inflicted upon Israel. 18:13–16 The beginning of the Assyrian assault is reported in verses 13–16, as a new king (Sennacherib) attacks all the fortified cities and captures them. This is not a very promising beginning. It seems ...

3511. Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 19:14-19

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

3512. Isaiah Prophesies Sennacherib’s Fall

2 Kings 19:20-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

3513. Jonah Goes to Nineveh

Jonah 3:1-10

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

The Patience of God (3:1-4): 3:1–4 Though undeserving, Jonah has been delivered from death by God’s merciful working through a fish. The book of Jonah is, before all else, a lesson concerning God’s free grace. But it is also a portrayal of God’s incredible patience. As Jonah confesses in 4:2, Yahweh is a God who is “slow to anger,” and it is amazing that God says nothing to Jonah in 3:1–2 by way of rebuke or admonition. Instead, God simply calls Jonah again, using the same words that he used in 1:1: “Arise ...

3514. A Time of Transition

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

You probably have not noticed that sometimes pastors are very strange people. Oh! You have noticed. Anyway, I heard about a pastor who stopped in at a convenience store where he selected an item that cost 50 cents. When he got to the cashier, however, he discovered he didn’t have any money with him. So, he thought he would have a little fun with the cashier. “I could invite you to hear me preach as payment for this item,” he said to her, “but I’m afraid I don’t have any fifty-cent sermons.” “Perhaps,” ...

3515. Treasure Hidden In a Clay Jar

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

King Duncan

A few years ago, a brother and a sister in west London found an old vase while cleaning out their parents’ home. They thought it might have some value. Subsequently they hired Bainbridge, an auction house, to sell it. They discovered it was valued at nearly $2 million. But, get this: after 30 minutes of spirited bidding at the auction, this vase, which turned out to be an 18th century Qing [pron. cheeng] Dynasty vase went to a buyer from China for more than 69 million dollars, the most ever paid at auction ...

3516. What Does the Kingdom of God Have to Do With Anything Today?

John 3:1-17

Sermon

Ron Lavin

It started with a question in the form of a statement. It ended with the most memorable words in the Bible. In between, there were many mysteries, not the least of which was the declarative statement by Jesus about rebirth and the kingdom of God. I'm talking about the story of the nocturnal meeting of Nicodemus, the member of the Jewish supreme court, with Jesus, who according to John's gospel was the dynamic and unpredictable messianic ruler of the universe, the word of God become flesh and blood who came ...

3517. So, You Want to Get Well?

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Ron Lavin

There are four stories going on in this text: 1) the story of a humble leader, 2) the story of a sick woman, 3) the story of a dead little girl, and 4) your story and mine. We want to be sure to get at the truth of the Bible stories, but we also need to look at the personal connection, the application of the text to our lives. That's your story and mine. In other words, preaching Bible stories must not only be true to the text; preaching also must make a difference. This text about Jesus' healing power is ...

3518. Trusting Authority

Luke 7:1-10

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

I want to tell you three stories about three men who wrestled with the authority of Jesus. And none of them met Jesus until they had first achieved phenomenal success in the secular world. Story One Sam showed up in worship after he married Cheryl, a lifelong member of the congregation. He had been raised as a secular Jew, and when I met him he was a curious agnostic — eager to argue and debate the fine points of theology. The congregation I was serving has shared space with a Jewish synagogue for over ...

3519. Hosanna! Please Save Us!

Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14-16

Sermon

King Duncan

In our social-media obsessed culture, we assume that everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Everyone wants attention. That’s what Facebook, Instagram and TikTok want us to believe. But being the center of attention can be exhausting and isolating too. Actor George Clooney said in a recent interview, “There are restrictions to this kind of fame. I haven’t walked in Central Park for 15 years. I’d like to, you know?” And actor Johnny Depp said in an interview on the Today show, “[Being famous] is a little bit ...

3520. Don't Stop Praying!

Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:35-43

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Props: “job” application with pre-made questions / petition to the court for financial assistance I need some volunteers this morning! Come on up! Well, I have here an applications that I’d like you to fill out. The first one….I’ll let you do this one….is a job application. It’s for a “position” in a make-believe church…. not this one of course (smile). For those of you listening….. ____is going to read off some of the questions on the application, and maybe you can help him/her answer them. Okay? Here we ...

3521. The Overtaxed Soul (Even Me)

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Parable: Phyllis worked as a secretary/bookkeeper in a large company. No one noticed her. She didn’t have a flashy job like the group surrounding the CEO. She was just a shy, retiring clerk. But she had a significant responsibility taking care of the books and depositing the money for the thriving business. When trouble hit at home and she found herself in financial straits, she “borrowed” from the corporate kitty. Soon, this became rather a habit. One day, when news spread that the President of the ...

3522. The Love Cloud

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Today marks the celebration of Valentinus of Rome, St. Valentine we call him.St. Valentine was a physician and a member of the clergy during the time of the Roman Empire. We know him as the patron saint of love and marriage. He was best known for his ministry to persecuted Christians allowing them to marry in secret after Emperor Claudius banned marriages during wartime to encourage men to battle. But Valentine was also known as a healer and comforter to the sick, those ill from plague, fainting, epilepsy ...

3523. Good Sex

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Will Willimon

At the beginning I'll admit that this is cheap, sensationalized, misleading title for a sermon, "Good Sex." When you're preaching on a college campus these day s, a preacher must resort to unorthodox tactics to lure people to church! Yet there is more to my sermon than mere sensationalism. In spite of what Dr. Ruth, Playboy and Playgirl have told you, many of you are old enough to know that sex which should be so good, often ends up so bad. As Frederick Buechner has said, "Sex is like nitroglycerine, it ...

3524. Good Show

Revelation 5:11-14

Sermon

Will Willimon

It was meant to be a put down, a remark aimed to put me in my place. In a way, it did, but not as he intended. Why is Duke Chapel so often full when many university Chapels or local churches are so often empty·? He said, "Well, Duke Chapel puts on such a show on Sunday morning. And there are always those who want church to be nothing but a good show." The buildings, the windows, the great choir, music from two organs, and sermons by two adorable ministers -- Humph! It's all just a show. And I, not one to ...

3525. Hope Rises

Mark 9:30-37, 42

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Have you ever been in a dilemma and had difficulty making a decision about something or someone? The best advice I’ve gotten is to take out a sheet of paper and create two columns. Make a list on the right side of your paper of all of the positive qualities or perspectives about the decision or the person in question, and then on the left side, make a list of all the negatives. The list helps you to see your options more objectively. It helps you see your relationships more truthfully. It provides you some ...

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