Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3826 to 3850 of 4977 results

3826. Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... that the disciples be protected from "the evil one." Note that Jesus does not ask that they be protected from harm, adversity, or hard times. Jesus knows the power of prayer, and he knows the discordant tendencies of the disciples. The "evil one" he seeks to keep at a distance might also be understood as those thoughts and energies and forces in this world that work against us, making us less than God would have us be. As Jesus' prayer continues in verses 16-18, he asks that the disciples remain in this ...

3827. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... -41) merely continue Paul's attempt to clearly delineate the new body from the old body. By verse 42, however, Paul is ready to expound his main point with a series of four antitheses. Within this series, the reader would do well to keep in mind Paul's conversion experience. The focus Paul brings to this issue of resurrection highlights the contrast between the old and the new, the discontinuity between the two, and the totally miraculous nature of this transformation. What is sown, Paul says, is perishable ...

3828. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... final letter to the church, while 2:14-7:4 and chapters 9-13 are taken from that crucial third letter. Thus it is well to keep in mind that this week's text owes its intensity to Paul's passionate plea for his continuing authority as an apostle for Christ. The ... reconciling activity to focus on the "ministry of reconciliation." It is this ministry, not himself, that Paul defends before the Corinthians. Keeping our eyes focused, we see that in verse 19 the most crucial part of Paul's message is slipped in as ...

3829. Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:1-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... pulls on some clothing so that he won't be stranded naked on the shore and plunges into the water. His disappearance from the text now seems reasonable, for he remains waterlogged for some time. But Simon Peter does not make his escape; his love for Jesus keeps him close. This construction allows Peter's reboarding of the ship (now from the water, not the shore) in order to empty the net (verse 11) to serve as his somewhat graceful re-entry into the party - showing Jesus he is there and that he is eager ...

3830. 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . This "word," however, is the word from God as given in Scripture, not an individual, idiosyncratic testimony of one faithful follower. The force of Paul's previous words (3:14-17) continues here, keeping Timothy and all other believers firmly planted in scriptural tradition. The reason for this admonition to keep preaching whether the circumstances are "favorable or unfavorable" is made clear in verse 3. Here Paul reveals that a tide of theological trendiness is waiting to rush in on the fragile, newly ...

3831. Matthew 24:36-44

Matthew 24:36-44

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... expectations and to then effectively de-temporalize the eschatological questions haunting the confused yet faithful followers in the church's second generation. In so doing, of course, Matthew succeeds in keeping ensuing generations, down to our own day, intimately involved in Jesus' story. Matthew manages to keep the eschatological discourse vital by redirecting Christ's emphasis back onto the lives of Christians living in these in-between times. There are two different schools of thought concerning what ...

3832. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of Eli's family and the decrepit spiritual life at Shiloh that was the result of that family's behavior make it easy to understand why as a result "the word of the LORD was rare in those days." Note, however, that the author has been careful to keep the young and still innocent Samuel well-distanced from all the Shiloh shenanigans of Eli's sons. Three times young Samuel is referred to before his call is described in 3:2-20. In two instances, Samuel is described as "ministering before (to) the LORD"(2:18, 3 ...

3833. Mark 7:24-37

Mark 7:24-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ) of today finds Jesus outside his usual Galilean haunts as he journeys to the boundary regions between Tyre and Sidon. Jesus' attitude seems as altered as his new location. The first thing he does here is to enter a private house in order to keep his presence in that place from public knowledge. This attempt quickly fails, however, as he is routed out by a woman seeking a healing miracle for her demon-possessed daughter. Note how from her very first appearance in this text, the woman exudes faith. Somehow ...

3834. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... her to a slide program at the senior center. Not that the Ruckers haven't gained anything in all of this. The "purple-dress lady" has taught them something about the certainty of God's love and provision. The three of them are always happy to be together. Keep imagining. Almost bumping into the Ruckers is Tania, an exuberant little girl. She is running ahead of a family that has brought her to church, and she is calling to her mother to catch up. When she went to the doctor with an ear infection, the nurse ...

3835. Acts 5:27-32

Acts 5:27-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... apostolic witness was expected to reach out "to the ends of the earth" obviously suggesting a Gentile-inclusive audience. Thus while it may appear that Jewish leadership and "the Jews" in general were consistently the "bad guys" in this missionary saga, we must keep in mind that the Jews remain the central focus of the disciples' evangelizing efforts. Despite the fact that at the end of Acts the Jews have continued to reject the gospel message and the thrust of the church has now turned toward the Gentile ...

3836. Acts 16:16-34

Acts 16:16-34

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... has experienced, Paul and Silas reveal, is "the Lord Jesus" the only one who has the power to save and protect. As with Lydia, the gift of salvation elicits a response of gracious hospitality from the new converts. The one who had been responsible for keeping Paul and Silas securely jailed escorts them out to freedom, and welcomes them into his own home. Again as in Lydia's case, the conversion of the jailer brings his entire household with him. His newly baptized family joins with him in extending the ...

3837. Luke 7:36-8:3

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to ask the rhetorical question, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" The question of Jesus' identity is a recurring theme in Luke (cf. 5:20-23; 9:20-22, 35). The question, however, will not be formally answered in today's text. Instead, Jesus keeps his focus on the woman and once again offers her the assurance of forgiveness. Jesus uses words later echoed by late first-century Christians after baptism "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." This final pronouncement reveals that though she has never spoken ...

3838. Luke 12:13-21

Luke 12:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... when God breaks into his hedonistic optimism and tells him that "This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (v.20). The message is not just a warning against avarice, but an observation that avarice keeps a person's focus entirely this-worldly, while at the same time neglects the next-worldly claims of God. Such a person is a "fool" (v.20). At the very moment when this man's dreams of material success are realized, he will no longer have access ...

3839. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... :16; 3:13-14). In Acts 20:24, Paul speaks the very same words although the completion of the race is described as a future event, not, as it is here, an already completed event. Paul's third declaration is not metaphorical, but it is far from precise. Keeping "the faith" could be shorthand for the entire contents of Christian teaching (see 1 Timothy 4:1) or Paul's own careful preservation of right doctrine. Or it could be more of an expression of loyalty and fealty than of theology (e.g., having "kept faith ...

3840. Acts 2:1-21

Acts 2:1-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... for attaining full church-member status. Paul counters that there are numerous spiritual gifts, while maintaining the unity of them all in "the same Spirit" (v.7. What is true of spiritual gifts is true of all the various tasks it takes to keep any community of faith together and healthy. Paul's point is the equality of all believers - regardless of their designated role within the church, their social status outside the church, or their spiritual acuity and sensitivity. All were combining their talents and ...

3841. Mark 13:24-37

Mark 13:24-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The gospel reading from Mark this week includes three separate units that all share a common theme: the Son of Man's return is imminent, and all had better keep alert and be prepared for his arrival. Jesus' use of Son of Man imagery harks back to Daniel 7 but combines it with the language found in Isaiah's prediction of Babylon's destruction ... just as likely to interrupt us during a good night's sleep as he is to catch us in the midst of our workday. In whatever we do, then, Jesus calls us to "keep awake."

3842. Luke 2:22-40

Luke 2:22-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... that even as many will "rise" as they accept Jesus and his message, so too many will "fall," missing their chance at divine redemption because they reject the Christ. Simeon's personal note to Mary is hardly clear. But interpreters do better if they try to keep its inference closely linked to the divisive attitudes he speaks of in verses 34-35a. The "sword" piercing Mary's own soul thus may be seen as the struggle even she will face in accepting the message Jesus preaches and the form his ministry will take ...

3843. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... who were making sacrifices, and, most of all, the honor of God. Eli's sons had nothing but open contempt for God and ultimate concern for themselves. But as the writer describes the offensive state of affairs at Shiloh, a soft refrain, foreshadowing hope, keeps finding its way into the text. 1 Samuel 2:11, 18, 26 and 3:1 all introduce "the boy Samuel," describing his ongoing presence, his faithful service and his increasing growth in stature and respect. Samuel's positive development is held up in direct ...

3844. Philippians 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... exhorts in the rest of this passage reflect the fruits of the joy-producing union with God. In verse 5, Paul urges the Philippians to be known for their "gentleness." The gentle attitude is one that is non-retaliatory, an attitude where promoting peace, not keeping score, is the dominant goal. "Gentleness" counsels a certain amount of give-and-take. We know that Paul is hardly one to back away from a fight when he feels important theological and/or ethical issues are at stake. But there are other times when ...

3845. A Demon Speaks Out in Church

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... you on your steps till you sober up. You leave these people alone.” The man went red and silent, got up and left without a word. This is a promise the pastor did keep. And once, yes, he and a bunch of church members did pick the man up and take him home. But no one would accept his apologies any more. They demanded he keep his promises to work on his admitted drinking problem. And eventually he did . . . (2) There are many people in our society who are deeply troubled. Some of these people find their way ...

3846. Personal Prayer Time

Mark 1:29-34

Illustration

Keith Wagner

... overbook our lives with a myriad of things to do, and at the end of the day we are totally exhausted. We live (and die) by the clock. We are controlled by the need to produce. Time is money, time is how we keep in control of our lives. We resist quiet time by keeping the radios, televisions and computers on. The very thought of being alone, praying, scares us to death. We want professionals to do that for us. We haven't learned that relaxation and mediation breaks will empower us to do even greater things ...

3847. An Unpopular Preacher

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... one sense, the burglary was one of the best things that has happened to me. I didn’t realize it, but I had become tied down to those things. I was afraid to leave the house for fear this might happen. I spent half my day polishing that silver, keeping all that old china. That was really stupid when you think about it. Life ought to be more. I thought I would die after the burglary. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I may better off without all that stuff.” (Will Willimon, Preaching Resource, 12/2 ...

3848. Jesus Baptism and Ours

Isaiah 42:1-9

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... scribes and Pharisees were considered by themselves and others to be the most righteous people on earth. They sought to keep the Law’s 248 “Thou shalts,” and 365 “Thou shalt nots.” They studied, they learned, they kept the 613 ... Matthew’s gospel, Jesus will answer a question posed by a Pharisee: “Which commandment is the greatest?” When you’ve got 613 to keep, you’d like some help prioritizing them. Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all ...

3849. Facing the Wild Beasts Within

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... s a strong need to belong, to be known by name, to have a role to play in the group, and to be missed when absent. There’s identification with an authority figure, who is admired and trusted. There are churches which understand their mission to be that of keeping people at this stage of maturation. They are told to trust the church’s authorities. It goes something like this: “Questions are a sign of doubt, and doubt is a sin, and sin will send you to hell. So accept what you’re told as the absolute ...

3850. No More Static Cling!

John 20:10-18

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... s Dream hasn’t been fulfilled. There’s more to do. And all who believe in me will be enlisted to do it. Think of it as joining the Resurrection Conspiracy, also known as the Church.” III. The Resurrection Conspiracy The Risen Christ is moving the stones that keep people in the cave tombs, sealed from life. We all have in our lives something that we believe to be fixed, unchangeable. It feels like we’re in a cave tomb with a stone at the door. The stone feels immovable. We can’t get out and nothing ...

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