Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 4101 to 4125 of 4884 results

4101. God’s Judgment of Babylon Calls for Celebration

Revelation 19:1-10, Revelation 18:1-24

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... himself as the bridegroom (Mark 2:19–20; John 3:29) and the church as the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25–33; Rev. 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17). The language of bride and bridegroom communicates God’s perfect love for his people and anticipates our joyous, intimate experience of the personal presence of God in the new creation. The marriage metaphor also conveys deep emotional security and assurance for Christians currently suffering persecution and abuse under evil human rulers. Teaching the Text ...

4102. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... could get atonement with a bloodless sacrifice (Lev. 5:11–13). How was this possible? Hebrews also states that even bloody sacrifices are not inherently able to purge sin (Heb. 10:4). Animals are inadequate substitutes for humans; only Christ was the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:10). The usual emphasis on blood in the sacrificial system is important because it foreshadows the shedding of Christ’s blood. But the Old Testament could allow a bloodless sacrifice for the very poor precisely because all ...

4103. Aaron Begins His Duties

Leviticus 9:1-24

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... complete in those who obey him (1 John 2:5). Like the Old Testament saints, we too must do “as the Lord has commanded.” Illustrating the Text It is a privilege to approach God. Quote: Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon’s words about approaching God strike a perfect balance, encouraging us to draw near to the throne of grace with reverent boldness: Beloved, the gathering up of all our remarks is just this,—prayer is no trifle. It is an eminent and elevated act. It is a high and wondrous privilege. Under the ...

4104. Living by God’s Sexual Standards

Leviticus 18:1-30

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... . 7:25–26; 32:16). “Abominations” are things God “hates” (Deut. 12:31; Prov. 6:16). Incest and child sacrifice are so loathsome that God will cast the Canaanites out before Israel (vv. 24–25). “Vomited” (in vv. 25, 28) is proleptic (a prophetic perfect), speaking of the decreed expulsion of the Canaanites as if already accomplished. 18:28 if you defile the land, it will vomit you out. Israel does come to behave like the Canaanites, and God expels Israel from the land too (Israel in 722 BC ...

4105. The Nazirite Vow

Numbers 6:1-21

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... become a permanent Nazirite. Most monks and nuns intend to be permanently so, though there is a process of trying out the monastic life as a novice before it becomes permanent, so for some it can be a temporary thing. The analogy here is not perfect. There were no orders of Nazirites, and their vows usually took effect after an answer to prayer rather than being a pure, unconditional commitment to serve God,7while people only sometimes vow to become monks or nuns if God answered a prayer. Nevertheless, the ...

4106. The Red Heifer

Numbers 19:1-22

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... conveys symbolically is that Yahweh is the God of life (order) and is separated from that which has to do with death (disorder). Mary Douglas has shown the connection between cleanness/holiness and concepts such as “wholeness,” “physical perfection,” and “completeness.”11Physical imperfections (Lev. 21:17–21; 22:20–24), representing a movement from “life” toward “death,” move a person ritually away from God, who is to be associated with life. Corpses and carcasses render a person ...

4107. Moses’s and Aaron’s Sin at Meribah

Numbers 20:1-13

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... himself to be holy by displaying his unsurpassed power and by expressing judgment even against his own leaders who fail to meet his high standards. Theological Insights Numbers 20:1–13 shows that leaders of God’s people are not perfect. Even the best of leaders are still sinners who, like Aaron, Miriam, and Moses, can become guilty of unbelief, idolatry, envy, angry outbursts, rebellion, or disobedience. Sometimes their people provoke them to these sins. Even so, God holds them accountable. Offenses ...

4108. Victory and Serpents

Num 21:1-9

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... of rebellion and ingratitude is punished by the poison of snake venom. But unlike the old generation, this generation is quick to repent. These Israelites confess their sin to Moses and ask him to pray for them (v. 7). The new generation is not perfect, but it shows signs of spiritual growth over the previous generation. We need to recognize that we, like Israel, are ever susceptible to sin. Thus, we are in perpetual need of repentance. If our repentance is genuine and our contrition real, we, like Israel ...

4109. Balaam’s Final Prophecies: The Star and the Scepter

Num 24:15-25

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... God without really knowing God at all. Object Lesson: Have a sample of your favorite food prepared and describe it in detail. For example, have salsa and chips displayed on a tall table. Talk about the flavor of the salsa, the consistency, the perfect contrasts of spicy peppers, biting onion, and sweet tomato. Describe how the cool salsa is best paired with a warm corn chip. Conclude the illustration by saying, “Isn’t salsa great?” Walk away and then stop suddenly. “Wait a second. I missed something ...

4110. The Daughters of Zelophehad (Part 1)

Numbers 27:1-11

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... girls from appearing before Israel’s legal dignitaries. But they have the courage to bring forth to Israel’s leaders their concerns. Moreover, these women are brutally honest. Though their father was not a bad man, these girls do not pretend that he had been perfect. He had in fact “died for his own sin” (Num. 27:3b). They clearly agree with God’s justice in letting their father and others of the earlier generation die in the desert. Ultimately, they are obedient to God’s word. They obey the ...

4111. Joshua Appointed as Moses’s Successor

Numbers 27:12-23

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... a mere woman. Samson is a sex-addicted Nazirite. Later even Israel’s greatest leader, David, is guilty of adultery and murder. Thus, this passage does not state minimum qualifications for leadership, even though Joshua is especially well qualified to lead. No one is perfect. God must use leaders with flaws. Some have more flaws than others. Teaching the Text 1. God seeks leaders who lead by example. It is important that spiritual leaders among God’s people today exhibit a commitment to obey God’s word ...

4112. The Ark Finds a Resting Place

2 Samuel 6:1-23

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... . To be holy He does not conform to a standard. He is that standard.6 Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Reginald Heber. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

4113. Ruling in the Fear of the Lord

2 Samuel 23:1-7

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... act of dishonesty would be viewed by their god, and they would be known to be guilty of such acts and be punished accordingly. The effect of this faith was that no dishonest act was done within sight of this idol: the most valuable property was perfectly secure. Confidence is the result of believing in the Lord’s faithful promise to David. Film: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days. This film (2005) is based on the true story of Sophia Magdalena Scholl (1921–43), a German student active within the White Rose ...

4114. The Ark Does Some Damage

1 Samuel 5:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... remains in Philistine territory. The polemic against these foreign gods culminates in 1 Samuel 7, which records how the Lord thunders against the Philistines. In light of the Lord’s absolute superiority, it makes no sense for the Israelites to worship these gods and perfect sense for them to follow the Lord.3 Historical and Cultural Background The text describes Dagon as being present in the temple of Ashdod (5:2–4). The referent here is an idol of the deity, complete with face, head, and hands. Walton ...

4115. Repentance and Victory

1 Samuel 7:2-17

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... of security. As noted earlier, the Lord’s self-revelation in the storm confirms the wisdom of Israel’s decision to worship the Lord alone. In light of the Lord’s incomparability, it makes no sense for the Israelites to worship foreign gods and perfect sense for them to follow the Lord, for in him alone can they find genuine security. The truth that the incomparable God is fully capable of providing security for his people is comforting, but it also challenges the Lord’s people to genuine faith ...

4116. Be Careful What You Ask For

1 Samuel 10:9-27

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... what you ask for, because you just might get it.” Famous Gaffe: “Everybody was saying we must have more leisure. Now they are complaining they are unemployed.” Said by Prince Philip of England at the height of the recession in 1981. This famous gaffe perfectly encapsulates the human dilemma. When we want something and go after it tenaciously or ask for it insistently, we are sometimes very undiscerning about the consequences of what we ask for. We often live to regret the answer to our requests.

4117. Jonathan’s Faith Ignites a Victory

1 Sam 13:16–14:23

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... up a cliff to fight with several soldiers waiting for them when they arrive at the top appears to be the height of foolishness, but Jonathan is assessing the situation from the perspective of faith. the Lord has given them into our hands. Jonathan uses a perfect verbal form, indicating completed action, to describe what the Lord will do. This rhetorical use of the verb highlights his certainty of victory because of his faith in God’s power. It also echoes the battle cry of Ehud (Judg. 3:28), as well as ...

4118. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... “like” because the context does not indicate that Saul actually engages in divination, at least on this occasion. The statement may be emphatic and is surely ironic. Saul expects to please the Lord through the proposed sacrifice, which he regards as perfectly legitimate and appropriate. But from the Lord’s perspective, Saul disobeys the divine command in order to make this sacrifice, so it is an act of rebellion, no different than divination or idolatry. By equating Saul’s rebellion with divination ...

4119. David’s Faith Ignites a Victory

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... assesses the situation strictly on the basis of what he perceives with his senses (cf. v. 11), without factoring God into the equation. 17:34 When a lion or a bear came. The verbal sequence in verses 34–35 (conjunction with perfect form) indicates that these actions are customary. David is not describing an isolated incident. As a shepherd he has encountered predators on several occasions, and on each occasion he has followed the described procedure. These experiences have taught him to act quickly ...

4120. David Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... decided to live a spiritual life amid an immoral court. Fénelon wrote a number of spiritual letters to guide those under his tutelage. What follows is a portion of letter 8 in modern paraphrase: We can listen to endless sermons about Christian growth, and become perfectly familiar with the language, and yet be as far from its attainment as ever. Our great aim should be to be deaf to self, to listen quietly to God, to renounce every bit of pride and devote ourselves to living. Let’s learn to talk less ...

4121. David Spares Saul’s Life—Again

1 Samuel 26:1-25

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... prudence, of taking vindication into one’s own hands, the opposite of what is taught in 1 Samuel 26. It is a violent and disturbing film that tells the story of Nick Hume (played by Kevin Bacon), initially a mild-mannered executive with a perfect family and life. One horrifying night when his car breaks down in a dangerous area, he witnesses the brutal death of his son at the hands of a sociopathic gang. This event changes Hume forever. Embittered by grief, he eventually comes to a disturbing conclusion ...

4122. Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

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Daniel J. Estes

... find it more difficult to speak directly and honestly to God about their reactions to what they are experiencing. Job in this chapter provides an example of courageous candor as he brings his feelings, fears, and frustrations to God. He by no means exemplifies a perfect pattern to imitate, but he does challenge us to turn to God with our problems. As the lament psalms demonstrate, this is a necessary first step on the path from pain to praise. This chapter is agonizing to read, because Job gives words to ...

4123. Zophar Rejects Job’s Complaints

Job 11:1-20

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Daniel J. Estes

... in great need. Although Zophar heard what Job said in his earlier speeches, he did not listen carefully enough to grasp Job’s true meaning. Consequently, he has distorted what Job said to God, making Job sound as though he thinks he is perfect before God. Apparently Zophar is so intent on correcting Job that he twists what Job has said into a caricature that can be brushed aside. By this, Zophar demonstrates that good counsel requires careful listening rather than jumping to conclusions that are not ...

4124. Bildad Again Beats the Retribution Drum

Job 18:1-21

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Daniel J. Estes

... is unbiblical. Film: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Bildad’s picture of the traps that threaten the wicked person can be illustrated by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), in which Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford) has to make perfect decisions about where to step as he approaches the Holy Grail. Even the slightest misstep will bring his immediate death. Such depictions are not comforting to a friend suffering adversity. God is a personal God involved in our lives, unlike Bildad’s ...

4125. Job’s Hope against Hope

Job 19:1-29

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... be developed to speak of what Christ has accomplished for humans as the divine provision for the justification of sinners (Rom. 5:8–9); as the ultimate redeemer for sinful humans, Christ is able to plead successfully for them on the merits of his own perfect substitutionary atonement for sin. Teaching the Text The book of Job will eventually end on an optimistic note as Yahweh speaks to Job in chapters 38–41 and then restores him to a place of blessing in chapter 42. At this point in the story ...

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