Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 4301 to 4325 of 5000 results

4301. Samson's Vengeance of the Philistines

Judges 15:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... kill him, Samson allows himself to be tied up. But as he is about to be handed over to the Philistines, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, such that the ropes that tie him melt away. Finding the jawbone of a donkey, Samson uses it to kill a thousand ... for his thirst to be quenched. But the way he phrases his request is manipulative. While acknowledging the great deliverance the Lord has just given him, Samson, however, uses it as a means of coercion, suggesting that the very deliverance will have been in ...

4302. Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

1 Samuel 7:2-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... hail, and heavy rain cause panic among the Philistines and send them fleeing to the west and south. Recognizing that it is the Lord’s victory, Samuel sets up a stone as a monument and calls it Ebenezer, which means “stone of help.” After this victory, ... as a judge and spiritual leader (7:13–17). Since Samuel ministers as a priest and prophet, he builds an altar to the Lord in his hometown of Ramah. Here we can identify a literary strategy that the historian has continued from the books of Joshua and ...

4303. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... men lead a triumphant celebration, complete with singing and dancing. It is the type of celebration that usually accompanies a military victory and is David’s way of proclaiming that God deserves the recognition and glory for Israel’s triumphs. In his zeal to honor the Lord, David places the ark on a new cart, the way the Philistines have done (6:1–11; see 1 Sam. 6:7). While a new cart is pure and this is an appropriate means of transporting a sacred object, it is also contrary to what is specified ...

4304. David’s Song

2 Samuel 22:1-51

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... around him like seaweed. Because of his extreme danger, death seemed close indeed. In his predicament, David called out to the Lord for help, and in his heavenly temple God heard his cry. The next verses (22:8–16) describe a theophany—the ... with Moses before the awestruck Israelites (Exod. 19:16–19). So powerful was God’s voice that it sounded like thunder. In Judges the Lord sent a thunderstorm to bog down the chariots of Sisera and give Israel a surprising victory (Judg. 5:4–5, 20–21). There may ...

4305. Cyrus’s Proclamation and Preparation to Return

Ezra 1:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... here). It could be from circa 606 BC, when the land was desolated, until the time of Cyrus, or it could apply to the time between the destruction of Jerusalem in 587–586 BC and the completion of the second temple in 516. When the author says, “The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus” (1:1), he likely is alluding to the same expression used in Jeremiah 51:11 and Isaiah 41:2. He must have also known the more specific prophecies of Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1, 13. The author certainly emphasizes God’s sovereignty ...

4306. The Wrath of God

Isaiah 9:8--10:4

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... chasten her (9:8–12)! This era is marked by civil wars and coups d’état (9:13–21; 2 Kings 15:8–30). All classes of people (“head and tail,” “branch and reed”) will ultimately suffer at the hands of the Lord: young and old, rich and poor, political and religious leaders alike. All Israel is characterized by perversity (“ungodly”), evil, and impiety (NIV 1984 “vileness”; the Hebrew Masoretic Text and NIV have “folly”). Godlessness and chaos are twins. Anarchy destroys the fiber of ...

4307. Ariel

Isaiah 29:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , not in their own scheming and planning, nor in self-confidence, but in Yahweh himself. The prophet renews his proclamation of “woe” on the people who plan and scheme as if Yahweh does not know or see (29:15–24). The people are the clay and the Lord is the potter, but the clay is skeptical and critical of the potter’s abilities (29:16). Thus far Isaiah has portrayed a number of the people’s reactions: apathy (29:9–10), disbelief in the relevance of the prophetic word for their time (29:11–12 ...

4308. Prologue

Isaiah 40:1-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... by giving it to idols. The exile was a time in which God’s people could reflect on what they had done; this period of reflection was a way of paying the damages in order to be restored to fellowship with Yahweh. The statement “she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (40:2) is an allusion to the Old Testament laws of restitution (Exod. 22:4, 7, 9). At God’s appointed time a proclamation of “comfort” comes to his people (40:1–5). Yahweh will come to help his own. In the ...

4309. Restoration of Israel

Isaiah 49:1-7, Isaiah 49:8-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... people of God, Israel. Yet, according to 49:1–6, the servant has a mission to the nation and to the Gentiles. These words are applicable to the restored community of Jews in Judea and the Diaspora, but in a greater sense they apply to the mission of our Lord (see Luke 2:32; Acts 26:23). Since that time the mission of the servant has become the mission of the church, the new people of God. The success of the servant’s mission depends on Yahweh (49:7). He, “the Redeemer” and “the Holy One of Israel ...

4310. Response to Redemption

Isaiah 56:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and Gentile, and unites them with himself and with one another (56:1–2). To these he extends the privilege of being subjects under his righteous rule along with all its benefits. The proper response of the people of God is that of covenant loyalty. The Lord expects his people to act like him. He expects that the people who have been justified and thereby have entered into a relationship with him will act in accordance with his own standards. There is a blessing for all who keep the covenant. The Sabbath ...

4311. The Future of God’s People

Isaiah 57:14-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... .” If God were to be continually angry, the righteous would also lose heart. Therefore, he revives the spirit of his people by words of comfort. He assures the humble that they will receive all they need for this life and the life to come. In healing his people, the Lord gives them rest and consolation, guidance and protection, and joy. They will be at peace with God. The wicked are compared to a “tossing sea” (57:20). They will never have a lasting peace. Thus, the prophet assures the godly that the ...

4312. The Glory of Zion

Isaiah 60:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the nations will be twofold. First, they will desire inclusion in the new era that will dawn on Zion (60:3). Second, they will cooperate by contributing to the welfare of Zion (60:4–9). The resources of the nations will be used to “honor . . . the Lord . . . the Holy One of Israel.” Riches, herds, flocks, and ships of Tarshish will all be submitted to God. The tribute and labor of the nations will be used to rebuild Zion as an expression of God’s compassion and justice (60:10–14). The enemies and ...

4313. Resurrection and Reunification

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Ezekiel 37:15-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the second unit (37:15–34) Ezekiel takes two pieces of wood, inscribed respectively with the names of the tribes of Judah and Ephraim, and brings them together, indicating the reunification of the two nations divided for hundreds of years. One day the Spirit of the Lord transports Ezekiel to a valley full of bones, somewhere in Babylon. He is led on an inspection tour of the site by the Spirit and is given a close-up view of the horrendous extent of death. The question put to Ezekiel—“can these bones ...

4314. First Message: A Call to Action—Build the Temple

Haggai 1:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... at God’s command. Thus for God’s people there can never be any cause to fear or hesitate when backed by God’s promise. But while there is great comfort for Israel in this name, there is in it as well the reminder that God is the Lord of Israel’s hosts. He is their commander in chief, and they are responsible to him. The expression “these people” (1:2) instead of “my people” is used to draw attention to God’s displeasure with Israel’s spiritual apathy. Their attitude is summed up in the ...

4315. Third Vision - Exiles to Leave Babylon for Jerusalem

Zechariah 2:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... has taken place, there can no longer be any doubt that God is in charge of the events that have transpired. Israel will then shout and be glad, for God will be at home in their midst. Not only Israel but many nations will be joined with the Lord, becoming God’s people and participating in the glories of the new age. Nonetheless, it will be abundantly clear that Judah is God’s portion, his special people (2:12). Jerusalem will once again be the place chosen by God for his presence on earth. In visions 2 ...

4316. Whose Son is the Christ

Matthew 22:41-46

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is accurate (see Matthew’s preference for this title for Jesus in 1:1; 12:23; 21:9), it is not fully adequate. Citing Psalm 110:1, Jesus asks how David could call his own son “Lord” in a psalm that clearly elevates and vindicates this “Lord” (22:44). Jesus concludes with a riddle: How can David’s “Lord” be his son? (22:45). Although no one in the story can answer the riddle, the reader of Matthew knows its solution. Matthew has shown Jesus to be the Messiah and has defined Messiah both as ...

4317. Israel’s Unbelief

Romans 9:30--10:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... who fulfills the ultimate purpose of the law and who is the end of the law (10:1–13). Israel has no excuse for her unbelief, as God has indeed sent messengers who proclaimed the good news of God’s saving righteousness through Jesus the Messiah and Lord, a message that should have caused the Jewish people to hear and to come to faith (10:14–21). 9:30–33 · Paul first comments on the Gentiles. They did not participate in the pursuit of righteousness, which God accepts by means of the law, because they ...

4318. Final Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (5:24). What God began in the election and calling of the Thessalonians (1:4; 2:12; 4:7; 2 Thess. 2:13–14) will be brought to completion at the time of the coming of the Lord (Phil. 1:6). Paul also calls the church to pray for him and its other founders: “Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” Paul frequently mentioned the reciprocity between him and churches, especially in prayers (Rom. 15:30–32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19–20) but not limited ...

4319. Denunciation of the Intruding Teachers

Judges 1:1-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... vv. 8–10). Unlike the archangel Michael, who in the Testament of Moses argued respectfully with the devil over whether or not Moses deserved burial (the devil accused Moses of having been a murderer in Egypt) and who left judgment to God (“The Lord rebuke you!”), these others, lacking the propriety of Michael, are like animals in that they do not understand what they slander. They are also like animals in that they follow their instincts, not realizing that these impulses will in the end destroy them ...

4320. Here's Mud In Your Eye

John 9:1-41

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... ). The blind man's new sight shows that Jesus, the "light of the world," can dispel darkness in unique ways. Could it have been that his reason for spitting on the ground was not only to redeem the mud but also to allow that blind man to hear what the Lord was about. We do know that Mark's gospel records Jesus used his saliva applied to the tongue to heal a deaf man with a speech impediment in Decapolis and to the eyes of another blind man near Bethsaida (Mark 7:33; Mark 8:23). In our sophisticated age, we ...

4321. Elephants in the Room: Depression

Lamentations 3:17-26

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... power over the god Baal, and God did with a big bolt of lightning. A crowd rose up and yelled, “God is Lord in Israel!” Immediately, Queen Jezebel, who worshipped Baal, ran after Elijah. The prophet ran and ran, and finally collapsed under a ... thought about this church and his faith. He thought about the sermons that he heard from J. Wallace Hamilton. He closed his eyes and prayed, “Lord, I release everything to you. I surrender to you. Whatever you want me to do with my life I will do it.” Bill told ...

4322. Samaritan Opposition

Luke 9:51-56

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... that probably has most directly influenced Luke, comes from Ezek. 21:2–3: “Son of man [cf. Luke 9:44], set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries; prophesy against the land of Israel and say to the land of Israel, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am against you, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath …” (RSV). This is in fact very similar to the message that Jesus will deliver to Jerusalem. In 19:41 and 21:20–24, in language reminiscent of the OT prophets’ description ...

4323. Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... , even before Abraham knows God’s name, his person, or his will. To say that the world is fallen and sinful is to say that it is the object not of God’s damnation but of his love.” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (Jer. 29:11). The promise of God is an expression of his faithfulness (3:4), his “for us-ness” (cf. 8:31). Abraham is the heir of the world. Genesis records extraordinary ...

4324. God's Sovereign Choice

Romans 9:1-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... or endure,” thus relieving any anxiety from verse 6 that God’s word might have failed. If God’s purpose is not ours, neither are his ways and reasons ours. “ ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isa. 55:8). The mystery of God’s purpose is not cause for anxiety or terror, however, but for confidence, because “God is for us” (8:31ff.). Following the exodus, Israel concluded that God had elected it for a purpose (Deut. 7:6; Ps. 135:4 ...

4325. Love, for the Day Is Near

Romans 13:8-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... one loves self. This interpretation owes more to self-help psychology than to biblical theology. In all the Bible there is no command to love self, but there are countless commands to love God and others. The text which is quoted (Lev. 19:18) ends with “I am the Lord,” which directs attention away from self and toward God. Leviticus 19:18, therefore, is not a command to self-love but to the love of God through love of others. Self-love and happiness come as a by-product of love of God and others (e.g ...

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