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426. Back to School

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In November 1987, Time carried a cover story entitled "Who's in Charge?" The magazine answered its own question with these words: "The nation calls for leadership, and there is no one home." How can the church assert leadership in the world today? In many churches the Sunday after Christmas is also "Student Recognition Sunday" - the reason being that on this Sunday there is probably a pretty good chance that those kids who grew up in the congregation and have gone off to college are in town for the weekend ...

427. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The good news: Among even the most biblically impaired, the term "Good Samaritan" carries a full load of moral meaning. The bad news: Our assumed familiarity with this story's plot and players in many ways has tamed the radical message of Jesus' parable. Choosing a Samaritan as the "good guy" is surprising, not only to the confident lawyer questioning Jesus; it also shocks his own disciples. Only a few pages back, Luke's gospel records how some Samaritans themselves had treated the prospect of a visit by ...

428. Philippians 3:4b-14

Philippians 3:4b-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The text for this week comes from a section in Philippians that many scholars postulate is from a second letter Paul had written to this congregation. Beginning at 3:1b, a different tone and focus color Paul's letter. Concerns over a specific group and their teachings come under Paul's scrutiny. The most common identification of these "dogs" (3:2) is the "Judaizers" those who taught that both adherence to the Law of Moses and a confession of Christ as Lord were necessary for complete entrance into ...

429. Jesus wins, Pilate loses.

John 18:33-37

Illustration

William R. Boyer

George III of England, America's enemy in the Revolutionary War, felt terrible about the loss of the colonies. It was said, in fact, that for the rest of his life, he could not say the word "independence" without tripping over it. He was an odd duck in many ways, but he had good insights. When the fighting in America stopped, King George and all his royal cronies in Europe were sure that George Washington would have himself crowned "Emperor of the New World." That's what they would have done. When he was ...

430. Following

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Steven Molin

Author Anthony Campolo says our attitudes start at a very early age. He brought his son to the first day of school and the principal was addressing the parents in this way: "Here at the Ding Dong School, we like to think of each child as a little flower, unique and special, one which blossoms and grows in its own special time." The problem is, the kid grows up thinking she is so special that she's the only one that matters. Then she gets a job at McDonalds, or General Motors, or Andersen Windows. I ...

431. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

3:1–2 The NIV wisely prints verses 1–12 as couplets of two verses, with the second verse of each couplet providing some kind of motivation. Thus the command in verse 1 is followed by a promise of long life and prosperity, which is the ideal goal envisioned by the wise. It has been said that the kerygma of the book of Proverbs is life (cf. Murphy, “Kerygma”). The teaching of the sage is further expanded in verse 12, which refers to the Lord’s discipline. 3:3–4 Cf. 6:21 and 7:3. Love and faithfulness are ...

432. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 26:1-28

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

These chapters are introduced by a superscription indicating that they are from Solomon by way of the “men of Hezekiah.” The sayings break from the admonitory style of 22:17–24:34 and resemble those of chapters 10–22:16. However, these sayings are much more vivid, and in chapters 25–27 they form larger units (“proverb poems,” as they have been called). Explicit comparisons are frequent. We are unable to say much about the general setting of the collection, but the ambience of the court predominates in ...

433. Abram Rescues Lot

Genesis 14:1-24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

Abram Rescues Lot from Captivity: This episode reveals Abram as a strong military commander. Employing shrewd battle tactics, Abram defeats a coalition of four kings from the East who have taken his nephew Lot captive. On his triumphant return Melchizedek, priest-king of Salem, comes out to meet him and blesses him. Abram in turn gives him a tithe of the spoil. This episode describes Kedorlaomer’s campaign against the cities around the Dead Sea (vv. 1–12), Abram’s defeat of these marauding troops (vv. 13– ...

434. God and Government

Romans 13:1-7

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

Big Idea: Paul declares that government is a divine institution, and so Christians should submit to its authority. He provides two reasons why believers should do so: fear of punishment for wrongdoing, and obedience for conscience’s sake. The specific form that this submission should take is paying taxes. Thus, obeying the authorities is another expression of being a living sacrifice to God. Understanding the Text Even though Romans 13:1–7 is a part of general Christian exhortation (cf. 1 Tim. 2:1–3; 1 Pet ...

435. Impurity, Repentance, and Jealousy

Num 5:1-31

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s people must deal with ritual and moral impurities. Understanding the Text Following the census of priests and Levites in Numbers 3–4, Numbers 5 introduces laws that involve priests: 1. Cases of ceremonial impurity (vv. 1–4) (cf. Ezek. 44:33) 2. Restitution given to priests for false oaths (vv. 5–10) 3. A priestly ritual regarding a jealous husband (vv. 11–31) In each of these cases the issue involves the need for Israel to be pure. Historical and Cultural Background Requiring those accused ...

436. Jesus’s Fourth Discourse—The Community Discourse

Matthew 18:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The messages of the Community Discourse—embedded in 16:21–20:28, with its focus on defining Messiah and discipleship—center on the need for the messianic community to renounce status concerns, care for their most vulnerable, and pursue restoration and forgiveness of those who stray. The community of disciples must deny self and live a cross-shaped existence (16:24) empowered by Jesus’s presence within the community. Though possessing a certain seamlessness, Matthew 18 may be divided into two sections, each ...

437. No One Is Righteous

Romans 3:9-20

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

With devastating finality Paul now concludes the long discussion of the guilt of humanity which began in 1:18. The passage falls into three parts: a summation of the argument of 3:1–8 (v. 9); a series of proof texts from the OT on the moral failure of humanity (vv. 10–18); and a conclusion that the law is powerless to save (vv. 19–20). Paul enters the final round against his fellow Jews who suppose that the advantage of the law (3:2) secures favor with God. Since 2:1 he has attacked Jewish presumption to ...

438. Sword of Truth

Luke 2:22-40 · Hebrews 4:12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) All of you probably know the story in one form or another of King Arthur and his mysterious sword Excalibur. Infused with divine power, the mighty sword could only be used by the “rightful King” of England and would thwart those who tried to use it for unworthy purposes. Powerful, the double- ...

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