Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4501 to 4525 of 4963 results

4501. The Lord’s Case Against Israel

Micah 6:1-8

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... their sins before the altar, and raised up Miriam as a prophetess among them (Exod. 15:20; this is a unique emphasis on the role of Miriam, v. 4). Further, God foiled the attempt of Balak and Baalam to bring the destruction of a curse upon Israel (Num. 22–24), remaining always true to the promise to Abraham (Num. 22:12; 23:8, 19–20; 24:9; Gen. 12:2; cf. Mic. 7:20). And God led Israel safely across the Jordan from their camp in Shittim (Josh. 2:1; 3:1) to their first encampment in the promised land at ...

4502. Prayer and Praise

Micah 7:14-20

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... into pieces in the dust, or sunk like a stone in the depths of the sea. Why does God do such acts of forgiveness? Because of God’s delight to show ḥesed, covenant faithfulness (NIV: mercy), verse 18e. In other words, above all else, God wants to remain faithful to his covenant with his people. The Lord loves his chosen folk, and though they have been reduced to a remnant, they are God’s inheritance (v. 18c), a special people, bound to God since the days of the fathers by his choice and love of ...

4503. Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

Habakkuk 2:2-20, Habakkuk 1:12--2:1

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... it is clear enough that verse 4a refers to someone who is not upright in spirit or desire or appetite (nefesh) and that verse 5a similarly refers to someone who is arrogant (Prov. 21:24, the only other occurrence of this word, illustrates its implications). The remaining four lines of verse 5 put flesh on this and make clear that the “person” that the verses are describing indeed stands for the superpower that takes over all the nations in Habakkuk’s world. Perhaps it sees itself (or says that it sees ...

4504. A Call to Return to the Lord

Zechariah 1:1-6

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... the verb “come” for the Lord’s promised return to Jerusalem. At the same time that Zechariah was promising the Lord’s return, Haggai was assuring his audience of God’s promise that “I am with you” (Hag. 1:13; 2:4) and “my Spirit remains among you” (Hag. 2:5). This presence is like God’s presence with Israel after the exodus (Exod. 33:14; Num. 14:7). Yahweh’s powerful presence “with” Israel preserved them alive and brought them into the land. Doesn’t this assurance contradict the ...

4505. Four Horns and Four Craftsmen

Zechariah 1:18-21

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... that will seek to know the Lord. Haggai s picture of this phenomenon emphasizes the tribute that the nations will bring to the completed temple (Hag. 2:6–9). Smiths engaged in the peaceful pursuit of temple building while the country remained under Persian authority was a visible reminder to Zechariah’s audience of the imperial reality. In subsequent generations the smiths continued to rebuild and repair Judah and Jerusalem, but they did not construct weapons and siege engines. The revealed reality for ...

4506. A Man With a Measuring Line

Zechariah 2:1-13

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... is the promised restoration of Israel to their land, centered around the temple and city of Jerusalem, where God’s presence will dwell again. On the other hand is the promise to welcome other nations to the worship of God. Jerusalem, Israel, and the torah remain at the center of this multination people of God. Additional Notes 2:8 After he has honored me and has sent me . . . represents one solution to the enigmatic three words ʾahar kabod shelakhaniy. The NIV has read the noun kabod as a verb “he has ...

4507. A Crown for Joshua

Zechariah 6:9-15

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... and word from the Lord addresses the people’s questions about unfulfilled hopes. The people of Zechariah’s audience were looking for the restoration of the king in David’s line. When it did not occur in the sixth century B.C., questions remained—“How long?” and “Will God ever fulfill the promises?” Persistent questions are a way of maintaining faith. 6:9–11 God commands Zechariah to perform a sign-act with the cooperation of several individuals in Jerusalem. (See also the account in Jer ...

4508. The Coming of Zion's King

Zechariah 9:9-13

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... 34, verse 11 provides background for the words of institution for the Lord’s Supper, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood . . .” (1 Cor. 11:25). I will free your (fem. sg.) prisoners—not prisoners held by Zion, but Daughter Zion’s children who remain in exile. Jeremiah 50:33 says that the captors of Israel and Judah “hold them fast, / refusing to let them go” (see Jer. 30:8). Since Zechariah 9:13 specifies the Greeks as the enemy, Joel 3:4–8 also provides an explanation. The Lord judges ...

4509. The Lord Will Care for Judah

Zechariah 10:1--11:3

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... my dear son, . . . Therefore . . . I have great compassion [rkhm] for him.” This compassion is the Lord’s reason for rescuing, returning, and resettling the scattered people of the house of Joseph—and, no doubt, the people of the house of Judah who remain in Diaspora as well. This compassion is mother-love, the passionate caring of a woman for the child she nurtured in her womb (rekhem), as articulated in Jeremiah 31:20, “I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns [lit., my internal organs ...

4510. Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed

Zechariah 12:1-9

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... an inspired expanded edition of the oracle. Jerusalem had been part of the tribal allotment to Benjamin (Josh. 18:28), but David was the first to take the city from the Jebusites. He made it the capital city of the united kingdom of Israel, and it remained the seat of his descendants, the kings of Judah (2 Sam. 5:6–12). One can speculate about conflicts between the capital city and the towns and villages of postexilic Yehud that this complex prophecy may address. At the very least, the final form of this ...

4511. Mourning for the One They Pierced

Zechariah 12:10-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... cf. the same simile in Jer. 6:26; Amos 8:10). The only son who is identified by this noun (yekhid) in the OT is Isaac (Gen. 22:2, 12, 16). After Abraham sent away Ishmael and Hagar in the previous chapter (Gen. 21:8–12), Isaac was his only remaining son and the elderly Sarah his only wife. Isaac was apparently Abraham’s last son, the only one who could continue Abraham’s lineage. The people will grieve bitterly for the pierced one as one grieves for a firstborn son. Naomi (Ruth 1:20) and Job (Job 27:2 ...

4512. Jacob Loved, Esau Hated

Malachi 1:1-5

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... including “jackals” (as here in v. 3). Only the prophecies against Edom in Malachi, Obadiah, and Jeremiah 49 call the country “Esau.” Obadiah and Malachi are also the only two prophecies about Edom that refer to her mountains. Edom’s punishment will always remain (Mal. 1:4; Obad. 10). Edom may make plans to rebuild, but the Lord will thwart them because Edom has earned the title the Wicked Land and the epithet always under the wrath of the LORD. Edomite encroachment on Judah’s southern frontier ...

4513. Blemished Sacrifices and Admonition for the Priests

Malachi 1:6-14, Malachi 2:1-9

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... had not been from God. Malachi’s ministry, that of the prophet and of the book, is to convince the priests of their sin, give them opportunity to repent, and direct them back to God’s ways so that the covenant with Levi may remain in effect. God does not intend indictment, judgment, and punishment to annihilate, but rather to restore (cf. 3:3). Additional Notes 1:11 Incense and pure offerings: The word translated “incense” is a unique noun (muqtar) from a verbal root meaning “make sacrifices smoke ...

4514. The Day of the Lord

Malachi 4:1-6

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... other passages describe the succession of prophets like Moses whom God sent to call Israel to repentance and to faithfulness to covenant law. The ministry of prophets to God’s unfaithful, wavering people continues even after the prophets die because God’s word remains alive and effective (Zech. 1:5–6). This continuity between covenant law and the ministry of the prophets is symbolized by the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus at his transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28 ...

4515. A Room with Locked Doors

John 20:19-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... were afraid . . . and with good reason. Their Master had been crucified. They feared that the same thing would happen to them. Even though there had been reports that he had been resurrected, they were still wrestling with what that meant. They remained in seclusion and were meeting under the cover of night, secretly, behind locked doors. Sometimes, we too live in fear and lock ourselves away behind metaphorically closed doors. We might say that the disciples lacked faith but let us put ourselves in ...

4516. Timeout at Tiberias

John 21:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... you are unsure, the default reaction is to go to what you already know rather than simply trusting God. Apparently, the others were thinking the same thing, for as soon as Peter said, “I’m going fishing,” they all agreed. Not one dissenting voice remained, even Thomas who just a short time before had fallen at the feet of the risen Lord and declared, “My Lord and my God.” They went fishing . . . and that night they caught absolutely nothing. These expert fishermen went all night without a catch ...

4517. Staying Close to Christ

John 13:31-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... No surprise there--grace and mercy were what Christ was all about. After Judas had departed, the events leading up to Christ’s death fell into place very quickly. The long tension building up toward his death would soon be over. At this point Christ turns to the remaining disciples and says, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” This is interesting, don’t you think? He addresses ...

4518. A Peaceful Mind

John 14:15-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... the community of Spencer was once devastated by a tornado. Six people were killed. Many buildings were destroyed including St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. The day after the tornado a group from St. Matthew’s walked with their pastor through the remaining rubble of that community. It was an unbelievable sight. There was a grain elevator twisted and fallen, a water tower toppled, vehicles and other heavy items strewn around like toys. Whole buildings were gone from their foundations. When they neared the ...

4519. A Squirrel Crossing a Busy Street

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon

King Duncan

... that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (6) You could make a very good case for the proposition that without difficulties in our life, we would remain spiritual and emotional infants. You could make a convincing case that parents who make life too easy for their children do them a great disservice. In a sense they are stunting their growth. We learn our greatest lessons and experience our greatest ...

4520. A Word to the Wealthy

Mark 10:17-31

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... hand out of the vase was that he was trying to get a penny out of the bottom of the vase, and once he got the penny in his hand, his fist was clenched. "Let go of the penny!" a friend said to him. But he refused. So the vase remained stuck to his hand for a long time. Finally he let go of the penny and was able to get his hand out of the vase. This is a parable, isn't it? Some people become very attached to money and what it will buy. They can never get enough ...

4521. Feliz Navidad

Matthew 2:13-15

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... to room, knocking on the doors and requesting lodging. They are refused until they reach the room where an incomplete nativity scene is arranged. There two children come forward with the figures of Mary and Joseph to place in the scene. But the manger remains empty until the last night of the posada, when the image of the Christ child is placed in the manger, completing the scene. Then they have prayer and sing Christmas songs and lullabies to the child.* No wonder they call Christmas FELIZ NAVIDAD, which ...

4522. Why the Chimes Ring

Isaiah 35:1-10, Mark 12:41-44

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... will cause the long-silent chimes to ring by virtue of being the greatest gift. Great wealth, a long-awaited book, and even the king's own crown are laid upon the altar as gifts to the Christ child. But the angels who are supposed to ring the chimes remain quiet until the little boy lays Pedro's piece of silver on the altar. Then the chimes burst forth in music, in honor of the greatness of this gift.* The greatest gift for the Christ child is always the gift of love. We give him this gift, according to ...

4523. Jesus Walks on the Water

John 6:16-24

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... that was pursuing Jesus) got across the lake, and thus to set the stage for the long discourse of 6:26–59. The theme of this section is the search for Jesus. Those who searched found him on the other side of the lake, but how he got there remained a mystery to them. If his comings and goings are beyond the understanding even of his true disciples (vv. 16–21), how much more are they beyond the reach of those who seek him for their own purposes? Those who pursue him in unbelief will never find him (cf ...

4524. Jesus Teaches at the Feast

John 7:14-24

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... any such intent (v. 20). Their seeming lack of awareness of what the narrator and the readers have known all along is puzzling and incongruous. As early as 5:18 the religious authorities in Jerusalem had made up their minds to kill Jesus. This was why he remained in Galilee as long as he did (7:1). When he finally decided to go to Jerusalem, “at the Feast the Jews were watching for him” (7:11), apparently with hostile intent. Even the crowds knew that Jesus was a wanted man, though “no one would say ...

4525. The Shepherd and His Flock

John 10:1-21

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... blind proved himself one of God’s flock by trusting in Jesus. How will it turn out for the Pharisees who listen to this story? Jesus has already pronounced them guilty (9:41), and the subsequent discussion will only reinforce that verdict. It remains for Jesus to apply the language of the parable to the ongoing confrontation between himself and the religious authorities of Judaism. The result is not one unified interpretation of the parable but a number of different echoes and extensions of its imagery ...

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