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 4551 to 4575 of 4968 results

4551. Demons, Pigs, and the Economy

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... pigs were put to good use! The economic question here is, is a man worth 2,000 pigs? The former demoniac is now sitting calmly at Jesus' feet, clothed, sane, whole, peaceful, and ready to lead a productive life as Jesus' disciple to the Gentiles. Think of it, from demoniac to disciple. But the herdsmen, thinking of the lost pigs, ran into the city to tell the owners. They in turn came rushing out to the scene. In disbelief they saw the wild demoniac they had rejected and chained now sitting peaceably and ...

4552. An Extraordinary Wedding Gift

John 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John then adds these words, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Have you ever noticed that Jesus always seemed to work in unexpected ways? Imagine, for example, you have a problem with your eye and go to a doctor. He says, “Come let me spit on the ground and make mud and put it in your eye ...

4553. Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:1-22

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... with his boldness of bearing and speech. Indeed, it may have been the council’s recollection of Jesus that lay behind the comment: They took note that these men had been with Jesus. We cannot think that they only now discovered that Peter and John were Jesus’ disciples. They must have known this much, at least, about them. But now it was borne in upon them how like Jesus they were. When Pilate had condemned Jesus, they had thought that they had heard the last of him (Why else put him to death?). But ...

4554. The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19-30

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... in the church,” drawing attention to the fact that the association formed in Antioch between Barnabas and Paul was of inestimable value to the church’s mission. 11:26b–30 Two other matters of interest are noted by Luke in this section: First, the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (v. 26). In the New Testament, Christians never call themselves by this name; nor is it likely that the name was given to them by the Jews. It must be attributed, therefore, to others in the city and is ...

4555. The Return to Antioch in Syria

Acts 14:21-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... The importance of this town (such as it was, but see disc. on v. 8) lay in its proximity to the border of Roman Galatia and the client kingdom of Antiochus IV of Commagene. Here the apostles preached the good news … and won a large number of disciples (v. 21, lit., “discipled many”; cf. Matt. 28:19). One of these later accompanied Paul to Jerusalem as a delegate of his church (20:4). Derbe is the only town of those we know they visited in Galatia in which they met with no persecution (cf. 2 Tim. 3:11 ...

4556. Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos

Acts 18:18-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... and Phrygia, that is, the region of southern Galatia, which lay more or less in a direct line with Ephesus (see disc. on 16:6). The verb “to go through” may mean that he preached as he went (see disc. on 8:4), thus strengthening all the disciples. In this way he would have visited the cities of his former journeys: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. From here, the main road would have taken him through Colossae and Laodicea in the Lycus Valley to the Maeander and along the river to the coast. But he ...

4557. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13-38

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... this flock, and history has shown that his fears were justified (cf. 1 Tim. 1:3, 20; 2 Tim. 1:15; 2:17; 3:8, 13; 1 John 2:18f.; 2 and 3 John). The desire of these teachers would be to draw away disciples after themselves—an implied contrast with the call of the disciple to follow Christ. The verb means “to tear away from that to which one is attached.” 20:31 The pastoral metaphor is maintained as Paul urged the elders to be on (their) guard. For encouragement, they had his example. For three years (a ...

4558. Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... rule. The idea of enthronement or exaltation with Christ is difficult to grasp because there is a tendency among believers to think of this as something to be realized in the future—that is, at the end of this present age. Jesus, for example, tells his disciples this: “at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30). And some of the apocalyptic imagery ...

4559. Unity in the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:1-16

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... occasions the prophets remind the people of Israel that they have been “called” by God to fulfill a specific function (see Isa. 41:9; 42:6; 43:1; 44:2; 45:3, 4; Hos. 11:1). Christians, likewise, have a calling from God, as is evident in the Lord’s disciples (Mark 1:20), the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 1:1), and the Gentiles (Eph. 3:6). In Ephesians, the Gentiles have been told that God has chosen them to be his children (1:4, 5), appointed them to praise God’s glory (1:12), called them to a wonderful hope ...

4560. To Elders and Young Men

1 Peter 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... toward one another. They are to put on, as though it were a garment, the Christlike character of humble service. By his choice of metaphor, Peter is no doubt reflecting on the scene in the Upper Room, when Jesus took up the menial task of washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:4). The Greek verb Peter uses for clothe yourselves is a vivid one, for it is derived from a series of words implying clothing that is tightly wrapped, or rolled up, or knotted. The picture is of donning a slave’s apron, tied on ...

4561. Circumcision at Gilgal

Joshua 5:1-12

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... or treaty. Christianity benefits greatly from building its communion service on the Passover. As the Passover celebrates an immanent era of freedom and independence, so the final supper of Jesus before his crucifixion celebrates a new period in the lives of the disciples. Jesus would no longer be present physically to help them. Now the Spirit of Christ will assist them by giving gifts and encouragement. The past was filled with lessons of God’s grace, but new challenges will build the kingdom of God ...

4562. The Gift of the Spirit

Joel 2:28-32

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... to persons for the purpose of enabling them to accomplish a task for God. The Spirit lent them power to do God’s bidding (cf. Exod. 31:2–5; Judg. 6:34; Mic. 3:8; Hag. 1:14, etc.). Such is the understanding of the gift in Acts 2. The disciples are given the Holy Spirit in order that they may be witnesses to Christ “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8; 2:4). But that does not seem to be the emphasis of this passage in Joel. Rather, consonant with Joel’s entire concern, the Spirit here signifies ...

4563. People Who Procrastinate

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon

King Duncan

... . That happens sometimes in church. Sometimes we might make the most innocent comment to someone and they may misconstrue it, and quite unintentionally we’ve lost a friend. Maybe Judas felt rejected by the other disciples. Perhaps it troubled him that he was not part of that small circle of disciples closest to Jesus--Peter, James and John--who were always there on significant occasions in Jesus’ life. Could it have been simple jealousy? “I’ll show them.” Judas may have said to himself. But it ...

4564. Hey! I Want To Believe!

John 20:24-31

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... . I don't believe I would want to be called Goofy, like Mickey Mouse's friend. I certainly wouldn't want to be called Dopey like one of Snow White's friends. One of Jesus' disciples developed one of the most famous nicknames in all the world. He became known as Doubting Thomas. Thomas wasn't with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after he arose from the grave. Thomas couldn't believe Jesus was really alive. Not until he could see the Master for himself. Jesus did show himself to Thomas and ...

4565. The Mighty Tide of God Rolled In

Acts 2:1-21

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... ' hair stood up, but we do know that above each person's head appeared a tongue of fire. We can't really imagine something like that happening, but whatever it was that happened to the disciples, it made them so powerful that when they preached and prayed and fellowshipped, thousands of persons were added to the church. So we celebrate Pentecost just like we celebrate Christmas and Easter. We think of Christmas as the birthday of Jesus and Pentecost as the birthday of the church. And ...

4566. The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-18

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... and made his dwelling among us (v. 14a). The writer’s community comes alive and begins to speak for itself: We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. Like Isaiah in the temple (cf. 12:41) or like the three disciples at the Transfiguration (cf. Luke 9:32), the writer’s community had seen the glory of God displayed in Jesus Christ. Yet it was not a matter of a particular incident or a single vision. They had seen Jesus’ glory in a whole series of events, from his ...

4567. The Healing at the Pool

John 5:1-15, John 5:16-30

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... the more to kill him … (v. 18, RSV) The alternating verses, accordingly, also begin with a common form, Jesus said to them/gave them this answer (Gr: apekrinato, vv. 17, 19). In the Gospels Jesus is represented as replying in several ways to the charge that he or his disciples are guilty of breaking the Sabbath. Most of his answers are based on logic or on practical considerations (e.g., John 7:22–23; Mark 2:25–27; 3:4; Matt. 12:3–7, 11–12; Luke 13:15–16; 14:5), but at least one focuses on the ...

4568. The Jews Continue in Their Disbelief

John 12:37-50

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... glory’ ” (Isa. 6:1–3). The narrator boldly identifies “the Lord” in Isaiah’s vision with Jesus, and “his glory” with the glory of Jesus. Like Abraham, who rejoiced to see the time of Jesus’ coming (8:56), Isaiah is depicted here as a Christian disciple long before the Christ, glimpsing the glory that would some day be revealed in Jesus’ ministry and death (cf. 1:14; 2:11; 11:40; 12:23). It is surprising that the narrator builds his connection between Isaiah’s testimony and Jesus on the ...

4569. Imitating Christ's Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... of this is provided by the account in John 13:3–5 of what took place at the Last Supper: it was in full awareness of his divine origin and destiny, in full awareness of the authority conferred on him by the Father, that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and dried them with the towel he had tied round his waist. The divine nature was displayed, and most worthily displayed, in the act of humble service. Being made in human likeness: these words are misunderstood if they are taken to mean that Christ’s ...

4570. The Word of Life

1 John 1:1-4

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... of the Christ event. From the beginning, while containing an allusion to “in the beginning” (John 1:1; Gen. 1:1), refers here to the beginning of the Christian movement, the teaching and experience of Jesus, which led to the formation of his disciples (John 15:27; 16:4) and ultimately to the founding of communities of Christians throughout the Mediterranean world. The author uses the expression elsewhere in the letters: from the beginning the Johannine community has had a command to follow (2:7; 2 John ...

4571. Elijah Flees to Horeb

1 Kings 19:1-8

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... Jesus must have a greater commitment to service in God’s kingdom than Elisha had. Yet the mention there of the plow reminds us of Elisha’s decisiveness in leaving his home (he burned the plowing equipment)—which in some ways represents greater commitment than Jesus’ disciples actually showed (they only “left” their nets, Mark 1:14–20, later to return to them, John 21:1–14). This is a good example of the way in which taking the OT seriously on its own terms can lead us to ask deeper questions ...

4572. Fear God

Isaiah 8:11-22

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... time when Yahweh acts and it is proved true. This may denote entrusting the contents of his message to his disciples, or perhaps actually putting it into writing and literally sealing it. That might be the beginning of the origin of the book called Isaiah. The ... exhortations in verses 12–13 are plural; Isaiah’s disciples (v. 16) are included in them. 8:19–22 This teaching/testimony ought to be the people’s recourse when they want to ...

4573. Israel's Sin and the Servant's Obedience

Isaiah 50:1-11

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... to the servant rather than the sovereign. Presumably the testimony in verses 4–9 addresses the same audience in the Judean community, but only now does this become explicit. It is not immediately clear whether the speaker is Yahweh or the servant (or even a Disciple), though by the end the first seems most likely. The question who within the community are people who revere Yahweh hardly implies that the prophet accepts a situation in which some will do that and others do not. It is more likely that it ...

4574. The Future Glory of Zion

Isaiah 54:1-17

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... but now speaks to the city and promises it will be rebuilt—in a different kind of stone. Taught by the LORD is literally “disciples of Yahweh.” The word is the one that described the prophet in 50:4. This again makes the point that the prophet’s ... better, more thought-provoking and faith-building link. Alongside the promise that all Ms Jerusalem’s children will be Yahweh’s disciples, like the prophet, is the promise that all will enjoy the fruits of being Yahweh’s servants, like the prophet. ...

4575. Ezekiel's Call

Ezekiel 1:1-28, Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Ezekiel 3:16-27

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... ). But Ezekiel cannot take away their guilt: “Though he may be able to identify with his people, he is nevertheless helpless as a priest to deliver them” (Odell, “What You Eat,” p. 244). 3:1 House of Israel. Note that Jesus, too, first sends his disciples not to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but “to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 10:5–6). This expression appears more often in Ezekiel (83 times) than in all of the other books of the OT combined (though, intriguingly, the phrase is not found ...

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