Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4726 to 4750 of 4986 results

4726. The Whole World Is under the Curses of the Covenant

Romans 3:9-20

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C. Marvin Pate

... view on Paul and the law). The reader will recall that covenantal nomism, as described by Sanders, claims that Second Temple Judaism was not a legalistic religion but rather based on grace—grace to enter the covenant with God, and works to stay in that relationship. Related to this, Dunn’s theory is that Paul in Romans and Galatians is not criticizing the law of Moses per se, but only the national markers of circumcision, the dietary laws, and Sabbath keeping. Such a perspective is exclusivist ...

4727. Adam, the Law, and the Curse of the Covenant

Romans 5:12-21

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C. Marvin Pate

... earned several Oscar nominations, is based on the book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean. It tells the story of the relationship that she developed with Matthew Poncelet, a prisoner on death row for rape and murder. The nun works to effect a stay of execution (which is denied) for the prisoner, who claims to be innocent, though he is arrogant and racist. In a dramatic moment toward the end of the film, set in the final hours before his execution, Helen Prejean pleads with this hardened sinner to ...

4728. The Christian’s New Dominion: Dedicated to Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23

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C. Marvin Pate

... to God.”10 It does seem that Paul’s sentiments lie with Luther, since according to the apostle, the human will has only the capacity to disobey the law (especially if the law stirs up the will to rebellion in the first place). Second, “What Happened at the Cross Stays at the Cross!” is a sermon that conveys a double meaning: our sins were buried with Christ at the cross so that no one can bring them back up to shame us, and our sinful lifestyle should remain a thing of the past, buried at the cross ...

4729. “Weak and Strong” Should Get Along

Romans 14:1--15:13

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C. Marvin Pate

... to pull together in advance the argumentation of these verses, taking into consideration the “Historical and Cultural Background” section. I do so by making three statements. First, it is clear that Jesus and now Paul throw out the dietary laws as a means of keeping and staying in the covenant. Rather, the kingdom of God has dawned and, with it, the new covenant, which is entered into by faith in Christ alone. In terms of 14:13–23, it may be said, then, that believers strong in faith are in the new ...

4730. Introduction and “Hello”

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

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Preben Vang

... on divine calling. Paul serves not out of personal ambition but out of a necessity generated by God’s will (9:16). The first would have led to defeat and given him an excuse to give up when things did not go his way; the latter called him to stay the course even when it was both unappreciated and dangerous (2 Cor. 6:4–12). Such focus brings about both humility and firmness. Not one without the other! Rather than using his position as an apostle as a platform for authority, he saw it as a charge to be ...

4731. Wisdom and Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

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Preben Vang

... human terms. “They are driving with this inner surge to search, to discover, to learn. . . . They’re courageous, tough-minded, willing to ask the hard questions as they bypass the routine in vigorous pursuit of the truth.” They are not, as he notes, like parrots who “stay in the same cage, pick over the same pan full of seeds, and listen to the same words . . . until they can say them with ease.”13 The suggestion is that to use human wisdom or water down divine wisdom is to be parrot people, while ...

4732. Christian Success and Christlikeness

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

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Preben Vang

... them (4:14). Do not go beyond what is written. Paul’s phrasing makes it sound like he is quoting a specific Old Testament text. Since no such text exists, interpretations of this phrase have varied widely. Is Paul quoting an idiom that means “stay within the rules”? Is he referring to a penmanship practice known among children (3:1) where they, while learning to write, trace letters written by their teacher? This latter suggestion could fit his encouragement in 4:16, “Imitate me.” Does he refer to ...

4733. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

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Preben Vang

... . I myself will not be disqualified.10 This statement seems rather difficult to understand if approached from the perspective of Christian doctrines like the security of the believer. Paul’s point, however, is not doctrinal in that sense. Rather, he stays within the illustration and speaks about the danger of not aiming to become Christlike—as an athlete who loses and therefore has trained in vain. The illustration still retains its soteriological force, though. The possibility looms that the faith of ...

4734. Worship and Humility

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

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Preben Vang

... proclaim the gospel (the Lord’s death) and not to satisfy one’s own desire. They could do the latter at home. Paul’s focus is the community and their Christlikeness. Those who have come merely for personal interest should stay home. Theological Insights Because worship must reveal Christ in order to be Christian, worshipers must worship with the attitude that characterized Christ (Phil. 2:3–5). Divisions in the Christ community—whether socioeconomic, ethnic, or other—hinder God-honoring worship ...

4735. Unity and Community (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

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Preben Vang

... might be elevated. Rarely do we delight to see God’s gifts to us poured out to the point of depletion, trusting that he will give more tomorrow if we leave it all on the field today. What might happen if we focused more on staying connected to the Giver and delighting to reflect his giving nature, rather than obsessing with the gifts themselves? Television: The Simpsons. In an early episode of this animated series (Season 1, Episode 9, “Life on the Fast Lane”) the main character, Homer, buys his wife ...

4736. Message to Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

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J. Scott Duvall

... comfort. Although this may sound contradictory to what has just been said, it’s important not to encourage people to seek poverty or pursue persecution directly. There is nothing inherently good about either one. Rather, our focus should be on Jesus and on staying loyal to him no matter what. It’s certainly true that our faithfulness may result in suffering (the emphasis above), but it’s important to be clear about what people should seek and pursue. Another caution is in order, one with two extremes ...

4737. Message to Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... darker, more open to Satan’s influence, and more opposed to the gospel than others. People living “where Satan has his throne,” figuratively speaking, need strong support, especially in prayer, in order to endure faithfully. 2. Staying faithful to Jesus is directly related to being a faithful witness. Radical evangelism often involves opposition and sometimes brings persecution. This passage stresses the connection between faithfulness and witness in ways that are routinely neglected or ignored ...

4738. Message to Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

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J. Scott Duvall

... most dangerous places to be is alone. When we do not have others helping us move forward, we are like an ice cube in room-temperature water—bound for room temperature. That is why we must reach out and find at least one other person to help us stay awake. (Place an ice cube in slightly warm water at the start of the message, and point out that it is gone by the end of the message). Returning to the historic Christian faith brings great benefit. Bible: Second Chronicles 34 tells the story of King Josiah ...

4739. Message to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

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J. Scott Duvall

... paying tribute for five years. The main pagan cult in the city was the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine. More importantly, this church faced Jewish opposition similar to that encountered in Smyrna (Rev. 2:9; 3:9). The early church leader Ignatius stayed in Philadelphia on his way to martyrdom in Rome (about AD 110). In his Epistle to the Philadelphians, Ignatius warns the church about the dangers of a Judaizing influence, connecting it with the work of “the ruler of this age.”1 Outline f. Message ...

4740. The Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1-17

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J. Scott Duvall

... witnessing. The martyrs’ most important act was not dying but witnessing faithfully. Revelation never encourages us to seek out persecution, but it does call us to live faithfully no matter what the costs. Although we can often avoid trouble by staying silent, following Jesus means we sometimes must speak up in his name. We must, however, be careful not to cause unnecessary opposition simply because we’re acting obnoxiously or contending for personal opinions rather than core biblical values. 2. Waiting ...

4741. John Called to Prophesy Again

Revelation 10:1-11

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J. Scott Duvall

... this world is usually not easy. In some ways John represents Christian leaders gifted to prophesy and all believers charged with the privilege and responsibility of bearing witness. The message we receive from the Lord through his Word often seems bittersweet, and staying with this message usually proves difficult. We delight in God’s Word, but that does not guarantee an easy life or spare us the pain of opposition and rejection. Even Ezekiel’s scroll was covered with “words of lament and mourning and ...

4742. The Vision of the Great Prostitute

Revelation 17:1-18

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J. Scott Duvall

... in contrast with God’s people. Story: After graduating from high school, a young man spent a month doing mission work in El Salvador. It was his first time so far abroad. He spent many days eating in tiny villages, trying new foods, and praying he would stay healthy. Then one night, he had a free day in San Salvador, the capital city. He went out that evening to a nice four-star steakhouse and ate till he almost burst. The food looked and smelled and tasted fantastic! Later on, however, the young man ...

4743. The Coming Judgment Calls for the Saints to Leave Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

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J. Scott Duvall

... World, by John Stott. Noting Jesus’s call to renounce materialism and to care for the poor, Stott comments: In light of these . . . biblical truths, and of the contemporary destitution of millions, it is not possible for affluent Christians to “stay rich,” in the sense of accepting no modification of economic life-style. We cannot maintain a “good life” (of extravagance) and a “good conscience” simultaneously. One or the other has to be sacrificed. Either we keep our conscience and reduce ...

4744. The Temporary Imprisonment of Satan

Revelation 20:1-7

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J. Scott Duvall

... it comes to truth. Beware of theological wild-goose chases when Jesus’s commands are clearly set before us. We do not know the future, but we do know Jesus, who holds our future. 2. The strategy for believers is not to fear Satan but to stay alert to his schemes. Interestingly, the first mention of the millennium is connected with the judgment of Satan, not the reign of believers. The role for believers comes soon enough, but we shouldn’t miss the present implication: do not fear Satan, but be alert to ...

4745. The New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21:1-27

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J. Scott Duvall

... in all its beauty, glory, and power without evil of any sort. That image will fall short, but it remains the best way to conceive of what is simply too wonderful to grasp. Teaching the Text This text depicts God’s future for his people and calls us to stay faithful here and now. 1. God really wants to live among his people. One could easily argue that God’s primary goal, and hence the goal of the entire Bible, is to live among his people in the new creation. God’s heart is relational to the core. He ...

4746. The Conclusion

Revelation 22:7-21

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J. Scott Duvall

... eschatology and ethics. Those who anticipate and long for Christ’s return are called to holy living. We see the very same emphasis in Jesus’s Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24–25 (and parallels in Mark 13 and Luke 21). Jesus repeatedly warns his disciples to “stay alert” in order to be ready for his return (e.g., Matt. 24:33, 42–44; 25:13). He then explains that being prepared consists of doing what God has said to do: persevering (Matt. 24:13), preaching the gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14 ...

4747. Grain Offerings

Leviticus 2:1-16

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... have, be it our time, talents, or money. Sometimes that may mean going to minister to poor people rather than enjoying the comforts of affluence. Sometimes that may mean encouraging our children or grandchildren to serve God in distant places when we prefer that they stay close to home. Sometimes that may mean spending time in devotion and prayer to God when we would rather watch a ball game. God deserves our best. He receives honor and pleasure as we give our best to him. Illustrating the Text The state of ...

4748. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... to “inadvertent sin” in the Levitical law. Personal Experience: I went on a mission trip to Rwanda, East Africa, in 2010. When doing my laundry by hand, I hung my underwear along with my other clothes on the public clothesline where we were staying. Afterward, I was told that it is considered immodest to hang intimate clothing where it could be seen. Subsequently, I hung my underwear in my room. The college-aged girls on the same trip discovered after arriving that shorts are an item of clothing ...

4749. Living by God’s Sexual Standards

Leviticus 18:1-30

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... elites, and of Hollywood that bombard us daily are decidedly different from Christian values. There is a constant temptation to jettison those biblical standards that differ from our surrounding cultural norms. Yet it remains essential for Christians to stand firm, to obey God, and to stay distinct from the world (1 John 2:15–17). 2. God sets sexual standards for his people. In no area of life do God’s standards conflict more with the world’s than in the realm of sexual behavior (vv. 6–23). The fact ...

4750. Victory and Serpents

Num 21:1-9

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... stick till he could pronounce them unencumbered. Our party of fifty men killed perhaps twenty snakes daily; at last they got so on our nerves that the boldest of us feared to touch the ground; while those who, like myself, had a shuddering horror of all reptiles longed that our stay in Sirhan might end.9

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