Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 4901 to 4925 of 4963 results

4901. Thanksgiving and Appeal

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... himself. Verse 13 contains the poetic punch line. Paul’s deepest hope is that Timothy will choose a different path from those faithless ones. He is most confident, though, that regardless of anyone else’s faithfulness or faithlessness, God himself will remain faithful. The poem’s last line about God’s not being able to disown himself has puzzled commentators. The effect is to ask Timothy and subsequent readers to ask themselves hard questions. Those whose ongoing faithlessness leads to final denial ...

4902. Warning against Unbelief

Hebrews 3:7-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... kept by the power of God through faith (1 Pet. 1:5), which is quickened and strengthened by warnings such as these. Further, many who claim to believe in fact do not. Some manifest the falseness of their faith by apostasy (1 John 2:19), while others remain undetected until the day of Christ (Matt. 7:21–23; 13:36–43). For a readership that was inclined to consider the life of Israel in the wilderness as a paradigm for their own (3:15–19), it was particularly necessary to emphasize that it was precisely ...

4903. Exhortations to Persevere in Christian Faith

Hebrews 10:19-39

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is now reinforced with solemn warnings (10:26–31), similar to that of 6:4–8, regarding the horrifying and irremediable consequences of apostasy (cf. Heb. 2:2–3; 2 Pet. 2:20–22). “Deliberately keep on sinning” refers not to the immense sinfulness that remains in every believer’s life, over which one mourns, of which one repents, and for which one turns to Christ (Heb. 4:15–5:12), but to the renunciation of the faith (3:12; 6:6). If, having once become acquainted with and having laid ...

4904. Faith Defined and Exemplified

Hebrews 11:1-40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ” (11:16), and “better resurrection” (11:35), which are no more the present possession of believers today than they were of Abraham or Moses. The entire chapter has been offered as encouragement to persevere in view of the fact that God’s promise remains unfulfilled, and the verses that immediately follow reiterate the same thought: one must persevere to the end if one is to receive. The thought is explicitly not a fortiori (from the lesser to the greater), as if the author were saying: “If they ...

4905. Trials and Temptation

James 1:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the verses, but the second alternative explains more naturally the order of the Greek words in verse 9 (literally “the brother, the humble one”). James concludes the opening section of the letter by returning explicitly to the theme of trials (1:12). Remaining faithful to God during trials brings God’s blessing: the reward of life eternal that God has promised to those who belong to him. The risen Jesus similarly encouraged suffering Christians: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will ...

4906. True Christian Faith seen In Its Works

James 2:14-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... people who think that salvation is tied to doing the Jewish law; James addresses people who think that salvation brings no responsibility. But Paul’s “works of the law” is simply a subset of James’s “works,” and so a formal contradiction remains. To put it simply, Paul says, “justified by faith alone”; James says, “justified by faith plus works.” What is vital, then, is to see that Paul and James are using the key word “justify” with different meanings. When Paul uses the word ...

4907. The Hidden Spiritual House

1 Peter 2:4-12, 1 Peter 2:13-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... those who do right” (2:14; cf. Rom. 13:3–4), but Peter is as aware as we are today of the possibility of corruption in high places. He even calls Rome “Babylon” in his closing greeting (5:13). Yet, just as we abstain from fleshly desires and still remain committed to ordinary human society (2:11–12), so we submit to worldly authority even though it is to pass away under the judgment of God. We know that God’s world is fallen, but we submit to his ordering of it, keen to testify by our lives to ...

4908. Final Exhortations and Greetings

1 Peter 5:1-11, 1 Peter 5:12-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and trial, special responsibility rests on the leaders of the churches to support and be shepherds of God’s flock (5:2). Peter turns to this vital practical concern to round off his letter. But in fact his concern is not just pastoral, for there remains a theological question, raised by what he has said about submission to earthly powers and Christ’s victory over them, which needs to be tackled as well. If, as he has told us, we must submit to earthly authorities even though Christ has proclaimed his ...

4909. The Victory That Overcomes the World

1 John 5:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the community and their belief in Jesus as the Christ, returning to the religious and cultural security of the local synagogue, the elder emphasizes that believing “Jesus is the Christ” (5:1) is the center of spiritual birth. Those tempted to remain “underground” among Jewish family and friends, like Nicodemus, who came to Jesus “at night” (John 3:2), would especially be confronted by this reminder of saving faith. For those refusing to risk synagogue expulsion (John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2) by ...

4910. Joy at Believers’ Walking in the Truth

3 John 1:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 26), so the Johannine elder imparts peace to Diotrephes in 3 John 14. His next venture, then, was likely to compile and finalize the testimony of the beloved disciple after his death (Jesus never said he would not die; he simply said to Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” [see John 21:22]), claiming he “wrote [these things] down” and that “we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24). Just as our testimony is true (3 John 12), so was his (John 21:24).

4911. The Epiphany of the Glorious Son

Revelation 1:4-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Sea were used as places of banishment by the Roman court (Tacitus, Annals 3.68; 4.30), so it is likely that Patmos (a rocky, volcanic, barren islet) was also used for that same purpose. John was exiled because he preached God’s word and remained true to his testimony (1:9). He was a brother and “partner” (ESV; NIV: “companion”) in affliction with God’s family. (The Greek word translated as “partner” refers to a person with whom we share a deep communion or fellowship.) Together they have ...

4912. The Letter to Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... fall short of genuine sacrifice (3:3). Though Sardis was known for its booming garment and textile trade, these believers wear soiled clothing (3:4), a poignant symbol of moral compromise with their surrounding culture. Christ warns them to wake up, strengthen what little faith remains, remember what they first heard, and obey (3:3–4). If they do not heed this warning, when the Son of Man returns (cf. Matt. 24:42–44; 1 Thess. 5:1–6), they will be caught off guard (as they were when the earthquake ...

4913. The Letter to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... citizens have a permanent name (i.e., the name of God) and with it the assurance that they belong to Christ. Believers will be a pillar in the portico of God’s eschatological temple, which no earthquake can shake (cf. Ezek. 40:49), and they will receive the power to remain steadfast (3:12; cf. 1 Cor. 15:48).

4914. The Seven Seals: Where is God When His People Suffer?

Revelation 6:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... decay (Isa. 13:10–13; Joel 2:10, 30–31; Hab. 3:6; cf. Rom. 8:19–22). These “last days” began with the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2) and reach their conclusion at his imminent return (Mark 13:24–27). Even then, human beings can remain unrepentant. From every segment of society, from kings to lowly slaves, there are people who would rather pray to the mountains to fall down and cover them or hide in the caves than cry out to the Lord and be saved (6:15–16; cf. Joel 2:32).

4915. Gospel of Repentance

Revelation 14:6-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... people could drink and revel further. But the cup of God’s wrath is undiluted, his final judgment unmitigated (14:10). For those who drink of this cup, there will be no Sabbath rest, no true shalom, no peace (14:11; cf. Heb. 3:10–19). Thus, the godly should remain “faithful to Jesus” (the Greek phrase can also be translated as “faith in Jesus”; 14:12).

4916. The Fall of Babylon Rome

Revelation 18:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , Rome spent an estimated one hundred million sestertii per year for trade with India, China, and Arabia (Pliny the Elder, Natural History 12.41.84), which is roughly the amount needed to pay the annual salaries for eighty-five thousand Roman legionnaires. The remaining nonluxury items in the list—wine, olive oil, and wheat—were traded in bulk. Rome, for example, consumed some eighty thousand tons of grain annually and required a thousand ships to import it. The scope of John’s cargo list for Rome ...

4917. The Vindication of God and his People

Revelation 20:1-7, Revelation 20:8-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... time when the church lives under the agency of the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:37). The millennium began when Jesus was raised from the dead (20:1–3; cf. 12:7–11), which is the first resurrection (20:5–6; cf. 1 Cor. 15:20), and continues today. When Christians remain faithful, Satan is bound (12:1–6; cf. Mark 3:23–28; Matt. 16:16–19; Luke 10:17–19); but when they compromise, Satan is loosed (20:7–9; cf. 2 Cor. 4:3–4; Eph. 2:2). The tribulation is not a future event but a present call ...

4918. Benediction

Revelation 22:1-6

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , empower, and guide the life of the church (22:16–17). Once again Christ our king promises, “Yes, I am coming soon” (22:20). Like the faithful bride who awaits the coming of the Lamb, we respond, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (22:20). As the liturgy ends, God’s grace remains with John, the churches, and all those who have journeyed with them through Revelation (22:21).

4919. Are You Sorry Enough to Wash Your Face?

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... world, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It was the practice among early Roman Christians for penitents to begin their period of public penance on the first day of Lent. They were sprinkled with ashes, dressed in sackcloth, and obliged to remain away from fellowship with other people until they reconciled with fellow Christians on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday and three days before Easter, the day of resurrection. Ash Wednesday is ultimately about one of the biggest words in the Bible ...

4920. The Womb of Amazing Grace

John 4:5-42

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... group whose religion was based on their Samaritan Torah. That Torah claimed the worship of the Samaritans to be the one true religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babyonian exile. Their religious leaders taught that it was preserved by those who remained in the land of Israel. For them, Judaism, the religion of the Pharisees, was a related but altered and amended religion that had been brought back by those returning from exile. You can see right away why the Pharisees held that theology in ...

4921. This Spirit Is Not Spooky

John 14:15-21

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... to that which is inanimate, but one can lie to a person. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is the godhead's third person! The Spirit -- Our Proponent! The Holy Spirit came on Old Testament believers temporarily to give them strength. Normally, however, he did not remain with them. The guilt-ridden David pleads with God, "Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11). What Jesus presents here is new, different, and exciting. Now the Spirit comes to stay with us ...

4922. Fix It, Daddy

John 11:17-45

Sermon

King Duncan

... , loud “bang,” it burst and fell to her feet. She looked down and saw what had been her beautiful balloon, now a forlorn wad of wet blue rubber. It took her only a moment to regain her buoyant mood, however, as she picked up the remains of that balloon, marched cheerfully to where her father was standing and thrust it up to him. “Here, Daddy,” she said cheerfully, “Fix it.” (1) Sometimes our lives resemble that wad of wet blue rubber lying there on the church hall floor. “Here, Daddy,” we ...

4923. More Beyond

Acts 16:16-34

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... this litany you must conclude that if Paul were alive today he would be nauseated by those who tout a prosperity gospel. Paul knew that he would face opposition. However, what is important to remember is that he did not cower from this fact. His resolve remained strong. In fact, later in the aforementioned pas- sage Paul’s rhetoric is on the offensive: We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as un- known, and yet are well known; as dying, and see — we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed ...

4924. I Wonder Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Romans 8:28-29

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... first bit of help I offer is simply this: do not allow the theodicy question to make you cynical. It’s fair and healthy to ask this question and struggle with it, but I have seen too many people hang on to it way too long, like a protest, and remain stuck in their faith, or stop believing in God altogether. I have also seen people use it as an excuse. Some feel that as long as they wear a badge of prideful agnosticism they will not have to deal with the truth of God in their lives. Don’t allow ...

4925. I Wonder about Life after Death

John 14:1-3

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... you, loving faces smiling at you, and everyone will want to meet your every need. You will be surrounded by such love and beauty that soon, very soon you will say, ‘I love it here. I don’t want to leave here.’ And Ellen, you won’t leave. You will remain there and live with Jesus in heaven forever. Ellen, that is what is going to happen when you die.” Then Ed concluded, “Oh, and one last thing. When you welcome me into heaven, take my hand and lead me from room to room so I can meet all your ...

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