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Showing 476 to 500 of 609 results

476. Past and Future Deliverances and Present Trust and Obedience

Psalm 40:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... Psalm 69:30–31 similarly appears to make a disclaimer regarding ritual sacrifice, but it does so in connection with the poor and the needy (vv. 32–33). In other words, these are not polemics against sacrifice per se but confessions that Yahweh cherishes the thanksgiving of the economically disadvantaged (cf. 22:24–26). It is characteristic of Hebrew literary style to state a preference of one thing over another in terms that sound like an absolute dichotomy to our Western ears (see G. B. Caird, The ...

477. The Faith of the Centurion

Matthew 8:5-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... solidarity. Jesus speaks of an eschatological messianic banquet attended not only by the renowned patriarchs of Israel but by many Gentiles from the east and the west. Isaiah spoke of the last days, when all the nations would stream into Zion (Isa. 2:1–5). Israel cherished this hope (Tob. 13:11; 1 Enoch 90:30–36) but saw it as an enhancement of its own nation and its glory. Jesus now says that those who should be in the kingdom of heaven will be cast out into outermost darkness. The contrast is between ...

478. From the Miry Depths

Psalm 69:1-36

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... references to the expensive sacrificial animals mentioned in verse 31 must be read in light of the following verse: the poor will see and be glad. In other words, this is not a polemic against sacrifice per se but a confession that Yahweh cherishes the thanksgiving of the economically disadvantaged (cf. 22:24–26). The Hebrew text contains a wordplay: Yahweh shows greater regard for a song (Hb. šîr) than an ox (Hb. šôr). Moreover, these “poor” are further identified as his captive people (cf. 79:11 ...

479. The Conspiracy of the Nations

Psalm 83:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... the introductory petitions try to stir God to action by drawing his attention to how his enemies are astir (v. 2). The lament portrays the conflict as one between these foes and God himself: your foes . . . conspire against your people and against those you cherish (vv. 2–3), and they form an alliance against you (v. 5). The poet does not endeavor to draw God into a conflict between human opponents—this dilemma is presented as God’s business already. As evidence supporting the claim of conspiracy, a ...

480. Remembering Jerusalem by the Rivers of Babylon

Psalm 137:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Remembering Jerusalem by the Rivers of Babylon Most psalms are cherished by Christians; this one is not. Its closing verses strike us as unimaginable cruelty. This corporate prayer psalm is clearly set in the Babylonian exile. We must understand what was at stake here for the exiled people of Judah. Deportation by the Babylonians was cruel: Judah lost not only a ...

481. Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Luke 5:17-26

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Jesus was that they viewed Jesus’ attitude toward the law as too liberal, too permissive. Jesus associated with prostitutes, tax collectors, and other “sinners” too freely; moreover, he did not enjoin his disciples to observe those oral traditions so cherished by the Pharisees. Of course, to the extent that Jesus assumed divine prerogatives (such as forgiving sin) he aroused their indignation. Finally, although Jesus frequently quarrels with the Pharisees, and at times calls them names (see esp. Matt ...

482. Suffering for Doing Good

1 Peter 3:8-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... issuing in good for his wider purposes (2 Cor. 1:4; 4:17). But better has a more profound significance. All through his letter, and not least at this point, Peter is keeping in mind what is important beyond the present age. The Christian should be cherishing the longer prospect and remembering that God’s verdict on the day of final judgment is what matters. The supreme exemplar of creative suffering is, of course, Jesus Christ himself, and Peter now turns to this aspect of the theme, for here is the sure ...

483. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Genesis 21:8-21

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... a son when he was old. She who had laughed in disbelief at the angel’s announcement that she would bear a son (18:12–15) now laughs in joyful glee for her son named “laughter.” 21:8 Delighted at finally having a son by Sarah and desirous of cherishing the stages of his son’s growth, Abraham held a great feast when Isaac was weaned. Although weaning took place at different ages, Isaac must have been older than three (1 Sam. 1:22, 24; 2 Macc. 7:27). 21:9–10 At this feast Sarah became extremely ...

484. The Lord is God

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... love for God entails covenantal love for the neighbor. 4:37–38 If God’s purpose for Israel was to discipline and shape them through ethical obedience, his “subjective” motivation was his love for their forefathers. This forestalls any illusions of superiority Israel may have cherished (cf. 7:8ff.; 9:4–6). The theme of God’s love for Israel and their ancestors is unique to Deuteronomy in the Pentateuch (cf. 10:15; 23:5). It is a love that is “axiomatic.” That is, while it is used as an ...

485. Faces of Failure: Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Don Tuttle

Her startup had great potential, but when the recession came it took her business down with it. He had studied long and hard, but when his grade was posted it had been all for naught. They had promised to love and cherish one another forever, but a dozen years and hundreds of arguments later a judge declared they were no longer husband and wife. Failure. We’ve all known it. It’s part of being human. Who among us doesn’t cringe at the memory of a failed friendship, plan, or project? ...

486. Hope for People Who Are Angry

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Sermon

King Duncan

... Blanchard writes, his “Scott never left his truck in the driveway again and I got better at reaffirming at the end of a reprimand.” Then Ken adds, “Tell the other person how much they mean to you. Let them know by your words and actions that they are cherished. Praise them for what they do well.” (8) Most of us are not Dr. Ken Blanchard. We are not as graceful in defusing a situation in which we have lashed out at a family member as he is. And we continually hurt those closest to us. The question ...

487. In It for the Long Haul

John 6:60-69

Sermon

King Duncan

... that check in his wallet, determined he would be able to cash it one day. And true to his dream, at his father’s funeral in 1994, Jim placed the check into his father’s casket. He had already earned more than ten million dollars with his comedy. (3) We cherish success stories such as these because they remind us that it is possible to take a bad situation and turn it around. Others have done it and so can we. But we need to remember that life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Success comes to those who ...

488. A Word to Busy Parents

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

King Duncan

... of course, is simply being present--taking the time to be available to listen. This is so important. Someone has noted that there are only 940 Saturdays between the day your child is born and the time he or she turns 18. That’s a good reminder to cherish the time you have with your children and to use it wisely. (5) In James Patterson’s best selling novel Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas--the story of a busy mother and doctor named Suzanne, who is terminally ill because of a heart condition--we learn how ...

489. Telling the Truth

Luke 3:7-18

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

... , made out of cheap glass. But the image in that window was priceless. It was the image of Jesus, the good shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms, gently carrying them — gently carrying us — in his bosom. Every week as I stared at that window I felt cherished and safe. My friends, this promise is still the good news — good news with no strings attached. But you know and I know that we cannot truly hear this good news until we first confess the bad news — until we tell the whole truth and nothing ...

490. Is God Invited?

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

... drunkenness, having spent more nights than he could remember offering pastoral support to families dealing with the fall-out of alcohol, Dad was convinced that alcohol was a demon. It was all too often the destroyer of the abundant life which God gives us to cherish. His message was pretty simple. If our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, as Paul so poignantly reminds us, then when we pollute our bodies with excessive alcohol, we are defaming the very dwelling place of God. He was right and still is ...

491. Symbols of the Greater Gift

Illustration

Andrew Wyermann

... second burst of the whistle could be heard. We dashed into the apartment. There was my father playing engineer with the biggest Lionel train ever made. It was so magnificent, so unexpected, so wonderful! Some fifty years later, I still have the train set and cherish it as much as any material gift I ever received from my parents. The train is a warm reminder of the greater gift my parents gave me. This gift has nothing to do with any material advantages, or even with any piece of sage advice. Unconditional ...

492. Having the Nerve

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... a very uncertain income, I went into a quiet park to contemplate a serious problem. For four years I had been engaged but didn't dare to marry. There was no way of foreseeing how little I might earn in the next year; moreover, we had long cherished a plan of living and writing in Paris, Rome, Vienna, London—everywhere. But how could we go three thousand miles away from everything that was familiar and secure, without the certainty of some money now and then? At that moment I looked up and saw a squirrel ...

493. Care for My Son

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... then she noticed a bulge in the back of the frame. She undid the backing and there, to her amazement, was the rich man's will. The instructions in the will were simple: "I give and bequeath all my possessions to the person who cares enough for my son to cherish this photograph."

494. Alexander Graham Bell, Patriot

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

We can demonstrate our love of country in many ways. When Bell prepared his gravestone's epitaph, he had it read: Alexander Graham Bell Inventor—Teacher Born Edinburgh, March 3, 1847 Died a Citizen of the U.S.A., 1922 He could have listed his numerous inventions and honors. But that he was a citizen of the U.S.A. was his most cherished accomplishment.

495. Form and Substance

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... had a cat used to spend several minutes each day at prayer and meditation in his bedroom. He read a portion of Scripture and a devotional book, followed by a period of silent meditation and prayer. As time went on his prayers became longer and more intense. He came to cherish this quiet time in his bedroom, but his cat came to like it, too. She would cozy up to him, purr loudly, and rub her furry body against him. This interrupted the man's prayer time, so he put a collar around the cat's neck and tied her ...

496. Silent Violins

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... of Christ's people are like old Tarisio? In our very love of the church we fail to give the glad tidings to the world; in our zeal for the truth we forget to publish it. When shall we all learn that the Good News needs not just to be cherished, but needs to be told? All people need to hear it.

497. Recognizing Who God Is

Job 42:7-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... weathering a storm in the presence of God. A few years ago, a tragic car accident claimed the lives of Gerald Sittser's wife and one child. Sittser was left to raise his other three children alone. He claims that his grief has driven him closer to God. He cherishes every day, and sees beauty in the most common things. He writes, "I still want (my family) back, and I always will, no matter what happens as a result of their deaths. Yet the grief I feel is sweet as well as bitter . . . Never have I felt so ...

498. The Gospel in Miniature

John 3:16

Sermon

King Duncan

... he was conducting in Pokagon, Michigan. The words went like this: “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown . . .” (1) The Old Rugged Cross became one of the most popular hymns of the twentieth century. What impressed me ...

499. The Good Catch

Matthew 17:24-27

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... best. He doesn’t tell him to cheat the Temple, or to give the best to ourselves. He tells him to do what’s required to be a part of that community. That means giving from your means --the turkey you would eat, the gift you would cherish, the money you would use for your own family, fulfilling the baptism promise that you have made. Peter is a fisherman, and his “means” are his fish. His temple tax comes from the way he makes his living –fishing. All of what he has, after all, belongs ultimately ...

500. The Great Dinner

Luke 14:1-14, Luke 14:15-24

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... come and eat with him today and always. Jesus has a seat at his table for everyone who wants it. Can you think of someone in need, someone whose life doesn’t yet have Jesus in it? Why not give that person the gift you so dearly cherish –the kind of relationship with Jesus that gets you through each and every day intact and feeling blessed. …….. [the following can be optional if you used this sermon at Ash Wednesday or before] Ash Wednesday is approaching. And there are many people out there in your ...

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