Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 476 to 500 of 797 results

Luke 12:54-59, Luke 12:49-53, Luke 12:35-48

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R.T. France

... patterns of Christian thought and practice looms large. They strove to be Christ-like in their attitudes toward other religions and races, seeking to unlearn the prejudice bolstered and sustained by the community around them. Because prejudice is a learned behavior, they geared their lives to immunize themselves from its infection. . . . Godly thinking provided personal enhancement and comprehension of the infinite value of a human life and God’s love for every person.3 Clearly Christlike thinking can ...

477. God and Mammon

Luke 16:16-18, Luke 16:1-15

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R.T. France

... of words for the contrast between disciples and the rest of society. “People” is literally “sons”; the Qumran community described themselves as the “sons of light” as opposed to the “sons of darkness.” True disciples may have something to learn from worldly common sense, in this case the manager’s canny instinct for self-preservation, however much they must distance themselves from the world’s basic values. 16:9 use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves. “Worldly wealth ...

478. Two Parables about Prayer

Luke 18:9-14, Luke 18:1-8

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R.T. France

... as a gay man, a central figure in St. Louis’s gay community and also heavily involved in selling and using drugs. Arrested for his involvement in drugs, he spent a number of years in jail. For seven years his heartbroken mother prayed faithfully for him, learning how to love him in godly ways and letting God change her. Finally, Christopher submitted his life to the Lord and has spent the years since basing his identity on Christ and living out this testimony before the world. This book (2011), written by ...

479. The Trials of Peter and of Jesus

Luke 22:66--23:25, Luke 22:63-65, Luke 22:54-62

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R.T. France

... us to compare and contrast their reactions under examination. Encourage listeners to consider the differences and the similarities in their circumstances, and in the way each of them responded. Why was Peter unable to withstand the social pressure? What may we learn from his fall and subsequent restoration? Do we need a “theology of failure” (with Peter as its patron saint!)? Luke’s account of Jesus before the Sanhedrin is so brief as to be quite cryptic. In your teaching, tease out the unspoken ...

480. The Risen Jesus Revealed

Luke 24:13-35

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R.T. France

... 20:3–10, where Peter was accompanied by another disciple. 24:26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things? It was “these things” that had finally destroyed these disciples’ dawning hope that Jesus was the Messiah (24:20–21). Now they must learn to see things in a quite new light: Jesus’s rejection and death were not the end of his messianic claim, but rather the necessary means to its fulfillment. They should have known this, because it was already clear in the Old Testament prophets ...

481. The Spirit and the Glory of the Age to Come and the New Covenant

Romans 8:28-39, Romans 8:18-27

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C. Marvin Pate

... World War II, hiding Jews from Nazi persecution. Corrie and her sister were imprisoned in three different camps, including the notorious Ravensbrück near Berlin, the camp where Betsie ten Boom died and from which Corrie was released. Corrie is famous for the words she learned from her sister: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still,” and “God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies.” Hymn Text: “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” by George Matheson. The ...

482. Israel and the Present Curses and the Past Blessings of the Covenant

Romans 9:1-29

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C. Marvin Pate

... 10). There is a delightful stylistic pairing of these blessings: three sets of words, each set ending in the same letters: huiothesia/nomothesia; doxa/latreia; diath?kai/epangeliai. Theological Insights A number of truths emerge from Romans 9:1–5. First, we learn from Paul’s love for Israel that there should be no anti-Jewish attitude among Christians. The children of Israel were God’s chosen people, and the Savior was Jewish. Second, nevertheless the curses of the covenant remain on Israel until such ...

483. The Reversal of the Deuteronomic Curses and Blessings: Replacing Law with Faith

Romans 9:30--10:21

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C. Marvin Pate

... Jewish studies at Moody Bible Institute and the son of Holocaust survivors, tells the story of his Jewish father. When his father, who had severed all ties when Michael became a Christian, died in 1996 in Israel, Michael questioned the theology he had learned that “apart from conscious faith in Yeshua [Jesus], all people, including my father, would be lost for eternity.”8 Rydelnik knew that if admission to heaven could be earned by suffering, his father should be there. He had lost his first wife, five ...

484. Wisdom and Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

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Preben Vang

... include a few Bible verses to back up our claims. Christian Nonfiction: Come before Winter and Share My Hope, by Chuck Swindoll. Swindoll describes the nature of the eagle in 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 ...

485. Unity of Life and Faith

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

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Preben Vang

... bodily sexual intercourse joins (generates a oneness between) the partners (6:16). (2) The body has eternal significance. In fact, the resurrection of the body, guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection, is the climax of the Christian hope (6:14). Christians must learn to think theologically and christologically to find guidance on how to live as true Christ followers. When they do not, culture rather than Christ becomes their true patron. Illustrating the Text Rather than reading the Bible through the lens of ...

486. Marriage, Sexual Intimacy, and Spiritual Devotion

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

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Preben Vang

... , Paul did more ministry and church leadership in jail than most modern ministers do in a lifetime packed with technology, freedom, and resources. He wrote letters, sent messengers, converted jailers and government officials, and preached to fellow prisoners. He had learned to focus on finding and knowing God’s will in his situation and experiencing God’s provision for ministry in the most dire of circumstances. Personal Stories: Share a story about a time of crisis (car wreck, medical scare, untenable ...

487. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

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Preben Vang

... 9). In a culture where landowners often belonged to the privileged societal class, Barnabas’s willingness and need to work after (because?) he had given his land to the church would not have gone unnoticed (Acts 4:36–37). Paul, like a good rabbi, had learned a skill that sustained him while teaching (Acts 18:3). 9:7 Who serves as a soldier . . . plants a vineyard . . . tends a flock and does not drink the milk? To bring his point home, Paul utilizes three “that’s obvious” illustrations posed as ...

488. Unity and Community (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

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Preben Vang

... (agnoein).[4] The point is not that what follows is something he forgot to tell them about (as the word “uninformed” seems to suggest); rather, their behavior proves that they do not have gn?sis in this area as they claim to have. Instead of learning from Christ, they have allowed their pagan gn?sis to inform their spiritual understanding. As a result, they act as if they have not been informed—embarrassingly parading their lack of gn?sis. 12:2 when you were pagans. Paul’s stress is on the ...

489. Many Parts, One Body

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

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Preben Vang

... parts in order for the body to accomplish its God-given purpose. 2. Realizing that the church is a charismatic community means recognizing that without the empowerment of God’s Spirit, “Christ’s body” is reduced to an organization of the like-minded. Learning to depend on the Spirit’s endowment of gifts can indeed be a tough lesson for many modern churches that have grown used to relying on attractive facilities, strong programs, natural talents of a few members, and ministers’ rational power to ...

490. The Priority of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

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Preben Vang

... (12:31) is one in which Christ followers wait patiently (Rom. 2:4; 9:22). Actively being patient is a mark of the Spirit’s presence (Gal. 5:22), evidence of holy living (Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:14), and something the Corinthians could learn by imitating Paul (2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:10). love is kind. Doing acts of kindness, or mercy, exemplifies God’s character (Rom. 2:4; 11:22; Eph. 2:7) and presence (Eph. 4:32)—something Christians should imitate (Col. 3:12).8 It ...

491. Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Growth

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

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Preben Vang

... , you need to practice it by waiting. Or, if you want to interact compassionately with others, you need to be more selfless; if you want to be more selfless, try interacting compassionately with others. There are a handful of these types of “learning circles” in life, and they are all based on providentially paired tensions that the Lord has instituted and designed to deepen our character. They work because each outcome is fueled by the other process. In this way, Jesus has created a constructive ...

492. Message to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

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J. Scott Duvall

... , but he also challenges them to “remember” their earlier behavior and “return” to their first works. These can serve as helpful entry points into authentic repentance. Since “repent” is a well-worn religious word, people will likely benefit from learning how memory can facilitate repentance and how an examination of resulting behavior can gauge its authenticity. One primary caution is in order. Many people in our day have a cultural, rather than a biblical, understanding of love, confusing it ...

493. Message to Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

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J. Scott Duvall

... in case ministry doesn’t work out. There may be times when parents need to intervene, but there are also times when they need to let go. It takes faith to entrust your children and their future to the Lord (something Judy and I have learned from raising three daughters), but there are times when we have to let them follow God’s call even when job security or income level are not the primary concerns. Remember the fundamentals. Bible: The apostle Paul constantly reminded his disciples to stick with the ...

494. Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

Revelation 5:1-14

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J. Scott Duvall

... ’s wrath (5:8; 15:7; 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 17; 17:1; 21:9). In 5:8 these shallow bowls are filled with incense, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people (cf. Rev. 6:9–11; 8:3–4; Ps. 141:2). From this we learn that God’s judgments to follow are, at least in part, a response to the prayers of his people. 5:9 And they sang a new song. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people sing a new song when God does mighty and marvelous things (e.g., Pss. 33:3; 98 ...

495. The Protective Sealing of God’s People on Earth

Revelation 7:1-8

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J. Scott Duvall

... cease-fires and periods of recuperation, but we will always be in a spiritual struggle this side of heaven. Just when you think life is rolling along nicely, the enemy launches another attack. For this reason, we must first recognize our war-zone situation and learn to stand strong in resisting the devil’s attacks. We must also boldly follow the lead of the Spirit in launching attacks against the forces of darkness. Above all, we must arm ourselves with the gospel of peace and the Word of God and make ...

496. Faithful Witnesses Who Proclaim God’s Word

Revelation 11:1-14

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J. Scott Duvall

... ability to speak prophetically. Love without truth ceases to be love, and speaking prophetically means the church is called to speak God’s light into darkness. This text not only challenges us to be courageous in our prophetic witness but also affords an opportunity to learn how to do so (e.g., at the right time, for the right reason, in the right way). In addition, we must never forget that God promises to empower his people to fulfill this ministry. As with the two witnesses, God’s miraculous works ...

497. The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 14:1-5

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J. Scott Duvall

... relationship and that he has sealed them with spiritual protection (21:3). 14:2–3 I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and . . . thunder . . . like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song . . . No one could learn the song except the 144,000. Added to what John sees, he now hears a resounding heavenly anthem. The sound is both booming and beautiful, like the roar of rushing waters (cf. 1:15; 19:6), a deafening clap of thunder, and an orchestra of harpists ...

498. The Bowl Judgments

Revelation 16:1-21

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J. Scott Duvall

... passage offers a prime opportunity to help people discern what is most important when applying prophetic-apocalyptic portions of Scripture. 2. How people respond to judgment reveals the condition of their hearts. Although these judgments are brought against unbelievers, we can still learn from their negative example about how not to respond to spiritual discipline. At the end of the trumpet judgments people refuse to repent (9:20–21), and at the conclusion to the bowls they curse God three times (16:9, 11 ...

499. The Vision of the Great Prostitute

Revelation 17:1-18

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J. Scott Duvall

... commentary on the fleeting nature of wealth. Financial systems can be exploited and manipulated. Great treasures can be amassed. But in just a moment, they can be lost. The corrupt system that is Babylon provides no true security. As the main character, Bud Fox, learns, a good name is better than gold. The Interpretation of the Vision Big Idea: The angel now interprets the vision for John, explaining how the beast, the kings, and the prostitute fit into God’s plan and how the Lamb will triumph over all ...

500. The Garden City as Paradise Transformed

Revelation 22:1-5

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J. Scott Duvall

... and reign with him forever. Understanding the Text This is the final part of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem in 21:9–22:5. In 22:1–5 John describes the eternal city as a garden, much like the original Garden of Eden. But now we learn that paradise has been not only restored but also transformed into the perfect eternal paradise. John draws imagery and language from Ezekiel 47:1–12, where the prophet sees a river flowing from the renewed temple and trees growing on the banks of the river (cf. Zech ...

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