Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 501 to 525 of 656 results

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... of us a spiritual leprosy that denies the love and charity of others--that degrades our dignity as children of the divine--that twists and distorts that which is good and wholesome and eternal. If we could see ourselves as God sees us in our incompleteness and imperfection, then we would cry out with joy that the God of all creation accepts us and loves us as we are, and gave his Son in our behalf. Saying “thank you” is a statement of character; it is a statement of grace. Finally, saying “thank you ...

502. Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29-34

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of his ministry after Isaiah’s servant of the Lord, for whom hiddenness, ironically, was paramount in achieving God’s purpose. Finally and of ultimate importance, Jesus cannot be truly and fully known until his redemptive suffering on the cross. Until that time, all proclamations of him—at least from imperfectly informed humans and demonic opponents—are premature and must be silenced.

503. Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... God and our words spoken in worship in the light of what we know (whether our knowledge is expressed in words of prophecy or in tongues) are only a part of what they should be, and when perfection in thought and expression arrives, the imperfect always “disappears” (13:9–10). It is this way in our own experience, for childhood speech and thought inevitably give way to different patterns in adulthood. Similarly, the “poor reflection” of anything seen in a mirror (such as those manufactured in first ...

504. Support for the Appeal

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that Paul had already taught them about the freedom of an apostle to make use, or not to make use, of financial support from his converts (see 1 Cor. 9:3–18). His opponents apparently charged that Paul’s stance demonstrated he had only an imperfect knowledge of the Lord’s will for an apostle and that his refusal to accept support from his converts during his initial mission at Corinth indicated lack of love for the church. Paul, however, adamantly refuses to accept either that he has sinned against ...

505. Faith Defined and Exemplified

Hebrews 11:1-40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the flames” [Dan. 3:19–27]; “women received back their dead” [1 Kings 17:17–22; 2 Kings 4:18–37]), others less clear. The inclusion of such figures as Samson and Jephthah is a reminder that the living faith can coexist with massive imperfection. The mention of “women,” “others,” and “some” indicates that this faith was as much the pattern of life of many humble people as it was of the heroes of biblical history. Verses 39–40 are frequently understood to mean that what the faithful ...

506. The Beast out of the Earth

Revelation 13:11-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... number would be citizens loyal to Rome who carried on his legacy of corruption, persecution, and vainglory. Alternatively, the number 666 could simply designate sinful humanity. Six is one short of seven, perfection. Therefore, 666 would be complete or utter imperfection and sinfulness (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.28.2–3). Although the word “antichrist” is not used anywhere in the book of Revelation, many Christians have thought of the first beast as an antichrist figure, importing the term from John ...

507. Today Can Be the First Day of Your New Life!

Matthew 2:13-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... Bethlehem‑‑there is the specter of fear and death. This is an acknowledgement on this first Sunday of the New Year, that there is much in life to dread. The Bible does not gloss over the very real problems of living in this imperfect world. From the very first family, with its envy and strife; through the daily battles of God’s own people, the people of Israel, with neighboring tribes, with feast, famine, slavery and wandering through the wilderness . . . through tears and tribulations . . .we see in ...

508. Pop Verses: Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... usually mean that phrase. The God I know and love would not plot and plan suffering and tragedy. Sometimes things happen because of the foolishness of others. Sometimes things happen because of our own bad choices. Sometimes things happen because we live in an evil and imperfect world. But let’s not blame tragedy and suffering on God. When God created us He gave us free will. He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him back. Otherwise, we would be a bunch of robots programmed to love and there ...

509. John the Baptist Beheaded

Matthew 14:1-12

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... that transmutes a historical report into a semihistorical short story” in order to “shift the onus of guilt from Herodias to Herod” (p. 287). John’s rebuke of Herod was not an isolated remark, for John had been saying to (Gk. elegen in v. 4 is imperfect) Herod, It is not lawful for you to have Herodias (v. 5). The present participle thelōn (wanted) in verse 5 indicates Herod’s continuing desire to get rid of John. It is best understood as a concessive participle and reads, “Though he wanted to ...

510. The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... along with Jesus spread their cloaks on the road, as well as branches that they had cut from trees (cf. the festive scene in 2 Kings 9:13; also 1 Macc. 13:51). The crowds that led the way and those that followed behind were calling out (ekrazon is imperfect) Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna translates the Hebrew expression meaning “Save us” (Ps. 118:25), but by New Testament times it was simply a shout of joyous praise. He who comes in the name of the Lord may have been a messianic title. To come in ...

511. The Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... day of the week.” Matthew records a violent shaking of the earth, followed by the descent of an angel from heaven, who rolled away the stone and sat on it. There is no definite indication as to when these specific events happened, although the imperfect ekathēto (“was sitting”) suggests that it was before the women arrived. The earthquake and heavenly descent recall passages such as Exodus 19:18 and 1 Kings 19:11–12. In verses 1–10 the demonstrative particle idou (“behold/lo”) is used four ...

512. If There is A God, Why Is There Suffering In the World?

Jeremiah 12:1, Romans 8:18-28

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... . The God I know and love would not plot and plan suffering and tragedy. Sometimes bad things happen because of the foolishness of others. Sometimes bad things happen because of our own bad choices. Sometimes bad things happen because we live in an evil and imperfect world. But let’s not blame tragedy and suffering on God. So, if you are someone who has always wondered I will tell you this: God does not cause suffering. Why Is There Suffering? This begs the question, “Then why is there suffering?” If ...

513. Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Mark 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... Pharisees’ demand for a sign to authenticate Jesus (8:11–13), a warning about the wrong attitudes of the Jewish leaders (8:14–17), another healing story (8:22–26), and very importantly, the discussion between Jesus and the Twelve showing how imperfectly all (including the Twelve!) understand him (8:27–30). These passages lead up to Jesus’ first prediction of his execution by the Jewish leaders and Jesus’ warning that anyone who truly follows him must be prepared for a similar fate (8:31–38 ...

514. Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... expound upon the point of the previous parable. Because God will answer our prayers, we should go to him and ask, expecting that it will be given. Would a father give his son a snake (something evil) instead of a fish? Thus, Jesus drives home the point. If imperfect (or evil, see note below) people usually do the right things for those they love, will not our Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit (the giver of “good things,” cf. Matt. 7:11) to those who ask him? Additional Notes 11:1 teach us to pray ...

515. Paul's Longing to Visit Rome

Romans 1:1-17

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... perspective can penetrate. God deals with humanity not by what it is, but by what it can be, indeed, what it will be through the work of Christ. Moreover, Paul says that God’s righteousness is revealed. The Greek construction (imperfect active indicative) means that righteousness is being revealed or unfolded in the gospel, thus underscoring its dynamic impact. Righteousness is therefore a new condition established by God, which bears fruit in new life, which is known as sanctification. The concluding ...

516. God's Wrath Against Mankind

Romans 1:18-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... are many ways to think of the ignoble side of human nature. Drama and literature speak of a “tragic flaw” which frustrates a hero’s fulfilling his or her potential. Psychology speaks of “the human predicament” which arises from imperfect choices. Sociology conceives of persons as victims of social, environmental, or hereditary circumstances. Paul, however, attributes to humanity a more active role in its misfortune. Verses 18–32 stress the deliberate nature of human rebellion against God and its ...

517. Love

Romans 12:9-21

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... with agapē. If love is not twisted by its ubiquitous associations with lust and sex, then it is reduced to a sentiment. Sentimentality is a particular danger because it grounds behavior in feelings of emotional idealism and divorces itself from a world of imperfect choices. Agapē, on the other hand, commits itself to the good of the other regardless of cost to self. It is discriminating, for it distinguishes truth from falsity. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 ...

518. On Divisions in the Church

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... literature. He also notices that the verbs for planted and watered—alluding to Paul’s and Apollos’s human actions—are aorists, indicating an action completed in the past, whereas the verb made grow—in reference to God’s activity—is imperfect, which indicates a more enduring past action; this simple contrast distinguishes the limited nature of human action from the vital and enduring activity of God. 3:9 The NIV is theologically problematic at this point. Whereas the NIV and other translations ...

519. Water from the Rock

Numbers 20:1-13

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the people. If Moses was not to use the staff, what was its purpose? Somehow a failure to follow the divine instructions, labeled distrust of God in verse 12, seems most likely to be the sin punished here. The leadership of Aaron and Moses is humanly imperfect; they also are part of the wilderness generation. 20:14–21 From Kadesh, Moses sends a diplomatic note to the ruler of Edom requesting passage toward Palestine. The form of the message was the common one of the day. The address speaks of your brother ...

520. Vengeance on the Midianites

Numbers 31:1-24

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... that moment in history. The texts make clear that God worked in the context of that sociohistorical setting. God did not say, “I will change the culture to rid it of war, and then I will work with the people.” God rather worked with these imperfect humans in a setting that included these kinds of wars. The Moabite Stone describes a “holy war” for the god Chemosh by Moab against Israel. God was actually involved in life and history with Israel in that time and place. On the broader issue of “holy ...

521. Job Speaks

Job 3:1-26

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... speech, intone, chant”) while Clines (Job 1–20 following BDB) notes other biblical passages where the “reply” is to an occasion or circumstance rather than to a previous speech. 3:3–10 May . . . While many of these jussive forms are identical with the imperfect verb, which expresses incomplete action in past, present, or future, a few of these verbs (such as yehi in 3:4 and 3:7) are unambiguously jussive by form as well as context. This strengthens our confidence that the rest of these verbs are ...

522. Eliphaz

Job 4:1-5:27

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... like their more intentionally sinful counterparts. Born to Trouble 5:1 Eliphaz now addresses Job directly again. The Hebrew word forms make this clear: call (2d masculine singular imperative) at the very beginning of verse 1; will you turn (2d masculine singular imperfect) at the end of this verse; and answer you (which marks the return of 2d masculine singular suffixes). Eliphaz assumes that Job will ultimately change his petition—from asking for death (in order to escape suffering) to a plea for divine ...

523. Zophar

Job 11:1-20

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... is much debate about the meaning in this context. Clines, Job 1–20, p. 254, has a concise and helpful discussion of the options. The NIV translation of the verb yasheh (Hiphil of nshh, normally “cause someone to forget”), forgotten, seems to assume an underlying Qal imperfect (yisheh, “he forgets”) rather than the Hiphil form presented in the Heb. text. The point is not that God forgets Job’s sin, or causes Job to forget it, but that memory of Job’s sin has been removed from those who stand in ...

524. Job's Second Reply to Zophar

Job 21:1-34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... recalls the original intent of the three friends to “sympathize with” Job “and comfort him” (2:11), Job calls his talkative friends to return to the empathic silence with which their visit began (2:12–13). The Hebrew construction here (imperfect followed by the infinitive absolute of the same root) usually describes continual activity for an extended period. If the friends continually listen to Job, they cannot be speaking and preparing their rebuttals to his arguments! What Job desires from his ...

525. Eliphaz's Third Speech to Job

Job 22:1-30

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... ” is to reorient oneself on a new path directed toward God. Eliphaz assumes that Job needs such a change of direction to leave the “old path” (v. 15) that the wicked follow. Then, he says, you will be restored (Heb. Niphal imperfect tibbaneh, “you will be rebuilt” [emphasis added]). Eliphaz qualifies the nature of this return he envisions with further conditions. Clines suggests that the conditional statements end with verse 23a and that the statements in verses 23b–25 are instead promises that ...

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