Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 501 to 525 of 1795 results

John 4:1-26

Sermon

David O. Bales

... town today, he’d be driving a beat-up, old pick-up truck and the first place he’d go is the tavern. It’s Jesus’ style as we read the gospels. You’d certainly never guess that by looking at what’s become of his church. Don’t we all look nice ... and proper? Jesus, however, reaches out to everyone, not just by what he says, but literally by what he does. This isn’t just Jesus’ style. It’s also the main theme of the Bible. We don’t work our way to God by being good, studying religion, or even ...

502. All In: Calling Your Bluff

Romans 12:1-8

Sermon

James Merritt

... Word of God is not preached, find another church. Worship - Find a church where the worship is uplifting, inspiring, motivating, centered on Jesus Christ and directed to the praise of God. Knowing they all have different styles we enjoy, remember, substance is far more important than style. Witness - Find a church that believes that people without Jesus Christ are spiritually lost and in need of salvation, is unashamed of the Gospel and presents the Gospel clearly, both in the services and in every other ...

503. Lost Baggage: Flying Standby

Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

... , “He needs to meet Jesus.” Here is what I didn’t tell you about these two men. The first man is an atheist, has a live-in girlfriend, and he is addicted to pornography. The second young man is passionately committed to Jesus Christ, lives a pure life-style and wants to be a missionary. What I just described for you is what young people between the ages of 19 and 25 say are one of the top three reasons why they do not go to church. David Kinnamon wrote a book called “Un-christian.” If you want ...

504. Who's Your Master?

Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... be obedient to God? In 1983, one of the great stories of sports history occurred when the late Jim Valvano took a supposedly undermanned North Carolina State team and won the NCAA championship. Their foes, the Houston Cougars had become famous for their up-and-down style of play. They ran up and down the court and seemed to score at will. NC State was a more traditional team. They played a slower form of the game. They made great passes and took good shots. They hadn’t rushed anything all season. Before ...

505. A Watery Grave

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... on canvas, however, we must observe how effectively Mark draws his picture with only a few strokes. “He was in the wilderness forty days,” Mark reports, “tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” Mark’s writing style is not a lyrical as Luke’s, but he does have a poet’s touch for economy of words and effective imagery. For here, in just one verse, we are given a powerful portrait of Jesus’ temptation experience. It lacks the dialogue of the other two ...

506. Blessed Are the Abnormal

James 2:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... the shoes and the hairstyle were a dead giveaway as to her economic status, or, at least, so he was told. This first woman gave off the aura of being middle class. The second person from their parish did not have very much money and her dress, hair style and shoes revealed that she was financially poorer. The face of the clerk at the counter was bland and expressionless as she looked at the poorer woman. Her eyes didn’t smile; her face didn’t smile; her cheeks didn’t smile. Then, the clerk from behind ...

507. Peace Comes to Our Hearts

Philippians 4:4-7

Sermon

King Duncan

About this time of year many of us start getting a little frantic, don’t we? Christmas is so near. There is still so much to do. This is a frantic time for many of us. The season of Advent was supposed to be our chance to get ready, but in another week it will be over and the big day will be here. All the decorations will be in place, the packages will all be wrapped, the last card will have been sent--then, ready or not, Christmas Day will arrive. Are you prepared for Christmas? I mean the real Christmas ...

508. Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin

Acts 7:1-53

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... of Acts as Luke’s own composition. There is no denying that Luke’s hand may be seen in them all in their literary style and vocabulary. But there is about each of them a distinctiveness that not only fits each to its context, but in some cases, at ... has affinities with the Samaritan recension (but see note on v. 46). 7:35–38 And now Stephen leaves the narrative style of his discourse to make instead four statements concerning Moses, each marked in the Greek by the repeated demonstrative “this (man ...

509. Timothy’s Encouraging Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... Press, 1974], p. 52; see also 2 Thess. 2:16f. and 3:16). It is called a wish-prayer because it is expressed in the optative (may it be …) rather than in the imperative mood (let it be …). The distinction between these two forms of expression is one of style only (cf. also 2 Thess. 2:16f.; 3:16). 3:6–8 At the center of these verses stands the statement, we were encouraged (cf. 3:2). All the rest is added by way of explanation, starting with Timothy’s report. Timothy, says Paul, has just now come to ...

510. Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... the close proximity of the final indictment of the false teachers in 6:3–10 makes one wonder whether the hidden sins might not have been their pride, unhealthy desire to argue, jealousy (6:4), and especially, their avarice (6:5–10). In typically Pauline style, however, the word of caution in verse 24 needs its positive counterbalance. The same thing that is true about some people’s sins is also true of others’ good deeds. Most good deeds are obvious, but in any case, even those that are not cannot ...

511. Favoritism Forbidden

James 2:1-13, James 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... Christ) is no more an “added extra” or a higher optional level of sanctification than breath is an “added extra” to a body (cf. 1:26; 2:14; 2:20; and 2:26). 2:18 Having given the example, James proceeds to argue his case, employing the lively style of imaginative dialogue, which was as popular with preachers of all types then as it is today. But someone will say means that just as Paul anticipates an objection in 1 Corinthians 15:35 or Romans 9:19 so James anticipates one here. The objection is: You ...

512. The Tent of Meeting

Exodus 33:7-11

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the destitute. To those who do not show mercy he will say, “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in.” Not knowing the friendship of God leads, in the judgment, to despair and permanent estrangement (Matt. 25:43–46). 33:7 The different style and content of vv. 7–11 has led to an extensive unresolved discussion among source critics. For a summary of that discussion see Durham, Exodus, p. 440. This part of the text has a critical role in the flow of the narrative and in the theological revelation ...

513. Israel Fights the Remaining Canaanites

Judges 1:1-36

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... begins with both Judah and Jerusalem. 1:9–15 The author summarizes in a general way Judah’s next activity as they moved southward, attacking the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev and the western foothills (v. 9). Then, in typical Hebrew narrative style, he goes back to detail a single episode in the campaign, the taking of Hebron (cf. Gen. 23:2; 35:27; Josh. 15:54; 20:7), the most prominent city in the southern hill country and later David’s first capital before he moved to Jerusalem ...

514. Ruth and Boaz on the Threshing Floor

Ruth 3:1-18

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

Naomi’s Strategy: Naomi is Ruth’s mother-in-law (khamot, 2:23). This feminine form of kham (“father-in-law”) is widely perceived by lexicographers to be a nominal derivative of the unattested verb *khamah. Cognates of this word appear in extrabiblical literature (Arabic khamay, “to protect, defend”; OSA ?mh, “sacred precinct, protective association”), and the root idea seems to be protection, shelter, or refuge. An Arabic attorney, for example, is a mu?amin (“protector”), while an Egyptian “protector” is a ...

515. The Genealogy of David

Ruth 4:13-22

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... 4:17, “Naomi has a son.” Structurally, the narrator underlines three key moments in the story by inserting the words of these women like a choros in a Greek play, though not in the rigid, black-or-white, tragic-versus-comic style commonly found in Attic playwrights. Many commentators overlook or dismiss the role played by this choros, but the narrator of Ruth uses this literary technique to articulate vital characterization questions (1:19), link important themes to specific characters (4:14), and bring ...

516. Warnings Against Folly

Proverbs 6:1-19

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... and disastrous, but it is left unspecified (sickness, death?). Verse 15b is found also in 29:1b. Several terms occur elsewhere: scoundrel (lit. a man of Belial, a term of uncertain etymology) in 16:27; winks in 10:10. 6:16–19 This is a numerical saying in the style of X and X + 1 (here, 6/7). Several of these sayings occur in 30:11–31 (cf. Amos 1). The detestable things reflect some of the vices indicated in verses 12–15. Note how the sins are associated with the organs of the body singled out in ...

517. Warning Against the Adulteress

Proverbs 7:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... conclusion from the episode related in verses 7–23. This episode is an example story that describes a typical event. Though based on experience, the conversation in verses 14–20 is also a literary creation. 7:1–5 The opening exhortation of the sage is in the style of previous addresses to my son. The apple of your eye (cf. Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8) is the image of what appears in the pupil (lit. the little man in your eyes), the pupil itself. Verse 3 emphasizes the intensity of concentration demanded by ...

518. Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 8:1-36

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... than just celebratory. In view of all the characteristics of Woman Wisdom, her joyful relationship to earthly people is particularly meaningful, even if the details are not spelled out here. 8:32–36 Instead of the sage speaking, Wisdom continues, employing the exhortatory style used by the sage (cf. 4:1; 5:7; 7:24). A threefold insistence upon listening (and that means obeying) culminates in the beatitude of verse 35 where the suitor of Woman Wisdom is portrayed as ardently pursuing her. The suitor is at ...

519. Invitation of Wisdom and of Folly

Proverbs 9:1-18

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... Wisdom; cf. live in verse 6. Verse 12 provides a link with verses 7–8 and thus returns to the contrast between the wise and the mocker. 9:13–17 The description of Woman Folly’s house, as well as the invitation to passersby, are couched in appropriately disdainful style in comparison to the portrayal of Woman Wisdom in 9:1–6. Folly is merely a common temptress who has nothing of value to offer. 9:13 She is said to be literally “a woman of folly” (cf. 14:1). This phrase might seem to eliminate the ...

520. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... e.g., chs. 2–4; AEL, vol. 2, p. 150). 14:30 Antithetic. This psychosomatic observation is not unlike verse 29. Envy is too narrow a meaning; rather “passion” or “jealousy.” 14:31 Antithetic and chiastic. See also 17:5 and 19:7. The juxtapositional style is worth noting: “Whosoever oppresses the poor—condemns their Maker; one who honors God—one kind to the needy.” Verse 21 is explicitly related to God in this saying. One’s attitude to the poor is at the same time one’s true attitude to ...

521. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 15:1-33

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... advice, but gives it at the right time (see also 25:11). The proper time (Gk. kairos) in speech is singled out in the Egyptian Anchsheshonq 12.24: “Do not say something when it is not the time for it” (AEL, vol. 3, p. 169). 15:24 Antithetic in style, but the second line is a purpose clause. The adverbs upward and down are merely directional (cf. Deut. 28:13, 43). The saying refers to quality of life (or lack of it). There is no basis for claiming that these adverbs (absent from the LXX) were added to ...

522. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 27:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... It is remarkable that the possibility of the conversion of a fool is never really envisioned. Wisdom speaks to the simple or naive (1:22; 8:5; 9:4), for whom there seems to be some hope, but not to fools. 27:23–27 A short poem in the style of an admonition to attending to farming and animal husbandry. Lambs and goats were vital to Israelite life and served many purposes. The motive given in verse 24 is that this will be more profitable than riches, even a (royal!) crown, since that will not last (cf. 23:5 ...

523. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 28:1-28

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... and true wisdom. The motif of trust continues verse 25b and the security given by wisdom is very similar to verse 18a. There is only a shade of difference between trusting in self and being wise in one’s own eyes (26:12). 28:27 Antithetic in juxtapositional style. Paradoxically, generosity to the poor does not deplete one’s possessions, but the one who closes the eyes (cf. 21:13, whoever shuts the ears) will be cursed by the poor and perhaps by the Lord (cf. 3:33, where the same word is used). 28:28 ...

524. Remember, O Lord, What Has Happened to Us

Lamentations 5:1-22

One Volume

Tremper Longman III

... 26). It is significant that the book concludes not with resolution, but with an eye to the future. The lament calls on God to act to restore them. Stylistically, chapter 5 is the only chapter that is not a true acrostic. Interestingly, though, the poet has preserved an acrostic-like style by having 22 verses. This mimicking of an acrostic serves the purpose of keeping a kind of artificial symmetry between the five chapters. Gerstenberger (Psalms, Part 2, and Lamentations, p. 501) calls this an alphabetizing ...

525. Walking in the Light

1 John 1:5--2:14, 1 John 2:15-17

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... not keeping God’s/Christ’s commands (especially to love others and to believe in Jesus, 3:23) is a liar. This is the same contradiction between confession and conduct which we saw in 1:6–10 (Kysar, I, II, III John, p. 45). In typically antithetical style, the author immediately contrasts the word liar with its opposite, truth, as in 1:6 (cf. 1:8; 2:21; 4:6). Such people (en toutō; lit., “in such a person”) lack integrity; they claim one thing in words, but its reality is not demonstrated by their ...

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