Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 551 to 575 of 656 results

Matthew 26:47-56

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... out at night as they did to seize him as if he were leading a rebellion (the Greek lēstēs in this context means “revolutionary” or “insurrectionist”). After all, he sat daily with them in the temple courts (note that ekathezomēn in v. 55 is imperfect), and they did not arrest him there. But all this is happening in fulfillment of prophetic Scripture. The boldness of Jesus, in spite of his being in the hands of the mob, was more than his disciples could endure. In the moment of trial they deserted ...

552. Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... stemmed from the desire on the part of the religious leaders of Judaism to demonstrate that Jesus’ entire life and message were under the curse of God. When asked to name his crime, “their voices rose to a roar” (v. 23, Phillips), Crucify him! (the imperfect tense in perissōs ekrazon indicates that they kept crying out more loudly than ever). When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere but rather that a riot was under way, he took water and washed his hands in full view of the mob, declaring ...

553. The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Matthew 27:27-31

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... soldiers was to mock Jesus: they had already beaten him cruelly. They put a staff in his right hand (in imitation of a royal scepter), knelt before him in jest, and exclaimed, Hail, king of the Jews! They spit on him, and taking the staff, hit him repeatedly (etypton is imperfect) on the head. When they had finished making sport of him, they dressed him again in his own clothes and led him away to be crucified.

554. The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:32-44

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... and cast lots for my clothing”). It was common practice for the clothing of the prisoner to go to the executioners. As Jesus hung on the cross, the soldiers sat there maintaining a guard (the participle kathēmenoi is present, and the verb etēroun is imperfect) lest someone remove him before he actually died. The titulus that he carried along the Via Dolorosa (the sorrowful way) was nailed above his head with its proclamation, THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS (v. 37). On either side of Jesus were two ...

555. The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:2-35

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... yaʿaseh, “he will make,” instead of weʿasah, “and he will make,” is supported by 4QDanc as well as by the LXX. Interestingly, v. 6 also has the idiom “to make an alliance” (laʿasot mesharim), using the infinitive laʿasot rather than the imperfect yaʿaseh. The phrase “with the king of the South” in the NIV is not in the Hebrew. The MT has ʿimmo, “with him.” While the “him” probably does refer to Ptolemy, the text is ambiguous and should be translated that way: “and will make ...

556. Jesus Predicts His Death

Mark 8:31--9:1

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... as the mighty appearance of the kingdom of God and the inauguration of the rule of Christ as king (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:20–28). For Mark, then, 9:1 meant that Jesus’ own contemporaries, those who either doubted him (enemies) or imperfectly understood him (disciples), would not die before the validity of his message and ministry was shown in a powerful confirmation, that being the resurrection of Jesus, which the transfiguration episode (9:2–13) prefigures. After this passage (8:31–9:1), which emphasizes ...

557. Dividing the Spoils

Numbers 31:25-54

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 ...

558. Unacceptable Sacrifices

Leviticus 22:17--23:2

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 7:14 picks up some of this perspective in the NT. These instructions also operate from the notion that sacrifice should not be casual; the best is to be given to Yahweh. It is to be costly and not an opportunity to get rid of imperfect animals. The Holiness Code, in chapters 17–22, has demonstrated concerns with both ethical and cultic matters. This section contains some of both and provides a transition to material covering worship. 23:1–2 The instruction is given to Moses, who is to pass it ...

559. The End Times

Daniel 12:1-13

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... to compare against it any copies. As an example, we do not possess any original writings of Scripture—including Daniel—against which to compare our copies. All we have are copies of copies of copies, which have been subject to the imperfect process of scribal activity. Our copies, although quite accurate, do contain discrepancies and copy errors. Finally, it would have been disobedient for Daniel to produce an open copy for circulation after being expressly commanded to keep the scroll secret and sealed ...

560. Life Through the Son

John 5:16-30, John 5:1-15

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... law for someone to carry the man on his mat or couch (cf. Mark 2:3). See Mishnah Shabbath 10:5. It was the carrying of the couch purposefully as an end in itself that was forbidden. 5:16 Because Jesus was doing these things. The imperfect tense, used consistently in this verse and in v. 18, suggests that the healing (and the authorities’ response to it) was typical of many incidents that could have been cited from the early days of Jesus’ ministry. The idea is that the authorities began persecuting him ...

561. The Claims of Jesus About Himself

John 8:48-59, John 8:31-41, John 8:42-47

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... ”) makes it clear that the conditional sentence in v. 39 is contrary to fact: If the opponents were true children of Abraham, they would do what Abraham did, but in fact they are not. Grammatically, the first verb is present tense where an imperfect might have been expected. The effect of this is to heighten the supposition of reality, an effect that the GNB translators have achieved with their rendering, “If you really were …” The things Abraham did: lit., “the works of Abraham” (cf. James 2:21 ...

562. Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified

John 19:1-16, John 18:28-40

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... 16a). It is difficult to know what Pilate made of Jesus’ remarks. The narrator appears to be condensing a longer account so as to bring the story more quickly to its conclusion. The phrase tried to set Jesus free in verse 12 (Gr.: ezētei, imperfect tense) suggests that Pilate may have made several attempts, not specified in the text, to have Jesus released. Already afraid that Jesus might have power with the gods, Pilate had now been reminded of his own accountability to higher powers (v. 11). But when ...

563. Hearts / Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... letter would not embitter the addressees against him, further aggravating the situation or even causing a complete and final break between the Corinthian church and its founding apostle. As he waited for a response, Paul was intermittently plagued by regret (note the imperfect tense) about the harsh tone and the possible negative reaction it might elicit from the Corinthians. Hence, Titus’s report was able to dispel Paul’s fears, for the apostle learned not only that, as expected, the letter did in fact ...

564. Praise to God for a Living Hope

1 Peter 1:1-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... of the end and will not prove false.’ ”) See also Gen. 49:1, 10; Deut. 18:15. In the NT the verb apokalyptein (to reveal) always refers to a divine disclosure and never to some human communication. Serving (diēkonoun, “went on ministering”): The imperfect tense suggests that the witness of the OT prophets was significant beyond their own time (Acts 3:24). Peter thus indicates yet another link uniting the two Testaments. The verb diakonein is used in the NT for ministry in all its forms. That have ...

565. Woes and Judgments

Isaiah 5:8-30

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... of deceit are making people unaware that they are doing this, that in scornfully hurrying Yahweh (v. 19) they are fatally building up their own guilt and hurrying their own punishment. 5:25–30 Again, past tense verbs in vv. 25, 28 (see NRSV) interweave with “imperfect” verbs that point more to literal future. The combination suggests both the fact of futureness and the vividness of something as good as actual. Isa. 9:8–21 will link in theme and structure with 5:25–30 (and 10:1–4 with 5:8–24 ...

566. An Oracle Against Damascus

Isaiah 17:1-14

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... Yahweh’s capacity to put the nations in their place, which the chapters apply in different directions. It thus reminds the people of the truth that will be proved in generation after generation. Additional Notes 17:1–3 The participles here are followed by imperfect verbs, which usually imply English future, but I take it that in v. 1, at least, this is an example of the Hb. idiom whereby a finite verb continues a participle but the participial meaning is kept—that is, the passage has present reference ...

567. Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27:1-13

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... of sin. And the abandonment of the city and the withholding of compassion are deserved. Its inhabitants were stupid (v. 11). As is evident from the translation, the moves from second to third person and from “perfect” verbs (denoting completed actions) to “imperfect” verbs (denoting actions still in progress; e.g., vv. 7–8) make this a difficult passage. It is not even certain that verses 10–11 describe Jerusalem. When “Jacob” appeared in 17:4, the word referred to northern Israel. Here it ...

568. Broken Promises

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

King Duncan

... relationships like marriage and parenthood. In one of his plays author Thornton Wilder has one of his characters say, “I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people got married, and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn’t a house that protected them; and it wasn’t our love that protected them--it was that promise.” (4) It’s true in marriage ...

569. A Law Written On Our Hearts

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Sermon

King Duncan

... has represented the idea that justice should be meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness. At least that’s what the lady with the blindfold is supposed to represent. For some of us that blindfold may represent the imperfection of some of those who make our laws. After all, there are some crazy laws on the books in some of our states. For example, did you know that in Connecticut you are not allowed to walk across a street on your hands? I didn ...

570. How Angry Are You?

Luke 4:21-30

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

... killing with abandon across the Middle East and around the world. I am angry that most American sports teams and other school activities have become so important and so time intensive that any comprehensive youth program in our congregations seems doomed. I am angry that sometimes in our imperfect world a few of us end up doing more than our share in trying to make this world a more just and healthy place. Yes, I am angry! But let me reassure you. I’m not angry all of the time. I’m not even angry most ...

571. Trusting Authority

Luke 7:1-10

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

... went to a school run by Catholic nuns, and he had learned about the crucifixion and about how Jesus had to suffer and die for human sin. The nuns had instilled in Matsui a deep sense of unworthiness — that nothing could atone for his imperfections except the bloody sacrifice of the cross. As an adult, Matsui kept having dreams about the crucifixion — dark, scary, violent dreams about sin and death and his own unworthiness. But one night, the dream changed and Matsui saw a kind and gentle Jesus hanging ...

572. In Awe of Christ

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

King Duncan

... . . . as they began to see Jesus as he really is. They also began to see themselves as they really were. The disciples were continually responding to evidence of Jesus’ glory with fear. That is because in the light of his holiness they became aware of their own imperfection. You may think the trim on your house is white until a new fallen snow overlays it. Then you notice the yellowing process that has taken place as the paint has aged. So it is with each of us in the presence of Jesus. No wonder that in ...

573. In the Wilderness with the Devil

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... which the sailors did not heed the song of the sirens and sailed on in safety. The reason the sailors were not interested was that Orpheus, the god of music, was on board and he sang a sweeter song than any known to the sirens. That is an imperfect analogy of what happens when we entrust our lives to Christ. The best antidote for temptation is to be so filled with his song--his salvation--his service--that there is no room for temptation. However, that does not relieve us of the burden of praying daily for ...

Life itself would be impossible if it weren't for the imperfections of others.

James S. Hewett

575. Love or Infatuation?

Illustration

Ann Landers

... are excited and eager, but not genuinely happy. There are nagging doubts, unanswered question, little bits and pieces about your beloved that you would just as soon not examine too closely. It might spoil the dream. Love is quiet understanding and the mature acceptance of imperfection. It is real. It gives you strength and grows beyond you—to bolster your beloved. You are warmed by his presence, even when he is away. Miles do not separate you. You want him nearer. But near or far, you know he is yours and ...

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