Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 576 to 600 of 3160 results

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... (Pss. 31:23; 97:10; 145:20). A very early poetic use in the context of the early wars of Israel in Canaan is in Judges 5:31. For Deuteronomy, the command to love is so often linked with the command to obey, in a sort of prose parallelism, that the two terms are virtually synonymous (though they should not be simply identified; “love” clearly has a distinctive range of affective meaning not entirely equivalent to the practical sense of “obey”). The simple fact that Deuteronomy’s love is one that ...

577. Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Kings 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... (3:13–14), the death of enemies is not mentioned (although long life and wealth are). The whole implication of all this is that Solomon has recognized and God is confirming that the “wisdom” of chapter 2 was of a highly unenlightened, self-serving sort, which must now be replaced with a higher sort, in order that the king may rule justly and well over his subjects (3:9, 11). An important theme of the OT is brought to mind by such a reading: it is the fear of the LORD that is truly the beginning of ...

578. Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria

1 Kings 20:1-12

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... . He knows that the LORD is God, but he acts in ways that belie this. The Jericho-like victory at Aphek (cf. Josh. 6) leads on to an aftermath of Achan-like (and Saul-like) actions that bring prophetic judgment. The threat to Ahab, as a character of this sort, was in chapter 18 only implicit. In chapter 20 it becomes explicit, and we are thus prepared for the king’s death in chapter 22. 20:1–12 Asa, king of Judah, had first involved Aram in the affairs of Israel, inviting a previous Ben-Hadad, king of ...

579. Jerusalem to Be Inhabited

Isaiah 44:24--45:25

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... to Israel because of its wrongdoing is one thing. How could God use a pagan emperor like Cyrus to bring blessing to Israel in fulfillment of the role that God had long ago given to the Davidic king? We have already read a number of the answers to this sort of question. This kind of action is in keeping with what prophets such as Isaiah have said. True, Yahweh’s agent ought to be one who acknowledges Yahweh, and the idea is that Cyrus has the chance to do so. The community may or may not find such answers ...

580. Riddles and Metaphors

Ezekiel 15:1-8, Ezekiel 16:1-63, Ezekiel 17:1-24

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... Note, though, that this is not the end of the story. Beyond Jerusalem’s bloody, shameful end lies new hope and possibility. 16:43b–58 The Lord’s harsh, unstinting message of judgment now gives way to a promise of salvation. It is a curious sort of salvation oracle, however, containing as it does more condemnation than salvation. Still, the shift is clear, and in fact began with the summary that concluded the message of judgment in verses 35–43a: “Because you did not remember the days of your youth ...

581. An Unholy History

Ezekiel 20:1-29, Ezekiel 20:30-49

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... therefore cannot inquire of the Lord (v. 31; compare 14:3). Then verses 32–44 proclaim a message of deliverance and restoration. However, as we have seen before in Ezekiel (compare 6:8–10; 11:17–21; and esp. 16:59–63), it is a curious sort of salvation. God will accomplish Israel’s deliverance in spite of Israel, despite its desire to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone (v. 32). Further, the restoration of Israel will result not in rejoicing, but in shame ...

582. Egypt

Ezekiel 29:1-21, Ezekiel 30:1-26, Ezekiel 31:1-18, Ezekiel 32:1-32

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... in revolt against Assyria. But here in verse 9, ships go from the Lord to Ethiopia, with a message of doom to Egypt and all who ally with it (Zimmerli, Ezekiel 2, p. 130). The verse fits awkwardly in its context, however it is exactly the sort of surprise twist we have come to expect from Ezekiel. Perhaps it is an authentic fragment from the prophet that the editor who assembled this Egypt collection inserted here. 30:10–12 This third part of the lament identifies the agent of Egypt’s destruction. Just ...

583. Three Parables about the Unfaithfulness of the Jewish Leaders

Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 21:28-32, Matthew 21:23-27

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... and his teachings? Does it illuminate who Jesus is, so that people have a clearer picture of him after hearing what we have to say? It is easy to preach about all sorts of things besides Jesus—life lessons, how-to sermons, and the like. These topics have their place, but the text of Matthew compels us to preach Jesus and provides us with all sorts of ways to do so. Jesus the Messiah should be the centerpiece of what people hear from us, as he was for Matthew. And we can offer the invitation to respond to ...

584. The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:20-37

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... simply “the day”) is singled out. The use of the singular “day of the Son of Man” (17:24, 30) better suits the Old Testament background of the (singular) “day of the Lord.” 17:23 Do not go running after them. The reference is perhaps to the sort of prophetic or messianic pretenders who were a feature of Jewish life in the period leading up to the war with Rome in AD 66, some of whom called their followers out into the desert to await a miraculous deliverance from Roman power (see Acts 5:36 ...

585. Jesus Takes the Initiative

Luke 21:5-38, Luke 21:1-4, Luke 20:41-47

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... between the denunciation of the teachers of the law in 20:45–47 and the widow’s offering (21:1–4), two contrasting descriptions of spiritual piety. The scribes are greedy, hypocritical, and prideful, while the widow is generous, authentic, and humble. Consider what sort of situation in our own setting might offer a parallel to this episode. What opportunities does our church or social life offer for ostentatious giving, and who might now play the role of the scribes (20:46–47) and the affluent (21:1 ...

586. Resurrection and History

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... , “No—it means that if you don’t put the big rocks in first, they’ll never fit; if you do get the big rocks in first, the rest will sort out fine.” In the same way, Christians must identify the “big rock” doctrines that define our faith and lay our theological foundations there first. If we do that, everything else will sort out. If we focus on disputable matters first, we may never establish our moorings in the basics of the gospel, and then we may find ourselves hopelessly adrift. To reject ...

587. Punishments for Sin

Leviticus 20:1-27

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... used of male prostitutes in LXX Deut. 23:18], those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Again, the italicized terms parallel offenses mentioned in Leviticus 20. Those who practice the sorts of things described in Leviticus 20 are in danger of hell. This is hinted at in Leviticus 20’s threat that offenders can be “cut off from their people” (vv. 5–6, 17–18), a punishment probably related to the afterlife (see ...

588. The Census of the Twelve Tribes

Num 1:1–2:54

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... by virtue of committing incest with Jacob’s maidservant Bilhah (1 Chron. 5:1–2; cf. Gen. 35:22; 49:3–4). Given that the Israelites orient toward the east, the tribe of Reuben’s position at the “right hand” of the tabernacle is a sort of consolation prize for its patriarch’s having forfeited his original position of prominence. Simeon was Leah’s second child. Skipping Leah’s third child, Levi, the text goes to Gad, the first son of Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant. 2:17 Levites . . . in the ...

589. Racism and Envy

Numbers 12:1-16

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... of Moses and metes out punishment to Miriam and Aaron. But is God’s judgment fair to Miriam? Is not the punishment excessive compared with the offense? Moreover, why is she punished severely while Aaron, apparently, gets off scot-free? Is there some sort of sexism that punishes an uppity female more severely? In response to these questions, it must be said that Miriam is not punished more than Aaron because of sexism. It is instead because Miriam has been the chief instigator of this rebellion against ...

590. The Ark Finds a Resting Place

2 Samuel 6:1-23

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... two other times in 1–2 Samuel. In both cases, it is worn by those serving in a priestly capacity (1 Sam. 2:18; 22:18; then 1 Chron. 15:27 is parallel to 2 Sam. 6:14). Apparently David is functioning here as a royal priest of sorts (cf. Ps. 110:4). According to the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 15, the Levitical priests who are carrying the ark also wear linen robes for the occasion (v. 27). David’s exercising of a legitimate royal priestly function in conjunction with the Levites contrasts with Saul ...

591. Job Hears the Whispers of God’s Works

Job 26:1--31:40

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... God’s commandment, and they spurn his character by their unjust actions. Teaching the Text Throughout the book of Job, Job has been the target of numerous accusations. In the prologue, the adversary accuses Job of having selfish motives. Then, the three friends invent all sorts of sins that would justify Job’s great adversities. Job knows in his heart that these accusations are false, so in his final oath in Job 31 he rejects all of them in the strongest possible language. In fact, Job goes so far as to ...

592. If You Are Looking for a Savior...

Matthew 11:2-11

Sermon

James L. Killen

... are, valued as a person, and loved. In that kind of situation you can experience forgiveness, healing, and enablement. You can experience your own personhood emerging. That is definitely a saving work of God, the work that church people call grace. We can remember Jesus did that sort of thing for people whom he met during his ministry, and we can recognize it as a saving work of God. If you are worried about all of the bad things that are going on in the world, look for some of the movements that are making ...

593. Unnoticed at Your Own Party

Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... except the friend who invited him. He subsequently played the role of a mere spectator to the evening’s festivities. Everyone, he noted, seemed to be in high spirits. They danced and shouted and sang and laughed and played games and indulged in all sorts of entertainment. They flung streamers across the hall, pranced around in paper caps, had much to eat and drink and generally seemed to have a great time. As the evening progressed, however, Sangster noticed a young lady sitting in a corner alone. She ...

594. Nathan Rebukes David

2 Samuel 12:1-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s misdeed is characterized as despising the word of the Lord (12:9) and is thus cast as an offense against the prophetic office. Moreover, the analogy Nathan uses in his story of the rich man who steals the poor man’s sheep is just the sort of behavior Samuel warned is characteristic of kings: kings are takers, and they will appropriate what you cherish (see 1 Sam. 8:10–18). Thus this passage betrays the same critique of kings and advances the image of prophets as dominant over kings. In the years ...

595. Joy at Believers’ Walking in the Truth

3 John 1:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Asia Minor (an application of Peter’s receiving keys to the kingdom in Matt. 16:17–19?) and raising the value of staying within the walls of the church community, Diotrephes appears to be implementing this sort of advice. In that sense, he and the elder are trying to do the same sort of thing by different means: working to hold their communities together in the face of internal and external pressures. The elder approaches the matter by calling for loving one another and for solidarity with the community ...

596. I Wonder if God Exists

Genesis 1:1-5

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... argument for God’s existence is the reality of religion in our world. A cursory study of history will show that religion has played a vital role in every human culture. Even indigenous tribes who live in the most remote areas of the world have some sort of religion. There seems to be an innate desire for human beings to worship something bigger than themselves. This desire could only come from God. We are designed to be connected to our Creator, so we will naturally express what we’re designed by God to ...

597. What Do You Bring to the Table?

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon

Tom Garrison

... Nobel laureate in literature, said: "I can partly understand how God can forgive human beings, for we are so weak and vulnerable. But what I cannot understand is how he can ever forgive himself for creating a world like this." That is an anger of an ultimate sort, directed at no less than God. And there are many forms of rage this side of such ultimacy. There are many today who are angry because they are women in a world that is still largely dominated and controlled by men. By the same token, others are ...

598. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... to worship the angel; neither is there is anything in Revelation that suggests that John is nervous about any incidence of angel worship within his audience. It is inconceivable that John himself would fall prey to this idolatry; to do so would be to exhibit the sort of confusion expected of a pagan convert (cf. Acts 10:25–26), or of a gnostic Christian (cf. Col. 2:18), or of a convert from hellenistic Judaism, but not of someone like John who stood so firmly within the apostolic tradition. In this light ...

599. Moab Seduces Israel

Numbers 25:1-18

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of the verb yaka’ is uncertain. Suggestions are “expose,” “impale,” “hang,” “dismember,” “throw off a cliff.” In broad daylight is literally “in the sun,” indicating some sort of punishment. 25:8 Into the woman’s body is literally “through her belly.” Budd follows the view that the tent is a shrine, some sort of cultic room (Numbers, p. 280). This interpretation would suggest intermarriage or sexual relationship with a Midianite woman leading to apostasy, but the more common ...

600. David, Nabal, Abigail

1 Samuel 25:1-44

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... been theoretically voluntary, but no contribution was unacceptable. Also, Nabal’s aggressive support for Saul perhaps meant he was liable to bring danger to them while they remained in that area. David, following sensible tactics of not leaving his base camp unguarded, went down to sort Nabal out. 25:14–31 The characterization may be exaggerated, but the picture is vivid and realistic. The farm workers who had heard Nabal’s tirade could envisage the consequences and went to Abigail, expecting her to ...

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