Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 576 to 600 of 4943 results

576. Jesus Predicts His Death

John 12:20-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The celebrations of the Jews are now echoed by an entirely unexpected interest among some Greeks in Jerusalem (12:20–36). This is unexpected because Greeks are Gentiles (though these may be proselytes) and unaccepted by Jews. John’s irony cannot be missed: when Jesus’s efforts to unveil himself to Israel have been exhausted, Greeks arrive, eager to see Jesus. Jewish reluctance is exceeded by Greek zeal. Mark’s Gospel follows a similar structure. In Mark the watershed is in 8:27–30, and from then on Jesus ...

577. The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

Luke 3:21-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Following John’s witness to Jesus (3:1–20), Luke provides three additional witnesses to Jesus’ messianic identity and mission: (1) the witness of Jesus’ own baptism, at which time the heavenly voice speaks (3:21–22); (2) the witness of his genealogy, which traces Jesus back to Adam, the son of God (3:23–38); and (3) the witness of Jesus’ temptation, in which the character and commitment of Jesus are tested (4:1–13). These components in the Lucan narrative testify to Jesus’ qualifications as Messiah and to ...

578. Eliphaz's Second Speech to Job

Job 15:1-35

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

Sin Prompts Your Mouth The “second dialogue cycle” begins here as we return to the argument of Eliphaz, from whom we last heard in chapters 4 and 5. There Eliphaz operated from the assumption that humans are “born to trouble” (5:7) and therefore “reap” what they “sow” (4:8). It is impossible for “a mortal to be righteous before God.” Since even God’s servants, the angels, are untrustworthy, “how much more” are humans subject to “error” (4:18–19). As a result, Job must deserve his suffering. His only hope ...

579. Do Not Worry

Luke 12:22-34

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

12:22–31 The applications of the Parable of the Rich Fool are now driven home. Jesus wants the lives of his disciples to be guided by interests other than worldly, material ones. The disciple is not to worry about food and clothes, which is not only a distraction, but betrays a lack of faith in God (see v. 28). There is more to life than food and clothing. God will supply food for his children just as surely as he provides for the ravens of the sky; and he will furnish clothing as surely as he arrays the ...

580. Jehoash King of Israel

2 Kings 13:10-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Jehoahaz and Jehoash: The crisis of 2 Kings 9–11 is past. A descendant of David once more sits on the throne of Judah, and a new house governs Israel, with security of tenure until the fourth generation (10:30). We anticipate a period of relative calm within the two countries, even if not in their relations with other countries (cf. 8:12; 10:32–33; 12:17–18). Chapter 13 unfolds much as expected, updating us on events in Israel during the reigns of the two Israelite kings who acceded during the reign of ...

581. Your Faith Has Made You Well

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“How excellent is your lovingkindness, O Lord! Therefore the children of humankind put their trust under the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7) Prop: blindfold “Do you trust me?” [Choose a volunteer to come up to the front. Blindfold that person, and then proceed to direct them down the aisle and to a location somewhere in the room or sanctuary. You could also allow someone from the congregation to guide him or her.] How hard was that? Was it a bit scary? But you had to trust in the person guiding you. If ...

582. Daniel Interprets the Dream

Daniel 2:24-49

Understanding Series

William Nelson

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: The stories in Daniel 2–7 probably did not all circulate together originally. As mentioned earlier, evidence for this can be seen especially in chapters 3 and 6. The original author of chapter 3 focuses on Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, seemingly unaware of Daniel, while the original author of chapter 6 highlights Daniel, seemingly oblivious to his three friends. These independent traditions have been brought together and shaped into a literary whole. (For a more ...

583. Proper 15

Luke 12:54-59, Hebrews 12:1-13, Luke 12:49-53, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 God's vineyard yields wild grapes. Chapter 5 closes a series of oracles beginning with chapter 1. Today's lesson is a parable of a vineyard. Yahweh planted it and did everything to make it grow and be fruitful. But, the grapes turned out to be wild, that is, sour and bitter. What more could he have done for his vineyard? Nothing. Therefore, the vineyard will be destroyed. Lesson 2: Hebrews 11:29--12:2 Surrounded by past faithful ones, we are to run the race of faith with ...

584. Lent 2

Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-25, 2 Timothy 1:1-2:13, John 3:1-21

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-8 By faith Abraham accepts Yahweh's promise and obeys his command. Around 2000 B.C. a man named Abraham lived in Haran. Yahweh came to him and called him to leave his home and family to go to a strange, unknown land where he would become the father of a great nation. Abraham proved his faith in Yahweh by trusting his Word of promises and obeying. He left all for a great adventure in faith. Yahweh promised to bless him and to make him a blessing to all nations. Abraham ...

585. Proper 17

Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:1-8, Romans 12:9-21, Jeremiah 14:1--15:21, Jeremiah 20:7-18, Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 3:1-15 Moses is called to deliver God's people from bondage in Egypt. While tending his father-in-law's sheep Moses is called by Yahweh to return to Egypt to lead out his oppressed people. First Yahweh must get Moses' attention by having a bush burn without burning up. Because God is present, Moses is ordered to remove his sandals, for he is on holy ground. Wherever God exists, the place becomes sacred. Yahweh tells Moses that he is concerned about his people in slavery and ...

586. Proper 26

Matthew 23:1-39, Joshua 3:1-4:24, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Malachi 2:1-9

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joshua 3:7-17 Under Joshua the Israelites cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses died and Joshua succeeded him. The people are assembled east of the Jordan River and are ready to cross over to the Promised Land. Forty years of wandering are now at an end, the destination reached. As the Red Sea was parted, the Jordan also is divided to allow the people to enter a new land with dry feet. Old Testament: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10 The wider ministry. Old Testament: Micah 3:5-12 ...

587. All Saints Day

Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 John gives a vision of heaven where innumerable saints worship God. The book of Revelation, written ca. A.D. 96, has as its purpose to comfort and strengthen Christians at a time of great distress. They are enduring persecution at the hands of the Roman Emperor, Domitian. They are encouraged and strengthened by the news of ultimate victory in heaven. Chapter 7 is an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The saints are assured that they will be free from ...

588. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Ephesians 1:1-14, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS The Old Testament texts for the Second Sunday After Christmas are a celebration of God's salvation. Jeremiah 31:7-14 proclaims a new salvation to a remnant that will survive Israel's exile from the land at the hands of the Babylonians, while Psalm 147:12-20 is a celebration of God's power to save Israel. Jeremiah 31:7-14 - "Salvation as Radical Reversal" Setting. Jeremiah 31:7-14 consists of two distinct oracles. Jeremiah 31:7-9 is an oracle of salvation addressed to Israel, or more ...

589. Proper 18

Psalm 149:1-9, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-30

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Exodus 12:1-14 is one of the central descriptions of how the Passover is to be celebrated and how it functions in the life of Israel. Psalm 149 is a two-sided hymn of praise in which God's ability to destroy and to save is acknowledged. Exodus 12:1-14 - "The Passover" Setting. The confusion of the present form of Exodus 11-13 confronts any reader with immediate obstacles to interpretation. At least three different traditions have been brought together in these chapters (by at least two ...

590. The Man in the Mirror

2 Samuel 12:1-31

Sermon

James Merritt

I will never forget the first time I was able to actually go to see the Master's golf tournament in person. I wanted to follow a young phenom by the name of Tiger Woods. I was right behind him on the seventeenth tee box to see him rip one of those majestic drives. In the split second that he hit the ball, one man in the crowd yelled at the top of his lungs - "You 'Da Man." Every time you go to a tournament you are going to hear someone yell that at Tiger Woods. I don't know how that phrase got its origin, ...

591. The Apostles Heal Many

Acts 5:12-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

In this further description of the inner life of the church, the emphasis is now on the power that was at work among them, especially through the apostles. The effectiveness of their witness in both word and deed explains the attack made upon them, which is the subject of the section following this one. 5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders (see notes on 1:26 and 2:22). It would appear from this, as from the earlier passage (see disc. on 2:43), that the gift of miracles was confined ...

592. The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19-30

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

Luke now leaves the “acts of Peter” for the time being. He will return to them again in chapter 12, after which, except for a brief reappearance in chapter 15, Peter passes out of the narrative and Paul becomes the focus of attention. The author’s purpose in these present chapters (8 to 12) is both to tell the story of the church’s early expansion (exemplified by certain carefully selected events) and at the same time to prepare the ground for the story of the Pauline mission. Thus he has given an account ...

593. Paul in Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

This section and the one before it are a pair. They are both concerned with the relationship of Christianity to an imperfect form of the faith—“the baptism of John.” In this case Paul deals with the situation himself. These verses include also a brief description of his ministry in Ephesus, aspects of which are illustrated in the following section. But again we must turn to Paul’s letters to fill out our knowledge of these years. They show that his achievement in Ephesus was at the cost of much suffering ( ...

594. The Credibility of the Gospel Paul Proclaims

Galatians 1:11-24

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

1:11–12 Paul continues his self-defense by focusing on the gospel itself. This is Paul’s usual way of underscoring his authority and credibility. For instance, at the beginning of Romans—a letter in which Paul wishes, among other things, to encourage the Roman believers to accept his apostolic authority—Paul highlights his understanding of and commitment to the gospel (Rom. 1:1–6). At the start of Galatians Paul also turns his hearers’ attention to the gospel. Paul was so thoroughly identified with the ...

595. Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Christ and the Salvation of Believers Chapter 1 of Ephesians is dominated by the theme of praise and thanksgiving. In verses 3–14 the apostle utilizes a redemptive eulogy to praise God for all the spiritual blessings that he has bestowed upon the believer. These blessings are mediated through the Son and are confirmed in the believer through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The use of baptismal themes suggests that the hymn may have been connected with the celebration of baptism in the early church. ...

596. Warning Against Falling Away

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

The Importance of Christian Maturity Before continuing his argument concerning Melchizedek, the author pauses for an exhortation to maturity which is followed by remarks on the seriousness of apostasy. This digression is important particularly because of the information it provides concerning the character and situation of the addressees. 5:11–12 The author apparently regards the argument concerning Jesus as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek as too difficult for his readers in their present ...

597. Jephthah and Ephriam

Judges 12:1-7

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

Jephthah: Civil War in Israel and His Death · This final episode in the Jephthah cycle depicts the most serious breakdown in communal relations to this point in the book. While there have been signs of friction brewing (5:15b–17, 23; 8:1–3; 11:1–3), here the breakdown reaches crisis proportions and ultimately eventuates in full-blown civil war. The Ephraimites, the largest and leading tribe, complain that Jephthah had not included them in the battle against Ammon. But Jephthah has little patience left to ...

598. Punishment for Israel

Hosea 9:1--10:15

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

Israel’s Loss of the Stuff of Life (9:1-4): Some commentators would regard 9:1–9 as the first complete unit in this chapter. Others would point to 9:1–6. Judging on the basis of rhetorical criticism, it seems best to divide the chapter into five separate oracles: verses 1–4, 5–6, 7–9, 10–14, 15–17. What we have here are several oracles, strung together by the redactor/disciple of Hosea on the basis of the common theme of the loss of vitality. In this instance, however, the beginnings and endings of the ...

599. The Lord's Plan

Micah 4:6-13

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

God the Shepherd of Israel (4:6-8): 4:6–8 It is declared in Micah 4:1–5 that in the eschatological future God will rule over the nations of the world from Zion, and that Zion will become the center of the world to which all peoples will stream for worship and instruction. But what of the wounded and scattered people of Israel, who have become like sheep without a shepherd? (For the expression, cf. Num. 27:17;1 Kgs. 22:17; 2 Chron.18:16; Zech. 10:2; 13:7; Mark 6:34 and parallel; Matt. 26:31). Yahweh himself ...

600. The Coming of Zion's King

Zechariah 9:9-13

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

The King Is Coming to Zion (9:9-10): 9:9 God’s word announces the arrival of Jerusalem’s new king by calling the Daughter of Zion and the Daughter of Jerusalem to Rejoice greatly and Shout. The city under threat and judgment had often been addressed in this personification (e.g., Jer. 4:31; 6:2; and esp. Lamentations). A female figure carried connotations of dependence and vulnerability, especially in war. Verse 9 here reverses Zion’s loss of majesty (Lam. 1:6). Zephaniah 3:14–17 and Zechariah 2:10 (MT 15 ...

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