Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 601 to 625 of 2962 results

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 1 Samuel 31:1-13

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... us that this episode takes place on the third day after Saul’s death, while 1 Samuel 31 ends at least a week after Saul’s death. This account of Saul’s death and David’s response to it, like the other episodes recorded earlier, is designed to prove David’s right to the throne and to vindicate him from charges of wrongdoing.1Saul’s divinely ordained defeat and death (1 Sam. 28; 31) contrast with David’s God-ordained victory (1 Sam. 30). But David’s motives can be questioned, and his role ...

602. Job Shatters the Silence

Job 3:1-26

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... a character named Joseph Garcin into a room that, it soon becomes clear, is hell, windowless and equipped with only one door. Two other characters join Garcin, and together they beleaguer one another with questions about one another’s sins, passions, and painful memories. Left to their own designs, they make their world a torture chamber. But Christians are not left to their own designs; the circumstances of their lives are about something that transcends feeling; there is meaning because of who God is.

603. “You Are My Son; Today I Have Become Your Father”

Psalm 2:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... is appropriate to observe that humanity has asked this question all through the centuries, and God in Scripture, and God in the events of our world, answers the question in a myriad of ways: when kingdoms topple, when evil empires crumble, when our selfish designs take a Humpty-Dumpty fall. Historically, Psalm 2 puts kingship in the light of God’s sovereignty and issues the verdict that God is above kings—and, we would add, presidents and prime ministers. While Psalm 1 gives the perspective of God’s ...

604. “Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name in All the Earth!”

Psalm 9:1-20

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... the Lord Most High” (7:17). Now the psalmist does that in majestic words that honor the majesty of the Name. As in the creation narrative of Genesis 1, the psalmist employs an economy of words that stylistically reveals the Creator’s orderly manner and design. In content, the majesty of the Name is manifested in the works of the Lord’s creative hands and the delegation of their care to humankind, whose regal crown is studded with the jewels of creation. Verbally this crown is woven from the poetic and ...

605. “The Lord . . . Rules the World in Righteousness”

Psalm 10:1-18, Psalm 9:1-20

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... :7; 147:7). The Psalms depict the Lord as dwelling, or enthroned, both in Zion and in heaven. Psalm 11:4 sets the two ideas side by side (“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne”). God’s earthly dwelling replicates a design that he showed Moses on Sinai (Exod. 25:9; 26:30). 9:12 the afflicted. Probably refers to the poor and afflicted in general.[9] 9:13–14 from the gates of death . . . in the gates of Daughter Zion. The psalmist prays that the Lord may deliver him ...

606. “The Lord Looks Down . . . to See If There Are Any Who Understand”

Psalm 14:1-7

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... fool” is “a word which implies an aggressive perversity, epitomized in the Nabal of 1 Samuel 25:25.”4 First Samuel 25 provides a personalized picture of the fool in the person of David’s enemy Nabal, who even carried that Hebrew name, or was so designated by the writer of Samuel. Elmslie says this type of person is one whose “whole judgment of life has become perverted.”5The fool’s negativism and its effects are described in four ways: (1) his/her claim: “There is no God” (14:1a); (2) his ...

607. “His Anger Lasts Only a Moment, but His Favor Lasts a Lifetime”

Psalm 30:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... it in 167 BC.[7] If the phrase “dedication of the house” belongs to a time later than David, the psalm still could be composed by David, since psalms were reused for liturgical purposes on various occasions.[8] Interpretive Insights Title A psalm. For the designation “A psalm” (mizmor), see the comments on the title for Psalm 3. 30:1 I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out . . . my enemies gloat over me. The verb “exalt” comes from the Hebrew verb rum, “to be high.” While human ...

608. “May the Net They Hid Entangle Them”

Psalm 35:1-28

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... as the imprecatory psalms (Pss. 35; 69; 109),[2] although they do not hold exclusive rights to imprecations (see the “Additional Insights” that precedes this unit). In fact, there are really no statements in this poem that can be designated “curses” in a strict sense—35:4–8 provides the closest examples—certainly not in the clear sense of Psalm 109.[3] Psalm 35 is a prayer that God will deal out justice to those who, without cause (35:7), have dealt injustice to the psalmist. In the immediate ...

609. “You Have Given Me the Heritage of Those Who Fear Your Name”

Psalm 61:1-8

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... in Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8:28,6and a common way to begin a lament (e.g., Ps. 17:1). 61:2 From the ends of the earth . . . I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock. The phrase “from the ends of the earth” designates the remotest parts of the earth. The verb translated “grows faint” is used to describe the fainting caused by emotional distress or physical fatigue, or when death is near (Pss. 102 title; 107:5; 143:4; Lam. 2:11, 19; Jon. 2:7; also translated as “grows weak” or ...

610. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... ancient Mesopotamian furnaces, as the king can see the Judeans through the ground-level opening. Nebuchadnezzar’s reference to their exclusive service to “the Most High God” both recalls their confession (3:17) and anticipates the king’s praise (3:28). This designation of God throughout chapters 3–7 is attributed to gentiles (4:2, 17, 34) as well as Jews (4:24–32), and both ascribe to him universal sovereignty.6 3:27 satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers. These four titles abbreviate ...

611. The Flood

Genesis 6:1-8:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... on the earth. Until this point Genesis has dealt only with the sins of individuals—Cain, Lamech, Eve, Adam. Now the emphasis is on the sin of a group, the sons of God. Who are these sons of God? The term “sons of God” elsewhere in the Old Testament designates angels (see Job 1:6; 38:7; Ps. 29:1; 89:7). The New Testament, however, teaches that angels do not marry (Matt. 22:29–30; Mark 12:24–25; Luke 20:34–35). Furthermore, if the angels are the villains, then why is God’s anger directed against ...

612. Jacob Flees to Harran

Gn 27:41–29:14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... The climax of the vow is that Jacob will commit himself to tithing (28:22). This moves the Bethel encounter out of the realm of emotion exclusively and into the realm of self-denial and stewardship. “Eastern peoples” (29:1) is used as a general designation for anybody living east of Canaan. Jacob meets a number of shepherds milling around the well, which is covered by a large stone. Happily these shepherds know who Laban is and the state of his health. And even better, Laban’s daughter Rachel comes to ...

613. Deliverance at the Sea

Ex 13:17–14:31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the Egyptians who have turned around and are fleeing west. As the Israelites exit Egypt their path is not the well-fortified international trade and military route heading toward Philistine country, because they are not ready for major battle. In addition God’s design is to make them appear confused in the desert so that Pharaoh will pursue them, resulting in Egypt’s catastrophic defeat and final victory for the Lord. God’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire guides Israel as they travel both ...

614. A Worthy Woman Meets a Worthy Man

Ruth 2:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... character (2:1). Before offering a name introduction, the writer gives information about this person that will be vital to the development of the plot. First, the character happens to be a distant male relative of Naomi’s husband. Second, this relative is designated as a “man of standing” (2:1). The very existence of someone related to Elimelek and Naomi gives the reader cause to hope that Naomi’s misfortunes may change due to legal responsibilities a living family member had to a deceased relative ...

615. Solomon's Officials and Governors

1 Kings 4:1-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 12. In terms of genre, scholars draw attention to similar lists of offices from Egyptian and Assyrian kings, a further indication that Solomon’s court is modeled on the surrounding nations. The next itemization is of the twelve “district governors” whose designated tasks include providing daily bread for the burgeoning royal house (4:7–19) and collecting revenues. The stress on surnames and Solomon’s own family suggests a degree of patronage, and conspicuous by its absence is any mention of Judah ...

616. The Temple's Furnishings

1 Kings 7:13-51

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

After the palatial digression, the interior design of the temple becomes the focus (7:13–40). A signal moment is the arrival of Huram, expressly summoned by Solomon. Huram lays claim ... to keep up with the other nations. Huram’s consultancy draws to a close with an inventory (7:41–51) of his aesthetically pleasing designs, along with a dedication of the objects collected during David’s (many) battles, suggesting that the treasuries are well stocked and the temple is a place of material prosperity.

617. Foreword

Proverbs 1:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... order to achieve specific pedagogical and behavioral goals. Verse 5, which interrupts the sequence, describes how wise individuals will respond to this challenge. Verses 2a and 3–4 refer to the contents of the instruction. The book of Proverbs is designed to help its readers experience wise discipline, the theory and practice of proper living. Appropriately, the first wisdom term employed here is the general term “wisdom” (Hebrew hokmah; there are almost one hundred occurrences in Proverbs of this or ...

618. Be Joyful & Reverent

Ecclesiastes 11:7--12:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... description for a tomb. Given the use of olam (from the same Hebrew root) elsewhere in the book (Eccles. 1:4, 10; 2:16; 3:11, 14; 9:6), however, a meaning for this use is more likely in 12:5. In Ecclesiastes, this word designates that which lasts in contrast with that which is only temporary. Thus understanding “eternal house” here as referring specifically either to the grave or to an eternal residence in heaven (similar to John 14:2–3) is unwarranted. This is reinforced in the third contrast set ...

619. Yahweh’s Sovereignty

Isaiah 44:24--45:25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... s redemptive plan. Cyrus has been raised up and empowered by Yahweh to accomplish God’s kingdom purposes. He has been anointed for the particular purpose of accomplishing God’s work on earth. Therefore, it is even possible to call him “the anointed one,” a designation generally limited to the kings of Israel and Judah. God’s purpose in raising up Cyrus is twofold. First, he will be raised up for the sake of Israel in order to be an instrument of redemption (45:4). Second, he will cause the nations ...

620. Examining Public Worship

Jeremiah 7:1-29, Jeremiah 7:30--8:3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... moral deviations and misguided doctrinal views about the temple, stirs up a vehement response, as we learn from a parallel account in Jeremiah 26:1–15. Attack on venerated tradition is risky business (cf. Acts 7). The sermon, on worship, leads to some instructions designed to correct misguided worship (7:16–26) and to halt bizarre worship (7:27–8:3). It is a prelude to further talk about siege (8–10). Similarly, the sermon of chapters 2–3 precedes the announcement of the northern invader (4:5–6 ...

621. First Message: A Call to Action—Build the Temple

Haggai 1:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 2:1). 1:1–6 · Reproach: Their priorities are wrong—self before God: Haggai’s message is brief and to the point. It is also, more importantly, from the Lord, thus urgent and authoritative. “Lord Almighty” (1:2) is literally “Lord of Hosts.” This designation for God is found frequently in the prophetic books, but is especially common in Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. It is a reminder of the fact that, whatever one’s need, all the resources of heaven and earth are at God’s command. Thus for ...

622. Fourth Vision - Joshua Cleansed

Zechariah 3:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... made possible: “I am going to bring my servant, the Branch” (3:8). The term “servant” is a well-established designation of the Messiah in his capacity of successfully carrying out God’s program of salvation (Isa. 42:1–7; 49:1–9; 50:4–9; 52: ... 13–53:12). The term “Branch” designates the Messiah as Lord (Isa. 4:2), king (Jer. 23:5; 33:15), and man (Zech. 6:12). As the Branch (literally “shoot ...

623. On Divisions in the Church

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... s act in Christ for our present behavior, 3:2; cf. Heb. 5:12–14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Their “jealousy” and “quarreling” demonstrate that they are still under the influence of wisdom that is “worldly” (3:3–4). Paul now uses three metaphors designed to illustrate the purpose and the effects of authentic Christian wisdom. In the first metaphor (3:5–9), using a familiar Old Testament image of the community as God’s field or vineyard, Paul compares his own ministry at Corinth (in which he “planted ...

624. Introduction and No Other Gospel

Galatians 1:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... place to a righteousness based on good works would quite understandably have believed such a “do-nothing” gospel to have been formulated by a desire to be popular among the Gentiles. Paul’s previous anathemas (which could potentially include himself; 1:8) were designed to show that it was not popularity he sought but faithfulness to the gospel as he understood it. The final statement of the verse indicates that if pleasing humanity was his goal, being a “servant of Christ” would not be the most ...

625. Living as Children of Light

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... light of God’s mind, enabled to see as God sees and to make godly decisions (4:23). Third, to make such decisions and actually to live a Christlike lifestyle is to put on the new self, a creature not of one’s own making but designed by God according to true righteousness and genuine dedication to the purposes of his eternal will (4:24). Thus the ongoing change from a godless and selfish deathbound life to the Christlike, eternal life of God involves newness, renewal, an inward change of mind wrought by ...

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