Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 626 to 650 of 2844 results

626. The Disciples’ Insufficient Faith to Heal as Jesus Heals

Matthew 17:14-23, Matthew 17:24-27

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Jesus, now revealed as the suffering Messiah, continues his kingdom ministry of healing, while his disciples demonstrate their “little faith” by their inability to heal as he does. Understanding the Text Matthew’s emphasis in the account of the healing in 17:14–20 is on the disciples’ inability to heal (17:19–20) in spite of the authority given them by Jesus to do so (see 10:1, 8). Their inability is tied to their little faith (17:20), already attributed to the disciples at 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16: ...

627. Family in the New Kingdom Community

Mark 10:13-16, Mark 10:1-12

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: The emphasis here is on family life in the new kingdom community. Jesus states that the easy-divorce policy advocated by many rabbis was not God’s will, and that divorce was allowed only because of their stubborn sin. He further teaches that children are models for kingdom living; to enter life with God, all must have a childlike faith. Understanding the Text There is both geographical and thematic movement in this section. Geographically, Jesus continues south, moving through Galilee and across ...

628. New Dominion as a Blessing of the New Covenant: Dead to Sin

Romans 6:1-14

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

Big Idea: In chapter 6 Paul presents another blessing: new dominion. The first Adam forfeited his dominion over the earth. But Christ, the last Adam, inaugurated a new age and new covenant, restoring the lost dominion. Believers enter that new dominion by uniting with Christ’s death and resurrection: they become dead to sin and alive to God. Understanding the Text While Romans 3:21–5:21 developed the theme of justification, Romans 6:1–8:16 is devoted to the topic of sanctification.1On the one hand, ...

629. Ethics and Eschatology

Romans 13:8-14

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

Big Idea: Ethics and eschatology go hand in hand. Because the age to come has dawned, Christians participate in the new covenant; but because the present age continues, Christians must love others and not cater to the flesh. Indeed, the dawning of the age to come in Christ empowers believers to love others in the present age. The Old Testament law could not accomplish this. Understanding the Text Romans 13:8–14 resumes Paul’s discussion about Christian love in 12:9–21. At the same time, 13:8–14 anticipates ...

630. Many Parts, One Body

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: In a fashion parallel to the physical body, which God created with a plurality of parts with different functions, God grants a multiplicity of spiritual gifts in order for the Christ community to function as the incarnate body of Christ. Understanding the Text After giving a theological basis for unity in diversity, Paul now turns to a most memorable explication that stands out in a special way in the Corinthian situation. The multiplicity of spiritual gifts is designed to enable Christ’s members ...

631. The Woman, the Son, and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: God protects Jesus Christ and the messianic community against satanic attack. Understanding the Text As well as being the start of a new major section, Revelation 12 stands as the theological heart of the book because it shows why the church faces spiritual hostility in this world and how God provides the victory. Revelation 12:1–14:20 forms a grand interlude detailing the cosmic conflict between God and the forces of evil, as well as God’s vindication of his people and judgment of the ...

632. The Beast from the Sea (Antichrist)

Revelation 13:1b-10

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: Christians are called to faithful endurance when confronted by the beast from the sea, an evil force empowered by the dragon and determined to deceive the world, blaspheme God, and persecute believers. Understanding the Text As we continue through the interlude of 12:1–14:20, chapter 12 closes with Satan standing on the shore of the sea (12:18 in the Greek text but moved to 13:1 by some translations). Chapters 12 and 13 must be seen together. Having been prevented from reaching the woman, the ...

633. The Priestly Portions of Sacrifices

Lev 6:8–7:38

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s ministers help people to worship, and they deserve to be paid. Understanding the Text Leviticus 1:1–6:7 discusses the five basic sacrifices from the layperson’s point of view. Leviticus 6:8–7:38 changes the audience to priests: “Aaron and his sons” (Lev. 6:9, 25). This unit emphasizes portions of the sacrifices to be given to the priests. It anticipates Leviticus 8–10, on the ordination and duties of priests. Historical and Cultural Background A relief from Karnak in Egypt showing a man ...

634. The Day of Atonement: Preparation

Leviticus 16:1-34

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: The high priest must be purified before conducting the Day of Atonement sacrifices. Understanding the Text Leviticus 16, on the Day of Atonement, is a transitional chapter, giving a general remedy for the problem of uncleanness described in Leviticus 11–15. It also prepares the way for the laws of holiness that follow (Lev. 17–27). Leviticus 16 is arguably the most important chapter in Leviticus, introducing the Day of Atonement, the highest and most sacred day in the Israelite calendar. Its ...

635. Disrespect Can Be Deadly

1 Sam 2:12-36

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord opposes those who treat him with contempt and withholds his promised blessings from those who despise him. Understanding the Text Samuel’s arrival at Shiloh (1:28; 2:11) provides a contrastive backdrop for the author’s negative portrait of Eli and his sons. The narrator alternates between negative accounts of Eli’s house (2:12–17, 22–25, 27–36) and brief positive observations about Samuel’s growing relationship with the Lord (2:18–21, 26). This culminates in the account of how Samuel ...

636. Bildad Again Beats the Retribution Drum

Job 18:1-21

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Bildad’s theological system leaves no room for a righteous person to suffer as Job has. Understanding the Text Bildad’s second response to Job, in this chapter, echoes many of the points made by Eliphaz in his second speech, in Job 15. As a theoretical thinker, Bildad views Job’s situation as a generic case study of retribution, not as the unique, personal tragedy that it is. Bildad’s rigid thinking, therefore, leaves him little room to encourage Job. Bildad begins with a strong retort against ...

637. “May Your Unfailing Love Be with Us, Lord”

Psalm 33:1-22

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: The story of humanity, from creation to redemption, is tied together with the golden thread of God’s unfailing love. Understanding the Text Psalm 33 is atypical of the psalms in Book 1 in that it has no title, sharing this feature only with Psalm 10 (assuming, of course, that Psalms 1 and 2 are introductory). It is a good example of the hymn, which represents the “purest form” of praise to God, expressing who he is and what he does.[1] The absence of a title has led to the speculation that this ...

638. Paul’s Apostolic Salutation and Prayer

Philippians 1:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The opening verses of Paul’s letters often introduce the major themes of the epistle that follows, and Philippians is no exception. Although Paul follows the letter-writing conventions of his time, he is not limited by them and uses them to further his purposes in writing. So in the opening sentences of the Letter to the Philippians, Paul presents the great theme of the Philippians’ partnership with him in the gospel that will characterize the entire epistle. He also introduces the idea of humble service ...

639. The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

This chapter may appear to be an intrusion into the discussion of idols and eating foods that were sacrificed to an idol, but Paul takes himself and the matter of his rights as an apostle as an illustration of a proper demeanor for Christians. W. Willis (“An Apostolic Apologia? The Form and Function of 1 Corinthians 9,” JSNT 24 [1985], pp. 33–48) is correct in observing that this section of the epistle is not about Paul’s claiming of his rights as an apostle, despite the titles given to this portion of the ...

640. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

John’s final, most detailed and most important vision of Christ’s parousia is of a new heaven and a new earth, the Holy City, and the new Jerusalem where the dwelling of God is with men and the old order of things has passed away. Following the return of the Lamb, after his last battle and millennial reign, after the destruction of Satan, of his evil kingdom, and finally of death itself, the vision of the eschatological city of God “may be viewed as the climax not only of the book of Revelation, but of the ...

641. The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Leviticus 8:1-36

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Ordination of the Priests: The next portion of Leviticus is primarily a historical narrative of the ordination of the priests and the inauguration of the priestly cult of ancient Israel. These chapters pick up the story from the book of Exodus where God gives instructions for building the tabernacle and for ordaining the priests connected to the place of worship. The tabernacle is completed and accepted as a proper place of worship in Exodus 40:34–38. The ordination of the priests to offer sacrifice in ...

642. Discharges Causing Uncleanness

Leviticus 15:1-33

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Bodily Discharges: This chapter is the final one to offer explicit instructions on hygiene, specifically concerning bodily emissions or discharges. It leads to the description of the ritual of the Day of Atonement, which offers a way to remove impurity. These discharges cause impurity, but impurity that does not last very long. Wenham has raised the possibility that chapters 11–15 are organized according to the duration of the impurity, from longest to shortest (Leviticus, p. 216). Chapter 15 itself seems ...

643. Zelophehad's Daughters

Numbers 27:1-11

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The New Generation: Inheritance and Leadership 27:1–7: The census in chapter 26 prepares for the distribution of the land. The custom in ancient Israel was that land stayed with the tribe and was passed from father to son. The question now arises as to what happens when there are no sons but only daughters. The daughters of Zelophehad . . . belonged to the clans of Manasseh. The five of them—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah—approach the community’s judicial body in an effort to inherit their father’ ...

644. Joshua to Succeed Moses

Numbers 27:12-23

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

645. The World Hates the Disciples

John 15:18--16:4

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

Jesus’ Love and the World’s Hatred: Just as it is possible to imagine a stage of the tradition when the only farewell discourse was 13:31–35, so it is possible to imagine a stage when the discourse extended to 14:31 but no further. There is a smooth transition from that verse’s summons to “leave” to the statement in 18:1 that Jesus “left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.” At the end of chapter 14, the reader expects the group to leave and the discourse to end. Instead, the discourse ...

646. The Disciples' Grief Will Turn to Joy

John 16:17-33, John 16:5-16

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

The second farewell discourse runs most closely parallel to the first precisely where it is most properly a “farewell” (i.e., where it addresses directly the question of Jesus’ impending departure; cf. 13:33). Here, inevitably, is also where the differences between the two discourses become most noticeable. Whereas the first discourse was largely structured around a series of questions by various disciples, here the question-and-answer method seems to be consciously abandoned. The earlier discourse began ...

647. The Sign of Jonah

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Story Lectionary: Hebrew Scriptures for Post Resurrection Week Two: The Book of Jonah (you will find a complete image exegesis of the Story of Jonah in Giving Blood by Leonard Sweet. Reading this exegesis first will help in your image exegesis of the post resurrection text for this week regarding Peter known as Simon bar Jonah) The Song of Jonah Psalm 51 Psalm 139 Acts Chapter 10: The Story of Peter’s Conversion of the Gentiles The Gospel of John: Jesus’ Seaside Appearance and the Call of Peter Jesus ...

648. Dorcas, Dinah, or Delilah (Who are You?)

Genesis 34:1-31, Judges 16:1-22, Acts 9:32-43

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Names are fun. We all like to play with names. We get excited about naming our babies. We give each other nicknames. We call each other names –sometimes for fun, sometimes not in the best spirit! We give our children ancestral names, biblical names, and sometimes, off-the-wall names! We name our animals according to what they look like, or what they mean to us. Names are identity markers. They reveal something about how we see the world around us and the people in it. They reveal something about our ...

649. Faith Power

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Lori Wagner

If it weren’t for faith and trust, we would have no exploration, discovery, feats of wonder, inventions, advances in medicine, or relationships. Every step we take toward something new, unknown, or unexplored leads us into a territory of faith. Like the leap across the gaping cavern or the step into utter darkness believing in a floor beneath us, faith and trust allow us to step out of our current known and into the unknown, believing it is knowable. Faith is trust in things we do not know in our sensory ...

650. The Fork in the Path

Matthew 10:24-39

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Your mission, if you choose to accept it…..” Everyone knows this famous line from the show “Mission Impossible.” In the show, Phelps receives his challenge mission via some kind of device. After he’s heard it, the device explodes or evaporates or otherwise disappears. From there, he must either accept the mission and go forward into his next adventure. Or he can apparently decline. The choice is inferred in that opening sentence. In the show, however, he never declines. If he did, we would have no show ...

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