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Showing 51 to 75 of 538 results

51. Paul's Concern for the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... churches, he voluntarily declines to use it for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:1–18). For Paul, selflessness is more of a sign of true apostleship than taking advantage of the congregations (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2; 11:7–12). Hence, the reason Paul refrains from accepting support is not that he is inferior to the other so-called apostles, but rather that he is concerned for the success of his mission. With the same irony as in 11:7, Paul asks the Corinthians to forgive him for not being a burden to them ...

52. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philippians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... of the leaders. E. Best envisages the possibility that Paul had received a letter statedly sent from “the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,” and took up this form of words in his reply, rather pointedly refraining from giving himself any title but “slave of Christ Jesus.” When, about fifty years later, Polycarp wrote to the Philippian church, it was still administered by a plurality of leaders, to whom he refers as “elders” (To the Philippians 6:1; 11:1 ...

53. “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God”

Psalm 19:1-14

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 148:1 and 4 also picture the heavens praising God. They report in scribal fashion (mesapperim), as if reading from the book of divine creation, because God has written his word there and they cannot refrain from proclaiming it. Note that the “heavens” (shamayim) and the “firmament” (raqi‘a; NIV: “skies”) are parallel, as they are in Genesis (see esp. Gen. 1:8, “God called the vault [raqi‘a] ‘sky’ [shamayim]”). The sense is similar to Ezekiel 43 ...

54. Like a Venomous Snake

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... baked cake. When it was over, the man turned sadly to his wife. “Did you ever notice,” he asked, “that they never advertise celery on television?” (3) Temptation is everywhere when you are weak. And don’t feel virtuous just because you are able to refrain from the more popular vices. Even doing nothing can be sinful, that’s why there is a category of vices called sloth. You may remember that in the Odyssey Odysseus and his crew arrived at the island of the lotus‑eaters. The inhabitants of this ...

55. Warning Against False Teachers of the Law

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... emphasized with the addition by the command of God. Ordinarily he speaks of his apostleship as “by the will of God” (cf. 2 Tim. 1:1); but in this letter he is going to charge Timothy to “command” the church, or the errorists, to do or refrain from doing certain things. Thus he who gives commands is himself under command. The source of Paul’s authority is God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope. It is Paul’s habit especially in the salutations to qualify the mention of God, but only in the ...

56. Star Miracle

Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-22, Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the nativity story from Joseph's stance: he is a good man, unwilling to disgrace his fiance, who is pregnant by the Holy Spirit; he is advised by God to marry her in spite of her pregnancy and directed to name the child "Jesus." He is a man who refrains from sexual relations until Mary gives birth to Jesus. The focus is on Joseph rather than on Mary. 3. Related Passages Joshua 10:12-14 - The sun and moon stand still. 2 Kings 20:8-11 - The sun goes backwards. John 1:4-9 - Light overcomes darkness. John 8:12 ...

57. The First Council

Acts 15:1-21

Sermon Aid

CSS

... -Christian standard of morality must prevail, even though the laws of Moses had been superseded by the law of love. Fornication practiced in the name of religion was not compatible with the Christian life. Third and fourth, Gentiles were asked to refrain from eating things strangled and from eating meat from which the blood had not been drained. While these regulations seem to smack of Jewish ceremonialism, they actually were not repressive and may have had some value as a health safeguard. In any event ...

58. Resurrection: From Lesser to Higher Morality

Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

... a judgment was called for (Exodus 21:22-23). Indeed, as Sarah’s grandfather told the little village the law, he taught that the morality of life - the following of the law - was the central way in which God was honored. He would say, "When you refrain from stealing, you thus honor the Almighty God. When you give honor to your parents, God is honored. When you do no murder, you thus pay respect for the life God has given." So you see, the growing morality within Judaism, separating them from the foreign ...

59. Transfiguration

Psalm 2:1-12, Matthew 17:1-13, 2 Peter 1:12-21, Exodus 24:1-18

Sermon Aid

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

... the implications of that experience for inspired speaking and interpretation of scripture. Matthew's text stands back from the action and tells the story from a different point of view, that of the narrator of the gospel story, and refrains from overt interpretation or extrapolation. 2 Peter 1:16-21 - "Eyewitnesses of His Majesty" Setting. 2 Peter as a whole is passionately concerned with denouncing heretical tendencies in the Church and with criticizing those engaging in "false" teaching. The letter ...

60. Lent 1

Mt 4:1-11 · Rom 5:12-21 · Gen 2:7 - 3:7 · Ps 32

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... that have ever marched have not changed the world as much as that One Solitary Life." As we look at the world with all its enormous problems, it is easy to feel insignificant. We might be tempted to speak out or act out against some problem but then refrain from doing so as we think, what can I do? I'm just a tiny drop in an endless sea. Paul argues that sin came into the world through one person but so did salvation. Outline: One person can unleash unimaginable evil (e.g. Hitler) One person can unloose ...

61. Proper 15

Genesis 45:1-28, Matthew 15:21-28, Romans 11:1-10, Romans 11:25-32, Psalm 133:1-3

Sermon Aid

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

... become ar in the final verses of our lesson, when he says, "The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." God's choice of the Jews is universal and eternal. But then, what does it mean that many Jews do not believe? Paul refrains from comment upon Jewish unbelief; rather he explains what is happening in terms of divine activity. And what an odd God we find Paul declaring! John Calvin and others have struggled with the idea of "predestination" (God . . . foreknew), and the image of God constructed in ...

62. Lent 2

Psalm 121:1-8, Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-25, John 3:1-21

Sermon Aid

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

... are likely responses to those who advocate some form of law-observance in the Christian context. For preaching today, we should allow our criticisms to fall on legalists, not Jews; and, in fact, we should wonder whether we really lose Paul's point by refraining from negative polemics. Unless we are contending with legalism in our own context, we probably do Paul no disservice by laying aside the negative dimensions of his remarks. John 3:1-17 - "The Necessity of Second Birth" Setting. We come in Lent to a ...

63. Flesh and Spirit

Romans 8:12-17

Sermon

Gibson “Nibs” Stroupe

... is not to get us out of the world or out of our lives but rather to get us back into the world and deeper into ourselves as children of God, as authentic human beings. When anxiety strikes us, as it surely will and does daily, Paul tells us to refrain from fleeing from our anxiety by running to the idols. He urges us to cry out "Abba" (Daddy), to ask God to preserve us and lift us up. Jesus knows our finitude and our individuality and our anxiety. He was one of us. He knows the ways of the flesh — they ...

64. Breaking News: The Middle East

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

James Merritt

... is the number one reason why there will never be a pervasive, permanent peace in the world. Over a decade ago on September 11, 2001, the world was plunged into what President George W. Bush labeled, “The War on Terror.” I realize the politically correct crowd refrains from using that word, but that is indeed what we were in. I want to make a prediction. This is a war that will never completely end until the world does. I know that because it is a war that has been going on in practicality for well ...

65. The Blood of Christ

Hebrews 9:11-28

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... 14). It is itself the heavenly reality, not made by hands, the place of “God’s presence” (9:24). Thus Christ entered the Most Holy Place not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood. But as F. F Bruce notes, the author refrains from actually saying that Christ took his blood into the Holy of Holies. This would be to press the analogy too far, with the result that the atonement is made to depend upon something subsequent to the cross, that is, the appearance of Christ and the offering ...

66. Jephthah

Jud 10:6–11:40

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... in the afterlife. The final word of the father-daughter dialogue came from the father’s mouth—one simple word, “Go.” Then she returned to her father and he did as he had vowed (v. 39). The text speaks volumes by its very silence. It refrains from saying what the father did in order to communicate more dramatically, more forcefully what he did. The silence of the text has provided a basis for some interpreters to rationalize Jephthah’s action by reading into the text what they thought it should say ...

67. Christ The King

Ephesians 1:15-23, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, Ezekiel 34:1-31, Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... , you did it not to me" (v. 45). Some of us think that we can preserve our innocence by retreating from action in the world. Not possible, according to the teaching of Jesus. To act and to err is more forgivable in God's eyes than to refrain from action. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES A three-point sermon on the kingship of Christ, each point based on one of the lessons, could be framed as follows: Outline: 1. Christ is the Shepherd-King, caring for his fold (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24) (Jesus appropriates this image ...

68. On Not Knowing What to Say

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... dumb things over the years. Therefore, I can sympathize with Peter on the occasion described in our Scripture. I can also sympathize with whoever it was who said, commenting on our text for the morning, “Blessed are they who, when they do not know what to say, refrain from saying it.” I. PETER “DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY, FOR THEY WERE EXCEEDINGLY AFRAID.” (v. 6) says St. Mark. I can’t blame Peter much. I imagine if I had the same kind of vision he had, I, too, would be afraid. And after the vision ...

69. Food Sacrificed to Idols

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... and practices of all believers. Thus, while Paul apparently had no problem with eating meat (eat meat again implies that he had eaten it already), he offers an illustrative personal example as the solution to the situation in Corinth, saying that he would refrain from eating meat (possibly idol meat) if his eating caused his brother to fall into sin. The sin mentioned here, in the context of the discussion of verse 12, is a violation of conscience, doing what others do rather than what one understands to ...

70. When Ten Equals Two

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Larry Powell

... and unlearned had bantered the merits and demerits of Darwin’s proposition. It was common knowledge that Wilberforce utterly deplored the work and had spoken scathingly of it from the pulpit. The chairman of the Scientific Society instructed Wilberforce to refrain from mentioning the controversial subject in his remarks. It was also pointed out to the good Bishop that, although Darwin was not present, his good friend Thomas Huxley was. The Bishop proceeded to warm to his assigned topic and presently waxed ...

71. From Father Failure to Divine Father

Romans 8:12-17

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... self-projections. Paradoxically, once we accept responsibility for ourselves and for the world, God, as divine Father, shares responsibility with us and cooperates with us for good. Therefore, as children of God, we cease blaming our ancestors for our behavior and we refrain from projecting our ideal of God unto God. Instead, we commit ourselves to God, who by his grace accepts us into his family of love, ever beseeching us to become new persons. As children of God, we come not to resign ourselves to ...

72. All Saints' Sunday

Mt 5:1-12 · 1 Jn 3:1-3 · Isa 26:1-21 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:9-11, 22-27; 22:1-5 · Ps 24 · Ps 34 · Ps 149

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... been understood to mean weak. Actually, the concept signifies controlled and disciplined strength. Brute strength is common in our world. Truly, this is not strength but force. When someone hits or hurts you, and you have the power to strike back, but refrain from doing so, this is real meekness. Full is not the same as satisfied. In the NRSV, fullness is the blessed state of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6). The older RSV employs the word "satisfied." The old translation is superior ...

73. Proper 19

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to pass judgment on his brothers. Paul asks the question: "Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister?" This sermon could address that question coupled with a warning of dangers of passing judgment on others. If we are to pass God's judgment, we must refrain from passing judgment on others. Outline: 1. Why do we judge others? it makes us feel superior it keeps us from facing our own sins 2. Why should we not pass judgment on others? we are not God and don't see the big picture we cannot see inside ...

74. Adam’s Prime Rib

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... was a strong religious believer, so he quoted a proverb of Solomon from the Bible: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing.” But the father surprised him by responding with a quote from St. Paul, “He who marries his betrothed does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.” The young man was at a loss for a reply for a moment, but then he came up with this: since Solomon had seven hundred wives and Paul had none, Solomon ought to be a better judge concerning marriage. Today’s First ...

75. Must We Have All the Answers?

Gn 2:9 · Deut 30:19-20 · Job 52:5

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... That one rule proves too much for Adam and Eve; disobeying God, they go ahead and partake of its fruit. It is then that the trouble begins. In essence, they wanted to become one with the tree of life; the root of God’s insistence that they refrain from doing that lies not in God’s wish to keep his creation stupid, but rather in God’s wish to keep his creation creaturely. Gerhard von Rad writes: With a father’s disposition God had purposed every conceivable kindness for man; but his will was that in ...

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