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 751 to 775 of 779 results

751. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord gives greater priority to obedience than to religious formalism. Understanding the Text In this account the narrator’s pro-David/anti-Saul agenda continues to gain momentum. In chapter 13 Samuel announced that Saul would have no royal dynasty, placing the king on thin ice. Chapter 14 did nothing to ease our concerns about Saul, as he exhibited a preoccupation with his own honor and an obsession with religious formalism, particularly oaths. He was ready to execute his own son, and he ...

752. The Lord Guides, Encourages, and Protects David

1 Samuel 23:1-29

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord guides, encourages, and protects his chosen servants in their darkest hours. Understanding the Text Saul’s intention to destroy David was never clearer than in chapter 22, which tells how Saul murdered the priests of Nob simply because he believed they had conspired with David against him. As the story continues, the tension is high because God told David to return to Judah (22:5), placing him in harm’s way. But chapter 23 shows that the God who places his servant in harm’s way also ...

753. Installing the New Leader and Moses’ Swan Song

Deut 31:14–32:47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

31:14–18 · Moses and Joshua are to appear at the entrance to the tabernacle so all the people can witness that it is God who is commissioning Joshua and not Moses alone (31:14–18). The glory of the Lord, which has been their guide throughout the wilderness journey (31:15; Exod. 13:21; 33:9–11; Num. 9:15–23), appears at Joshua’s installation. One more time God uses the occasion to warn Israel of the dreaded curses that will come upon them if they stray from what his law teaches. 31:19–32:47 · So that later ...

754. One Like a Son of Man

Revelation 1:9-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

It is on “the Lord’s Day” (i.e., Sunday) when John has an ecstatic experience that sweeps his spirit into the heavenly realm (1:10; cf. 2 Cor. 12:2). With imagery that anticipates the heavenly liturgy to come (Revelation 4–5), a great voice like a temple trumpet (see Lev. 23:24) resounds and commissions John to write what he sees on a scroll. A messenger will then take the scroll from Patmos to the mainland and travel a circular route from Ephesus to Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and ...

755. The Throne in Heaven

Revelation 4:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

4:1–19:21 Review · Heaven as the Eschatological Temple and the Theater for Cosmic Warfare: In Revelation 1–3, John saw the throne room of God from which the divine Son of Man judges the seven churches in Asia. This theophany, specifically a throne-chariot theophany, is described with even greater detail in Revelation 4–5, which continues the image of heaven as the throne room and royal court of God, but also introduces the central composite vision that forms the backbone of the entire book of Revelation. ...

756. The Time Is Now!

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

Unlike John or Peter, the gospel writer Luke was a cool-headed intellect. Luke was a physician. As a physician, he was trained to keep his emotional distance from the events he saw. Nobody wants a physician who lets emotion run ahead of intellect. We want our medical doctors to be able to confront the most remarkable experiences and stay calm; to analyze, decide the best course of action, and prescribe whatever it takes to get the patient well again. Above all else, "Keep calm and carry on." That is, do ...

757. The Parable of the Ten Minas

Luke 19:11-27

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

The Parable of the Ten Minas (or “Pounds”) provides a transition from the visit with Zacchaeus (19:1–10), in which the proper use of wealth was thematic, to the Triumphal Entry (19:28–48), in which Jesus enters Jerusalem as its king. Both aspects of stewardship and kingship are seen in the Parable of the Ten Minas. The Parable of the Ten Minas bears an uncertain relationship to the similar parable found in Matt. 25:14–30 (cf. also Matt. 25:14 and Mark 13:34 with Luke 19:12–13). In the Matthean version a ...

758. Prologue

Revelation 1:1-3

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The author’s prologue to Revelation intends to establish its content as a revelation (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ. The book’s opening phrase has a twofold function. First, it situates the composition within a particular literary and theological tradition: apocalypticism. Within this tradition, the idea of revelation refers to a process whereby God makes known through visions the final days of salvation’s history. Such visions are not like dreams; they are revelatory acts of God, mediated typically through ...

759. The Three Angels

Revelation 14:6-13

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

14:6–7 The function of angels throughout Revelation is to facilitate God’s redemptive program; this is the role, then, of another angel that John saw flying in midair (cf. 8:13; 19:17). In particular, this first of a triad of angels proclaims the eternal gospel … to those who live on the earth. John uses the technical word for gospel only here in Revelation; its use is made more striking since the angel intends it for the lost inhabitants of earth rather than for the saints who have trusted its claims and ...

760. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The concluding section of early Christian letters often contains the author’s benediction, typically expressed as a prayer or doxology, but often accompanied by many other pastoral conventions as well. In his letters, for example, Paul sometimes closes his correspondence by greeting various acquaintances in a particular congregation (cf. Rom. 16), perhaps to encourage them in their faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:19–20) or to give them instructions (cf. Col. 4:15–16). In several of his letters, he includes a list of ...

761. Saul Made King

1 Samuel 10:9-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Coronation and Confirmation of Saul: 10:9–16 The exact significance of the change in Saul’s heart is not clear. The mention of the fulfillment of the signs may indicate that he was now convinced about his commission, although verse 16 could cast doubt on this. Only the third of Samuel’s three signs is described in detail. Saul did meet the prophets and did temporarily join in their prophesying, an experience as unexpected to those who saw as it was to Saul. It gained proverbial significance as Saul ...

762. The Lord Rejects Saul as King

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Saul Is Rejected: 15:1–3 Verse 1 recalls Samuel’s previous influence in Saul’s life. Whether there is discord between them or in spite of any criticism he may have made since, Samuel reminds Saul that he had been appointed to anoint Saul as king. Now Samuel has a further task from God for Saul to carry out. He is to be entrusted with the punitive destruction of the Amalekites in a holy war. The reason given for this severe treatment is the Amalekites’ attacks on the vulnerable Israelites coming out of ...

763. Samuel Anoints David

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Introducing David: The focus again moves, this time from Saul to David. Saul remains in the picture up to 2 Samuel 1, and his influence is felt after that in the ongoing tensions between the north and the south in Israel. But from this point Saul is a secondary character. Samuel, who had resigned his commission as national leader (ch. 12), is recalled to anoint David. Samuel’s return underlines the portrayal of Saul’s reign as being a pause before the genuine new age arose in Israel with David’s ...

764. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 2:1-23

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 ...

765. The Ascension

Luke 24:50-53

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

24:50–53 Having given them his final commission, which will be repeated in Acts 1:4–8, Jesus led his disciples out to the vicinity of Bethany (about a mile and a half from Jerusalem) and lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. Although this last phrase is omitted in two manuscripts, many other old manuscripts, among them the very oldest, do include it, and so it is probably best to regard it as an original part of the account. Even without ...

766. David In Saul's Service

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

767. Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-31

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

20:24-29 In John, the unbelief of the disciples as a group is not mentioned explicitly, only their fear of the Jewish authorities. The unbelief is attributed instead to one disciple, Thomas, in particular (vv. 24–25). The appearance to him in verses 26–29 is really an extension of the appearance to the gathered disciples in verses 19–23, even though it takes place a week later. Verses 24–25 link the two incidents together, so that in effect what is said to the disciples in verses 19–23 is said to Thomas as ...

768. The Song of Moses

Deuteronomy 31:30--32:47

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

A Song for the Future: At the beginning of Chapter 31, we move finally to the “outer frame” of the book, composed of chapters 1–3 and 31–34. The links between the two sections are very clear, and they could be read together continuously. The common theme, especially at the “join” (cf. 3:21–28), is the commissioning of Joshua to lead the Israelites into the land, in view of the fact that Moses would not do so but would die outside it. However, whereas chapters 1–3 focus primarily on the past, chapters 31–34 ...

769. Run Away Bride

Exodus 24:1-18, Matthew 22:1-14, Hosea 1:1-2:1

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred. Proverbs 15:17 If you are a fan of Facebook, you know that by looking at someone’s “status,” you can find out some things about a person: whether they are male or female, where they live, and most intriguingly, their “relationship status.” That is, of course, if they have filled in those blanks and answered those questions when they set up the account. Some status indicators say: “In a relationship.” Others simply say “ ...

770. Babel

Genesis 11:1-9

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Brick layers are not bad people. Brick layers are some of the most skilled artisans and craftsmen around. They’ve learned an important trade. They build homes. They build bridges. They build walkways. They build walls. And sometimes, we have to have a few walls for protecting intimate space and private rituals, don’t we? But when you start brick laying for brick laying’s sake, when you become obsessed with building walls to protect or flaunt territories, or to acquire and exclusivize space, you have ...

771. Seeing with Eyes Closed

Exodus 34:1-28, Exodus 34:29-35, John 1:1-18, Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

Lori Wagner

When Joe Campos left for work on Long Island during heavy rains Monday a week ago, he never imagined he would return home entirely changed. Joe worked for Ramon Stone Construction Company. He had just lifted a heavy metal chain when he saw lightning hit the ground about 20 feet in front of him. It took less than a second to travel from there to him, knocking him to the ground. Joe described the experience as numbing his entire body at first, so that he couldn’t move. Eventually, he got up, went inside, and ...

772. Now, It's Personal

Matthew 5:21-37

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

Thirty years ago I was serving on the staff of a large church as the minister of Christian Education and Youth Ministry. The Education Commission and the Youth Council were made up, mostly of parents who worked with me on the programs for youth and children — Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, those kinds of things. One year, for Vacation Bible School, we decided to set up a large tent — a really large one under which you could seat 100 or more people — on the parking lot and use it for our opening ...

773. Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

Will Willimon

"If I speak in human tongues or even the speech of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal," Strong words to one who makes his living trying hard to speak in the tongues of angels, or at least of Billy Graham. I could pass peacefully if, after one of my sermons, I overheard someone on the third row say to her boyfriend, "Dr. Willimon sounded just like an angel today." I'm in the "tongues of men and of angels" business. And yet, says Paul in this thirteenth chapter of Corinthians, ...

774. How to Beat a Stress Test

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

King Duncan

If you have ever spent any time in an airport then you know how busy, crazy and complicated they can be. And think about all the things you don’t see—for example, the inner details of doing intensive security checks . . . or matching up thousands of pieces of baggage with the right traveler and the right airplane . . . or monitoring weather conditions all over the world. It’s pretty incredible that millions of people fly all over the world every year with few disruptions. How do airports do it? Well, did ...

775. Shake It Up

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Shaken not stirred.” When James Bond orders his signature martini, this is always what he says. The phrase signals a long-running amusement for serial Bond fans. Why? Bartenders and drink afficionados know that no one makes a martini by shaking it. The drink is always stirred.[1] But then Bond never does anything “by the book.” And never gently. The famous 007 has his personal preferences. But more than that, his presence packs a wallop. When he is engaged in a mission, he’s all in and streamlined like a ...

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