Sermon and Worship Resources

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Romans 14:1--15:13

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... such an exhortation to the strong is that Christ sacrificed himself for others. Quoting Psalm 69:9, Paul applies that text to Christ. Christ has embraced the reproaches heaped upon God by sinners. Psalm 69 is applied to the passion of Christ in the New Testament (Matt. 27:34, 48; Mark 15:23, 36; Luke 23:36; John 2:17; 15:25; 19:29; Acts 1:20; Rom. 11:9–10), so it is fitting that Paul would quote from it in this context. Just as Christ was willing to be scorned for God’s honor, so also the strong should ...

802. The Priority of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... actions do not evidence agap?. Positively, they are verbs describing the generosity of God, their patron (e.g., Matt. 18:26). 13:4 Love is patient. The more excellent way (12:31) is one in which Christ followers wait patiently (Rom. 2:4; 9:22). Actively being patient is a mark of the Spirit’s presence (Gal. 5:22), evidence of holy living (Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:14), and something the Corinthians could learn by imitating Paul (2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:10). love is kind. Doing ...

803. The Woman, the Son, and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... often points directly to the ethical in the New Testament, telling us how to live in light of Christ’s return (e.g., Rom. 13:11; 1 Tim. 6:13–14; 2 Pet. 3:11; James 5:8; 1 John 2:28; 4:17). Jesus’s Olivet (or Eschatological) Discourse (Mark 13; Matt. 24–25) calls us to be alert and prepared for his coming by doing what God has called us to do rather than speculating about when Christ will return.5The present passage offers a great opportunity to point people back to the basics of the Christian life ...

804. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... which Elihu should be viewed. It is true that anger can at times be justified, if it is directed at those things that dishonor God, and that God himself is angry at sin (Exod. 4:14; Deut. 4:25; Ps. 7:6). However, in wisdom literature anger is the mark not of the wise person but of the fool, so Elihu’s words must be evaluated with that in mind. In traditional wisdom, wisdom resides in the elders, who have had the opportunity to observe life broadly. Elihu is well aware of his youth, so he claims that he ...

805. Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that of the leper in the preceding story, illustrates that genuine faith (mentioned here in 2:5 for the first time in Mark) overcomes obstacles to get to Jesus. Just as intercessory prayer is efficacious for others, so here the faith of the four porters ... 13:26; 14:62), (2) to Jesus’s earthly authority (2:10, 28), and most frequently (3) to Jesus’s sufferings (nine times in Mark). Each use of the title refers to a divine attribute (or the fulfillment of one). “Son of Man,” therefore, does not refer to ...

806. The Crucifixion

Mark 15:21-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... may mention the names of his sons Alexander and Rufus because they were known by or members of the church in Rome to which he was writing (see Rom. 16:13). Simon becomes the first person in Mark literally to take up his cross and follow Jesus (8:34). According to Jewish and Roman custom, victims were executed outside city limits (Lev. 24:14; Num. 15:35–36). Jesus is brought to a place called “Golgotha” (15:22; Aramaic “skull” or “scalp”) for crucifixion. Both the oldest Christian ...

807. Jesus' Burial

Mark 15:42-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jew and perhaps a secret believer in Jesus. The ironies of the crucifixion abound: earlier a Roman centurion who crucified Jesus confessed him as the Son of God (15:39); now a member of the Jewish council that condemned Jesus gives him an honorable burial. Mark certifies the death of Jesus on the basis of three witnesses: Joseph (15:43), Pilate (15:44), and the centurion (15:45), two of whom have physical contact with the corpse. This grim fact is necessary and conclusive evidence that chapter 16 is about ...

808. Resurrection: Scripture Fulfilled

Luke 24:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

On Sunday, “the first day of the week,” an unspecified number of women return to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s body (23:56b–24:12). Luke does not tell us that they worried about removing the stone (cf. Mark 16:3), yet when they arrive, the stone has been rolled away and Jesus’s body is no longer in the tomb. Instead, they see two angels dressed in dazzling apparel, who announce to them that Jesus has risen from the dead. Luke calls the angels “men” (24:5), not ...

809. Timothy’s Encouraging Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Titus 3:2). The apostles are concerned about the relationships within the church but also about the church’s relationship with outsiders (4:12; Col. 4:5; cf. 1 Cor. 5:12–13). The roots here are embedded in Jesus’s teaching (Matt. 5:43–48; 22:39; Mark 12:31–33; Luke 10:27–37). The final portion of the prayer focuses on the church’s existence in light of its eschatological hope: “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father” (3:13 ...

810. Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... successively deals with the powers of nature (4:35–41), the demonic (5:1–20), illness (5:21–34), and death (5:35–43). Each story, like the present one, reveals something of Jesus to Mark’s readers, so that the rejection in 6:1–6 is all the more tragic. We should also note that this is one of two sea miracles in Mark, the second found in 6:45–52. It likewise ends with the disciples pictured as failing to see what it really means. Additional Notes 4:35 Evening: This sort of detail, such as the ...

811. Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

Luke 4:31-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to destroy us?” he refers to himself and to the other demons (not to his human host). This NT reference (and its parallel in Mark 1:24) reflects the popular belief that the dawning of the era of salvation would bring destruction to the forces of evil (see also the ... provides further confirmation that Jesus is truly God’s Son, the long-awaited Deliverer. the Holy One of God: Taken over from Mark 1:24, this is an apparent messianic designation found only in the NT. 4:36 “What is this teaching?”: The NIV ...

812. The Calling of Levi

Luke 5:27-32

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... catch of fish (5:1–11), the story of the calling of Levi serves a double purpose. First, it narrates the call itself and, second, it provides a context for the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees that follows (cf. Matt. 9:9–13; Mark 2:13–17). Having called three Galilean fishermen to discipleship (certainly dubious selections in the eyes of the Pharisees), Jesus nows calls a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth (see note below) with his customary summons: “Follow me ...

813. The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... the oral laws and traditions (indeed, as one not worthy himself of receiving assistance from a Jew; see b. Sanhedrin 57a; Talbert, p. 123), and yet he is the one who fulfills the law, as expressed in the quotation of Lev. 19:18 (cf. the similar context of Mark 12:33 where Hos. 6:6 is quoted; see also Matt. 9:13; 12:7). The irony is intensified by Jesus’ command that the expert in the law follow the example of the Samaritan. Evans (p. 43) finds a parallel between this parable and Deuteronomy 7, in which ...

814. The Triumphal Entry

Luke 19:28-44

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Jerusalem from the east (above the Kidron Valley)” (Fitzmyer, p. 1247). On Bethphage see Fitzmyer, p. 1247; on Bethany see HBD, p. 105; Fitzmyer, p. 1248. On the Mount of Olives see Luke 22:39 and note there; HBD, pp. 728–29; Fitzmyer, p. 1248. 19:30 Whereas Mark (11:2, 4, 5, 7) and Luke (19:30, 33) know of only one animal, a colt (see also John 12:14–15), upon which Jesus rode as he entered Jerusalem, Matthew (21:2, 7) mentions a “donkey” and her “colt.” According to Matt. 21:7, Jesus rides ...

815. The Guards Mock Jesus

Luke 22:63-65

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Most of Luke’s account of the trial of Jesus derives from Mark 14:55–15:15, with the exception of 23:4–16, which appears only in Luke. Luke has introduced a few ... at the hands of the guards parallels Mark 14:65, but, unlike the Marcan order, precedes Jesus’ appearance before the Jewish Sanhedrin (cf. Mark 14:55–65). Luke says nothing about an evening interrogation (see Mark 14:53–55), but only describes the daytime proceedings (vv. 66–71; cf. Mark 15:1), thus simplifying the whole account ...

816. Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Luke 24:36-49

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to his disciples (vv. 44–49) and (2) Jesus’ ascension (vv. 50–53). Although giving no evidence of any literary relationship, this section does bear some resemblance to Matt. 28:16–20 and John 20:19–23. It will later be recapitulated in Acts 1:6–11. (Cf. also Mark 16:9–20.) 24:44–49 The main point that Jesus makes in v. 44 is that there really is nothing new or unexpected in his resurrection on the third day. This is so for two reasons: (1) While he was still with them he had told them of ...

817. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... than this passage, Paul’s use of the word “sign” seems neutral. It refers to a clear indication of God’s presence, power, and will. Nevertheless, exactly what such a “sign” means is determined only in context. One can find “signs” (NIV: “distinguishing mark”) or indicators of God’s approval and disapproval, of salvation and wrath—as one would expect in Paul’s apocalyptic-eschatological point of view. Thus, it is best to allow the text of 1 Corinthians 14 to inform us of the meaning ...

818. The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... to focus more clearly on the ultimate concern of any spiritual quest: who is in charge of human existence? And Revelation draws the two possible outcomes of this spiritual quest in very precise lines. On the one hand, when the Evil One gains dominion over those who bear his mark (13:17–18) the result will be their death (13:11–16). On the other hand, when God is allowed to rule over those who bear the Lamb’s name (14:1) the result will be their eternal life (14:2–5). Although the red dragon has real ...

819. Job Speaks

Job 3:1-26

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... 18:1; 19:1; 20:1; 21:1; 22:1; 23:1; 25:1; 26:1. The long, final speech of Job in 26–31 is further marked by two extending continuation markers (wayyosep ʾiyyob seʾet meshalo wayyoʾmar, lit. “Job continued to lift up his mashal [proverb] and said”) in 27:1 and ... . So bitter is life that many are seeking release through death, and rejoice when they reach the grave. 3:23 Verse 23 marks an important shift of focus in the second section of the lament. The NIV has taken the opening words of verse 20, “Why ...

820. God’s Goodness Redefined: The Nearness of God

Psalm 73:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of verses 18–26 (concluded in vv. 27–28) is not that Yahweh will bring the unjust to ruin, nor that God guides his people and can be their strength and portion. These claims are widely attested elsewhere. The breakthrough concerns two qualities of God marked by two conjunctions: yet in verse 23 and but in verse 26, both of which contrast divine and human qualities. First, we see divine persistence in that although one may be embittered and a brute beast before you, yet . . . I am always with you; you ...

821. The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15:21-28

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... ,” thus indicating early spring) and the feeding of the four thousand in Matthew 15 (v. 35 says they sat “on the ground,” epi tēn gēn, which suggests later in the summer, when the grass would be scorched). A comparison of Matthew and Mark indicates that the latter records the healing of a deaf mute, while the former gives a summary of Jesus’ healing ministry among the Gentiles. Though there were non-Jewish settlements on both sides of the Sea of Galilee, they were clustered far more heavily on ...

822. Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... one of several “transitional summaries” in the early chapters of his account (other examples are 1:39; 3:11–12; 4:33–34; 6:6, 56). These are places where Mark both summarizes aspects of Jesus’ ministry and makes a transition to another account. These passages are also interesting as indicators of the editorial interests of Mark, since they are clearly his own direct comments upon the tradition of Jesus with which he is working. In the present passage, Jesus is shown working many wonders of healing ...

823. The Little Children and Jesus

Mark 10:13-16

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... Paul assures his readers that the children of a marriage of Christian with non-Christian are “holy.” Among at least some Gnostics both marriage and procreation were regarded as evil, though it must be pointed out that the evidence for Christian Gnostics is later than the time of Mark. Cf. Matt. 19:13–15; Luke 18:15–17; Matt. 18:3. See also “Family,” IDB, vol. 2, pp. 238–41. 10:15 I tell you the truth: the oathlike formula peculiar to Jesus in the Gospels. See note on 3:28. 10:16 He took the ...

824. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... matters) emphasizes this. It should be noted that in 11:27–33 a group led by the high priests opposes Jesus; later in the narrative, Sadducees (12:18–27) and “teachers of the law” (12:28–40) come into conflict with him. Thus, one by one, Mark shows each of the major Jewish groups in Jesus’ time opposing him, as the narrative builds toward the climactic scene of his trial and execution in chapters 14–15. Second, the particular matter dealt with here, taxes to Rome, was still very much a concern ...

825. Jesus Heals Many

Luke 4:38-44

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... anticipates the apostolic practice in the Book of Acts (see Acts 6:6; 8:18). 4:41 would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ: The prohibition not to make known Jesus’ messianic identity is a theme that is taken over in part from Mark. In the Marcan context the idea is that Jesus’ messianic identity is to be kept a secret until Easter, when it will be more correctly understood. 4:43 the kingdom of God: This is the first occurrence of this expression in Luke (6:20; 7:28; 8:1, 10 ...

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