Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 826 to 850 of 1089 results

Ruth 4:1-12

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... Responding to Boaz, the patriarchal council offers up no substantive summary of its own but three joyous toasts that, like Boaz’s speech, come packaged within opening and closing inclusios. These inclusios take a simple phrase—May the LORD give—and artistically embellish it into a tapestry of celebration. First, “may the LORD” make Ruth as fertile as Rachel and Leah. Perhaps it is impossible for overpopulated postmoderns to relate to this, but this is the prayer of every Israelite. Children are a ...

827. Rebuilding the Altar

Ezra 3:1-6

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the new temple, stood firmly on the side of the younger generation, looking hopefully toward the future and patiently grateful for only partially satisfying mercies in the present. The final reference to how far the combined volume of noise carried creates an artistic link with the beginning of chapter 4, where we will find trouble lurking. Additional Notes 3:1 For the narrative sequence of vv. 1–6, see Halpern, “Historiographic Commentary,” pp. 97, 127. Continued use of the source left an uneven join ...

828. Timeout at Tiberias

John 21:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... learn that there is Someone close by willing to catch you when you fall. Pastor Lloyd John Ogilvie once told about a friend of his as a youth, who was a circus performer. This friend described his experience of learning to work as a trapeze artist. He claimed that, once you know that the net below will catch you, you stop worrying about falling. You actually learn to fall successfully! What that means is, you can concentrate on catching the trapeze swinging toward you, and not on falling, because repeated ...

829. No More Tears

Sermon

King Duncan

... of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven illuminating his golden-brown hair.” Lucado goes on to say, “Now, I’m no artist, but I can tell you one thing. The man who painted that picture didn’t use the gospel of Mark as a pattern. When Mark wrote about that painful night, he used phrases like these: ‘Horror and dismay came over him.’ ‘My heart is ready to ...

830. Mentor, Mediator, Master

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... you a picture of someone else who also means a great deal to me. (Show them picture of Jesus.) Who is this? That's right, Jesus. Of course, we don't know if Jesus really looked like this. They didn't have cameras in his day. This is how some artist thinks he may have looked. Jesus means a great deal to me. In fact, I try to put him at the center of my life. Why? Because I learn from him. And when I need it, I draw strength from him. He is the best friend I have. He never ...

831. Abraham Tested

Genesis 22:1-19

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... without energetically entreating for Isaac’s life as he had done for Sodom and Gomorrah (18:23–32)? These are hard questions, and the text only hints at answers. The text’s reticence at becoming engaged with these kinds of questions belongs to the artistic design of the narrative, which is to keep in focus the central issue of Abraham’s wholehearted obedience to God in regard to his firstborn. The two key figures are Abraham and Isaac. Abraham is the dominant character; his name occurs sixteen times ...

832. Love and Obey the Lord

Deuteronomy 11:1-32

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... in chapter 26. It thus functions as a kind of thematic “verbal velcro” for the two sections of the “inner frame” of Deuteronomy (see p. 4). This structure highlights the theological importance of blessing, curse, and law and is another indication of the careful and artistic structuring of the book. The same literary care is also seen in the final verses of this chapter (vv. 31–32), which bring the whole exhortation to a close on the same note as it began in 4:1f. Additional Notes 11:10 By foot ...

833. The Glory Departs

Ezekiel 8:1-18, Ezekiel 9:1-11, Ezekiel 10:1-22, Ezekiel 11:1-15, Ezekiel 11:16-25

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... of divine presence, usually associated with the temple, which that earlier vision also expressed. He now recognizes the living creatures as cherubim: terrible semi-divine beings whose images played a crucial role in the depiction of divine presence in ancient Israel. Artists molded images of cherubim into the golden lid of the sacred ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:17–22). The outstretched wings of the cherubim formed a throne. Above this golden seat, the people believed the Lord to be invisibly present ...

834. Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia

Ezekiel 25:1-7, Ezekiel 25:8-11, Ezekiel 25:12-14, Ezekiel 25:15-17

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... and built a chain of five city-states. Despite their warlike character, it is a mistake to think of the Philistines as uncultured brutes. Archaeological investigations at Gaza, Ashdod, and Ashkelon show the Philistines to have been an artistically accomplished, highly sophisticated people (Ekron may perhaps be located at Tel Miqne; the location of Gath, the fifth Philistine city-state, remains unknown). The Philistines were major rivals of the Israelite tribes, particularly Judah. The Samson cycle (Judg ...

835. Jesus’ Baptism by John

Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 3:13-17

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... initiating work of God, with all of life to be lived in responsiveness to that work. Illustrating the Text Jesus is God’s faithful son who brings restoration from exile and inaugurates God’s kingdom. Art: Jesus’ baptism has intrigued artists across the centuries. If your context allows, display a set of different paintings portraying Jesus’ baptism or use media to display some varied examples of artwork.14You might note that various depictions of Jesus’ baptism alternately highlight the presence ...

836. Community Discourse: Lavish Forgiveness in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:21-35

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... ? The smile, right? (Though many who see it firsthand notice first how small the canvas of this masterpiece is.) When we hear the name “O’Keefe,” most people probably think of gigantic flowers. “Van Gogh”—a night sky filled with stars. Art and artists have their own distinctive style and characteristics. They have a “brand,” to put it in marketing terms. So what defines the church? It should be the way we extend grace. Extravagant forgiveness should be what comes to mind when people think of ...

837. Jesus Is the Example of Service for His Followers

Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 20:20-28

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... is a wonder of history. This tapestry, created in the eleventh century, illustrates epic events during the Norman invasion of England under William, Duke of Normandy. Fifty scenes woven of fabric and thread and stretching nearly seventy-five yards capture historical events with artistic genius (if your context allows, you might display images of the tapestry). It would be the height of folly to cut out any one piece of this great tapestry and try to let it stand alone as the point of the whole. Similarly ...

838. Jesus Is Tried before Pilate and Sentenced to Death

Matthew 27:1-10, Matthew 27:11-26

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... Jesus is innocent of the charges lodged against him, because he is the true king of Israel, the Messiah. Film: Catch Me If You Can. In this 2002 movie, Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., a real-life con artist who was a master of impersonation. Eventually, law enforcement catches up with Abagnale. After years on the run, forging multiple false identities, the true Frank is exposed to judgment. In contrast, Jesus is true to his identity and calling, demonstrated not by overthrowing ...

839. A Special Child Promised

Luke 1:5-25

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... Social Commentary: Christ and the Media, by Malcolm Muggeridge. Muggeridge expresses beautifully the drama Jesus’s intervention in history would bring, “the great drama of the Incarnation, the Passion and the Resurrection.” He adds, All the greatest artists, poets and musicians dedicated their genius to celebrating it, and . . . majestic cathedrals were built to enshrine it, and religious orders were founded to serve it. . . . Mystics spent their lives exploring it, and . . . for centuries it was the ...

840. Getting Ready for the Passover

Luke 22:7-38, Luke 22:1-6

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... on 7:36. Rabbinic sources indicate that reclining was specifically required at the Passover meal. The traditional depiction of the Last Supper (e.g., the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci), with the diners sitting along one side of a long table, may be artistically convenient but is culturally inaccurate. 22:15 I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. It was important to Jesus that their last meal together be a Passover meal, even if held a day in advance. The explanation ...

841. Many Parts, One Body

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... diversity. Personal Stories: Invite two outwardly diverse parishioners to be interviewed in front of your listeners. One might be older and the other younger, one might be a soldier and the other an activist, one might be a hunter and the other an artist. In any case, they ought to know and have a genuine love for each other. Ask a few warm-up questions that highlight differences, elaborating on hobbies, demographics, careers, childhood experiences, musical tastes, and so forth. In this first half, you are ...

842. Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

Revelation 5:1-14

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... work with astounding technical perspective, so that the head of Jesus is at the very center of the work. The placement of the disciples, surrounding architecture, and even the lighting are meant to focus our eyes on him. Like a master Artist, God has composed universal history to focus our eyes on Christ’s cross and resurrection. (If your setting allows, this illustration will work much better if the painting is displayed. Also, personal research into the composition of The Last Supper would supplement ...

843. The Warrior Messiah Conquers the Two Beasts and Their Followers

Revelation 19:1-21

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... , games, tourism, recreation, cosmetics, plastic surgery, virtual reality, and the endless glorification of health and youth, our culture is a vast conspiracy to make us forget our transience and mortality. We turn away. We tune out. Alibis for reality-escape artists are on every hand. “Modern man is drinking and drugging himself out of awareness,” psychologist Ernest Becker wrote, “or he spends his time shopping, which is the same thing.”7 (If your context allows, you could display images of the ...

844. The Conclusion

Revelation 22:7-21

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... is famous for Michelangelo’s extraordinary work depicting Old Testament prophets and scenes from ancient Israel—more than three hundred figures in all. He was called back in his sixties to paint The Last Judgment. Though his eyesight had been dimmed, his artistic vision was unimpaired. In this masterpiece, we are given a sense of the majestic return of Christ, our Victor. (If your context allows, display some of the details of this majestic work.)11 There is no substitute for obedience. Bible: One of ...

845. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... some land and pretend to give all the proceeds to God, when in fact they have kept back a portion. Hymn: “I Surrender All,” by J. W. Van DeVenter. This older hymn (1896) might be used in its beautiful rendition by the contemporary Christian artist CeCe Winans. We must seek God’s favor by giving him what he asks for. Literature: The Lost Princess: A Double Story, by George MacDonald. In this wise and convicting children’s story (first published in 1875 as The Wise Woman: A Parable), George MacDonald ...

846. The Guilt Offering

Leviticus 5:14--6:7

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... 2010, it set off an international uproar that led President Obama to urge him not to do it.9 Muslims find the desecration of their holy things deeply offensive. Christians too find desecration of their holy things offensive. The work by California artist Enrique Chagoya portraying Jesus Christ in a sex act provoked outrage and protests among Christians when he displayed his art at a temporary exhibit at the Loveland Museum in Colorado in the fall of 2010.10 Some fifty protestors picketed the museum ...

847. Preparations for Worship (Part 1)

Numbers 7:1-89

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... worship. Art: One of the treasures of church art is the Ghent Altarpiece. It was commissioned by Jodocus Vijd and his wife, Elizabeth Vorluut, for a chapel that the couple had financed for the parish church of St. John.13 Produced in the 1400s by Flemish artists Hubert and Jan van Eyck, it contains some twenty-four panels. One of the most striking of these is the lower center panel, The Adoration of the Lamb. That panel shows Christ as a pierced lamb, his blood flowing into a chalice, being worshiped by ...

848. Adversity of a Righteous Man

Job 1:1-22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... ’n and battle proud With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from th’ ethereal sky With hideous ruin and combustion down To bottomless perdition, there to dwell In adamantine chains and penal fire, Who durst defy th’ Omnipotent to arms.2 Art: Gustave Doré. French illustrator, sculptor, artist, and engraver Doré (1832–83) has illustrated Paradise Lost. Doré’s images can reinforce the power of Satan to destroy and deceive.

849. Job Shatters the Silence

Job 3:1-26

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t You choose someone else?” Whatever our circumstances, God’s character is unchanging. Philosophy: Existentialism. “Existentialism” is a term applied to a set of attitudes, philosophical, religious, and artistic, starting around the time of World War II and continuing after. It is a viewpoint that sees the inadequacy of human reason to explain the enigma of human existence and the universe. As a result, what becomes important is what an ...

850. Job Feels Both Confidence and Terror

Job 23:1--24:25

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... music group U2’s most famous songs, the lead singer, Bono, sings that he still hasn’t found what he is looking for. He illustrates with several scenarios, returning to the lines “but I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” The artist’s search for meaning in life is comparable to Job’s; however, Job explicitly searches for God, while Bono’s search and repeated disappointments ultimately lead him to God. Even when God is silent, we can trust in divine sovereignty as a welcome mystery ...

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