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Showing 951 to 975 of 1354 results

951. What Did Jesus Do?

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Sermon

King Duncan

... of what President George W. Bush said to Michael Monsoor’s family and those gathered at the White House on that occasion: “Mike’s platoon in Iraq came under enemy attack during 75% of their missions. And in most of these engagements, Mike was out front defending his brothers. “In May 2006, Mike and another SEAL ran into the line of fire to save a wounded teammate. With bullets flying all around them, Mike returned fire with one hand while helping pull the injured man to safety with the other. In a ...

952. Drawing Not Hitting The Mark

Illustration

Michael P. Green

... later. That may be an easy way to have the appearance of hitting the mark, but it is at best a deception and at worst a lie. So it is with goals. We should use them to direct our work and determine if we have accomplished our purposes, not to defend what we happened to do.

953. Paid In Full

Illustration

Michael P. Green

... to instruct the bailiff to pass around a hat to everyone in this courtroom, and I am fining everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a city where a man has to steal in order to have bread to eat.” The money was collected and given to the defendant. This is an excellent example of justice being meted out in full and paid in full—while mercy and grace were also enacted in full measure.

954. Athaliah and Joash

2 Chron 22:10–23:21

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... do. Jehoiada gave to the commanders King David’s own spears and shields . . . that were in the temple of God (probably a back reference to 1 Chron. 18:7 and 2 Chron. 12:9–10). This weaponry probably served a ceremonial function and was not intended for defending the king with violence. Second Chronicles 23:11 narrates the actual crowning and anointing of Joash as king of Judah: Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and ...

955. Saul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19a

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... the Holy Spirit (cf. 22:12ff.): In view of Paul’s later insistence in Gal. 1:1, 11f. that he received his apostolic commission, not from human hands, but directly from Christ, it is worth noting with Bruce that, first, Paul in Galatians is defending himself against the charge that he received his commission from the original apostles. The part played by Ananias would not have affected his argument, even if he was the Christian leader in Damascus. Second, in any case, Ananias played the part of a prophet ...

956. Paul the Roman Citizen

Acts 22:22-29

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... peoples (this could have been read into his words from what they knew of him) without their submitting first to the “yoke” of the law (cf. 15:10). They would hear no more of this (cf. 7:57), and the opportunity was gone for Paul to defend himself, had that been his desire, against the specific charge that he had “brought Greeks into the temple area” (21:28b). But in any case, that charge was only incidental. The Jews’ real objection, that he had taught “against our people and our law and this ...

957. Paul Before Agrippa

Acts 25:23--26:32

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... him especially that Paul addressed his remarks (cf. vv. 2, 13, 19, 27). Though chained, Paul does not appear to have been hampered in his movements and was able to adopt his customary pose (v. 1; see disc. on 13:16). Luke describes him as “defending” himself, though he was not formally on trial. Indeed, Paul uses this same terminology himself (see disc. on 22:1), declaring that he was glad to make [his] defense before the king, who was well acquainted with Jewish customs and controversies (vv. 2, 3, the ...

958. Paul's Hardships

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... the letter, he has received forty lashes by the Jews and has even been stoned (cf. 11:24, 25). Yet, it is the apostle’s contention that his behavior is evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Indeed, the ministry that he defends is the “ministry of the Spirit” (3:8). 6:11 Paul begins the final section of his apology with a summarizing statement that looks back on everything he has said since 2:14. He attempts to personalize his language by directly addressing the church as Corinthians ...

959. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... ”] that soon his actions will match his words. The apostle promises a day of reckoning in Corinth, when his bold, threatening words in letters will be transformed into decisive action in person (cf. v. 1). 10:12–18 Paul defends his apostolic right to territorial jurisdiction over Corinth against the encroachment of his opponents. The issue of territoriality is extremely important to Paul, especially after the apostolic council (see Introduction). Obviously, this is a matter that the apostle must handle ...

960. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... turn away from what they have already accepted and second that if they already know his to be true, it is self-evident that the rival evangelists’ gospel cannot be combined with the one they accepted from him. 1:10 Paul continues in verse 10 by defending himself against what is likely a charge against him—that he is a people pleaser. Those who have come into his churches to teach that observance of the law is essential may have been presenting Paul’s law-free gospel as a sign of his weakness, saying ...

961. Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... quality (2 Cor. 10:1). Self-control—the mastery of one’s own desires, or, as Plato puts it “a man being his own master” (Republic 430e; trans. Jowett; cf. Republic 390b)—was a major ethical goal in the philosophies of the ancient Mediterranean world. Xenophon defends Socrates as a man of self-control in word and deed and extols self-control as “the foundation of all virtue” (Memorabilia 1.5.4 [Marchant, LCL]). Paul also recognizes it as a worthy goal (cf. 1 Cor. 7:9; 9:25). The fruit of the ...

962. The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... the evil forces that believers face: “The enemy,” he states, is “powerful,” “wicked,” and “cunning,” (pp. 263–67). No wonder, then, that believers are summoned to build up their strength and to “put on God’s armor.” “Only the power of God can defend and deliver us from the might, the evil and the craft of the devil” (Stott, p. 266). By stating that the believer’s warfare is not against flesh and blood but cosmic powers, the author is utilizing the same cosmic mythology that he ...

963. Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17--3:5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

Paul reflects “the kindness and sternness” of God as he moves from denouncing the Jews and defending himself against their slanders (2:1–16) to revealing his concern for the Thessalonians. He opens his heart, telling them how much they (the missionaries)—and none more than himself—long to see them. But he had been prevented thus far from returning (2:17–20). Therefore, to set their ...

964. Warnings Against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... .” This statement repeats almost precisely 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (see disc. and note on that passage), although the reason for making it is quite different. Paul is in this instance holding himself and his colleagues up as a model to be imitated; there he was defending their motives and his own in particular against the slanders of their antagonists (see also disc. on 1 Thess. 2:9 for night and day, and on that passage again and on 1 Thess. 1:3 for laboring and toiling, kopos and mochthos). The missionaries ...

965. Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... of “turning a dollar.” Although we are not told precisely what this meant for them, teaching philosophy as a “cloak for greed” (1 Thess. 2:5, RSV) was a common accusation in antiquity (see, e.g., Dio Chrysostom, Oration 32) and one that Paul had to defend himself against on at least one occasion (1 Thess. 2:4–9; cf. Gal. 1:10). Probably these false teachers have picked up some clues from the culture and are teaching to curry people’s favor—and eventually their money. It should be noted finally ...

966. Taming the Tongue

James 3:1-12, James 3:13-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... . Unlike the hypocrites of Matthew 6:1–5, the truly wise know how to act out of humility: They are not building their own reputations. Like Moses (Num. 12:3) and Jesus (Matt. 11:29; 21:5; 2 Cor. 10:1), they are not interested in defending themselves. They avoid conflict and especially avoid advertising themselves. Humility is the mark of the truly wise. 3:14 On the other hand, if instead of being marked by a holy lifestyle, meekness, and good deeds, the Christian is marked by a heart that harbors bitter ...

967. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... , not to imply he might not be speaking truth elsewhere, but to state that no matter how unbelievable his point might seem God knew it was true. Paul is so far from having two levels of truthfulness in language that in 2 Cor. 1:5–2:4 he defends himself for changing travel plans. Once he announced the plans he was bound by them unless other, then unknown, weighty matters came up later. Jesus’ saying in the Greek text and in some translations has a doubled Yes, and No. Some argue that this is a substitute ...

968. Moses Flees to Midian

Exodus 2:11-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... and purpose began as an anticlimax: he sat down by a well. The serenity of a rural well and seven sisters drawing water contrasts with the tumult of Egypt. Unruly shepherds who “bully” the daughters of Reuel briefly interrupt this pastoral peace. Moses defends the sisters, demonstrating that his sense of justice was still intact but that he had learned a more measured use of force. Midian and the Midianites were located in the desert regions in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, in the Sinai wilderness ...

969. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... of serving the Lord and the dangers of transformation were a necessary part of the process of learning to trust and fear God (v. 31). Moses’ leadership was evident in his patience as he spoke an oracle of salvation for God. He did not defend himself against the accusations and sarcasm. He spoke rather to their fear and uncertainty. The plan had not yet been revealed to anyone. They had good reasons for fear, as their families huddled around them. Moses spoke confidently, with three imperatives: Do not be ...

970. The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... in the case of the unfaithfulness of a spouse (Matt. 19:3–9). The father’s warnings to the son in Proverbs 5:1–23; 6:23–35; and 7:7–27 spell out the devastating effects of adultery. The prohibition against adultery generally defends the integrity and emotional stability of the family for the sake of the children, wife, and husband. It preserves the trust that is foundational to healthy familial relationships. The integrity of the family protects the most vulnerable in society, the children, whose ...

971. Personal Injuries

Exodus 21:12-36

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... .” Two case contingencies follow the first capital offense, “Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death”—one for manslaughter (unintentional homicide) and one for premeditated murder. The sentence for the latter was death but the former defendant was allowed to flee to a city of refuge where he would be given due process of law, protection from vengeance, and possible incarceration (see Num. 35:10–15, 22–28; Deut. 4:41–43; 19:8–10; Josh. 20:6). Alternatively, he ...

972. Protection of Property

Exodus 22:1-15

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the greater loss/potential for profit increased the penalty. The second major case (v. 2) limits the liability of the homeowner who used violence in protecting his home at night. “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.” The contingent case holds the homeowner liable for the bloodshed if he killed the intruder in the daylight. This allowed for the factor of darkness and the increased fear of what cannot be seen at night and the increased ...

973. The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... which they dismiss God’s concern intensifies the reader’s experience of the insidious, rationalizing nature of the sin. Alienation from God and blaming others is “sin” in the original sense—the sin has corrupted all relationships and yet the sinner defends the behavior as normal. Moses told the people that he would try to make atonement for their sin with the Lord. This atonement (or “covering”) had nothing to do with blood or sacrifice. Moses’ best possibility for restoration was by means ...

974. The Gibconite Deception

Joshua 9:1-27

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... : Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. Nevertheless, despite the deception, the tribal forces did not fight the cities because of the oath. As would be expected, the people grumbled against their leaders. Leaders always get blamed for mistakes of the assembly. The leaders defend themselves because they have given an oath, but they find a compromise that allows the treaty to stand and herem to be served. Aliens living in the land will be the “choppers of wood and carriers of water” (Deut. 29:11), and ...

975. Division of the Land East of the Jordan

Joshua 13:8-33

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... . Moses did not parcel out land to the Levites, for they received “offerings made by fire to the LORD, . . . as he promised them” (13:14). Priests must work as impartial worship leaders, and they can carry out this function better without territory to defend or land to tie them to one region of the nation. Levites do not depend on land for making a living; they receive their livelihood from worshipers who support them with sacrifices and offerings. Joshua then turns to the inheritance of the tribe of ...

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