Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 951 to 975 of 5000 results

Matthew 13:53-58

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... arranged by Matthew, There are in the first three Gospels about sixty separate parables. In the LXX the Greek parabolē almost always translates the Hebrew māšāl, which denotes a wide variety of picturesque forms of expression, including the proverb, metaphor, allegory, illustrative story, fable, riddle, simile, and parable proper. All forms of the Hebrew māšāl except the riddle are found in the New Testament, primarily in the Synoptic Gospels. The parable is a simple story taken from daily life that ...

952. The Day and Hour Unknown

Matthew 24:36-51

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... specific area. Were this not the case, the incarnation would be something less than a full and genuine entrance into the condition of humanity (cf. Heb. 4:15). The case of those alive at the time of Noah and living as if a crisis did not exist illustrates what will happen to those who fail to watch for the unexpected return of the Son. Vigilance is in order because no one knows the exact time of the Parousia. Those alive in the days of Noah are not pictured as especially wicked. Absorbed in the daily round ...

953. Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... realism. We are probably intended to see in the simplicity of Jesus’ healing action, his merely taking the woman by the hand, another indication of Jesus’ power and authority—this time in the face of illness. Her response is probably intended by Mark as illustrative of the proper response of his readers, who also have been “touched” by Jesus. Elsewhere Mark shows Jesus as commanding service to one’s fellow disciples as the proper response to the Gospel (9:33–35; 10:42–45). In verses 32–34 ...

954. Peter's Confession of Christ

Mark 8:27-30

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... and the Council, for they respond that his confession amounts to blasphemy (14:63–64). Further, in the crucifixion scene, the onlookers mockingly hail Jesus as “this Christ, this King of Israel,” and their demand that he come down from the cross illustrates that their definition of Christ (Messiah) does not involve one who suffers and dies in shame. (The difficult passage 12:35–37, where the term Christ appears, also shows the reader that popular notions about the Messiah were inadequate. See the ...

955. Marriage at the Resurrection

Mark 12:18-27

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... be a variant on a story found in the book of Tobit (in the collection known as the Apocrypha, see Tobit 3:8, 15; 6:13; 7:11). In his response, Jesus accuses the Sadducees of knowing neither the Scriptures nor God’s power (v. 24). He proceeds to illustrate his point by describing the resurrection of the body as a transformation to a new kind of existence, like the angels in heaven, and by citing a well-known passage of the OT (Exod. 3:6) where Moses first was encountered by God. In order to understand the ...

956. Watchfulness

Luke 12:35-48

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... they will be glad that they are watching. The theme of the need for preparation and the unexpectedness of Jesus’ return is furthered by the image of the thief who breaks into the house at a time when the owner least expects it. The import of these illustrations is captured in v. 40. The disciples of Jesus are to be ready, for Jesus the Son of Man will come suddenly, and then there will no longer be opportunity for further preparation. 12:41–48 The question of Peter (12:41) surfaces only in Luke. (The ...

957. The Cloud Above the Tabernacle

Numbers 9:15-23

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is the celebration of Passover. In verse 1 we are still in the Desert of Sinai during the month prior to the beginning of the book of Numbers. Chapter 7 demonstrated the obedience of the tribes with gifts to the tabernacle, and chapter 8 illustrated the obedience of the priests and Levites. This chapter returns to the people. The divine command is to celebrate the Passover at the appointed time, and the people are obedient. During the first Passover in Exodus 12, all the Egyptian firstborn died in the ...

958. Saul's Family

1 Samuel 14:49-52

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... this discussion. 14:24–30 The first incident is Jonathan’s unwitting breaking of an oath instituted by his father. The reference to the distress of the army indicates the writers’ low opinion about the value of this oath, but the words of Jonathan illustrate how foolish it was. Saul again attempts to ensure that God is behind their action, but his understanding of what God requires (and presumably therefore of who God is) is limited. His use of the oath suggests that he thought that God could be ...

959. Visit

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... , 1983), pp. 73–88. On the sending of Jesus in John’s Gospel see Colin G. Kruse, “Apostle,” DJG, pp. 27–33 (here p. 30). It may seem strange that Paul would cite the law (Deut. 19:15) in order to support the necessity of his third visit. This illustrates the apostle’s highly complex view of the law. On the one hand, the law kills, and no one should seek to be “under the law.” On the other hand, the law is holy, just, and good, and Paul appeals to it as an authoritative source of regulations ...

960. The Fall of Man

Genesis 3:1-24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... was made to correspond to the man; the woman and the man acted in accord in eating the forbidden fruit; and God used the same terms for pain or labor in the respective penalties pronounced on the woman and the man for their disobedience. Some data, however, illustrate the qualities and abilities distinctive to each gender. The man has the task of producing food to support his family. God put the man in the garden to till and keep it (2:15), referred to working the soil (3:17–19), and sent the man from ...

961. The Golden Calf

Deuteronomy 9:7-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... of the nations. As a matter of missiological interest, it is arguable that dwelling overmuch on the wickednesses and idolatries of “the pagans” (so-called) can induce precisely the kind of national, ecclesiastical, or cultural superiority complex that Israel’s self-righteousness illustrates here. The strategy of Deuteronomy 9:1–10:11 undermines such delusions by declaring that the people of God are as deserving of God’s destruction as the worst of the nations (v. 8) and that only by God’s grace ...

962. Marrying a Captive Woman

Deuteronomy 21:10-14

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... to all kinds of analogous situations of weakness and power. 21:15–17 The right of the firstborn son. The next two laws balance each other. The first protects a son from an unfair father; the second protects parents from an unruly son. Together they illustrate the balance of rights and responsibilities that exist in a family, and even more so, in wider society. Polygamy was permitted in Israelite society but was probably not very common. It was a sign of wealth and prestige and so was something of a perk ...

963. The Right of the Firstborn

Deuteronomy 21:15-17

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... removing pollution from the sight of God and from the land. 21:15–17 The right of the firstborn son. The next two laws balance each other. The first protects a son from an unfair father; the second protects parents from an unruly son. Together they illustrate the balance of rights and responsibilities that exist in a family, and even more so, in wider society. Polygamy was permitted in Israelite society but was probably not very common. It was a sign of wealth and prestige and so was something of a perk ...

964. Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

2 Kings 2:1-18

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —the channel for the divine word (vv. 21–22). The water becomes wholesome, not because of the actions in themselves, but because the LORD has said it will. We may note a similar instance in 1 Kgs. 11:29–31 (when Ahijah’s new cloak is used as an illustration for what he says to Jeroboam). 2:23 Some youths: The Hb. is neʿārîm qeṭannîm, “children.” The use of naʿar alone would allow the NIV’s translation (cf. the additional note to 1 Kgs. 20:14), but the appearance of qāṭān, “small ...

965. Healing of the Water

2 Kings 2:19-22

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

966. Elisha is Jeered

2 Kings 2:23-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

967. Rebuilding the Temple

Ezra 3:7-13

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... Petersen, Haggai and Zechariah 1–8 [OTL; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984], pp. 240–42, with reference to Zech. 4:7). 3:11 This snatch of hymn also occurs in 1 Chr. 16:41; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:3, 6. Psalm 107, in its present redacted form, is an illustration of the later hymnic usage: see Leslie Allen, Psalms 101–150 (WBC; Waco: Word, 1983), pp. 60–65. 3:12 This temple: The NIV, along with the REB and NJPS, has wisely ignored the phrasing indicated by the accentuation of the MT. The NRSV has made an effort ...

968. An Oracle Against Damascus

Isaiah 17:1-14

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... because you have so many. Like the references to Jerusalem in relation to Moab in 16:1–5, these references to Ephraim are there because they relate to Aram. But theologically it is disturbing that the fate of another part of Yahweh’s people provides the illustration for a foreign people’s fate (on Isaiah’s concern for Ephraim, see 9:1–7; 11:10–16, and the comment). And the references to Aram and Ephraim are there because of their significance for Judah. Like Moab, Aram will thus face the failure ...

969. Spiritually Prepared

Mark 1:4-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... not something we do for God; it is something God does for us. Would you hear His invitation today? Repent and begin a new life today. 1. Rodney L. Cooper, Holman New Testament Commentary - Mark: 2 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Reference, 2000). 2. Illustrations from the Festival of Wisdom And Grace, Lake Junaluska, NC July 28-31, 2014. 3. (New York: Vintage Books, 1997), p. 92. 4. Dr. Steve Stephens, The Wounded Warrior (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2006), pp. 79-80. 5. With Mary Hollingsworth ...

970. Treasure Hidden In a Clay Jar

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

King Duncan

... us regardless of our circumstances or our worthiness. “We have this treasure in jars of clay,” write St. Paul, “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us . . .” 1. The Week, November 26, 2010 p. 6. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell. Cited at https://soundfaith.com/sermons/116488-siblings-find-vase-worth-millions-while-cleaning-parents'-home. 2. Johann Neethling, https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/gods-goodies-in-cracked-pots-johann-neethling-sermon-on-grace ...

971. Advice from a Billionaire

Mark 12:28-34

Sermon

King Duncan

... kingdom is centered in love. We would all be so much healthier and happier if we accepted that principle. Love heals hurts the eye cannot see. Alice Gray in her book Stories for the Heart tells a story from missionary doctor Dr. Paul Brand that wonderfully illustrates that kind of love. A patient of Dr. Brand’s was a man named John Karmegan. John suffered from leprosy. Just as badly, John suffered from hurt and anger over the fact that he had this disease. The leprosy had decimated John’s feet and hands ...

972. The Peace of Christmas

Philippians 4:4-7

Sermon

King Duncan

... ://www.ghg.net/clbc/09JimFeb7.99.htm. 2. Harmon D. Moore, et. al., And Our Defense Is Sure (Nashville: Abingdon Press). 3. Edward F. Markquart, http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/christmas_peace_of_christ.htm. 4. http://www.dabar.org/Homiletics/Celebrating/Illustrations.html. 5. “The ghosts of Rwanda” by Leroy Sievers, August 12, 2005, pp. 40-41. Originally published in the Los Angeles Times Magazine, copyright 2005. 6. Pastor Tim Zingale, http://www.dodgenet.com/~tzingale/sermonb/2adventsermon.html. 7 ...

973. How God Brings Change

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

Charles Colson told the following story in an address at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi: I love the illustration about a man named Jack Eckerd. A few years ago I was on the Bill Buckley television program, talking about restitution (one of my favorite subjects) and criminal justice. Bill Buckley agreed with me. A few days later I got a call from Jack Eckerd, a businessman from Florida, the ...

974. One Good Word for Santa

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... There are more churches in the world named after St. Nicholas than any other person in all the history of the church. Oh, people have done strange things to him. The poet, Clement More, gave him a red nose and eight tiny reindeer. And Thomas Nast, the illustrator, made him big and fat and gave him a red suit trimmed by fur. And others have given him names—Belsnickle, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus. But what's important about him is that he had the mind of Christ. Because of his gentle selfless love, he touched ...

975. Retitle It

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

... said to the young man, "I like your exegesis. You have presented the meaning of the text in a helpful and clear fashion. Your three points make sense, they show balance and progression. Your introduction and your conclusion both show a great deal of thought. The illustrations you used seemed most appropriate. However, I am going to give you a D on the sermon." The seminarian was taken aback and said, "Why a D if it's all that good?" The professor said, "Well, frankly, it's because of your sermon title. It ...

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