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 76 to 100 of 3314 results

76. A Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... and Religious Knowledge (Eph. 3:18),” in Jesus und Paulus, ed. E. E. Ellis and E. Grässer (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1975), pp. 57–75. Also Barth, Eph. 1–3, pp. 395–97; Moule, p. 100; Robinson, p. 176. Praising Through Doxology 3:20 The apostle has prayed earnestly for certain things, but he realizes that even his requests fall far short of what God is able to do. Thus he concludes this doctrinal section with an appeal to the infinite wealth and understanding of God: To him who is able to ...

77. Close Calls

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... great that you wondered how you would ever get through it? When a close call came, have you ever felt that God either didn't care or that he was asleep because you couldn't reach him? That is what is going on in our story, the story of the apostles in a little boat during a violent storm on a lake called Galilee where the wind rushes down from the hills with such velocity that even seasoned fishermen are sure they are going to die. This storm is called a "furious squall" in the NIV of the New Testament. The ...

78. Good Old What’s-His-Name

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... that when God wants something done, most of us really hope that He will call somebody else’s number? Mother Teresa, or the Pope, or Billy Graham, or at least the pastor. But God has got our number and, upon occasion, He does call each of us. We, too, are “apostles,” sent with a message to deliver. There is a familiar poem by Annie Johnston Flint (1862-1932) which says it well: Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today; He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way; He has no tongue ...

79. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

James Merritt

... .” We believe that God used people to write these books, and God used people to collect these books, but in these books we have exactly the books God wanted us to have that contain exactly the information He wanted us to know. As one of the Apostles, himself, Peter, put it, “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter ...

80. Paul's Hardships

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... 1:5, 9–10; 4:10–11, 14)—is also regarded as a planos (see on 5:16). Hence, as Paul goes on to say later in 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 ...

81. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... to the believer in Christ (2:1–10). It is possible to regard 1:20–3:13 as a long doctrinal parenthesis in which the apostle develops his ideas on the unity of Jew and Gentile in the church (2:11, 12) and expounds upon his personal role as a ... 15. 1:15 For this reason may refer to all that has been said in 1:3–14 about the blessings of God. But the apostle may have something more specific in mind, because he immediately mentions the faith and love of the readers. No doubt his thoughts and prayers go ...

82. Closing

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... God of love and peace will be with you (cf. Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 3:16; Gal. 6:16). As a comparison of Pauline benedictions reveals (see the synoptic table in Weima, “Pauline Letter Closings,” p. 9), the apostle sometimes varies the wording his peace benedictions in order to emphasize a particular element. Here, for example, instead of referring simply to “the God of peace” (cf. T. Dan. 5:2), Paul refers to the God of love and peace, that is, God is the source of love ...

83. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:1). In 1:6 the focus is on how the Thessalonians followed the example of the apostles and the Lord in their intense or “severe” sufferings. Paul well understood that suffering was an element of the Christian life (see Acts ... was the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22; Rom. 14:17; 1 Pet. 4:13–14). The ones who imitated Christ’s and the apostles’ model of suffering in turn became a model for other churches (1:7). The influence and ministry of this church, located in the city ...

84. Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ; Eph. 5:3). The Thessalonians were engaged by God to live according to his will with regard to their sexuality (4:7; cf. 4:1–3). Just as the gospel is a divine message (1 Thess. 1:5; 2:13), so too is the moral teaching that the apostles delivered. Paul therefore concludes, “anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God” (4:8a). He adds that God “gives you his Holy Spirit” (4:8b), the one who enables them to live according to the will of God in sanctification (Rom. 8:4 ...

85. Anointed and Appointed

John 15:9-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... your commitment and faith in Jesus, you celebrate yet another graduation. All of us are called to our true potential as Jesus’ disciples. We are called again and again to live out our identity as followers of Jesus and rise up in our journey from disciple to apostle, as Jesus anoints and appoints us to continue God’s mission of love to a love-starved world. At the time of your baptism, you were sanctioned and commissioned by God to be part of Jesus’ mission of love. Now you are grown, matured in your ...

86. The Symphony of God

Acts 5:17-42

Sermon

Carl Hoefler

... that the drama of the resurrection is far from over. It has just begun. The story of our text is similar, at many points, to the Easter story. There is an imprisonment, guards, an angel, an open door, and a miraculous escape. Peter and the other apostles have been preaching about the risen Christ. They are arrested and thrown into jail. Suddenly, an angel appears and leads them past the guards through an opened iron gate to freedom. Then the angel says to them, "Go stand in the temple and speak to the ...

87. Tougher than Bumpers

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Children's Sermon

... about Jesus. It wasn't always a very pleasant task. I brought with me this morning something that reminds me of the kind of people apostles had to be. How many of you know what this thing is? That's right, an automobile bumper. It fits on the front of the car ... other people knew that what they were telling meant that the Christian faith was coming to their town or city or village. The apostles did a good job and they were all tougher than any bumper ever made when it came to taking the abuse and punishment ...

88. Proper 26

Joshua 3:1-4:24, Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Psalm 107:1-43

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... validity of their reception of the gospel. Verses 17-20 view the experience of persecution in cosmic, apocalyptic terms. Satan is named as the power responsible for the persecution of the members of God's Church. But what can we say about this text today? First, the apostles begin with a conviction that the gospel is "the word of God, which is at work in believers." The good news comes from God, is about God, and finds its transforming force in the lives of believers as God works among them to bring them to ...

89. Proper 11

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-44, Mark 6:45-56

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... because they are sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 1. Apostles (v. 30). This is the only time Mark refers to the 12 as "apostles." It is an appropriate name, for they had just returned from a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ. Each Christian is called and sent to witness and serve in the Master's name. In this sense all true Christians are ...

90. The Armor of Light

Romans 13:8-14

Drama

Larry Lange

... , really, Harry, I always thought silver was your color. So what is that thing for anyway, Harry? Harry: It's the armor of light! The apostle Paul writes about it in his letter to the Romans, chapter 13, verse 11: "You know what time it is, how it is now the ... no one has the right to go out and slay evildoers. In fact, Harry, in the section just after the armor of light part the apostle Paul says, "Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we ...

91. Commissioned for Christ

2 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... of the Transfiguration of our Lord is a special time for us to consider our own commission to be holy people and to do God's work in this world. We recall the story of the Transfiguration event. Jesus took his three so-called "super apostles" to the mountain and there he was transfigured before them. Some scripture scholars believe that this event was actually a post-resurrection story that was placed at this point in the synoptic gospels for effect. The fact that all three synoptic writers, Matthew, Mark ...

92. Between a Rock and a Hard Rock Thrower

Galatians 1:11-24

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , it was only when God “was pleased to reveal his Son to me” that he received his life transforming mission: to proclaim that Son “among the Gentiles.” It is through divine revelation that Paul receives the “call” that God had intended for this apostle, even before he was born. Paul is “set apart” for this special purpose, this Gentile mission. Paul goes on to deny that after receiving this call he hob-nobbed with other believers, either in Damascus or in Jerusalem, about the content of this ...

93. Ignite: Burning Love

Acts 5:17-42

Sermon

James Merritt

... of all there are no HMO’s and no prequalifying for insurance. This is good news! The good news brings the bad news. “But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party ofthe Sadducees), and filled withjealousythey arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.” (Acts 5:17-18, ESV) Jealously rears its ugly head. Even though Jesus is a treasure to the people, He is a threat to the religious authorities. He is upsetting the apple cart. He is ruining everything. The very ...

94. The Believers Share Their Possessions

Acts 4:32-37

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... sold was in Cyprus or in Palestine, but the fact that his kinswoman, John Mark’s mother, had property in Jerusalem may point to the latter. It is said only that he was born in Cyprus. Additional Notes 4:35 And put it (the money) at the apostles feet: Haenchen argues that behind this expression is an old custom whereby one setting his foot on a person or object acquired rights of property and free disposal over the same (p. 231). But even if Haenchen is right in deriving the term from this custom, as ...

95. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God was spoken of as a “Father” in both the Greek world in which Paul missionized (Zeus was referred to as “father”) and the Jewish thought world that shaped his gospel (e.g., Isa. 63:16; Jer. 3:4; 31:9). Thus, the apostle seems to have found it a particularly useful appellation for God. He uses it in all of his opening addresses, usually in the context of his wish for peace (e.g., 2 Thess. 1:2; Phil. 1:2). At times Paul refers to the fatherhood of God in relation ...

96. The Credibility of the Gospel Paul Proclaims

Galatians 1:11-24

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... .” The word “then” gives the sense that only after he went away into Arabia and later returned to Damascus (v. 17) did Paul make his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem. The stress is on the length of time, three years, before he went to Jerusalem. The apostle wants to make plain that when he went to Jerusalem he was not a neophyte but a person of some Christian maturity. When he went he stayed for fifteen days. In the ancient world, just as today, two weeks was a significant time to enjoy a host ...

97. Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Ephesians 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... that Paul’s apostleship is by the will of God repeats a theme that Paul emphasizes throughout his epistles: At his commissioning, he and Barnabas are set apart to do the work to which God has called them (Acts 13:2); to the Romans he writes “called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (1:1); to the Galatians he states in no uncertain terms that his call did not come from “men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father” (1:1; cf. also 1:13–16); and though Paul may at ...

98. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Colossians 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... parallels); it does not sprout and then die out quickly (1 Pet. 1:23–25) as the false teaching was prone to do (2:14–15, 19). Paul is establishing criteria by which the Colossians can counter the claims of the false teachers. With a concern much like the Apostle John, who wrote, “test the spirits to see whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1), Paul wants his readers to test the claims of these heretics against the claims of the gospel. Is it God’s truth? Is it universal? Does it bear fruit in people ...

99. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... his own “true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). If 1 Corinthians 9:1 can be taken as a statement of apostolic criteria, namely, that he or she had “seen Jesus our Lord” (risen) (cf. Acts 1:21), this would rule out Timothy; and we must understand apostles here (supposing that Timothy is included in the reference) in the more general sense of messengers (cf. John 13:16; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25). 2:9 We worked night and day: Paul appears committed to the principle of self-support (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6), which ...

100. Paul, Phoebe, Patronage, and Spain

Romans 16:1-27

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... here Years 66-67 Location: Nicopolis Titus 3:12 Years 67-68 Location: Rome Here Paul was imprisoned in 67 and martyred in 67/68, before which he wrote 2 Timothy. Luke may have helped Paul to write 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:11), since the apostle was confined in prison. Illustrating the Text The gospel was and is cross-cultural. Quote: Tom Cruise. Film star Tom Cruise discussed human unity in what he learned while filming The Last Samurai, an ode to Japan’s ancient class of warriors. He said, One of the ...

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