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 1026 to 1050 of 4942 results

1026. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1-3

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J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: Jesus Christ has revealed to his servant John a prophetic vision about God’s plans for consummating human history, a vision that will bring blessing for those who hear and obey its message. Understanding the Text The introduction to the book of Revelation, which runs through verse 20, begins with a statement of the book’s title: “the revelation from Jesus Christ” (1:1a). Next, we are told how the heavenly vision was communicated to John (1:1b) and how this resulted in John’s testimony (1:2). The ...

1027. Unclean Animals

Leviticus 11:1-47

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: The food laws helped Israel to be a holy people. Understanding the Text Ritual purity must be maintained not only at the sanctuary but also in the whole camp. The death of Aaron’s two sons in Leviticus 10 and the allusion to it in Leviticus 16:1–2 bracket Leviticus 11–15 on Israel’s purity system. That system serves to maintain purity among all Israelites. Nadab and Abihu have failed to maintain purity in the sanctuary. Now the Israelites are taught various other ways that they can become impure ...

1028. Blood: Right and Wrong Uses

Leviticus 17:1-16

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Blood and sacrifice are important, though they can be abused. Understanding the Text Leviticus 17–27 forms a major unit in Leviticus in which “holiness” is emphasized, for which reason it has come to be labeled the “laws of holiness.” Leviticus 17 introduces this unit by emphasizing the holiness of proper sacrifice, the prohibition of idolatry (sacrifice to goat-demons), and the proper use of blood. John Walton describes this chapter as “maintaining holiness from outside the camp” (see “ ...

1029. The Census and Duties of Levites

Num 3:1–4:49

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: That which is holy must be guarded. Understanding the Text The census of Israel (Num. 1–2) is followed by the census of the Levites (Num. 3–4). The priests and Levites are not counted in the census of Numbers 1–2 because they are not to participate in the conquest in view of their sacred duties (see the sidebar). But in Numbers 3–4 they have their own census on different principles. In Numbers 3 they count every male from one month old and above who serves as a substitute for Israel’s firstborn. ...

1030. Ingratitude and Judgment

Num 11:1-35

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Ingratitude toward God can lead to forfeiture of blessings. Understanding the Text After nearly a year at Mount Sinai, Israel resumes its march toward the promised land (Num. 10:11; cf. Exod. 19:1–2). It is an auspicious start. Everyone lines up as God has commanded through Moses (Num. 10:13–28) and as directed by the blasts of silver trumpets (Num. 10:1–10). God himself guides the Israelites in the fire cloud and with the ark (Num. 10:34–36). But after three days’ journey from Sinai (Num. 10:33 ...

1031. Portions for the Priests and the Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God provides for those whom he calls to ministry. Understanding the Text Numbers 16 deals with the question of who is holy and may thus serve as priests in the tabernacle (Num. 16:3). The followers of Korah discover to their shock that only the sons of Aaron can do this. In Numbers 17 the miracle of the staff that blossomed underscores that the tribe of Levi and especially the sons of Aaron have been set apart for divine service. Numbers 18:1–7 describes the role of priests and Levites as ...

1032. Balaam’s Donkey

Numbers 22:21-41

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Speak only what the Lord says. Understanding the Text In Numbers 22:1–19 Balak king of Moab sends dignitaries to try to hire Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner, to come curse Israel, who has recently come to occupy the plains of Moab. Although Balaam does not object in principle to cursing Israel, Yahweh, apparently in a dream, forbids him to go. But Balak finds Balaam’s refusal unacceptable and sends the dignitaries back to persuade him further. In Numbers 22:20–40, Yahweh once more appears to ...

1033. Balaam’s First Three Oracles

Num 23:1–24:14

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s will is to bless his people. Understanding the Text Balak king of Moab hires the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22). Yahweh informs Balaam that Israel is blessed, not cursed (Num. 22:12), and that trying to curse Israel will place Balaam himself under God’s judgment (Num. 22:22–38). Nevertheless, God allows Balaam to go to Balak on condition that he say nothing other than what God will tell him (Num. 22:20, 35). What follows are three oracles. Three times the angel of the Lord has ...

1034. The Second Census

Numbers 26:1-65

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s plans triumph over human frailties. Understanding the Text Thirty-eight and a half years after Israel had been condemned to wilderness wanderings, and shortly “after the plague” (Num. 26:1) of Numbers 25, Israel takes another census. As a result of the plague, the old generation is now gone (Num. 26:63–65). Only Moses, Caleb, and Joshua have survived to be part of this census. Thus, this genealogy marks the death of the old and the birth of the new generation. The old, rebellious generation ...

1035. The Sacrifices of the Sacred Calendar

Num 28:1–29:40

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: People can worship God through the regular cycles of life. Understanding the Text In the desert God prescribes a system of sacred space for Israel (Lev. 1–8), whose people camp around the tabernacle while they travel through the desert (Num. 1–4). Leviticus 23 describes the various sacred times that Israel will commemorate upon entering the land. Now in Numbers 28–29, as the conquest draws near, God reiterates the system of sacrificial worship in conjunction with Israel’s sacred times around ...

1036. War against Midian

Num 31:1-54

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God condemns the wicked but rewards his people. Understanding the Text Numbers 31 resumes the story of Numbers 25 in which a Midianite princess, Kozbi, and an Israelite man, Zimri, commit a flagrant act of disobedience (Num. 25:6–9, 14–15). Theirs is one of many acts of immorality and idolatry (Num. 25:1) that have brought God’s wrath on Israel in the form of a plague. As a result, God tells Moses to treat the Midianites as an enemy and kill them (Num. 25:16–18). Numbers 31 fulfills God’s command ...

1037. Selfishness of the Transjordan Tribes Corrected

Numbers 32:1-42

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: We must avoid and resolve misunderstandings among God’s people. Understanding the Text Many dangers have been circumvented. God has thwarted Balak’s attempt to use Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22–24). God’s punishment of idolatry and immorality is offset by Phinehas’s bold actions (Num. 25). Balaam and his Midianite allies who have deceived Israel are killed (Num. 31). Now Numbers 32 introduces another potential crisis. The tribes of Reuben and Gad announce their desire to settle in the ...

1038. “Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave”: Power Poisons the Conscience

2 Samuel 11:1-27

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord’s chosen servants cannot hide their sins from him. Understanding the Text Empowered by the Lord, David has experienced great success militarily and made Israel more secure than it has ever been. He obeyed the Deuteronomic regulations pertaining to the accumulation of chariot horses and wealth, promoted justice for all, and tried to model God’s faithfulness in his relationships. But suddenly the story takes a shocking downward turn as David’s blatant violation of God’s law brings chaos ...

1039. Saul Forfeits a Dynasty

1 Samuel 13:1-15

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: God’s people can forfeit their privilege and blessing by foolishly disobeying the Lord’s word. Understanding the Text As chapter 12 concludes, one hopes and may even expect that Saul will succeed. After all, empowered by the Lord’s Spirit, he defeated the Ammonites, and the rebellious people responded positively to Samuel’s call to covenantal renewal. Yet there was unfinished business. The Ammonites have been defeated, but the Philistine problem remains. The Lord announced to Samuel that the new ...

1040. Saul Dilutes a Victory

1 Sam 14:24-52

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: A preoccupation with one’s own honor can dilute divine blessing. Understanding the Text The preceding account ended with the Lord’s giving Israel a great victory, despite Saul’s hesitant actions. In this next story we see Saul continue to retard the action rather than advance it. This account highlights one of Saul’s major weaknesses and leadership flaws—one that has already emerged in earlier accounts and will prove fatal in the next chapter. Saul is preoccupied, perhaps even obsessed, with ...

1041. Zophar’s Final Words for Job

Job 20:1-29

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Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Zophar insists that God always punishes the wicked. Understanding the Text In Job 20, Zophar speaks to Job for his second and final time, because in the third cycle Zophar chooses not to answer him. So this chapter constitutes Zophar’s final answer to his friend. Numerous times he alludes to details in Job’s previous speeches, often trying to turn Job’s words against him, but in particular Zophar responds indignantly to Job’s reproof in 19:28–29. However, he dismisses what Job says rather than ...

1042. “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God”

Psalm 19:1-14

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C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: We see God’s ubiquitous revelation in the world he created and his unique revelation in the Torah. Understanding the Text Mays has made a convincing case for the pairing of the Torah psalms (Pss. 1 and 2; 18 and 19; 118 and 119)[1] in order to present the eschatological kingdom of God, which will come in the context and through the instrumentality of Torah piety.[2] In the case of Psalm 18, David’s deliverance from Saul is a foreshadowing of future salvation. Psalms 18 and 19 both give a picture ...

1043. “May the Net They Hid Entangle Them”

Psalm 35:1-28

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C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: Rather than taking vengeance for injustice into our own hands, we can pray that its perpetrators will become victims of their own contrivances. Understanding the Text Psalm 35, the first of the imprecatory psalms, deals with the issue of divine justice in a bare-bones way. In one sense, it is an individual lament (Craigie), but in its total effect, it is more a prayer for deliverance (Wilson). The form critics, seeking the cultural context for such prayers, are inclined to view the psalm as a ...

1044. “If I Were Hungry I Would Not Tell You, for the World Is Mine, and All That Is in It”

Psalm 50:1-23

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C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: One of the great dissimilarities between humanity and God is that we are needy people, but God needs nothing. Understanding the Text Psalm 50 is a perfect example of the kind of liturgical piece that might be recited in the seventh year when the Torah was read at the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 31:9–13).1Yet when the Book of the Covenant was discovered in the temple during Josiah’s reign (622–609 BC), it seems that this practice had not been observed for some time (2 Kings 23:1–3). In form- ...

1045. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

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Ronald W. Pierce

Big Idea: The incomparable Lord is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms, holding rulers and subjects alike accountable for sin and challenging believers to spiritual fidelity. Understanding the Text Daniel 1:1–21 introduces the narratives of chapters 1–6, which reflect the writer’s perspective on the approximately seventy years of Judean exile (605–538 BC) alluded to in verses 1 and 21 and throughout the book. It also serves as the Hebrew prologue to the book’s concentric Aramaic and Hebrew sections (chaps ...

1046. Abraham and Abimelek

Genesis 20:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

For a second time Abraham finds himself an alien in a foreign land, with Sarah by his side (see chap. 12). And for a second time he resorts to deceit. He again asks Sarah to identify herself as his sister. This time he is in Gerar, a city of the Philistines, and the king is Abimelek. On this occasion Abraham does not draw attention to Sarah’s striking beauty as he did in 12:11, but this is almost twenty-five years later. Unlike chapter 12, which presents a case of actual adultery, this chapter deals with ...

1047. Ten Commandments and the People’s Response

Exodus 20:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Overview: When Jesus is asked which commandment is the most important, he affirms two fundamental principles that characterize the Law and the Prophets: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:28–34; Matt. 22:34–40; Luke 10:25–27). The Decalogue (literally the “Ten Words,” or the Ten Commandments) itself opens with “the Lord your God” (20:2) and closes with “your neighbor” (20:17). ...

1048. Songs of Praise

Isaiah 12:1-6

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Two brief hymns (12:1, 4–6) and an oracle of promise (12:2–3) make a fitting conclusion to the first division of Isaiah (chaps. 1–12). The prophet renews the promise of full and free salvation and calls on the godly to join him in confident trust in God. As the “strength” of his people, Yahweh is able to accomplish all that Isaiah has predicted: universal peace, the presence of God, the restoration of the remnant, the Messiah’s rule, and the universal knowledge and fear of God. The hymns focus on two ...

1049. The Exile Symbolized

Ezekiel 12:1-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Once again the prophet acts out his message as in chapters 4 and 5. The people living in Jerusalem are using neither their eyes nor their ears. Accordingly, Ezekiel is told to pack his belongings, to dig through the wall of his house, to place his belongings on his shoulder, and to leave with his face covered. Why not leave through the door, as one normally does? Does this show a desperate attempt to escape, or an attempt to escape clandestinely? Covering the face may refer to shame, disgrace, or grief ...

1050. The Hope of Final Restoration

Amos 9:11-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The scroll containing Amos’s messages ends with a surprising vision of hope for the distant future. Maybe some Israelites will be reminded of what the future holds for the righteous people of God and will repent of their sins so that they will be able to enjoy this time of divine blessing. Some modern commentators doubt that Amos ever gave this message and argue that a later editor added it to Amos’s messages, because it seems so foreign to the rest of his harsh messages, and because it could have provided ...

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