Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1026 to 1050 of 1138 results

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... ). Likewise, Paul may be responding to his critics in Corinth in terms of the type, rather than thinking of a particular wrong. Paul also claims to have corrupted no one. It is unclear exactly what Paul may be referring to here. Elsewhere, he uses the verb in a variety of senses: “to destroy” (1 Cor. 3:17), “to corrupt morally” (1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 4:22), “to lead astray” (2 Cor. 11:3). This last usage might be meant here, since the apostle has been accused of leading others astray (cf. 5:16; 6:8 ...

1027. Praying for Endurance and Healing

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... more likely that heavenly resistance is in mind. 5:7 Although a different word for patient is used here than in 1:2, 12 (makrothymē vs. hypomenō), the two terms are used in parallel in Col. 1:11. Thus, as in 4:1–3 vs. 1:13–15 there is variety in vocabulary as sources change but similarity in content. Patience is a frequent demand in scripture, e.g., Rom. 12:1–21; Heb. 6:12, 15; 10:32–39; 12:1–24; 1 Pet. 4:12–19; Rev. 13:10; 14:12. The Christian is not called to destroy the ...

1028. Praying for Endurance and Healing

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1029. Praying for Endurance and Healing

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1030. The Fall of Man

Genesis 3:1-24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... that the ground, the source of life-giving food, was cursed because of his act. In contrast to land that is blessed, meaning that it has water and is fertile (Lev. 26:4), land under a curse lacks water, is infertile, and is subject to a variety of plagues (Lev. 26:20). Thorns and thistles would grow so thickly that they would rob the soil of moisture and nutrients and choke out the food-bearing plants. Consequently, in working the ground to produce food for life, the man would experience pain (’itsabon ...

1031. Joseph in Charge of Egypt

Genesis 41:41-57

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... severe that they would consume all the surplus produced during the seven years of bumper crops. God had shown Pharaoh the future in two different forms because the matter had been firmly decided by God and the cycle was about to begin. A variety of texts from Egypt and Mesopotamia attest that one of the fates the ancients dreaded was a seven-year drought. Conversely, seven years of plenty symbolized the richest blessing. Sternberg (The Poetics of Biblical Narrative, p. 400) points out that despite the way ...

1032. A Silver Cup in a Sack

Genesis 44:1-34

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... willing to submit himself to a hard situation in order to protect a son of Rachel from becoming a slave. Joseph witnessed that the brother who had proposed his sale now vigorously defended Benjamin. Additional Note 44:5 In Egypt, counselors used such cups for divination. They would pour a variety of liquids, such as oil or wine, into water standing in the cup and then read the future by the configuration of the resulting designs.

1033. The Ephod

Exodus 28:6-14

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... as a memorial before the LORD. Aaron represented the whole community before the Lord. For further detail, see the discussion in the following section. Additional Notes 28:9 Onyx is a semiprecious stone of chalcedony quartz that can be engraved. It is sometimes dyed black. Artisans also use the white variety for cameo backgrounds. 28:11 Filigree is delicate and intricate ornamental work, here created with gold.

1034. Freeing Servants

Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... merely ethnic one. There is wide (though not universal) agreement that the word is linked to ʿapîru, a term used throughout the ancient Near East for a class of people who, having been uprooted from their original environment for a variety of reasons, lived by selling their services to host communities as soldiers, agricultural workers, slaves, etc. (see additional note). It is generally agreed that the “Hebrew” slave of Exodus 21 refers to this social class of nonethnic Israelite, landless people who ...

1035. Firstborn Animals

Deuteronomy 15:19-23

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... privilege of being eaten instead, our text offers no speculation! Deuteronomy 15 offers limitless opportunity for ethical and missiological reflection and action. It is central within the book of Deuteronomy itself, and its humanitarian warmth sets the whole ethos for the variety of social and economic legislation that follows. Now, when we recall that Israel’s visibility to the nations was intended to demonstrate the righteousness of their laws and the nearness of their God (4:6–8), we can round out ...

1036. Various Laws

Deuteronomy 21:22--22:12

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... of any “long term” in question. This gives point to the final phrase of the verse: our own long life is bound up with how we treat the rest of creation. 22:8 The flat roof of Israelite homes is used for a variety of purposes: sleeping, relaxation, entertainment of guests. The possibility of someone falling off to injury or death is very real. “Building regulations and planning permission begin with God” (Brown, Deuteronomy, p. 214). This law is thus a very basic safety precaution, which not ...

1037. Moses Blesses the Tribe

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... composed to be sung to the same melody, see Christensen, “Two Stanzas,” and cf. Freedman, “Poetic Structure.” We are still left with the task of translation, however, and a glance at a few major English versions will show that there is considerable variety, particularly in vv. 2b and 3a. The NIV gives an acceptable sense, though the last line of v. 2 is more probably “at his right hand, heavenly warriors,” or “a host of his own” (NRSV). See Cross and Freedman, “Blessing”; Miller, “Two ...

1038. The Death of Samson

Judges 16:23-31

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... the story of Samson and Delilah. It is a gripping, poignant drama brought to life by a gifted artist who has skillfully combined plot and characterization to present a classic story whose elements, if not the whole, have been told and retold in many cultures through all varieties of media, whether story, song, art, or film. But as we turn to this famous story, we must remember that it is part of a whole and thus be careful to place it in its literary context. It stands as the climactic point of both the ...

1039. David's Officials

1 Chronicles 18:14-17

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... section can be divided into three subsections. It is structured by the repetition of the temporal indication “in the course of time,” which occurs in 18:1; 19:1; and 20:4. First Chronicles 18 (|| 2 Sam. 8) contains narratives of battles against a whole variety of neighboring nations, as well as indications of booty taken from them. First Chronicles 19:1–20:3 (|| 2 Sam. 10; 11:1; 12:29–31) focuses on the Ammonite war, while 1 Chronicles 20:4–8 (|| 2 Sam. 21:18–22) narrates some battles against ...

1040. The Battle Against the Ammonites

1 Chronicles 19:1-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1041. The Capture of Rabbah

1 Chronicles 20:1-3

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1042. War with the Philistines

1 Chronicles 20:4-8

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1043. The Temple's Furnishing

2 Chronicles 4:1-5:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... then moves to a description of the portico in front of the temple (3:4–7), and then provides a detailed account of the Most Holy Place, its contents, and separating curtain (3:8–14). After this (3:15–4:22) there are descriptions of a variety of cultic objects, decorations, structural elements, and so on. As in the source texts in 1 Kings 6–7, the repetition of the verb “and he made” punctuates references to the different objects that were made. Unlike in the source texts (where the vocabulary is ...

1044. Jehoiakim King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:5-8

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... get similar harsh treatment in the book of Jeremiah: “The verdict pronounced by the writers of Chronicles typifies an advanced state of a concept that took shape over a long period of time. Stages of this process are attested in the book of Jeremiah itself, where we encounter a remarkable variety of attitudes toward this last Davidic king” (p. 627). The prominence of Jeremiah is discussed in the next section.

1045. Jehoiachin King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:9-10

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1046. Zedekiah King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:11-14

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1047. Rethinking the Formula

Illustration

James Emery White

Some of you may remember comedian Yakov Smirnoff. He said when he first came to the United States from Russia; he wasn't prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores. He says, "On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk--you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice--you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I ...

1048. Actors

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

John Jamison

... our view one last time. This time, pan your camera very quickly across the country and around the globe, until it focuses right here, right on this church, in this place, on this crowd of listening people. The camera is now on us. We have also come for a variety of reasons. Some have come because this is where you are supposed to come on Ash Wednesday. Some have come to see if there is anything interesting going on. Some have come praying to find hope: some word or some act that will help you find an answer ...

1049. The Bethsaida Boys

Mark 8:31-38

Sermon

John Jamison

... there, and it was during one of the heated conversations one evening that Jesus took over the conversation by saying, “Back in Bethsaida, where all of the crowds are coming to see me, who do the people say that I am?” They all spoke up with a variety of responses, but he quickly continued, “And, who do you say that I am?” (v. 29). Seeing it as a perfect opportunity to highlight the potential for the ministry if Jesus would just listen to common sense, the story tells us they used words like “Lord ...

1050. Zeal!

John 2:13-22

Sermon

John Jamison

... . You needed to keep them clean as well. It’s not surprising that most travelers thought it was best to not bring their sacrificial animals with them, but to wait and buy them once they got to Jerusalem. As a result, there was quite a variety of vendors set up in their booths around the temple yards, all offering the types of sacrifice that travelers needed to purchase. Because the visitors had to purchase their sacrifice there, the vendors were able to charge more, kind of like buying gasoline along the ...

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