Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1076 to 1100 of 1182 results

Numbers 23:13-26

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... privately with God to receive a word and then returns to Balak at the altars with the princes of Moab. This time (v. 17) the king asks, What did the LORD say? Balaam then pronounces his second oracle. 23:18–26 The oracle is addressed to Balak and, in classic Hebrew poetry, it indicates that God will not change the blessing intended for Israel. God is not human and subject to deception or frequent changes of mind. God is not a man, . . . nor a son of man, that is, not born of a human and so not a mortal ...

1077. The Next Two Days: The Call of the Disciples

John 1:43-51, John 1:35-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... else to Jesus (1:43–51). The two disciples in verses 35–39 thus anticipate verses 40–42 and 43–51 respectively: Jesus calls Andrew and Philip; Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, while Philip brings Nathanael. The story of the call is classically simple. The two disciples hear John’s proclamation and follow Jesus. The fact that they followed, however, which connotes discipleship, is not the end of the story but its beginning. Jesus asks them what they are looking for, and their request is to ...

1078. Listening and Doing

James 1:19-27, James 1:1-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... occurs in Col. 2:4 and other parallels where it means to lead one from the faith. Thus the hearers only deceive themselves about their salvation. The term listener in listen to the word does not refer to a casual listener but is the regular classical Greek term for a serious auditor or pupil (e.g., Plato, Republic 536c; Aristotle, Politics 1274). 1:23–24 The mirror metaphor is used elsewhere in scripture and intertestamental literature (1 Cor. 13:12; Sirach 12:11; Wisdom 7:26), as well as other Greek ...

1079. Faith and Deeds

James 2:14-26, James 2:1-13

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... home while the other wore the garment to the market or the rabbinic school. At night they buried themselves in straw to keep warm. The without … daily food in Greek is not the same as Matt. 6:11 but means the same. James has used a form more common in classical Greek 2:16 Go, I wish you well is the common Hebrew dismissal, which was actually blessing the person (Judg. 18:6; 1 Sam. 1:17; 20:42; Mark 5:34; Acts 16:36). The wish for peace (Hebrew shalôm, which means health or wholeness) was taken so ...

1080. Suffering for Doing Good

1 Peter 3:8-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... (eulogountes) adversaries means seeking their highest spiritual good, defined by Jesus in terms of intercession, lifting them up to God to bring to pass in their lives what he sees is required (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28), a marked advance on the usual classical Greek sense of eulogein as merely “speaking well of.” In the present world order, temporal blessings, such as sun, rain, and crops, are bestowed upon all, irrespective of their attitude toward God (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17). Peter here has in mind ...

1081. Defeat of Sihon King of Heshbon

Deut 2:1-23–2:37

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... being not merely traversed, but conquered and annexed to Israel’s tribal allotments. The narrative that follows is a small-scale example of the Old Testament’s view of historical responsibility, of which the story of Pharaoh and the plagues of Egypt is the classic case study. Why did Israel capture the land of Sihon? At one level, it was because Sihon chose to reject a request for peaceful transit (vv. 26–30)—a decision for which he was fully responsible. But at another level it was because Yahweh ...

1082. The Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy 5:1-33

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... of our fallenness is that we choose to reject the authority of our creator God and to substitute in God’s place an allegiance to other authorities, other presumed ultimates, other systems and values of our own creation. Apostasy and idolatry are the classic root sins of Israel in the OT, because they are the essential marks of the human condition. Jeremiah captured their poignancy and absurdity in his memorable imagery, My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water ...

1083. The Death of Samson

Judges 16:23-31

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

Samson’s Downfall and Death: Few stories in the Hebrew Bible have more recognition factor than 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 ...

1084. The Singers

1 Chronicles 25:1-31

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... musical role and the prophetic role of these Levites was. Some argue that the uttering of prophecies was accompanied by music, while others hold that the music in itself had a prophetic function. Furthermore, the relationship between these cultic officials and the classical prophets (of whom we have numerous books included in the Old Testament) also remains a mystery. Did the cultic officials take over the role of the prophets in the time of the Chronicler? Or were they “cultic prophets” in contrast to ...

1085. The Kingdom of Righteousness

Isaiah 32:1-8

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... things that were lacking in Jerusalem. If the city’s problem had lain elsewhere, the prophet’s vision for government might have put the emphasis elsewhere. On the other hand, this is commonly the OT’s vision for government (see Ps. 72 for a classic expression). It is not a vision distinctive to eighth-century B.C. Judah. That might be partly because a community is always in need of this emphasis, and partly because the temptations of power always push governments in the opposite direction. It offers a ...

1086. This Woman Was a Fighter

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... six items would you like to buy?” (3) I don’t know if that really happened or not, but, boy, don’t you wish it would sometimes? Of course, it would be even better if it happened over something that was really significant. Some of you will remember a classic movie from the 1950s titled Twelve Angry Men. It starred Henry Fonda and was based on the stage play of the same name. In it Fonda plays a character on a jury. For the other 11 people on the jury, the case was simple, open and shut. The defendant ...

1087. Who Is This Man?

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... to Cameron Diaz with red hair. However, Princess Fiona is under a curse. Every night, she becomes an ogre, every bit as green and fat as Shrek. Every day, she becomes Cameron Diaz with red hair again. This cycle is to repeat itself until, in classic fairy tale fashion, she finally experiences true love. At the end of the movie, Shrek finally sees for the first time Fiona’s ogre persona (she had been hiding it from him). But he loves her and kisses her anyway. And then something quite unexpected ...

1088. Deathbed Confessions

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... what I live for. If you gave me a choice between rock and roll and my faith, I’d take my faith,” Cooper told a newspaper. “Rock and roll is fun--it’s what I do for a living. But it’s not what I live on. I believe in classic Christianity. I’ve given my whole life to the Lord. But I don’t think that means you can’t be a rock and roller.” After all, as Cooper has said, “I must be the only father that bangs on the bedroom door and says, ‘Turn that music up!’” (2 ...

1089. Broken Promises

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

King Duncan

... In this kind of society, we who are God’s people should be known for keeping our promises.” Pastor Sterne uses the example of the brilliant Christian scholar and writer C. S. Lewis. Lewis, of course, was the author of several literary classics such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy and The Screwtape Letters. Sterne notes that Lewis took the truth that Christians should be known for keeping their promises seriously. “His biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise ...

1090. Gratitude: A Matter of Perspective

Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... recommend eating it. The caller replied, “That’s what we thought.” Then she added, “We’ll just give it to the church.” If that doesn’t make you laugh, it will make you cry. If I were to choose a text that is probably the classic text for Thanksgiving Day, it would be our Old Testament reading for today from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses is addressing the Children of Israel in the wilderness. They are between the exodus from Egypt and their entrance into the Promised Land. That is the setting ...

1091. Among You Stands One

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... preparing the world for the coming of the Prince of Peace. There is a difference in believing that Christ once existed and seeking to live for him daily. One of the movies that it is difficult to miss on television this time of year is the Frank Capra classic, It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart. Stewart plays a man named George Bailey. George is a man with great dreams and ambitious plans. He wants to get out of the tiny town of Bedford Falls and make a name for himself, but fate seems to have ...

1092. Where Did He Get Such Authority?

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... And so many Christians survived the plague. (6) One of the sources of Christ’s authority through the ages has been his influence on those who follow him. Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” painted over 500 years ago, is considered one of the classic masterpieces in the history of art. According to author Michael J. Gelb, this painting was done in a circular motif. Everything on the table is round, such as the bread and the plates. Also, the disciples are arranged in a half-circle on either side ...

1093. The Ultimate Mountaintop Experience

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... place where I am totally unsuited? God will tell you soon enough. The far greater risk is that you will never commit yourself to any meaningful ministry and will end up missing out on one of the great privileges God has given us. There is a classic story about a king of Bavaria in the eleventh century named Henry III. King Henry became tired of his responsibilities as king. He wearied of the pressures of international politics and the mundane worldliness of court life. So he made a major life decision. He ...

1094. When a Storm Is Raging

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

King Duncan

... Americans kill themselves each year in overt acts of suicide. And another 100,000 attempt to take their own lives. Countless thousands more are killing themselves slowly by less obvious means such as overeating, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. Do you remember that classic Victor Hugo story titled Ninety‑Three? A ship is caught in a raging storm. The frightened crew hears a terrible crashing sound below deck. Immediately, the sailors know what it is: a cannon has broken loose and is crashing into the ship’s ...

1095. The Pointer

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... and regulations, when considered alone, cause the grace of God in Christ to be marginalized. Today, however, the emphasis has shifted so that what is offered in many churches is a watered-down gospel without law, such as what Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic book The Cost of Discipleship calls cheap grace. Cheap grace is grace without commitment. An "anything goes, do as you please gospel" is no gospel at all. Without acknowledgment of our sins and repentance for those sins, there cannot be new life ...

1096. When I AM Speaks, You'd Better Listen

John 6:24-35

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith...."[1] While we are fighting the rule of God over us for our own good, God is at work in us to bring us back into the fold. That's the classic battle in our souls between God and the devil. God has accomplished our salvation by Jesus dying on the cross. Inspired and prodded by the Holy Spirit, we are called to appropriate what God in Christ has accomplished. From the cross Jesus said, "It is accomplished." It's ...

1097. Sheep Without a Shepherd

Mark 6:30-34

Sermon

King Duncan

... out any sheep that were hiding. When he threw a stone into a certain cave he heard a pot smash. On investigation he found hundreds of sealed pots with manuscripts well preserved inside. They became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. (2) Isn’t that classic? A major archaeological find occurred because sheep are prone to wander off and get lost! Of course, sheep are not the only creatures of God that wander. I read recently that, according to one reputable source, every day in America 2,300 people are reported ...

1098. Searching for Happiness

Ephesians 5:15-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... . Paul is describing people who are joyfully singing from their hearts. Why? It is because they are filled with a sense of gratitude for all the blessings of God. Some of you at Christmas time will go to Netflix and pull up the classic heartwarming movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, White Christmas. In that delightful motion picture Bing Crosby introduced another Irving Berlin song besides White Christmas that has touched many people over the years. It goes something like this: “When I am troubled ...

1099. Called to Love, Not Like

John 15:9-17

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... that our exertions too will be in the direction of a love that is peculiar. Hence Kierkegaard's comment: "If anyone thinks that by falling in love or by finding a friend he has learned about Christian love, he is in profound error."3 In his classic work on love, this Danish theologian takes pains to point out that Christian love is marked off from what he calls "spontaneous love" because Christian love endeavors to do its work on a level that is distinctive from the need-ridden life of erotic love. Writes ...

1100. In Awe of Christ

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

King Duncan

... Still!” Suddenly there was a great calm. Now the disciples really were afraid. They were afraid of Jesus. “What sort of man is this?” they asked. “Even the wind and waves do what he tells them.” Some of you may be familiar with the classic children’s book, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. The Wind in the Willows focuses on four animals--Rat, Mole, Badger and the preposterous Mr. Toad--who are experiencing a world of enchantment and adventure. There is a scene ...

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