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 1151 to 1175 of 3314 results

1151. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Luke 9:10-17

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... 10 takes up where 9:1–6 left off. In 9:1–6 the Twelve had been sent to heal and to preach. The news of their activities spread throughout Galilee so that its ruler, Herod, began to wonder who this person Jesus was. With the return of the apostles and the withdrawal to Bethsaida the stage is set for the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish, which perhaps in Luke’s mind was a partial answer to Herod’s question in v. 9 (so Fitzmyer, p. 763; Tiede, p. 181) and was the cause for the question ...

1152. On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... the Eleven have already become convinced of the resurrection because Jesus (the Lord) has appeared to Simon (Peter). Luke has not narrated this appearance (see 1 Cor. 15:5), but he has reported it in order to protect Peter’s place of priority among the apostles and eyewitnesses of the resurrection. It would have seemed odd if the first men to see the risen Christ were not the Eleven, Jesus’ closest associates. The report of the two from Emmaus also confirms the report of the appearance of the Lord to ...

1153. God's Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:1-16

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... God can raise up children for Abraham” (Matt. 3:7–10). Jesus too burst the balloon of moral superiority: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:2). Likewise, the apostle turns from the dives of sinners in 1:18–32 to the parlors of moral respectability in 2:1ff. to evince that it is not knowledge of God’s will, nor even the status of election, which exonerates Jews before God, but the doing of God’s will ...

1154. God's Wrath Against Mankind

Romans 1:18-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... of sin. It was for him a “wandering from the truth” (the literal meaning of planē, translated perversion, v. 27) of God’s intended purpose for human sexuality, a wandering which eventually would be assessed its due penalty. 1:28 In verse 28 the apostle shifts from the consequences of idolatry for self (vv. 24–27) to its consequences for society. Again there is a word play, which might be paraphrased, “Since humanity did not think it fit (edokimasan) to acknowledge God, God handed them over to an ...

1155. No One Is Righteous

Romans 3:9-20

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... and Jewish pride in Torah and circumcision as their means of salvation. The result of the close and unyielding web of argumentation from 1:18 to 3:20 is that there is no possibility of a moral righteousness before God. In a concluding series of blows the apostle hammers out a chain of quotations from the Torah—the longest in Romans—to evince that “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (3:9). 3:9 In Greek verse 9 begins with the same rhetorical question as verse 1, ti oun?, although the NIV ...

1156. Peace and Joy

Romans 5:1-11

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... p. 189). 5:3–5 For lists of virtues similar to the sequence of vv. 3–4, see Hos. 2:19–20; Amos 5:14–15; 2 Pet. 1:5–7; Wisd. of Sol. 6:18–21. Gaugler offers a trenchant description of hope: “In the testimony of the apostle hope is, according to the original Hebrew sense, a connection stretching from God to us, in which the human creature, even in the midst of the pressure of opposition, possesses an eternal standpoint. Hope is like a rope stretching between the Now and Then, so that the Then in ...

1157. Love

Romans 12:9-21

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ ” (Matt. 25:40). Paul thus urges Roman Christians to show solidarity with the poor and oppressed, as he himself did (Gal. 2:10). 12:17–21 The apostle now tackles the problem of retaliation, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Retaliation is a response of the natural person (i.e., “flesh”) to exact justice for a wrong incurred. The Christian, however, is not bound to a natural reflex, no matter how just it ...

1158. Warnings from Israel's History

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... immediately to deliver a midrash on the exodus that is laced with scriptural allusions. The introduction of the story of the exodus wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness may seem peculiar, but the development is logical; for as Paul used himself and the apostles as a personal lesson on Christian rights and responsibilities in chapter 9, and as he drew images from the athletic games to illustrate and register his teaching (9:24–27), now Paul takes up one of the best-known and most-loved stories ...

1159. The Throne in Heaven

Revelation 4:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... , then, is twofold: first, it signifies that the eschatological Israel of God consists of only those who are faithful to God’s Christ (Luke 22:28; cf. Rev. 14:1–5); and, second, those who rule over eschatological Israel as their elders are those apostles to whom Jesus delivers his “testament” and in whom he has entrusted the responsibility for Israel’s restoration (Luke 22:29–30; cf. Rev. 21:14). If we suppose that John recognizes the vision of the twenty-four elders by the Jesus tradition, then ...

1160. The Scroll and the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the composition itself, if we take the elders, who sing the song, to be angelic beings, then the pronoun should be omitted on christological grounds: Christ did not die for angels. If however we take the elders to be risen elders (i.e., apostles and prophets) of eschatological Israel, then the pronoun could be retained on the same grounds. 5:10 The verb they will reign, basileusousin, is textually corrupted as well. A minority of ancient mss prefer the present tense, “they reign” (basileuousin). In our ...

1161. The Death of Jesus

Mark 15:33-41

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... to them that Jesus is risen from death (16:5–8). Mentioning the women has a twofold purpose. First, there is the obvious contrast between the disciples—the chosen apostles—who fled and denied Jesus, and these women who stayed with Jesus devotedly. These women exhibit the courage and devotion one would have expected from the apostles. It is in keeping with Mark’s use of irony that he features women as the positive role models of discipleship, for among many in the ancient world (and, unfortunately ...

1162. More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:28-39

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... . 3:21; Col. 1:15). Salvation is God’s personal, eternal plan to make believers conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (v. 29). The NT normally refers to Christians as believers, disciples, slaves, apostles, sheep, etc., but in this rare passage they are called brothers and peers of Christ! As the firstborn among many brothers Christ desires to share his glory with believers in a sibling relationship. What is more, believers will actually be peers of God ...

1163. Hallelujah!

Revelation 19:1-10

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... is completed, the reader is ready to hear God’s concluding word that speaks of salvation rather than of judgment. These doxologies describe the logical response of worship to the angel’s earlier demand for the heavenly community to “Rejoice … O heaven/Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets!” (18:20). They also form part of the heavenly liturgy of joy that is marked by the repeated acclamations of Hallelujah! (19:1, 3, 4, 6)—found only here in the NT but often in the OT Psalter where it means ...

1164. Sowing Generously

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... , the works corresponding to righteousness clearly include giving to the poor. In verse 10, Paul substantiates the other point that he makes in verse 8—that God is able to make all grace abound to the Achaians, so that they can in turn give. Here, again, the apostle uses an OT citation. Although there is no introductory formula to mark the citation as such, it is possible to tell from the distinctive style of the statement that Paul is citing Isaiah 55:10 (cf. D.-A. Koch). Isaiah 55:1–13 is a hymn of ...

1165. Faith and Deeds

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... point. But James’ praise is partly tongue-in-cheek: Even the demons believe that—and shudder. The orthodoxy of the demons was well known not only in Judaism but also in the New Testament, where the demons frequently give fuller confessions of Christ than the apostles (Mark 1:24; 5:7; Acts 16:17; 19:15). Their problem is that their response to the name of God (the reminder of their orthodox knowledge) is to shudder, because they are in rebellion against that God. All their orthodox knowledge simply makes ...

1166. The Song of Moses

Deuteronomy 31:30--32:47

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... tragedy of Israel’s pathetic idolatry and the historical sovereignty of God over the nations as agents of judgment. The idea, however, of God making Israel jealous by the nations kindles a flame of hope beyond the fire of judgment in the thinking of the Apostle Paul. For God is in the business of turning “no-peoples” into God’s people (cf. Rom. 9:24f., quoting Hosea 2:23 and 1:10). And if that should succeed in fanning Israel to jealousy, and thereby to repentance, faith, and salvation, then Paul ...

1167. His Final Words

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

King Duncan

... Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, his devoted mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by his mother Mary, his faithful Apostles, numerous disciples, and many followers. Jesus was self-educated and spent [at least three years] of his adult life working as a teacher. Jesus occasionally worked as a medical doctor and it is reported that he healed many patients. Until the time of his death, he ...

1168. The Mighty Wind of God

Acts 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... Holy Spirit would increase our sense of love for one another. Listen as Luke continues his description of the church on the Day of Pentecost. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together ...

1169. A Divided Family

Mark 3:20-25

Sermon

King Duncan

... quite important in the history of the early church. According to tradition Jesus’ brother James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem and the author of the book of James. He is sometimes referred to as James the Righteous to distinguish him from James the Apostle. His brother Jude is credited with writing the book by the same name in the New Testament, though this is a matter of controversy. (4) But what a wonderful turn of events. The same family members who had earlier thought he was out of his mind ...

1170. So, You Want to Get Well?

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... to the little girl's bedroom. With tenderness and confidence, Jesus took the hand of the child and said, "Talitha cum" which means "Little girl, get up." Jesus spoke in a Hebrew dialect called Aramaic, a common language of the time. Peter, one of the three apostles who heard the words spoken, must have felt it was important to retain the calm serenity of the Aramaic words. When he retold the story to Mark, he retained the original Aramaic. We are offered a choice in this dramatic story; a choice between the ...

1171. Free Indeed!

John 8:31-36

Sermon

April Yamasaki

... the people of his own day, and in response to us, Jesus pointed out that we are all slaves to sin. We are caught as the apostle Paul described so well in Romans 7:19: "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what ... text, Jesus said "the truth will make you free" (v. 32), and "if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36). The apostle Paul echoed this as the solution to his own struggle with sin. After agonizing over his situation in Romans 7, he ended his chapter with a ...

1172. The Ascension Day Experience

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

... days and even weeks they became accustomed to having Jesus nearby. The resurrected Christ was right there to answer their questions, to reassure them, and to quiet their fears. Because human nature does not change from generation to generation, it seems logical the apostles and other followers of Jesus would have assumed he was going to remain with them, at least for the time being, perhaps for years to come. About seven weeks after the resurrection, Jesus took his followers to the top of a high hill ...

1173. By the Sea

Matthew 4:18-22, John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... is arrested, and he Calls His First Disciples: Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee and Calls His First Disciples: Simon and Andrew, James and John (Mark’s Witness) Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee (Luke’s Witness) The Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 5:12-42): The apostles teach about Jesus, and many come to Christ; they are spared death by the appeal of Gamaliel (of the School of Hillel) Matthew’s Witness: Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee and Calls His First Disciples When Jesus heard that John ...

1174. A Taxing Encounter

Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... sin Psalm 103: The Lord’s compassion Psalm 116: The Lord is gracious Psalm 147: The Lord gathers the outcasts of Israel The Letter to the Hebrews (most likely written by Paul): On the New Covenant (8) The First Letter of John (most likely written by John the Apostle): On Knowing and Loving God and Others Matthew’s Witness to his Calling by Jesus As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he ...

1175. The Prophet of Locusts and Honey

Luke 3:1-20, Luke 3:21-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... and devastation of the locusts, honey represented the promise and love and forgiveness of God, and the coming restoration of all of humankind. And John –ate them both. Why? Well, to understand why, we need to look at another prophet. Ezekiel. And another figure, the apostle John. Do you remember what happened? God presented Ezekiel with a scroll, and bade that he eat it. He was told it would taste as sweet as honey, but would sour in his stomach, as it contained not only the promise but the judgment of ...

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