Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1151 to 1175 of 1679 results

1151. Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Christ and the Salvation of Believers Chapter 1 of Ephesians is dominated by the theme of praise and thanksgiving. In verses 3–14 the apostle utilizes a redemptive eulogy to praise God for all the spiritual blessings that he has bestowed upon the believer. These blessings are mediated through the Son and are confirmed in the believer through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The use of baptismal themes suggests that the hymn may have been connected with the celebration of baptism in the early church. ...

1152. Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

Ephesians 3:1-13

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Paul and the Mission to the Gentiles When the apostle completed his section on the spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3–14), he proceeded to offer a prayer of thanksgiving and petition (1:15–23). After this theological discussion in 2:1–22, it appears that he is once again ready to turn to prayer because the statement, “For this reason” (3:1), refers to what he has just said; furthermore, the actual prayer in 3:14ff. appears to relate to this section and would be a fitting climax to the thoughts that he has ...

1153. Children and Parents

Ephesians 6:1-4

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

A continuation of these rules of conduct as they apply to children and parents (6:1–4) and slaves and masters (6:5–9) appears in 6:1–9. As in the section on the husband-wife relationship, there is the specific emphasis that the ethical life of the Christian is both grounded in and directed toward the Lord. The superscription of submission “out of reverence for Christ” in 5:21 serves the entire code. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord (5:22); children are to obey their parents “in the Lord ...

1154. God Promises Deliverance

Exodus 5:22--6:12

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

5:22–6:1 At the end of this first round, Pharaoh has clearly won. Everyone is discouraged, including Moses, who complained to God. Yahweh responded as though everything was going according to plan. The Lord had told Moses that Pharaoh would refuse (3:19; 4:21).. The key word in Moses’ complaint is “trouble” (raʿaʿ, “evil plight,” or “catastrophic situation”). The foremen also realized they were in trouble (v. 19). In verse 22 Moses asks, “why have you brought trouble upon this people?” and complains that “ ...

1155. At Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:1-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Meeting God at Sinai: Exodus 19 is the theological and literary pivot of Exodus. Nowhere do we find a fuller revelation of God in relation to the people. In the preceding chapters Israel had been “let go” from serving the pharaoh so that they might serve/worship the Lord. Here they serve/worship at the place of Moses’ original calling and receive their own call to be God’s “kingdom of priests” to the world (chs. 25–31; 35–40). The larger literary structure of Exodus 19–24 comprises a chiasm (see below) and ...

1156. Warnings and Exhortations for Jerusalem and Judah

Zephaniah 2:4-7, Zephaniah 2:8-11, Zephaniah 2:12, Zephaniah 2:13-15

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

Declarations Concerning Other Peoples—and Jerusalem: The main part of this section comprises four declarations about different nations. They vary considerably in form and thus look like prophecies of separate origin that have been brought together here to form a sequence. As a result, they offer a survey of the surrounding nations, like the surveys found in Isaiah and Amos, but briefer. Zephaniah began with the world as a whole (1:2–3a) and then moved to the implications for Judah (1:3b–18). He follows the ...

1157. Jesus Walks on the Water

John 6:16-24

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

Jesus’ solitary escape from those who would make him king provides an additional reason for a detail in the synoptic Gospels that is only partially explained. After the feeding “Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” (Mark 6:45–46; cf. Matt. 14:22–23). John’s Gospel suggests that he also “he went up on a mountainside” to prevent a kidnap attempt! In similar fashion, Mark and ...

1158. The Arrest of Jesus

John 18:1-11, John 18:12-14

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

Jesus’ exit with his disciples from the place where they had eaten supper (v. 1) corresponds to the notice in Mark (14:26) that “when they had sung a hymn, they went out” to Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives. Though John’s Gospel does not give the name “Gethsemane” to the place where they stopped, and though only John’s Gospel calls it a “garden” (RSV, GNB; Gr.: kēpos), it is clearly the same place and the same occasion (the NIV translation olive grove is based on the assumption that it is indeed “ ...

1159. The Beginning

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Creation of the Earth: Genesis opens with the account of creation, which is as profound as it is simple. It focuses on the way God ordered the earth. The text addresses the heavens only as they have an impact on life on earth. The purpose of this account is threefold. First, it teaches essential facts about the way God ordered the world so that humans might understand their place and role in creation. Second, it leads us to praise God as the wise, all-powerful Creator. Third, it preempts the ...

1160. Hagar and Ishmael

Genesis 16:1-16

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Birth of Ishmael: In this account Sarai gives Hagar to Abram (vv. 1–6); the angel of Yahweh instructs and blesses Hagar (vv. 7–12); and Hagar responds and gives birth to Ishmael (vv. 13–16). The setting alternates in the pattern of A:B:A′: Abram’s house (first and third scenes) and the desert (second scene). 16:1–2 Sarai, Abram’s principal wife, remained without children despite God’s reiterated promise of seed to Abram (ch. 15). Like most wives of prominent persons in ancient times, Sarai had a ...

1161. Clean and Unclean Foods

Deuteronomy 14:1-21

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Israel’s Distinctiveness Mirrored in the Home and Farm: It might seem at first sight that the destruction of a whole apostate community and all its property (13:12–16) is worlds away from the question of what you were allowed to cook for lunch, but in fact a common principle governed both—the distinctiveness of Israel as a people wholly and exclusively committed to Yahweh. This principle, which underlies all the preaching of chapters 4–11 and finds its most succinct expression in 7:6, is repeated at the ...

1162. Jesus Inaugurates the Disciple Band and Conquers the Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:14-20, Mark 1:21-28

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: Jesus reacts to two types of people: (1) those who are willing to commit to him, like the first four disciples, and who are re-created by Jesus to “fish for people”; (2) those who remain outside him and thus will experience his authority to vanquish the powers of darkness. Understanding the Text Jesus’s Galilean ministry (1:16–10:52) begins here. Mark will start with two cycles of Jesus’s ministry to the three major Jewish groups of Galilee: his disciples (1:16–20; 3:13–19), the crowds (1:21–45; ...

1163. Failing the Test and Spiritual Failure—Hardness of Heart

Mark 6:45-56

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: This episode illustrates the key contrast of this central section in Mark. Jesus has the power to take care of his followers, but the disciples fail to understand this because of their hardness of heart and spiritual failure. Understanding the Text God provides for the needy (6:30–44), and Christ heals all who come (6:53–56). True disciples place their trust in God and Christ, who watch over them. As the new Israel, Jesus’s followers must be tested with their own “wilderness” experience. In other ...

1164. Ready for the Kingdom of God?

Luke 13:31-35, Luke 13:22-30, Luke 13:18-21

Teach the Text

R.T. France

Big Idea: The kingdom of God brings many surprises: not all who think they belong to it really do. Understanding the Text In 13:22 we are reminded that this whole section of the Gospel (beginning in 9:51) is set on the journey to Jerusalem, and that destination comes into clearer focus in 13:33–35: as Jesus looks ahead to the way Jerusalem will treat its “prophet,” we are prepared in advance for his eventual arrival there and his weeping over the unrepentant city in 19:41–44. Both Jesus (4:43; 8:1) and his ...

1165. The Focus of Christian Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: Christian worship gatherings must be conducted in an orderly fashion to avoid confusion and to ensure that the character of Christ is clearly portrayed throughout the service. Individuals desiring to share their gifts must submit to the greater purpose of portraying Christ. Understanding the Text Having dealt generally with the matter of tongue speaking (the exercise of private devotion) in a public gathering, Paul now turns to the more specific subject of how several of the questions he ...

1166. David’s Faith Ignites a Victory

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: Faith in the Lord’s power to save can be the catalyst for victory. Understanding the Text In the previous chapter, Samuel anointed David as the new king. Having departed from Saul, the Lord’s Spirit came upon David, and the Lord sent an “evil spirit” to torment Saul.1Through God’s providence, David has arrived in Saul’s royal court and relieved Saul’s fears with his music. Now the stage is set for David to replace Saul. In chapter 17 the narrator continues to demonstrate David’s superiority to ...

1167. Can It Be Sin to Be Shy?

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

There is a wonderful story from long ago about a man in Maine named Ike who was exceedingly shy. Ike fell in love with a beautiful young maiden named Anna. Anna seemed to Ike to be too wonderful for him to ever ask her to be his wife. So, he went on loving her in silence for ten years. He remained single, as did she. During this time, he built a fine house, with a barn and outbuildings, and a beautiful rock garden. Still, though he was very much in love with her, he hadn’t yet dared to propose. Finally, ...

1168. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

26:2–4 · Eliphaz, early on, was the first to praise Job for his past help and counsel (4:3–6). Bildad, having heard Job undermine traditional understanding and now indict God for cosmic negligence, shakes his head in disbelief. “How is it possible that this man ever helped the powerless and offered sound advice? How is it that he utters what he does?” 25:2–6 · Bildad now crafts his theme: the dominion, awe, and order of God. The second line of his thesis statement (25:2b) is literally “maker of peace in ...

1169. Wisdom’s Final Appeals

Proverbs 8:1-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

8:1–36 Review · In Proverbs 8–9, personified Wisdom makes her final appeal, speaking again in the first person to her young audience. Chapter 8 offers a lengthy discourse commending wisdom, which can be divided into four sections. In verses 1–11, wisdom’s surpassing value is asserted, while verses 12–21 portray wisdom’s “associates” and attributes. Wisdom’s worth is then further affirmed in a description of its ancient origin—at the time of creation (8:22–31), before wisdom assumes the role of the parent/ ...

1170. Addressing Prophets and their Audiences

Jeremiah 23:9-32, Jeremiah 23:33-40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The challenge to leaders continues. The address to the kings, the civil leaders (21:1–23:6), is followed by an address to the religious leaders, the prophets and priests (23:9–40). They are faulted for giving leadership in Baal worship, for personal immorality, and for being out of touch with God’s message for their time. Their message either is self-originated or comes by dreams or is borrowed from others. Jeremiah’s denunciation of his peers is sad before it is harsh (23:9–10; cf. 9:1–6). Confronting ...

1171. The Siege and Destruction of Nineveh

Nahum 2:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Nahum 2:1–2 marks a transition and is the third in the series of contrasts in God’s dealings with Nineveh and Judah. Verse 1 begins the description of the fall of Nineveh that is taken up again in verse 3 and then developed in the rest of the book. Verse 2 concludes the promises of the benefits that Israel will enjoy as a result of the defeat of her enemies. The result of the attack on Nineveh will be a scattering to the winds of her inhabitants (cf. Nah. 3:18). The words “Guard the fortress” (2:1) are ...

1172. Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Once more Paul pauses to insert a section that interrupts his direct reply in order to clarify the grounds on which his response rests. He has said that the gifts are given for the “common good” (12:7), but this goal will not be reached apart from a motive to guide and direct their exercise. Thus, if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, and love does not motivate the control of my speech, “I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (13:1; instruments used to produce a variety of sounds that ...

1173. Dr. Jekyll Meet Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote an unforgettable story about a Dr. Jekyll and a Mr. Hyde. Most of you know the story well. Dr. Henry Jekyll was respected in his community--a gentleman in every respect. But Dr. Jekyll had some secret vices which he kept carefully hidden from public view. Thus Dr. Jekyll had a dilemma faced by some people today--he wanted to maintain his reputation in the community, but be free to practice the vices that he knew would be repulsive to his neighbors. So Dr. Jekyll hatched a ...

1174. Oh Say, Can You See by the Dawn’s Early Light?

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

Across the street from the walls that surround the city of David there is a tomb. It looks like any other ancient tomb in that area. Step inside and you will quickly realize that this tomb is different. Someone of status and wealth once owned this tomb. You can tell that it belonged to a person of means because this is a double tomb with two side-by-side burial spaces. What is more, this tomb once contained a body but now it lies empty. The evidence of its having been used is seen in the way that the sides ...

1175. The Life You've Always Wanted

Acts 5:27-32

Sermon

Charley Reeb

The other day I came across some interesting epitaphs. There is one in Nevada which reads: “Here lays Butch, we planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger, but slow on the draw.” This one is in Georgia: “I told you I was sick!” What about the one in Mary- land: “Here lies an atheist, all dressed up and no place to go.” There are two worth noting in South Carolina: “He fought a good fight, but his knife was dull”; “Where she is, is better than where she was.” But there is one in England that hits too ...

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