Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1176 to 1200 of 1795 results

Luke 19:28-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of the early church. (Although Paul probably added the final line of v.8f focused on the cross.) Being a "slave," taking "human form," "humbling" himself, being "obedient to the point of death" - these are not the typical characteristics of a majestic, military-style leader. Yet these very qualities are the ones we are called to imitate. Having been brought so low, even down to death itself, Jesus then rises higher than any earthly king could ever dream. Here is Paul's theme of praise and celebration ...

1177. Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:1-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... re-entry into the party - showing Jesus he is there and that he is eager to be useful. The entire group's trepidation about being in the company of this resurrected presence is then eased by Jesus' invitation to breakfast. After the eucharistically-styled meal, the second section of this week's text continues Peter's reassimilation into the ministry. Jesus transforms the guilt-ridden Simon Peter in two steps. First he allows the disciple to verbalize his repentance by proclaiming his love for Jesus. The ...

1178. Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... is much more subdued than Jesus' retort to the similar question posed in Luke 9:61-62. Elijah is intentionally ambiguous, neither approving nor disapproving Elisha's request for a farewell moment. In what will many centuries later be called good rabbinic style, Elijah simply answers his newly chosen apprentice's question with another question - "What have I done to you?" In Elisha's response any doubt of commitment is washed away. The young man literally "burns his bridges" behind him as he returns to ...

1179. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... record their own versions of this dialogue, but neither add the capstone of the Good Samaritan to conclude this exchange. Luke's lawyer is also a much more active part of this discussion than in the other two synoptic Gospels. Here, in good rabbinic style, Jesus turns the lawyer's question back on him. The lawyer correctly responds with the same answers Jesus himself gives in Matthew and Mark, citing the great commandment from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Before the tale of the Good Samaritan begins ...

1180. Colossians 1:11-20

Colossians 1:11-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The epistle to the Colossians is typically Pauline in the style and nature of its discourse, and yet somehow reaches beyond Paul's usual theological parameters. Phrases of greeting and peace and farewell all echo Paul. But there are also numerous new words, unfamiliar phrases and a longer more complicated syntax, all of which raise doubts about the authorship of this ...

1181. Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Sometime near the end of the first century (about AD 90-95) a virtually anonymous literary artist whom we know as "Matthew" wrote his version of the gospel. The style and grace of his writing tells the story of Jesus' birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection with a unique kind of sophistication and artistry. Luke is a master storyteller, John a consummate theologian, Mark an emotional eyewitness, but Matthew is the creation of a closely woven literary masterpiece. Yet Matthew's ...

1182. Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... is some debate about the basic nature of the "parable of the 10 bridesmaids" we read today. Some have traditionally viewed it as an allegory, while others have read it as pure parable. Certainly Matthew's text introduces this story in the traditional parable style the kingdom of heaven will be like this.... Yet it is also evident that the images invoked in the story have specific symbolic meanings. Although elements of both parable and allegory are present in the story of the 10 virgins, the scale may be ...

1183. Judges 4:1-7

Judges 4:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 20 years of this oppression that Israel "cried out to the Lord for help." We should note at this time that chapter 4's tale of Israel's deliverance from Canaanite oppression under the guidance of Deborah's judgeship is retold in grand poetic style in chapter 5's "The Song of Deborah." Scholars suggest that this poetic version is probably the oldest integral text contained in the Old Testament. While portions of chapter 4's prose rendition of these events are also quite early, there is structural evidence ...

1184. John 1:6-8, 19-28

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The gospel text spends more time explaining who John the Baptist is not than defining who he is. Introducing the Baptist, describing his message, explaining his unique style is a common thread that runs through all four gospels. However else Matthew, Mark, Luke and John differ on their opening presentations of the "Good News," they agree that John the Baptist was essential to portraying an accurate and authentic picture of Jesus, his identity and his mission. The gospel ...

1185. Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to emphasize Luke's most important point that Jesus' birth was the result of an intentional divine intervention into human history. While Luke's words reflect his unique mastery of language, the particulars discussed in 1:26-31 actually follow a standard style of "birth announcement" established in such Hebrew annunciations as Zephaniah 3:14-17; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Genesis 18:9-15; and Judges 13:2-7. Similar-type birth announcements, complete with claims of miraculous conception, were also known among the ...

1186. Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... "lost son" are unique to Luke's gospel. Luke locates these three parables together, skillfully building in intensity and power the force of the remarkable message they convey. Part of the power these stories generate depends on the three different degrees of narrative style Luke employs. On the first level, there is the narrative of the author to the reader one who is removed from the situation in both place and time. The second level of narration recalls that Jesus is also speaking to a specific gathered ...

1187. Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:19-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... or lack of one, aptly presents another reversal. In this life, it is the rich who have names we know and the poor who live and die in nameless anonymity. The life/afterlife conditions experienced by both these men are detailed with great Lukan literary style. In this world, the purple robes contrast with the pustulant sores; the sumptuous feasts of one vs. the slow starvation of the other. But at the moment of death, everything changes. We hear nothing about what happened to Lazarus' mortal remains on earth ...

1188. Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of all the predicted indicators of the Messiah's arrival. In Matthew 2:13-23, the writer presents three separate scenes, each scrupulously designed to "fulfill" the Scripture text referred to by Matthew. Commentators have noted how this unit is also similar in style to a Greek epic poem. Its terse, short sentences are repeated in strictly similar form (compare v.13 with v.20, and v.14 with v.21), while a kind of refrain created by Matthew around "fulfillment" is repeated three separate times - in verses ...

1189. Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In his typically succinct style, Mark follows Jesus' pronouncement of the Kingdom of God, and the calling of the first disciples, with an immediate and bold demonstration of Jesus' power and authority. Jesus goes directly to the established center of faith in an observant Jew's life - teaching and exhorting the Torah during Sabbath synagogue ...

1190. Luke 19:28-40

Luke 19:28-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1191. Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:1-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1192. Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1193. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1194. Colossians 1:11-20

Colossians 1:11-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1195. Mark 16:1-8

Mark 16:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 's text. In 16:1-2, there are details about the names, dates, times, shopping lists and intentions of those involved. The women listed here in verse 1 differ slightly from those given in 15:40 and 15:47, but this is probably due to literary style more than multiple sources. The list of women serves as a redactional device allowing Mark to show these same women present at Jesus' death, his burial and now at the scene of his Resurrection. These women can give eyewitness testimony to the grim reality of Jesus ...

1196. Mark 3:20-35

Mark 3:20-35

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . The flagrantly dishonorable action of one family member could bring shame and dishonor on the entire kinship unit. Because one's most basic identity lay with the group, the family, threatening the honored status of the group put all members at risk. Jesus' unique style and crowd appeal lead some of those close to him to call his sanity into question (v.21). If Jesus truly were "out of his mind," his behavior could be dangerously unpredictable. At any time he might engage in actions or words that would ...

1197. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

It is evident to many scholars that the epistle of James owes much of its style and focus to Jewish wisdom tradition. In fact, some would term James not as an epistle so much as a unique form of Christian wisdom literature. James' affinity for wisdom sayings and emphasis on the role of wisdom in the Christian life is certainly evident in today's text. Not ...

1198. Mark 12:38-44

Mark 12:38-44

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... with "scribes" in Mark (see 3:22-30; 7:1-5; 11:18, 27f.; 12:12). Thus it is not too surprising to find Jesus using scribes as glass-case exhibits of ignorant behaviors and arrogant attitudes. Jesus begins by attacking the popular style of scribal dress, a fairly easy target. A successful first-century scribe wore a long linen robe with a long white mantle decorated with beautiful long fringes. White robes identified the wearer as someone of importance and prestige. Jesus' observation that the scribes ...

1199. Mark 13:1-8

Mark 13:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... divine messenger (see Daniel 12:7). The disciples' usual denseness seems to disappear momentarily as they grasp the wider significance of Jesus' prediction. The temple's utter destruction signals the start of something more, the beginning of "end times." In typically Markan style, however, the disciples once again commit a theological faux pas and follow this insight by asking "when," which is asking for a "sign," which Jesus has already refused to do (Mark 8:11-12). Jesus' reply, beginning in verse 5, is a ...

1200. Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... from this encounter make it a tale worth telling and retelling. This first and most succinct version of the event that changed Saul into Paul reveals more than the identity of the voice and vision that stunned this fired-up Pharisee. It celebrates the narrative style beloved by the Lukan author, and it offers continuity between the God who revealed himself in the Old Testament and the God whose face is known in the New Testament. Saul had already been singled out as one of the earliest and most zealous of ...

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