Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1201 to 1225 of 4977 results

1201. If Only You Were To Me A Bother

Song of Songs 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... date clusters (7:7) and the woman will claim that her breasts are like towers (8:10). The speakers express a desire both to protect and to decorate the woman, by building silver towers (from which to watch out for predatory males?) and cedar door panels (to keep those males out?). The apparent assumption is that a woman needs to be protected by men, and implicitly she needs to be protected from other men. The image of foxes in the vineyard in 2:15 may fit into the same conceptual framework. Some read these ...

1202. A Squirrel Crossing a Busy Street

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon

King Duncan

... a running back,” says pastor Kenneth Squires, “he doesn’t throw the ball down. He doesn’t just stop. He doesn’t announce, ‘I’m taking my ball and going home if you are going to play that way.’ What does he do? He keeps his legs going when he gets hit, he keeps moving forward; he keeps heading toward the goal line. The best runners in the NFL make their most important yards (touchdowns, third down conversions) after they have been hit.” (2) That’s what God means for His people to do--to ...

1203. Imitating Christ's Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... Christ. It is in one Spirit that all believers in Christ have been baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13); he who thus unites them to Christ unites them also one to another. It is for them henceforth, by the cultivation of peace within their fellowship, to “keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3). God has called his people “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9), to participate in his risen life. It is the Spirit who enables them to respond to this call and to enjoy this fellowship ...

1204. Pressing on Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... endeavor (cf. 2:16). He is running a race; he has not yet breasted the tape or won the prize, and he must keep on running until he does so. Some of his converts elsewhere imagined that they had attained perfection and entered into their kingly glory ... race does not look over his or her shoulder to see how much ground has been covered already or how rivals are getting on: the runner keeps eyes fixed on the winning post. What is behind is that part of the race that has been completed so far, but it will not ...

1205. Let Us Love One Another

2 John 1:1-13

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... fellowship that minimizes the danger of the continuing secession (1 John 2:19; 2 John 8–10). This personal bond that keeps churches in crisis together is love. In the New Testament love (agapē) is voluntary, self-sacrificing, positive regard for and action ... walk in love. It is customary in ancient letters to begin with words of thanks or commendation to the readers. Our author keeps the custom, though his concern for containing the schism and its effects cannot be concealed. 4 It has given me great joy ( ...

1206. Abram Rescues Lot

Genesis 14:1-24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... that bypassed the cities of the plain; thus the king of Sodom had to ascend the steep Judean hills to meet Abram. That king’s coming so far with empty hands is evidence that he was displeased with Abram. He thought that Abram wanted to keep the spoils for himself. Moreover, the narrator downplays the importance of the king of Sodom by not mentioning his name. 14:18–20 At this point Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, suddenly appeared. This king and priest was committed to promoting ...

1207. The Book of Law Found

2 Kings 22:1-20

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... it with all his heart (2 Kgs. 10:31); Amaziah commended for acting in accordance with it (14:6); and the Israelites in general condemned for ignoring it (17:13–14; cf. also 17:34, 37). As recently as 2 Kings 18 Hezekiah has been commended for keeping this law (v. 6), after a description of religious reform that clearly recalls Deuteronomy 12:1–7. There is no reason to think, then, that the loss or concealment of the book is being presented as anything other than a recent event, occurring during the long ...

1208. Salvation for Others

Isaiah 56:1-8

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... ], pp. 115–25; more generally G. I. Emmerson, Isaiah 56–66 [Old Testament Guides; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1992], pp. 81–97 and her references). 56:2, 6 Keeping the sabbath and refraining from evil might sound like two requirements. The same is true of keeping the sabbath and holding fast to the covenant. But parallelism suggests that it is more likely that v. 2 refers to keeping the sabbath and refraining from evil (i.e., work) on the sabbath (cf. 58:13–14), and that v. 6 suggests that ...

1209. An Unholy History

Ezekiel 20:1-29, Ezekiel 20:30-49

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... . 18:24–28; 20:22). The third movement in Israel’s history of rebellion (vv. 18–26) involves the descendants of that first generation (v. 18). To them as well, the Lord repeats the call to observe God’s life-giving statutes, and in particular to “Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us” (v. 20). Again, the people respond with rebellion and, yet again, the Lord does not destroy them outright. However, for the third time in this unholy history, God lifts God’s hand to swear an ...

1210. The Law of the Temple

Ezekiel 43:13-27, Ezekiel 44:1-31, Ezekiel 45:1-12, Ezekiel 45:13--46:24

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... feasts and Sabbaths (vv. 23–24; see 7:26; 22:26, and compare Lev. 10:11). In lawsuits, the Zadokite priests are to serve as judges (v. 24; compare Deut. 21:1–5). Removing him from concerns about property assures the priest’s objectivity and independence. In keeping with ancient tradition (Num. 18:20–32; Deut. 18:1; Josh. 13:14), the priest receives no inheritance in the land (vv. 28–30; but see 45:3–4; 48:10). The priests are entirely dependent on the Lord: “I am to be the only inheritance the ...

1211. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... 23 Matthew’s Jesus indicates that the mission to Israel will still be happening at the time of the temple’s destruction. Teaching the Text 1. Disciples of Jesus follow in his footsteps for their mission and ministry. While it is important to keep in mind that not all the instructions that Jesus provides for the twelve apostles are applicable to Matthew’s audience, including contemporary readers (e.g., mission to Israel only, no extra clothing [see comments on 10:32]), it seems clear that Matthew wants ...

1212. Three Parables about the Unfaithfulness of the Jewish Leaders

Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 21:28-32, Matthew 21:23-27

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... it. The person who finds all the clues first wins the prize. The game “follow the leader” is quite different. In it, the leader is the focus throughout. There is no mapping of clues to get to a prize; instead, to be successful, the players must keep their focus on the leader and do what that person does. This game has a more relational quality to it and provides a better illustration of what Matthew calls his readers to do in relation to Jesus. Discipleship for Matthew is about people’s responses to ...

1213. Jesus Inaugurates the Disciple Band and Conquers the Unclean Spirits

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

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... to gain that which he cannot lose.”5When we really know Jesus and the power of the gospel, we are willing to sacrifice everything to be his faithful witnesses in the world. How much are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus? So excited that you cannot keep quiet Scenario: If you got engaged, whom would you tell? If you just inherited $5 million, with whom would you share the news of your good fortune? If you just found out that you had been accepted to the college of your dreams, whom would you call? If you ...

1214. Jesus as Lord and as Archcriminal

Mark 2:23-3:6, Mark 2:18-22

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... may an oral tradition be set aside for the Messiah himself, the Son of God. 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man. God’s rest, the Sabbath, was meant to benefit and strengthen God’s people. The ordaining of the Sabbath was never intended for the purpose of people keeping Sabbath regulations and precepts. It was a gift from God and so was to serve humankind, not to become the master over humankind. For us, it is meant to be a day of rest and worship, not a source of rules. 2:28 the Son of Man is Lord ...

1215. Spiritual Hypocrisy—Living by the Rules, Not by the Heart

Mark 7:1-23

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... love is authentic. Nullifying the Word of God by human tradition Film: Sister Act. In this 1992 film Whoopi Goldberg stars as a Reno lounge singer (Deloris) who has been put into protective custody as a nun in a convent while a mob boss is trying to keep her from testifying. Hearing that Deloris has a background in music, the nuns elect her to serve as the choir director of the convent. Deloris rearranges the music to make it more contemporary and leads the nuns to reach out into the community, all to the ...

1216. Gentiles Exemplify True Discipleship

Mark 7:31-37, Mark 7:24-30

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... (Rom. 1:16: “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile”), and as Jesus said, Gentiles were unclean and unworthy. So she asks simply that she (and the Gentiles), like a pet, be allowed to share in what is left of God’s blessing. This is in keeping with Romans 11:17, where Gentiles are depicted as “wild olive” branches grafted in to share the blessings that had belonged to Israel. 7:29 For such a reply, you may go. Some have stated that Jesus is recognizing that the woman has won the debate, but ...

1217. Lessons on Devotion and Prayer

Luke 11:1-13, Luke 10:38-42

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... coming day.” On that basis some have argued that this is a prayer not for everyday sustenance, but for provision for the future (eschatological) “day of the Lord.” But Luke’s very precise phrase “each day” and the tense of the verb, which implies “keep on giving,” make that view unlikely. The believer here recognizes that daily survival depends on God’s gracious provision. We live, under his care, one day at a time (cf. the provision of manna in Exod. 16:4). 11:4 Forgive us . . . for we ...

1218. The Story of Israel Now and Later

Romans 2:1-16

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... which is wrath in the form of exile (cf. 30:4–5). But does the teaching in Romans 2:6–11 contradict Paul’s gospel that justification before God at the final judgment depends solely on faith and not on works (so Rom. 1:16–17)? Not when one keeps in mind the overarching purpose of Romans 1:18–3:20, which is that Paul wants to show that acceptance before a righteous God is based on perfectly following his law, which, in fact, no one can do, not even Jews. Coming to grips with that reality, Paul hopes ...

1219. The Reversal of the Deuteronomic Curses and Blessings: Replacing Law with Faith

Romans 9:30--10:21

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... Israel also receive God’s salvation or righteousness (implied: like the Gentiles already have). The second parallel (9:31; 10:2) addresses Israel’s failure in attempting to obey the Torah. The first parts of both verses speak of Israel’s commitment to keep the law (“pursued the law as a way of righteousness” [9:31]; “they are zealous for God” [10:2]). The second parts of both verses lament Israel’s failure to achieve that objective (“have not attained their goal” [9:31]; “their zeal is ...

1220. The New-Covenant Ethic of Love

Romans 12:9-21

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... weep are tangible ways to love the family of God. One might find it odd that Paul should first command Christians to rejoice with others. But, as John Chrysostom observes, such rejoicing is harder because it “requires a very noble soul, so as not only to keep from envying, but even to feel pleasure with the person who is in esteem” (Hom. Rom. 22).6 12:16 Live in harmony . . . Do not be conceited. Verse 16a returns to participles to express commands: living in harmony and not being proud.7Humility and ...

1221. Marriage, Sexual Intimacy, and Spiritual Devotion

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... vase in a second towel. Ask them to consider what new obstacles you might face in repairing both vases, like pieces getting intermixed, lost, and so on. Ask what steps might be taken to ensure that two intact vases emerge from the repair, such as keeping the pieces separate or dealing with one at a time. Also, ask if the resulting repairs would be anything close to the original vases. Suggest that they think of each vase as a marriage broken by divorce. Picking up the pieces and remixing them in different ...

1222. Message to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Here Jesus promises spiritual protection for those who have kept his command to persevere (cf. the same obedience stressed in 3:8b). The same verb and preposition combination (“keep you from,” or t?re? ek) is used elsewhere only in John 17:15, where Jesus says, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (cf. Matt. 5:37; 2 Pet. 2:9). The “hour ...

1223. The Temporary Imprisonment of Satan

Revelation 20:1-7

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... New Testament also makes it clear that Satan continues to do extensive damage during the present age (e.g., 2 Cor. 4:3–4; Eph. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:26; 1 Pet. 5:8). Here we see Satan on total lock down, with no possibility of escape. to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. The purpose of Satan’s imprisonment is to prevent him from deceiving the nations for a time. The “nations” could refer to the unbelievers who ...

1224. Living by God’s Sexual Standards

Leviticus 18:1-30

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” [Deut. 30:14] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim. Does Paul take Leviticus 18:5 to mean that the Old Testament saint was supposed to merit eternal life by keeping the law? In this view, Paul quotes Leviticus to prove that eternal life under the law was supposed to be obtained by works, while Deuteronomy is quoted to show that it was possible only by faith. But would Paul really think that Deuteronomy contradicts Leviticus? The ...

1225. The Census of the Twelve Tribes

Num 1:1–2:54

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... people (2 Pet. 3:4), heavenly rest (Heb. 4:1), an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God (Heb. 9:15; James 2:5), and eternal life (James 1:12; 1 John 2:25). The fact that God kept his promises to Israel gives us confidence that he will keep his promises to us. On the Large Numbers in the Census: The large numbers in Israel’s census lead some readers to question their accuracy. Since it would take a miracle for a large number of people to survive in the Sinai Desert, rationalists who do not believe in ...

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