Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1426 to 1450 of 4884 results

Romans 6:1-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... has mastery over him (v. 9). The death and resurrection of Christ resound like a trumpet blast through the corridors of time— once for all . Not even the raising of Lazarus (John 11) is a prototype of Christ’s resurrection, for Lazarus died again. Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the eternal God. Because he lived for God he did not live for self; because he did not live for self he knew no sin; because he knew no sin death held no mastery over him. The cross swallows up the grave. Death can claim ...

1427. Slaves to Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... end result is ultimately an artificial distinction and foreign to Paul’s thought. The point is that justification by faith leads to concrete moral change. What the law demanded but could not fulfill is now possible through Jesus Christ. Both the process of moral renewal and the result of moral perfection are present in perhaps Paul’s most explicit statement on the subject: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify (hagiazein) ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit ...

1428. Love

Romans 12:9-21

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... a selflessness which only the power of agapē can bestow. Apart from the renewing of our minds, such commandments make no sense; and apart from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they are impossible to realize. The converted heart agrees that this is the perfect love of Christ, but the flesh rebels, reminding us of the unfinished progress in our lives before we approximate the “likeness of [God’s] Son” (8:29). Live in harmony.… do not be proud … associate with people of low position.… do not be ...

1429. Submission to the Authorities

Romans 13:1-7

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... briefly reviewed. From the foregoing, then, we may draw the following conclusions. First, Paul is speaking of human government in terms of an ideal. This is apparent from the general terminology of the passage. By “ideal” we need not imagine a state of perfection, but simply what government ought to be, which, according to Paul, is an ordered civil structure ordained by God to reward good and punish evil. At the same time, Paul’s failure to raise the question of resistance to governments which violate ...

1430. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... be adults employs the Gk. word teleios, which occurred in 2:6 and 13:10. The word functions to mean “adult” as compared with the children who are also mentioned in this verse. The connotation of the Gk. word is “maturity, completion, wholeness” and sometimes “perfection.” 14:21 Paul’s citation of a text from the OT, Isa. 28:11–12, becomes the basis for a brief expository sermon that follows in vv. 22–25. Verse 22 seems to state the interpretation of the quotation that then leads into the ...

1431. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... John who measures the city, simply because its dimensions are beyond human computation and comprehension: each side measures 12,000 stadia, or about 1400 miles! While Ezekiel’s majestic city was a square, John’s Jerusalem is cubic. Rather than a symbol of perfection, as Greek philosophy would have surmised, the city’s cubical shape is probably of theological interest to John as a symbol of God’s presence. Knowing that the temple’s “holy of holies” was also a cube (cf. 1 Kings 6:20) although ...

1432. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... human habitation, hidden from access even by wild animals that roam the wilderness areas, and shielded from the far-seeing eyes of the high-flying birds of prey soaring above the earth, this underground wonderland of precious stones and metals would seem perfectly hidden and inaccessible. But in these three verses the poet returns to praise the human skills of discovery and exploitation of the earth’s buried resources with which the poem began (vv. 1–4). Undeterred by the remote setting and difficult ...

1433. Instruction for Temple Entry

Psalm 15:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... and the negative statements on not abusing people verbally. There follow two qualifications (each with a Niphal verb and an imperfect verb, v. 4) which refer to the company one keeps and to keeping promises (oaths). The final two are negative statements (both Hb. perfects, v. 5a) referring to not abusing one’s resources and position. The number ten invites comparison with the Ten Commandments (actually not so labeled by the OT, which refers to them as the “Ten Words,” see Exod. 20:1; 24:3; Deut. 5:22 ...

1434. The King’s Thanksgiving for Military Victories

Psalm 18:1-50

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... and pure (see esp. 15:2; 24:4; 26:1, 6, 11). (The chief difference between the two forms is that here Yahweh has already acknowledged the speaker’s integrity. It is part of a thanksgiving and is thus a testimony.) These are not claims of moral perfection but affirmations that one embraces the ways of the LORD and that one is a “seeker” and “fearer” of Yahweh (see on Pss. 15; 24). They simply profess that one is a loyal adherent, as opposed one who rejects or disregards Yahweh and his ways. We ...

1435. Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... sermon are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:13–16 In contrast to those who oppose the work of God in the world ...

1436. Murder

Matthew 5:21-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... sermon are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:21–24 Verse 20 sets forth a basic principle that is illustrated in ...

1437. Adultery

Matthew 5:27-30

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:27–30 The seventh commandment is, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exod ...

1438. Divorce

Matthew 5:31-32

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:31–32 Some writers consider this section the third antithesis. The formula ...

1439. Oaths

Matthew 5:33-37

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:33–37 In saying that people were formerly told not to break a promise ...

1440. An Eye for an Eye

Matthew 5:38-42

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... of the sermon are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:38–42 One of the oldest laws in the world was based on the ...

1441. The God Who Blesses Israel’s Harvests and His International Praise

Psalm 67:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... may be found in the parallel psalms of Yahweh’s kingship. Here creation order and international justice are two arenas of the same action of God, namely his ability to order things harmoniously (see esp. 96:10). Additional Note 67:6 The land will yield: The oddity of the Hb. perfect in a psalm dominated by jussives and imperfects has raised considerable debate among commentators. Its presence may be explained if the phrase is drawn from a text such as Lev. 26:4, which uses the ...

1442. The Restored Exiles Sowing in Tears and Reaping with Joy

Psalm 126:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , like streams in the Negev, implies the term should have a positive connotation, hence, “fortunes.” The verb tenses of vv. 1–3 are problematic. Because v. 1 announces a restoration and v. 4 petitions it, one might read them as future. But the perfect verbs most often denote action completed in the past, and the confession of v. 3 certainly appears to look back to a past event. Moreover, the OT’s witness of the early postexilic period describes a historical situation that helps us clarify these ...

1443. No One Is Righteous before God

Psalm 143:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... were not granted entry. While only the one who vows to be a doer of righteousness (15:2) may enter the temple, “he will receive . . . righteousness from God his savior” (24:5, lit.). Thus, worshipers were expected to show loyalty to Yahweh’s revealed righteousness but not to show perfection in the sense of absolute righteousness. Yahweh would thus impute righteousness to them. In this light we can make sense of psalms such as Psalms 14 and 32. In Psalm 32 the “righteous” (v. 11) are not morally ...

1444. Unacceptable Sacrifices

Leviticus 22:17--23:2

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 20) with a further warning not to bring anything with a defect; it will be unacceptable. The word translated “defect” in verse 20 is different from the one translated “without defect” in verse 19. The term in verse 19 is the same term used in chapter 1, as “perfect” or “whole.” The term in verse 20 is also used in chapter 21 in relation to the priests. That is a helpful clue; just as the priests are to be whole because they are holy, so these offerings are to be whole for they will be burned ...

1445. The Disciples' Grief Will Turn to Joy

John 16:17-33, John 16:5-16

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... . This is the period of Jesus’ absence, a time of grief and anguish. The time of joy is that future time, after Jesus’ return, when faith becomes sight. The pattern is clear enough; the designation of the whole age of the church as only a little while is perfectly consistent with the early Christian conviction that it “is the last hour” (1 John 2:18; cf. James 5:8; 1 Pet. 4:7; Rev. 1:1, 3; 22:6, 10). But there is a difficulty with this pattern. In verses 23–24 Jesus makes specific statements and ...

1446. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... tongue. The need to control the tongue was well known in Judaism and Christianity (Prov. 10:19; 21:23; Eccles. 5:1; Sirach 19:16; 20:1–7). James points out here, as he did in 1:26, its importance, since a person who controls his speech is a perfect [person], able to keep his whole body in check. That is, such a person is fully mature and complete in Christian character (1:4) and thus able to meet every test and temptation and control every evil impulse (1:12–15). As “Ben Zoma said: ‘Who is mighty ...

1447. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:1-6, James 4:13-17, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... judicial murder, either by active or passive means. Actively the courts are used to have inconvenient righteous people executed. Passively the courts are used to rob the poor of their livelihood by taking their farms or other means of support. It is all “perfectly legal,” and the poor “just happen” to die of diseases related to malnutrition. God calls both types murder. The last half of the charge is more difficult. It is true that the poor often cannot resist the rich and powerful and so frequently ...

1448. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:7-12, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1449. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:13-20, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1450. Before You Start Ripping Your Clothing

Joel 2:12-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... Mary Livingstone, Jack’s wife of 48 years. And, indeed, when Jack died there was a provision in his will that Mary was to receive one perfect red rose daily as long as she lived. True love is a beautiful thing. Of course, the most beautiful love of all is the love God ... (3) As we mark our foreheads with ashes this evening we are asking God to cleanse us of anything that might prevent His perfect will from being done in our lives. We, too, are His people. We, too, miss the mark of holy living. We pray to be ...

Showing results

Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 1426 to 1450 of 4884 results

1426. Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Romans 6:1-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

1427. Slaves to Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

1428. Love

Romans 12:9-21

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

1429. Submission to the Authorities

Romans 13:1-7

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

1430. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

1431. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

1432. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

1433. Instruction for Temple Entry

Psalm 15:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

1434. The King’s Thanksgiving for Military Victories

Psalm 18:1-50

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

1435. Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

1436. Murder

Matthew 5:21-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... sermon are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:21–24 Verse 20 sets forth a basic principle that is illustrated in ...

1437. Adultery

Matthew 5:27-30

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

1438. Divorce

Matthew 5:31-32

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

1439. Oaths

Matthew 5:33-37

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... are intended not to drive people to despair so they will then cast themselves upon the mercy of God, but to guide and direct those who desire to please him. It is true that the demands are stated in absolute terms (“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” 5:48), but that is the nature of all great ethical teaching. Although we may not reach the stars, they still serve us well as reliable navigational aids. 5:33–37 In saying that people were formerly told not to break a promise ...

1440. An Eye for an Eye

Matthew 5:38-42

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

1441. The God Who Blesses Israel’s Harvests and His International Praise

Psalm 67:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

1442. The Restored Exiles Sowing in Tears and Reaping with Joy

Psalm 126:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles