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Showing 126 to 150 of 747 results

126. Job Considers a Legal Dispute with God

Job 9:1–10:22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... mediate between us. Job and his friends all share similar conceptions about the heavenly beings. Eliphaz refers to the holy ones (5:1), and Elihu speaks of a mediating angel to deliver humans (33:23–28). In 16:19 Job will contemplate a heavenly witness who could advocate for his cause. Here in 9:33, Job longs for a third party, likely a heavenly being, who could listen both to him and to God, and then make a judgment as an umpire between the two disputants. In effect, this mediator would function like a ...

127. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ,” 14:16) and the Spirit of truth. Paraclete (Greek paraklētos) is unique to John (elsewhere, 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1) and expresses the Spirit’s strengthening, equipping role. A paraklētos was a judicial advocate (cf. Matt. 10:16–20), and here Jesus says that Christians alone can enjoy his aid (John 14:17). As Jesus was alien to the world (1:10), so too his provision of the Spirit will be unknown and unrecognized. As Jesus was on trial in the world (cf. the ...

128. The Question of Sin and the Commandment to Love

1 John 1:5--2:14, 1 John 2:15-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ” (NRSV); at the same time he emphasizes the availability of grace for any who might. He employs a word used for the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John—“helper,” or “advocate”—but here he uses it in reference to Jesus. This is a familiar Johannine term, and while the Holy Spirit is “another” counselor and advocate (John 14:16), Jesus is the original. Conversely, he then employs an unusual reference to the atoning sacrifice (Greek hilasmos; see also 1 John 4:10) of Jesus Christ the righteous ...

129. Thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), p. 39. K. Grayston (“Not With a Rod,” ExpT 88 [1976], pp. 13–16) over-reads Paul’s phrases en panti logō kai pasē gnōsei when he asserts that they refer to divisions in the church between those advocating logos and those involved with gnōsis. Rather, in Paul’s discussion of the situation in Corinth (12:8; 14:6–25) the concerns with speaking and knowledge seem intimately connected. 1:7 The subject of “spiritual gifts” that Paul raises already in the ...

130. The Believer's Freedom

1 Corinthians 10:23--11:1

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... twice. First, he repeats and reacts to it exactly as in 6:12, but not everything is beneficial. Then, he repeats the slogan and limits it in relation to edification or building up, but not everything is constructive. Paul’s reasoning recalls the line he advocated at 3:10–15, so that one sees that Paul desires the unity and proper development of the church. 10:24 Paul builds on these qualified statements by declaring a maxim, Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others—literally, “Let no ...

131. The Resurrection Body

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... outburst that will follow in v. 57. 15:57 This verse is purely doxological in nature, although the language fits the context of the discussion and the christological and theological emphases of the thanksgiving-praise focus the reflection in a way that Paul has been advocating throughout the letter: on God’s work in and through Jesus Christ. Cf. Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; 8:16; 9:15 to note the range of Pauline charis-formulas (see R. Banks, “Romans 7:25a: An Eschatological Thanksgiving ...

132. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... depicted as a judge marked out by special official dress. 29:15–17 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. The catalogue of unprotected persons whom Job defends continues with those whose physical disabilities leave them at a disadvantage. Job is their advocate and helper. The needy (Heb. ʾebyonim) are those who are truly destitute in society. Like a father, Job must have seen to their needs. The reference to the case of the stranger also calls up the context of a law court. The “case” is more ...

133. Vows About Acceptable and Unacceptable Associates

Psalm 101:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... the temple desires of his worshipers. For the purpose of clear instruction Yahweh’s expectations are embodied in two character profiles, “the righteous” and “the wicked.” One’s loyalty to Yahweh is measured, in part, by the company with which one aligns oneself. These psalms, including Psalm 101, do not advocate a separate community (a ghetto, if you will), but they do advocate avoiding any participation with evil company in the deeds they practice.

134. Those Guilty of Intermarriage

Ezra 10:18-44

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... of Elam acted as their spokesperson in backing the earlier teaching of Ezra and the policy of his support group. He admitted that marriage to women from “the peoples of the land” (NRSV) constituted a serious breach of the covenant, and he advocated a communal “pledge” (REB) to expel the wives and children of the illicit unions. Dealing with the offense opened a window of hope for the community to survive despite the fact that they had offended God. They would regularize the situation and restore ...

135. The Baby or the Window?

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

King Duncan

... But I give ’em all something to eat I’m a friend to old Euell Gibbons And I only eat homegrown spice,” etc. (6) For a while Gibbons was a pop icon, well known for his dietary habits. However, cynics like to point out that Euell Gibbons, the outspoken advocate for healthy diets didn’t live long enough to collect a Social Security check. And that’s true. He died at age 64, but it had nothing to do with his diet. He died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm related to a genetic condition he had. Life is ...

136. Commitment Beyond Calculation

Mark 12:38-44

Sermon

William G. Carter

... disclosed the generosity of all the candidates in a presidential campaign. In the year before the campaign, Gary Hart gave a total of $140 to all charitable causes. Jesse Jackson, an advocate for the poor, gave a total of $500 to charity, even though his taxable income was well over $100,000. Ronald Reagan, who advocated that private citizens should pick up the slack of slashed welfare programs, gave only $2000 to all charitable causes, this on an income of several hundred thousand dollars. The highest ...

137. They'll Know We Are Christians by Our...

Galatians 5:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

... in every believer, then love compels us to give freely of our resources. As part of Christ’s body, we are called to have acceptance for one another and to look after one another’s needs. Finally, being one in Christ means we are to become advocates for one another and for all God’s children. Author Tony Campolo tells of the time when Mother Teresa visited a town in Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia. The directors of the state mental hospital wanted to build some halfway houses in this town to ...

138. A Mystery

John 16:12-15

Sermon

Robert C. Cochran

... Lord. Amen.” So, there are precedents for addressing our prayers to the Father or the Son. What about dedicating them to the Spirit? Just before departing from this world, in one of my favorite Bible passages, Jesus himself told his disciples that he would send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who would help us in our prayers, who would intercede for us “with sighs too deep for words.” The Spirit does this because we “do not know how to pray as we ought.” We have Saint Paul telling us to pray in the ...

139. The Surrogate

Matthew 1:1-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... one must not just be the seed of Abraham but a “disciple” of Abraham, that the way one lived his or her life mattered most in being a child of God. Hillel liked to pursue those who didn’t come to be a disciple on their own. Hillel advocated for Jews, gentiles, and even sinners to come close to God, and he did not look for the best and most wealthy students, but chose his students from every walk of life. He had over 80 disciples. Hillel believed strongly that Jews must not separate themselves from the ...

140. Higher Ground

Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... of the most high God (as seen in Joshua) is taken up into the clouds while the disciples watch in awe. Then, they worship him. They realize that their teacher is not just bodily resurrected, but now will become a spiritual presence who will be their advocate in heaven, seated at the right hand of God. Jesus IS one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. And this revelation of who he is now, transfigured (as was formerly foreshadowed) into part of the Godhead, becomes clear, even as it is mysterious. And they ...

141. The Bramble King

John 15:1-17, John 15:18--16:4, John 16:5-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. “All this I have told you so that you will not ...

142. The Politics of Love

Mark 15:1-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... God, Messiah, and Lord of Life. Wow! That makes Jesus’ atonement so much stronger, doesn’t it? Because Jesus isn’t just atoning for the people who liked him. Most of all, he’s atoning for the people who didn’t. You see, Jesus advocates an entirely different kind of “politics.” Jesus’ politics is a different “way” of relating both to God and to neighbor. Jesus’ politics of love isn’t just about the kind of restoration that heals divisions and fosters creativity, not just the kind that ...

143. Our Strange, Strong Peace

John 14:15-31

Sermon

David & Marian Plant

... to experience this passage delivered in the voice with which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his speeches. Level One intensity and cadence: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to be with you forever....” Level Two stronger intensity, passion, and cadence: “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me....” Level Three stronger still — here ...

144. True Colors

John 14:15-31, Psalm 66:1-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... .” They don’t seem to have a firm opinion of their own about anything. At least it’s impossible to tell what they really think, because they will agree with whomever they are with. Put them into a room with climate change advocates, and they will passionate advocate for climate change. In the next hour, put them into a room with climate change protestors, and before you can say “flip,” they’ve taken up a sign and have begun protesting along with their peers. You probably also know people who ...

145. Dealing with Grief

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Sermon

King Duncan

... , disabling and painful disease. Instead of focusing on his pain and fear of the future, Mattie focused on writing poetry and advocating for peace and justice. He wrote seven best-selling poetry books. He became a public speaker. Sadly, Mattie died at age thirteen. But ... his writings and his work live on in a foundation created to honor his legacy and advocate for peace. One of his poems is especially beautiful. It is titled Heavenly Greeting. In it he asks how God will greet ...

146. Freedom

Acts 16:16-40

Sermon

Will Willimon

... Nam days) and I'm going to get to grow food to feed hungry people." And the girl's owners say to the judge, "We're not against a little religion -- as long as it is kept in its place. But these Jews are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." No, we don't come right out and say that our financial self-interest is threatened, we say that our nation is threatened. "These missionaries are foreigners." Buy American! Besides, they are Jews. And we ...

147. The Days Are Coming

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... the engineers had created them to work. (5) It is revealing that these two terms are so rarely linked—justice and righteousness. It is that old division in western Christianity between those who advocate a social gospel—the gospel of civil rights, concern for the poor, and social justice—and those who advocate a personal gospel of piety, prayer and high moral conduct. The days are coming when such a false dichotomy will be forever dispelled. Both justice and righteousness are attributes of the Kingdom ...

148. Empowering the Powerless

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... –one based in mutual love, care, respect, and peace. May we revel in the joy of the scriptures, and the Truths they reveal about us and about our lives. But even more so, may we revel in the joy of Jesus, our Savior –our Way, our Truth, and our Life. Advocate of Truth. Advocate of all.

149. We're On the Move Now!

Sermon

Ronald Love

... Paul wanted to instill in his readers. This is the sense of immediacy that Jesus wanted to instill in his hearers when he said “As it was in the days of Noah…” Realizing Paul was offering us his opinion the days are long enough to be advocates for social justice. Realizing Paul was offering us his opinion the days are long enough so we can be activists for equality. Realizing Paul was offering us his opinion the days are long enough so we can be outspoken against oppression. But the days are too short ...

150. Heroines of the Faith

Mark 1:29.39

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... Affairs (September 1998). foreignaffairs.com/articles/1998-09-1/woman-and-evolution-world-politics 6. James H. Smylie, “Women Ministers (1955-1966) and Margaret Towner,” The Presbyterian Outlook, (February 6, 2006).. 7. Anne Adams, “Anne Hutchinson: Advocate for Religious Freedom,” History’s Women. http://www.historyswomen.com/womenoffaith/AnneHutchinson.htm. 8. Bill J. Leonard, Word of God Across the Ages, (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1981), 71. 9. “Amy Carmichael: Founder of Dohnavur Fellowship ...

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