Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1576 to 1600 of 4977 results

1576. The Shunammite's Son Restored to Life

2 Kings 4:8-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... the chapter is taken up with a story reminiscent of the sequel to the “widow narrative” of 1 Kings 17:7–16 (cf. 1 Kgs. 17:17–24). The same basic elements—miraculous provision; unexpected death; prophetic intervention and restoration to life—are woven into a quite different story. The provision in this case is not food for the son, but the son himself, conceived when the husband of Elisha’s Shunammite hostess is considered too old to father a child in any natural way (vv. 8–17; cf. Gen. 18:1 ...

1577. Death in a Pot

2 Kings 4:38-41

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

1578. Feeding of a Hundred

2 Kings 4:42-44

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

1579. Gershonites

1 Chronicles 23:7-11

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the family divisions to serve as confirmation that David’s divisions were in strict continuity with tradition. Although it is quite obvious, one should not overlook that the description of these families in 23:6–24, 27 is not an indication ... ), subordination would have been indicated with the Hebrew expression ʿal yad (instead of leyad, used here), a term that is used in quite a few instances in Chronicles. Dirksen does not agree with this view. He is of the opinion that the expression indeed denotes ...

1580. Kohathites

1 Chronicles 23:12-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1581. Merarites

1 Chronicles 23:21-32

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1582. To Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:1-7

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... and most others, their significance does not lie in describing the person to whom the name belongs, but rather in something else to which they point. We have reckoned that this is also so with Immanuel (“God is with us”). It would thus be quite natural for this fourfold name in verse 6, too, to be a statement about God—and not a statement about this son. And this fits the meaning of the name. Wonderful Counselor (lit. “wonder-planner,” i.e., “wonder-working planner”) immediately recalls Isaiah ...

1583. A Prophecy Against Egypt

Isaiah 19:1-25

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... they were. They had wisdom collected over the centuries. Israel knew it well. At least one section of Proverbs was adapted from an Egyptian prototype, the Thirty Sayings in Proverbs 22:17–24:22. In the conviction that all truth is God’s truth, Israel was quite open to learning from the culture and religion of other peoples where that could fill out and fit with what they knew of Yahweh. But this is a dangerous path, and it can lead to an excessive and undiscerning regard for those other resources. So ...

1584. Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27:1-13

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... these potential spoilers of the vineyard, if they change their stance. Yahweh would rather be at peace with them, too: it is the principle that has underlain the poems on peoples such as Moab and Egypt. Warmaking is not Yahweh’s essential nature, either—also quite a statement in this warring book. (d) Yahweh will make the vine bear fruit (27:6–11). In 5:24 root and blossom (NIV there translates “flower”) were destined to rot and blow away, so verse 6 promises another reversal. But the people’s ...

1585. Who Is This Man?

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... , “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Note that it does not say that John saw the dove or heard the voice. Still, it is evident that John thought Jesus was the one. However, it was no slam dunk. Jesus never did quite act like the messiah they were expecting. It’s probable that John shared the common expectation that the coming messiah would be a military-type figure who would stir up the people to revolt against the iron grip of Rome. But his cousin was content to be a humble ...

1586. In Search of Heroes

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” These are, of course, important words that we need to take quite seriously. Let’s begin here: It was never meant to be easy to follow Jesus. It would be good if we recognized that. Someone wrote a ... thousands of doctors did work similar to his, and no one thought to remark much upon it. He thinks it quite extraordinary that today doctors who voluntarily serve those at the bottom of society are considered “saints.” (1) Of course ...

1587. The Power to Forgive

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

King Duncan

... be a powerful antidote to our feelings of resentment over a wrongdoing someone has done to us. We remember just how much God has forgiven us and we are enabled to forgive. It’s like a little boy who had done something very naughty. His mother was quite disturbed by his behavior. In the kitchen there was a chalkboard on the wall where they wrote down phone messages. When no one was around, this troubled little boy wrote on that chalkboard, “Dear mom, if you forgive me, please wipe this message out.” He ...

1588. Deathbed Confessions

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... away with ample insurance to cover any eventuality. (1) There was a time when so-called deathbed conversions were taken quite seriously. It was important to people that their loved ones sign on the bottom line to become Christians, even ... and hired more laborers. About noon he again found it necessary to hire more workers, then again at three o’clock, then again at five. Quitting time was six o’clock. At six o’clock he had his foreman line up the laborers to be paid. He began with those who had ...

1589. The Most Generous Gift

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... eyes to learn what had amused her son so. Her eyes met a homeless-looking, unkempt old man just across from their table. With his hands waving at Erik, the man said “Hello baby . . . you are such a big boy.” Erik’s parents were startled. They didn’t quite know how to respond to this situation. Erik didn’t seem to care that others in the restaurant were now staring at him and the old man. Erik’s parents hurried their meal as soon as it arrived. The old man was still teasing at Erik: “Peek-a-boo ...

1590. Everyone Is Looking for You

Mark 1:35-39

Sermon

King Duncan

... day after day, seven days a week with others chasing that rabbit. Well, one day, I got up close; I got a good look at that rabbit. It was a fake! I had spent my whole life chasing a fake rabbit! Hey, I didn’t retire; I quit!” (2) Well, no wonder that dog quit, and was eager to tell Fred why. I hope no one in this room can relate to that greyhound. But there are many people who can relate. They’re spending their lives chasing fake rabbits. In their minds there is no purpose to life at all, not ...

1591. Noah and the Robots

Genesis 9:8-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... meant when he wrote that God created man and woman in His own image. It didn’t mean that we look like God. The scriptures are quite clear. God is Spirit. We are flesh. We have no idea what God looks like, but chances are it’s nothing like us. No, the ... a picture of Christ calling a little child to him. Melha turned to her father and said, “Look at Jesus!” Her father quite naturally replied, “I have no eyes, O my daughter-‑I cannot see.” This did not faze this imaginative child. Melha lifted her ...

1592. Faces of Failure: Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Don Tuttle

... in the tomb. And while the text doesn’t say so, I can’t help but imagine Nicodemus walking home that night, recalling the light that Jesus had shined into the darkness of his life, and thinking that just maybe the story wasn’t quite yet over, that God had something bigger and more surprising planned. [i] Alexander Campbell, The Christian System, Gospel Advocate, Nashville, TN, 2001 pp. 9-10. [ii] D. Duane Cummins, Handbook for Today’s Disciples, 3rd edition, Chalice Press, St. Louis, MO, 2003 pp 18 ...

1593. Faces of Failure: The Disciples

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

Don Tuttle

... , even at night, but the Sea of Galilee can be tricky. To the north is Mount Hermon and to the east is more or less desert. And when the cold air from Mount Hermon and the hot air from the east collide over the sea the storms can be quite severe. And that’s what happens that night. The wind begins to blow, or, more accurately, it begins to swirl like a tornado around them. And the waters, which are generally calm, begin to pummel their vessel. Before long, their boat is taking on water and in danger of ...

1594. Zeal!

John 2:13-22

Sermon

John Jamison

... told he had a Roman centurion standing at every pillar in the temple area, and another squad standing at the top of the Antonia Fortress, watching, just to make sure there was never any problem. I think we can be sure they were all watching Jesus quite closely. In the game of chess, it is often said that there are actually three different games being played: the opening, the middle game, and the end game. In the opening game, the players begin positioning their pieces on the board in a way that will allow ...

1595. Out of Control (Good Friday sermon)

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

John Jamison

... this was the time when family members came back home from the far corners of the world, it would have been quite a sight, filled with colorful clothing and with a constant hum from the many conversations. But the disciples were not a part of that crowd. Judas had ... left during the meal, and no one was quite sure just what was going to happen next, so the group took the dark side streets and avoided the crowds as they made their ...

1596. The Shepherd

John 10:11-18

Sermon

John Jamison

... was really no such thing as a “safe” path in this country. That’s why he had the sling hung on his belt and the small leather pouch filled with stones. The sling and stone was not just used to slay giants, as David once did. They were also quite effective against things like mountain lions. And, like all other experienced shepherds, he was a crack shot with his sling. He also carried his crook, the long stick with the curved hook on the end. It wasn’t just for show, nor was it some kind of a badge ...

1597. Does Easter Really Matter?

Mark 16:1-8, John 20:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... world and all of our problems--about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this?” she thought to herself. She was at the height of her fear when something indescribable happened. She said, “I can’t quite explain what happened in that next moment but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence and a soft voice kept saying, ‘Don’t forget the empty tomb, don’t forget the ...

1598. Please Pass the Resurrection Biscuits

Luke 24:35-48

Sermon

King Duncan

... he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” They remembered his words, but it was still quite incredible. When they came back from the tomb, the women told the disciples and those who were with them what they had seen and heard. And Luke reports, “But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” Was it a hoax ...

1599. United We Stand

John 17:11b-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... are experiencing God, and I am hoping that one day I will too.” (4) That is a beautiful and refreshingly honest response. I wonder if a TV character would say that today. Television has become somewhat hostile to organized religion. Some of us have experienced God in quite a profound way. Others of us are yearning for such an experience. Regardless, we are united in our belief that Christ is the way to God. And we gather here each week in the hope that God will make Himself known to us--that, if we have ...

1600. The Mighty Wind of God

Acts 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... and the secular authorities. But look what happened. On this day the followers of Jesus came out from behind their closed doors so forcefully to testify to their faith in Jesus Christ that more than 3,000 bystanders were converted at one time. That’s quite a transformation. On that day the church had a sense of excitement that was contagious. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that could happen to the church today? Churches all over our county are in a steady decline. Not all churches, of course, but most ...

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