Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1651 to 1675 of 1795 results

Genesis 31:22-55

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... God, two meals, and two purposes, that is, a guarantee of Jacob’s protecting the status of Laban’s daughters in his house and a boundary marker. These elements in pairs may be understood either as the conflation of two sources or as a rhetorical style for emphasis. Sarna (Genesis, p. 221) points out that the twofold nature of the account was to define Jacob’s complete separation from Laban and to acknowledge that from this point forward he was a patriarch on the same level as Laban. This covenant was ...

1652. The Plague of Hail

Exodus 9:13-35

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (v. 16b) Verse 15 also emphasizes the Lord’s relation to the earth as Creator with an explanation of how restrained he had been: “For by now I could have . . . wiped you off the earth.” In good compositional style, the chapter ends with a restatement of this primary theme to the pharaoh: The thunder will stop . . . so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s (v. 29b). Yahweh is Lord of all humanity, all the nonhuman creation, and the entire cosmos. Water ...

1653. God's Angel to Prepare the Way

Exodus 23:20-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to the book of the covenant. They provide a balance to the introduction by reiterating the theme of the Lord’s first-person concern for true worship of the Creator and redeemer of Israel (20:22–26). Scholars have noted a shift to a Deuteronomic style. The text immediately drives the narrative forward toward the land of the Canaanites. While Abraham’s name does not appear here, the enduring promise of the land renewed at the burning bush is in the forefront (3:6–8; 23:23, 31). God promises to ...

1654. Materials for the Tabernacle

Exodus 35:4-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... , the building of the tabernacle. The first time these details occur in the text, the Lord was giving Moses instructions (chs. 25–31). Here, the text describes the people accomplishing the task in joy and voluntary obedience. There is an abrupt change of style from the narrative of Exodus 32–34 to the Sabbath law and tabernacle lists of Exodus 35–39. In addition, the return to long detailed descriptions that the text of Exodus 25–31 has already provided is enough to end readers’ (and scholars ...

1655. Idolatry Forbidden

Deuteronomy 4:15-31

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Obedience and Loyalty to Israel’s Unique God: The historical recollections now give place to urgent exhortation. 4:15–20 This specific warning against idolatry is prefaced with a reminder of the point just made, you saw no form (v. 15). Any attempt, therefore, to make an image as an object of or aid to worship, was bound to be inadequate. But the reason for the prohibition should be carefully expressed. Sometimes it is claimed that Israel here affirmed an invisible deity, as against visible idols. Or that ...

1656. The Lord is God

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Obedience and Loyalty to Israel’s Unique God: These verses are the climax, not just of chapter 4, but of the whole first discourse of Moses in the book. They are fittingly exalted, in content and style. As mentioned earlier, this whole section mirrors the opening eight verses but elevates the theme tremendously. The stylistic device of rhetorical questions that expressed the incomparability of Israel in verses 6–8 is employed again to affirm the incomparability of Yahweh, and for a similarly combined ...

1657. Various Laws

Deuteronomy 21:22--22:12

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... need. It is a fundamental principle of biblical ethics. Indeed, the first steps of broader application (do the same if . . . ) found in verse 3 could be infinitely extended, as the sage exemplifies (Prov. 12:10; 29:7). 22:5 This law is not about styles or fashions in clothing, though it has been quoted in earnest pamphlets urging Christian women not to wear jeans (though not, as far as I am aware, in relation to Scotsmen’s kilts!). Almost certainly it is about the perverted crossing of genders either in ...

1658. Benjamin

1 Chronicles 7:6-12

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... our disposal in the Hebrew Bible (mostly from Gen. 46 and Num. 26). From some he quotes selectively, while of others he makes no use at all, such as sections in Numbers 26 and Joshua 16–19 dealing with the tribes under discussion. The style of the majority of genealogies provided here (with the exclusion of those of Ephraim and Manasseh) is different from what we have seen thus far in the Chronicler’s genealogies. For example, the inclusion of the numbers of “fighting men” in the different families ...

1659. Naphtali

1 Chronicles 7:13

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1660. Manasseh

1 Chronicles 7:14-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1661. Ephraim

1 Chronicles 7:20-29

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1662. Asher

1 Chronicles 7:30-40

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

1663. Shishak Attacks Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 12:1-16

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... heart on seeking the LORD. The Hebrew terms kun (“to set/establish”) and darash (“to seek” the Lord) occur here again. The citing of prophetic sources for further reference about the king’s reign is also typical of the Chronicler’s style. The Chronicler’s evaluation of Rehoboam concurs with that of the Deuteronomistic version, but this is done in the Chronicler’s own programmatic language. Additional Notes 12:2 The Hebrew term “be unfaithful” (ma'al) occurs eleven times in Chronicles (1 ...

1664. Jehoshaphat Appoints Judges

2 Chronicles 19:4-11

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... of Ephraim) back to the LORD, the God of their fathers. Within this context, the appointment of judges . . . in each of the fortified cities of Judah (19:5) follows. Theologically, their judicial function is not to judge for man but for the LORD. Their style of justice conforms to this principle: with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery (19:7). In Jerusalem a similar system is put in place. However, there the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families have to officiate in ...

1665. Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... cry is, Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever (20:21). This description resembles that of the battle of Abijah against Jeroboam of Israel (2 Chron. 13). The praise song is also reminiscent of the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem. In the style of a holy war the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir (20:22) and caused them to destroy themselves. Jehoshaphat and his men could therefore conquer them without actually taking part in the battle in any way. Their role ...

1666. Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover

2 Chronicles 30:1--31:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... your fathers and brothers, who were unfaithful (ma?al) to the LORD (30:7)—again a clear indication of the Chronicler’s theological vision that promoted faithfulness to Yahweh. Although the king’s letter is suffused with the Chronicler’s style and language, it is also clear that the Chronicler took a leaf from the Deuteronomist’s book in composing it (without the letter being represented in the Deuteronomistic version). A prominent Deuteronomic term, “to return” (shub), encompasses the letter ...

1667. Those Guilty of Intermarriage

Ezra 10:18-44

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... The REB, implicitly following the LXX, has revocalized it as a plural noun, “(as) guilt offerings,” understanding a carryover of the verb in the preceding clause. The NRSV and NJB (“their guilt offering”) have revocalized to ʾshamam, which nicely accords with the style of the underlying Lev. 5:15. The sin was unintentional (Lev. 5:15) in that the marriages were contracted before their illicit nature was realized. The Torah text applied to the entire community, not just priests. 10:24 As in the list ...

1668. Priests and Levites

Nehemiah 12:1-26

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... office. Verse 23 speaks of recorded information about priests and Levites who officiated up to the period a generation or two after Nehemiah. It seems to refer to the following list of Levites in verses 24–25a. This list is in a different style from the previous priestly one and highlights one of their duties, their ministry of song. It mentions three—originally four (see the additional note) heads, and three singers: Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah. Comparison with verses 8–9 and 11:17 shows that these ...

1669. How Well Do You Listen?

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... that walking in his footsteps can give. And the question is why more people won’t pay attention to his words? The truthfulness of the Gospel message is so obvious to those of us who have trusted our lives to him. The destructiveness of less worthy styles of living also is so evident. Why won’t people listen to what Christ says? Of course it is easy to talk about the disinterest of the outside world, but an even more pressing question today is why those of us who are supposedly committed to Christ ...

1670. Wimps or Water Walkers

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon

King Duncan

Somewhere I read about a family that decided to vacation in Colorado. They flew to Denver and rented a car. While there, they visited the Royal Gorge Bridge. This bridge is a little scary to drive across. It stands more than 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River. Walking out onto the bridge, the dad noticed it swaying in the wind. Then a car went past them, and the wood-plank roadway moved beneath their feet. “I don’t think I want to drive the car across this bridge,” said the father nervously. “What are you ...

1671. The Sacred Power of a Listening Heart

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19

Sermon

King Duncan

... about it. “I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day. Before long, things around our home started reflecting the pattern of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable. “I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, ‘Daddy, I wanna tell ...

1672. Jesus' No-Nonsense Guide to Success

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

April Yamasaki

... to lie in bed thinking about how wonderful it was to be healed by Jesus. She didn't just think about serving. She didn't just sing about serving. She responded with service. In the world of pro sports, a new coach always means a new personality, a new style, a new spirit, a new chemistry. But the key thing is how the players respond, because a coaching change is never made simply for its own sake. It's never just for the sake of changing one position in an organization. It's made for the overall effect on ...

1673. A Word to Busy Parents

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

King Duncan

... embarrassing for all concerned. But this was, after all, a real family. Even in the best of families there is disagreement. At least they didn’t have social media to drive them further apart. Recently I read about a home show promoting new styles of homes which featured one dream house that allowed each family member to come in via a different entrance. Individuals could enjoy their smart phone or watch television or surf the internet in their own room and even choose separate kitchen facilities and ...

1674. The Journey of Salvation

Luke 22:39-46, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... falling upon the ground. You and I have had our Gethsemanes, haven’t we? Anybody who has ever sought to do God’s will has wrestled with difficult decisions. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to make a commitment to a style of living that involves personal sacrifice. It involves our time, our personal resources. It could even require our lives. History is filled with stories of personal Gethsemanes where persons have been willing because of their commitment to Christ to pay the ultimate price. Jesus ...

1675. Living Between the Times

John 17:20-26

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

... Jesus is Lord. Obviously, the church of Jesus Christ has fallen significantly short of realizing Jesus’ unity prayer. When we drive the streets of any community we can see how differences of race, national origin, history, creeds, politics, personal opinion, and styles of worship have splintered Christ’s universal church. My practice in lectionary preaching is to search the internet to see how others handle the topic of the week. It came as no particular surprise that many ministers preaching on Jesus ...

Showing results