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Showing 151 to 175 of 1249 results

151. Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Ephesians 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... 1:5 It is difficult to know what to do with the phrase in love. The NIV (as RSV, GNB) takes it to go with verse 5, thereby indicating that God’s choosing was motivated by his love. On the basis of this love, God predestined us to be adopted as his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. But the phrase could be taken with the action described in verse 4, as humanity’s love to God rather than God’s love for humanity. Thus the meaning would be that believers should be holy and without fault before him ...

152. The Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... to dwell.” At least three possibilities have been suggested: (a) to make Christ the subject, thus giving the meaning that he (Christ) was pleased that all the fullness of God should dwell in him; (b) to make plērōma the subject, resulting in a translation adopted by the RSV (“for in him all the fulness was pleased to dwell”); and (c) to regard God as the subject. Hence the NIV: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him). The main argument against this third view is the introduction ...

153. The Israelites Confess their Sins

Nehemiah 9:1-37

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... as in v. 10 of the Egyptians. They put themselves in the enemy camp. 9:17 In their rebellion: The LXX and a minority reading of the MT attest “in Egypt” (after slavery), representing an extra consonant (Heb. bmtsrym rather than bmrym: see BHS). It has been adopted by the NRSV and NJB and by Barthélemy, Critique textuelle, vol. 1, p. 568. The textual basis at this point is Num. 14:4, which specifically mentions Egypt. The phrase a forgiving God, found neither in the formula of Num. 14:18a nor in that of ...

154. Sayings of the Wise

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... verse 18a, heart is, literally, “belly.” 22:19 The explicit religious purpose (trust in the LORD) should be noted. The text of verse 19b, translated literally in the NIV, seems to be corrupt, but there is no satisfactory solution. 22:20 The NIV wisely adopts the MT reading, thirty, and relegates the Qere and Kethib to the margins. This is a classic case of the Hebrew being understood out of the Egyptian work; see Additional Notes. 22:21 The reliability of courtiers as messengers is a theme that appears ...

155. Punishment for Israel

Hosea 9:1--10:15

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... the line as a Judean addition. What it may be is a scribal insertion into the text to explain that mourner’s bread may not be offered to God. Very probably the line should be regarded as a gloss. Additional Notes 9:1b It is not necessary to adopt the reading of the LXX, as the NIV, RSV, and others have done. Hosea is telling the Israelites not to give themselves over to the wild exultation and dances of the baal cult. 9:2 Winepresses can also be read as “oil presses,” which is probably intended here ...

156. Jesus’s Birth

Matthew 1:18-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... angel commands Joseph to name the child and explains the meaning of “Jesus” (1:21; Hebrew: Joshua, meaning “salvation”). At the passage’s conclusion, Matthew confirms that Joseph does indeed name Jesus as instructed (1:25). The importance of this act becomes clear in light of ancient Jewish adoptive practices. For legal adoption to occur, all that Joseph needed to do was acknowledge Jesus as his own, which Joseph does by remaining with Mary and naming the child (Davies and Allison, 1:220). Joseph ...

157. Life through the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of God. The Spirit whom the believers received when they came to faith in Jesus Christ is a Spirit who generates a new obedience in their hearts (8:15). People who have come to faith in Jesus Christ and who have received God’s Spirit have been adopted into God’s family, both Jews and Gentiles. The community of the Christian believers functions as God’s adopted son when they are united with Jesus Christ the Son of God. This new reality is celebrated in prayer as believers praise God for their status as ...

158. Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... 17 Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (v. 14). With this subtle transition Paul ushers believers into abiding fellowship with God and their spiritual inheritance in Christ. The imagery is that of a family. Sin abducts, God adopts. Sin makes slaves, God makes children. Sin provokes fear, the Spirit evokes trust. Sin foments rebellion and hostility, the Spirit leads believers to appeal to God in the most intimate and urgent cry, “ Abba , Father.” The paradox of grace is that those who ...

159. Job's Third Reply to Eliphaz

Job 23:1--24:25

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... kind of “dread” or “anxiety” and the “fear of God” (always the verb yrʾ) that is the appropriate attitude of reliance on the grace and mercy of God. Job is not claiming that dwelling almost compulsively on God’s freedom encourages Job to adopt an appropriate attitude of reliance. Instead, this kind of “fear” can create a barrier of terrible dread that separates rather than binds together God and human being. 23:16 God has made my heart faint . . . has terrified me. The anxious dread that ...

160. Not Such a Difficult Question

Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon

King Duncan

... couldn’t find work then or safe shelter turned to prostitution. It was cruel and debasing work, but many of the girls felt it was their only choice. So, as an alternative, Claire prayed for a family. At age 15, Claire was adopted by John and Marie Peterson who live in Texas. The Petersons’ have five adopted daughters, all from Russian orphanages. Today, Claire Peterson hopes to become a missionary herself to orphaned children around the world. As representatives of Operation Christmas Child, she and her ...

161. The Joy of Being Found

Luke 15:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... boy named Guo was kidnapped from his parent’s front yard and sold to another family. Since the Chinese government instituted their one-child policy in 1980, officials estimate that nearly 20,000 Chinese children are kidnapped each year and sold to adoptive families. Naturally, Guo’s parents were heartbroken when their son disappeared. So for twenty-four years, Guo’s father traveled 310,000 miles across China searching for his son. He has traveled all these miles by motorbike, spreading flyers with his ...

162. The Cost of Commitment

Genesis 22:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... ’t leave the baby behind, so he took the baby to his mother’s house. He and his mother cleaned this child and fed him. They searched for the baby’s parents, and contacted the local police, but nothing came of their search. Jimmy wrestled with the idea of adopting the baby himself. He knew the pain of growing up without a father, and he didn’t want this child to grow up without parents. Even though Jimmy was still a student, and barely making ends meet as it was, he applied to be the baby’s legal ...

163. More Than Just Image

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... if he would consider fostering her temporarily. Lt. Zach and his wife, Cierra, agreed right away. Four years later, the Zach family adopted Kaila into their family. They are determined that Kaila will grow up in an environment of safety and love, in an ... .dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11836871/When-good-pastors-bad-Hillsongs-Carl-Lentz-NYCs-bling-bishop.html. 7. “Officer adopts little girl he consoled responding to an abuse report” by Adrienne Broaddus, CNN.com, published: October 1, 2021. Copyright ...

164. Clever Christians

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

Richard Patt

... who go to church and are considered very active in church programs but who have concluded that they could never seriously adopt the teachings or moral standards of Christianity in certain portions of their everyday lives. Countless numbers of Christian young people may ... with the issue of "cleverness" as it was brought up by Jesus in this parable. One fact is sure: most churches have adopted some of the ways of the world (of the business world, for instance) for the sake of effectively preaching the gospel. ...

165. The Agenda Factor

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon

William L. Self

... . "What makes you think you are the one to build me a house to live in?" (2 Samuel 7:5). David needs to shore up his power, but God doesn't need it. Yahweh was not been tied down to a building but has always roamed freely, even before he adopted Israel. Why should he be domesticated now? He will operate on God's agenda, not David's. After all, who is the real king here anyway? The dwelling in a tent motif carries over to the prologue in John's gospel, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among ...

166. Who Lives In You?

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lee Griess

... Adams replied, "and he is doing much better now." "All I can say to you, Paul," Cronin muttered, "is that you're a pretty lucky boy." "Dr. Cronin," Henry interrupted, "you don't need to bother trying to pronounce his name anymore, either. He is now Paul Adams. We have adopted him. He is now the son we lost." That's the kind of love God has for us. A love that Jesus expresses in the face of threatened death, a love that goes about its business, in spite of the consequences. Love that ...

167. Meeting Jesus At The Well

John 4:1-26

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... within our ability as drawing a drink of water was for that woman: to speak a word of witness or share an act of kindness; to spend some time with a distressed or confused classmate; to tutor at the Power Program or help with the Adopt-a-Class Program; to have an adopted grandparent, write a letter or go on a Habitat work day. These are not big dramatic things, but little every day manageable tasks that Jesus asks of us; tasks that are well within our ability, just like drawing that drink of water from the ...

168. Baptism of Our Lord

Luke 3:21-38, Luke 3:1-20, Isaiah 43:1-13, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 8:9-25, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... unknown author to the exiles in Babylon. To those in bondage this is a comforting message. Since Israel is God's people, he will rescue them from captivity. On this Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, we, too, in our baptism are made God's people by his gracious adoption. The Lord rescues us from the bondage of our sins. Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:1-9 God anointed his servant with the Spirit to bring justice. Lesson 2: Acts 8:14-17 Believers in Samaria receive the Holy Spirit upon the laying on of the hands of Peter and ...

169. Light From And For The East

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... semester there? Time was when we dismissed these people as benighted heathens, "lesser breeds without the law (or gospel!)," and adopted a haughty, patronizing attitude toward them. But as I read Matthew's story of the Epiphany -- indeed, all the lessons appointed for Epiphany ... Day -- I wonder: How is it that we ever came to adopt such a sad and arrogant posture? Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that one religion is as good as another ...

170. Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

Exodus 1:1-22, 2:1-10

Sermon

... by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." -- Romans 8:13-15 (NKJV) So walk in the light -- of a burning bush! 1. Martin Buber, Moses: The Revelation and the Covenant (New York, N.Y.: Harper & Row, 1946), p. 35, note 35. 2. Quoted in The Living Pulpit: Faith, April/June ...

171. Christmas 2

Mt 2:13-23 · Jn 1:1-18 · Eph 1:3-14 · Jer 31:7-14 · Is 61:10--62:3 · Ps 147

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 's and is a down payment on our eternal inheritance. As followers of Christ, we have truly been signed, sealed and delivered. We have been formed by the sign of the cross. In our baptism, the sign of the cross was imprinted on our forehead as a sign of our adoption as God's dear children. God has signed our name to his. Then, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in us bears witness that we are children of God. Finally, we are delivered, like a letter from God. The Lord sends us out into the world ...

172. Making the Mystery Work for You

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... you are! “You must be born from above,” said Jesus. Birth implies starting, a new beginning. In birth one moves from a protected world to a vulnerable world. Several years ago, in a parish I served, a couple I’ll call them Bill and Pat adopted a little boy who had been reared in an abusive environment. Bill and Pat had two children, a son and a daughter. They were a perfect couple for this endeavor. They were happy, relaxed, friendly, committed to God and the church, stable in their lifestyle and ...

173. Easter 3

Luke 24:36-49, Acts 3:11-26, 1 John 2:28--3:10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... his name but through the name of Jesus (v. 16). Believers and even some skeptics have discovered that there is definitely something about the name of Jesus, that name above every name. Epistle: 1 John 3:1-7 1. Sermon Title: Adopted Into The Family Of God. Sermon Angle: The text does not mention adoption but that is what it describes. What else would you call it when someone considers you his child? John equates the lavishness of God's love with our being taken into God's family. "How great is the love the ...

174. Who Lives In You?

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lee Griess

175. Our God Delivers!

Daniel 3:1-30

Sermon

Erskine White

... "no." Any student of history has to know that human rationality is not our salvation. My concern is that as Christians, we have too often let secular points of view determine our attitudes toward peace. Conservative Christians adopt the secular view of "Peace Through Strength." Liberal Christians adopt the secular view of "Peace Through Disarmament." We cannot do this any more. The time has come for us to be distinctively Christian in our witness for peace. The world doesn't need to hear us merely echoing ...

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