Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 176 to 200 of 344 results

176. John 2:13-22

John 2:13-22

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the final acts of betrayal and intrigue that nail Jesus to the cross. But in John's rendition, subtle changes in the story develop different themes. Note that John's Jesus demands the merchants no longer make "my Father's house a marketplace," while the Synoptic gospels' Jesus chastises them for buying and selling in "my house," i.e., God's house (Mark 11:17; Matthew 21:13; Luke 19:46). The special relationship between Jesus and the divine presence that inhabited the temple is made explicit by John. Another ...

177. John 10:11-18

John 10:11-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Instead of the synoptic gospels' familiar parables, John's gospel presents his readers with a number of dramatic "I am" statements in which Jesus speaks about himself and the reality of the kingdom. These "I am" declarations are neither an actual parable nor simply an allegory, although elements of both make up these utterances. ...

178. John 2:13-22

John 2:12-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the indoors seasons (fall and winter) need to be cleaned out, sorted out, and in some cases tossed out, to make room in our closets and consciousness for the new life of spring. This week’s gospel text is Jesus’ burst of spring cleaning. While the synoptic texts place Jesus’ temple tantrum towards the end of his ministry (Mark 11:15-17; Matthew 21:12-13; Luke 19:45-46), John’s text puts this redecorating at the beginning of Jesus’ public mission. John’s placement keeps up a theme of “newness ...

179. John 6:1-21

John 6:1-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

There are many distinctive aspects of the “Fourth Gospel,” but one of its most unique features was John’s relatively brief focus on Jesus’ Galilean ministry. The Synoptics, on the other hand, spend a great deal of time detailing the teachings Jesus offered, the miraculous works performed, and the crowds that followed him as he crisscrossed the Galilean countryside. Today’s text is the exception to John’s usual Galilean omissions. Because he too recounts the miraculous feeding ...

180. An Exalted Christology

John 6:1-15

Illustration

Will Willimon

John's account of the miraculous feeding is curious, when compared to the synoptic gospels, for a number of reasons. John links the feeding to the story of Jesus' walking on water, and to Peter's confession of faith. Probably, John means thereby to make a strong point regarding the identity of Jesus as the exalted Christ. Moreover, we should take note that this ...

181. Keeping His Word

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... preparation is being done in conjunction with the Father. Perhaps there is no more clear place in the gospels which illustrates the uniqueness of John's writing. However, this should not be a problem because many of us have learned that even the synoptics tell individualized stories! Soon, Jesus will be gone from their midst. How on earth will they get along without him? It must have been a sad moment drenched with apprehension and uncertainty. If they have on their listening ears, provision is being made ...

182. Luke 4: 21-30

Luke 4:14-30

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the Nazareth synagogue. The crowd-creature is known as a hometown crowd. When Jesus first declares that Isaiah’s prophetic message is “fulfilled,” and “today,” the crowd responds favorably. The hometown crowd claims Jesus as a local boy. The other two synoptic gospels put Jesus’ local lineage more in a scandalous light (see Mark 6:2-3; Matthew 13:54-56). Luke’s rendition has the Nazareth Jews approve of his teachings and prophetic witness. The locals tie Jesus to themselves by identifying him ...

183. Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In contrast with other synoptic gospels, in Luke Jesus’ public ministry with his disciples begins after “a report about him spread through all the surrounding country” (Luke 4:14). In the scene Luke sketches of Jesus calling his disciples, Jesus’ first followers get to witness Jesus’ popularity and hear his powerful teaching before they are ...

184. Knowing When To Run

Genesis 39:1-2, 6b-16

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... are real for all of us. In a few moments we will pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." Why would Jesus have taught us to pray for deliverance from temptation unless he knew we would be subjected to temptation? The synoptic gospels all tell the story of Jesus' temptation, the sinless one struggling in the desert for his very soul. Paul says in I Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common for human beings. And God is faithful, and will not let you ...

185. It’s Not about You; It’s All about God

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... has authority. The things of the world don't stand a chance. Amen. 1. Joachim Jeremias, The Parables of Jesus, trans. S. H. Hooke (2nd rev. ed.; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1972), pp. 149-151; Rudolf Bultmann, History of the Synoptic Tradition, trans. John Marsh (New York and Evanston, Illinois: Harper & Row, 1963), p. 187; Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According To Mark, trans. Donald H. Madvig (Richmond, Virginia: John Knox Press, 1970), p. 96; Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Matthew ...

186. Life’s Purpose Is Often Hidden!

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... miracles will happen. After all, the plants are still bearing fruit despite all the sinful weeds that lie around you and me. Life has meaning and purpose, even if it is hidden. Let's celebrate! Amen. 1. Rudolf Bultmann, History of the Synoptic Tradition, trans. John Marsh (New York and Evanston, Illinois: Harper & Row, 1963), p. 187; Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Matthew, trans. David E. Green (2nd printing; Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1977), pp. 302-305; Joachim Jeremias, The Parables of Jesus ...

187. John 2:13-22

John 2:12-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week’s gospel text gives John’s version of Jesus’ enthusiastic “cleansing” or “clearing” of the Temple. While the Synoptic gospels all place this event at the end of Jesus’ public ministry, during his final Passover trip to Jerusalem, John places this dramatic scene at the very beginning of Jesus’ work. While most commentators assume this is simply a “re-mix” by John, who for theological reasons feels it is ...

188. No Cleansing, No Refreshment

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and exposed before God’s presence. Lenten cleansing brings Easter resurrection. No, cleansing, no refreshment. __________________ COMMENTARY This week’s gospel text gives John’s version of Jesus’ enthusiastic “cleansing” or “clearing” of the Temple. While the Synoptic gospels all place this event at the end of Jesus’ public ministry, during his final Passover trip to Jerusalem, John places this dramatic scene at the very beginning of Jesus’ work. While most commentators assume this is ...

189. Jesus - The Leader of Our Team

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... fully knew there was no way he could conduct his life without Jesus as his central guiding figure. Thus, for Paul, finding our way to life eternal is not only the goal, but Jesus is the way to achieve that lofty pinnacle. The gospels, both the synoptic writers and John, affirm what Paul was telling the Philippians, namely the need to center our lives on Christ, his message, and his way of life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges his followers to follow the narrow, rougher, and less-traveled path ...

190. Responsibility Comes with Privilege

Acts 8:4-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... the need to be responsible. Thus, she was the one chosen to succeed her father. Today we close the Christmas season by celebrating the Baptism of our Lord. We are reminded not only of the Lord's baptism, as we hear described by all the synoptic evangelists, but possibly more importantly our own baptism. This sacrament brought us great privileges but significant responsibility is ours as well. The Acts of the Apostles, from which our lesson is taken today, is really two books in one. Often referred to as the ...

191. Transformed to Christ

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... ; he is to carry forth his mission to the Corinthians in a manner consistent with the commission Christ gave him, beginning from the day of his conversion on the road to Damascus. The Transfiguration itself is a highly significant event in Jesus' life. All three synoptic writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, tell us the story. All three evangelists connect it in time to Peter's earlier profession of faith. When Jesus asked the apostles who he was, Peter responded, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God ...

192. Rally or Rail?

John 18:28-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... John’s text does not report it, the Sanhedrin members had clearly identified the “politically correct” charge they were levying upon Jesus in order to involve the Roman government in this “Jewish” business. Instead of the non-specific answer recorded in the Synoptic gospels, “You say so,” here in John Jesus engages more personally with Pilate. Jesus’ response is to ask Pilate if the question he poses is his own. That is, does Pilate have any real interest in Jesus’ true identity? Or is it ...

193. But First...

Luke 9:57-62

Sermon

King Duncan

... to have eternal life, Jesus answered, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21). And we read in all three of the Synoptic Gospels the command: “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus doesn’t want fans. He wants followers. Jesus wants people who will do more than simply sit in a pew and clap and cheer. He ...

194. A Watery Grave

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... not a lyrical as Luke’s, but he does have a poet’s touch for economy of words and effective imagery. For here, in just one verse, we are given a powerful portrait of Jesus’ temptation experience. It lacks the dialogue of the other two synoptics, but it does set the stage: wilderness, Satan, wild beasts, and angels. Taken with the previous verse, we are presented with a kind of metaphor of the Christian’s experience. Inasmuch as the follower of Christ may expect to share in Christ’s experiences, we ...

195. Building a New Team

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... means by which we are attached to the righteous endeavors of God. He is the glue that binds the team together and keeps them connected both to the owner and the game. Mark 8:31-38 Mark’s gospel (as is true for the other synoptic gospels, Matthew and Luke) seems to have three major sections. The first section focuses on Jesus’ healing and teaching activity as it widely spread throughout Galilee. When Jesus speaks, his theme is most often the character of “the kingdom of God.” Then, secondly, comes ...

196. Body

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... . 1:21–24). 5:9 Paul draws an inference (So, dio) from the fact that he has both the hope that he will dwell with the Lord and the knowledge that he must presently carry on in his mortal body. Paul does not put his own preferences first. Like the synoptic portrayal of Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:36 par.; cf. John 12:27), Paul subordinates his own will to the will of God. To please God in all things is the apostle’s highest goal (cf. Rom. 12:1, 2; 14:18; Phil. 4:18; Col. 3:20). To bring ...

197. The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... vv. 4–10). The subsection ends, as does 4:13–18, with an exhortation to mutual encouragement (5:11). Perhaps the most striking feature of the whole section, whose authenticity has at times been questioned, is the number of parallels with the eschatological teaching of the Synoptic tradition. These parallels include material peculiar to Matthew (cf. esp. 1 Thess. 4:16f. with Matt. 24:31) and to Luke (cf. esp. 1 Thess. 5:8–11 with Luke 21:34–36). If by reference to this teaching we can show that it is ...

198. Instructions to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... . 14:14: “Nothing is unclean of itself”). The second reason appeals to the common fact that a benediction, or thanksgiving, always accompanied meals in Judaism and the early church. This is evidenced both in the Gospels (Mark 6:41; 8:6; 14:22–23 and synoptic parallels; Luke 24:30) and in Paul (1 Cor. 10:30; Rom. 14:6). Indeed by the second century in Judaism, “it is forbidden a man to enjoy anything of this world without a benediction” (Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 35a). Paul’s point is the same ...

199. The Son Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe” (Eph. 4:10); Christ, “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Pet. 3:22). Jesus alludes to Psalm 110:1 in the synoptic tradition (see Mark 12:36 and 14:62, both with parallels in Matthew and Luke). What the psalmist promised now had come to pass—hence the note of completion and finality. That he has sat down signifies the completion of his atoning work (cf. 10:11–12 ...

200. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... is again the spiritualized use of technical language from the sacrificial cultus (the worship and ritual of the temple). Although there are no explicit references to loud cries and tears in any of the accounts of the Gethsemane experience according to the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew’s description is the most similar to our author’s words: “He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death’ ” (Matt. 26:37f.). No distinction need ...

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