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 1976 to 2000 of 2273 results
Sermon
King Duncan
What is it that you are seeking? Everybody is seeking something. That is why Google is one of the most profitable companies on earth. People go to Google every day to search for information about an astounding array of subjects. People are seeking more info on the latest crisis in the news. They are seeking gossip about their favorite celebrity. They are seeking information about a specific model of car that they are considering buying. Even terrorists go to Google, we are told, to find terrible new ways ...
1977. Shall We Waddle or Fly?
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Sermon
King Duncan
By the time John arrived at the football game, the first quarter was almost over. “Why are you so late?” his friend asked. “I had to flip a coin to decide between going to church and coming to the game,” John answered. “How long could that have taken you?” asked his friend. “Well,” said Ted, “I had to flip it 12 times.” For football fans, we’re about half-way through the time between the college National Championship game and the Super Bowl. Since football season is nearly over, none of our men had to flip ...
1978. The Happy Hypocrite
Matthew 6:1-4, 5-6, 16-18
Sermon
King Duncan
(Growing Strong in the Season of Lent, #1) A story appeared on Facebook recently about a person who went to a concert. At the end of the concert, this person noticed two ushers standing near his seat who were applauding harder than anybody else in the whole place. The man said he was thrilled with this particular concert because of the talent and virtuosity of the musicians. It also impressed him greatly to see these two ushers standing there applauding more vigorously than all of the concert goers. His ...
1979. What Did Jesus Do?
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Sermon
King Duncan
A man walked into a gift shop that sold religious items. Near the cash register he saw a display of caps with “WWJD” printed on all of them. He was puzzled over what the letters could mean, but couldn’t figure it out, so he asked the clerk. The clerk replied that the letters stood for “What Would Jesus Do,” and was meant to inspire people to not make rash decisions, but rather to imagine what Jesus would do in the same situation. The man thought a moment and then replied, “Well, I’m pretty sure Jesus ...
1980. Adopted Love
Illustration
Michael P. Green
A new mother stayed with her parents for several days after the birth of her first child. One afternoon she remarked to her mother that it was surprising the baby had dark hair, since both her husband and she were fair. The grandmother said, “Well, your daddy has black hair.” To which the daughter replied, “But, Mama, that doesn’t matter, because I’m adopted.” With an embarrassed smile, that mother said the most wonderful words her daughter had ever heard: “I always forget.” All Christians are adopted ...
1981. No Plan B
Illustration
Michael P. Green
When Jesus ascended to heaven after his mission on earth, the angels asked him: “Did you accomplish your task?” “Yes, all is finished,” the Lord replied. “We have a second question,” said the angels. “Has the whole world heard of you?” “No,” said Jesus. The angels next asked, “Then what is your plan?” Jesus said, “I have left twelve men and some other followers to carry the message to the whole world.” The angels looked at him and asked: “What is your Plan B?” Friends, there is no Plan B. Jesus desires to ...
1982. The Assurance of Bread
John 6:35, 51
Illustration
Michael P. Green
During World War II, the Germans forced many twelve-and thirteen-year-old boys into the Junior Gestapo. These boys were treated very harshly and given inhumane jobs to perform. When the war ended, most had lost track of their families and wandered without food or shelter. As part of an aid program to post-war Germany, many of these youths were placed in tent cities. Here doctors and psychologists worked with the boys in an attempt to restore their mental and physical health. They found that many of the ...
1983. Miracle of Jairus’ Daughter
Mark 5:21-43
Illustration
Michael P. Green
Ray Stedman has told the story of a time when he and his wife were driving through Oregon with his little daughter, Susan. She had developed a fever the night before, when they were staying in a motel, but it didn’t seem serious. As they drove along, all of a sudden the little girl went into convulsions. Her eyes turned up, her body began to jerk, and she obviously was in great danger. Stedman’s heart clutched. He stopped the car, grabbed Susan, and stumbled across the road to a farmhouse that happened to ...
1984. Volunteers or Duty Bound
Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor 9
Illustration
Michael P. Green
Do you apply the same standards of faithfulness to your Christian activities that you expect from other areas of your life? If your car starts once every three tries, is it reliable? If your paperboy skips delivery every Monday and Thursday, is he trustworthy? If you don’t go to work once or twice a month, are you a loyal employee? If your refrigerator stops working for a day or two every now and then, do you say, “Oh, well, it works most of the time”? If your water heater provides an icy-cold shower every ...
Understanding Series
David J. Williams
Such was the impact of the Christians on the city (they were not necessarily numerous, but they were in the public eye; see note on 4:4), that the city fathers, chiefly the Sadducees, decided again on overt action against them, or at least against their leaders. The broad similarity between the arrest and trial of the apostles described here and the earlier arraignment of Peter and John has already been noted, as has the parallel between their escape and Peter’s escape in 12:6–19 (see disc. on 3:1–11). ...
1986. Paul Before Agrippa
Acts 25:23--26:32
Understanding Series
David J. Williams
... was not merely that of resurrection (cf. 23:6; 24:15), but the broader hope of the Messiah and the kingdom of God, of which the resurrection of the dead was a part (cf. 28:20). This, at least, appears to be the implication of the reference to the twelve tribes, which conjures up thoughts of the eschatological in-gathering of the tribes and the restoration of the kingdom to Israel—conceived of by most Jews in terms of this world and by most Christians in spiritual terms (see disc. on 1:6 and 3:21 and notes ...
1987. By Faith
Hebrews 11:1-40
Understanding Series
Donald A. Hagner
The Nature and Importance of Faith The mention of the importance of faith in the last two verses of the preceding chapter leads naturally to this famous chapter on faith. It is impossible to know whether the author is making use of a source, which he now takes over in part or totally, or whether he is composing a fresh catalogue of heroes on the model of existing examples. Extensive reviews of the history of Israel had been composed to substantiate a warning or to provide encouragement, and some of these ...
Understanding Series
Norman Hillyer
Respect for Authority 2:13 What living the Christian life entails is now spelled out in some practical detail. Peter applies the admonition Submit yourselves to a series of relationships: to civil government (vv. 13–17), to slavery (vv. 18–20), to Christ himself (vv. 21–25), and to marriage (3:1–7). The relationship of Christians to the state was one which soon became problematic, for in the early centuries of the church all states not only were governed by pagans but included pagan worship within their ...
Understanding Series
James K. Bruckner
The major theme of Exodus 5 focuses on the question, “Who will serve whom?” The players and their commitments are center stage: Aaron and Moses, the pharaoh and his servants, and the Israelite foremen caught in between. The conflict that begins here will not be resolved until Exodus 12:31–33. This chapter echoes some of the material in Exodus 1, reminding readers of the situation in Egypt: heavy work, servitude, making bricks, and numerous Hebrews. The difference here is that Moses and Aaron, as called by ...
1990. The Golden Calf
Exodus 32:1-33:6
Understanding Series
James K. Bruckner
32:1–34:35 · Crisis at Sinai: The Golden Calf - Exodus 32–34 forms an important watershed for understanding God’s relationship to the world. The Creator had sought to redeem, form, and live among the people. To this end God delivered them out of Egypt, brought them to Mt. Sinai by going with them in the fiery cloud, and provided for them in the wilderness. At Sinai God set about forming them into the sort of community originally intended: in trust and fidelity with the Lord, with each other, and with the ...
1991. Achan's Sin
Joshua 7:1-26
Understanding Series
J. Gordon Harris
Spies, Achan, and Failure at Ai: Victory is often a prelude to disaster in the Bible. The joy of the song of Moses after the exodus has hardly died down before the people complain (Exod. 15:24). Moses faces a golden calf upon coming down the mountain after receiving the commandments of the covenant (Exod. 32). Likewise sin rears its ugly side at Jericho. Power gives birth to selfishness and miscalculation of the strength of the enemy. Joshua’s campaign to take Canaan also is a series of successes and ...
1992. Ai Destroyed
Joshua 8:1-29
Understanding Series
J. Gordon Harris
Ambush and Victory at Ai: 8:1–2 Now that the people were consecrated and Israel’s primary sin eliminated, God gave Joshua marching orders to take Ai (lit. ruin). The Lord said to Joshua, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged [lit. dismayed]. Take the whole army [lit. people of war] with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land (8:1). The Lord instructed Joshua about rules of plunder for Ai. The king of Ai and its residents would ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Judges 1:1–21 sets the stage for the book. It focuses upon the primacy of Judah, which will appear again at the close of the book, as a lead into the story of the united monarchy. Judah, in response to divine guidance, takes the lead in obeying God’s command to possess the land and is for the most part successful. The themes of leadership, unity, and land are especially highlighted, along with an introduction of the theme of disobedience (sin), which will develop into a dominant theme in the rest of the ...
1994. Othniel
Judges 3:7-11
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Othniel: After not one but two extended prologues, we finally get into the stories of the judges. Othniel is the first of twelve judges, six major and six minor judges (Abimelech is an antijudge). The major judges’ stories are of varying length and complexity, while those of the minor judges can hardly be categorized as stories; they are more precisely brief notices, perhaps attached to an incident that is barely remembered. The major judges’ stories are clearly brought together within a common framework ...
1995. Tola
Judges 10:1-2
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Minor Judges: Framing the Jephthah story are accounts of several minor judges, beginning with Tola and Jair and ending with Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (Judg. 12:8–15). These, along with Shamgar (Judg. 3:31), are commonly designated as minor judges, because their stories are condensed into a few brief lines. In most cases, all we know about the judge is his tribal affiliation, his geographical location, and how many years he led Israel; sometimes we learn about his economic situation. But, strikingly, the ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Other Minor Judges: Following Jephthah’s story is a second series of minor judges, this time three. Their stories are placed here intentionally to communicate something the author wants to underscore. While they admittedly do not make the best stories for preaching texts, nevertheless these too are inspired Scriptures that are profitable for our instruction (2 Tim. 3:16). Each one’s story stereotypically follows the established pattern for minor judges with little variation, mostly those that describe the ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Samson’s Downfall and Death: Few stories in the Hebrew Bible have more recognition factor than the story of Samson and Delilah. It is a gripping, poignant drama brought to life by a gifted artist who has skillfully combined plot and characterization to present a classic story whose elements, if not the whole, have been told and retold in many cultures through all varieties of media, whether story, song, art, or film. But as we turn to this famous story, we must remember that it is part of a whole and thus ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Atrocities in Gibeah: Judges 19–21 constitute the final episode of the story of the judges. Even though we must divide them for the sake of analysis, they are intended to be read as one unit. These chapters have not found their way into many Sunday school books or sermons or onto the “top ten Christian books” list. They are difficult to read and more difficult to interpret. They portray human nature at its worst, and even worse than worst, because the main players were God’s covenant people. They did the ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Israel Preserved Intact: Just when it looked like one crisis was averted, another came to light. It is, however, not surprising, for that is how it is when chaos prevails, when “what is right in a person’s eyes, he/she does” (21:25). At the end of the book of Judges, the Israelites do not seem to be able to extricate themselves from the miry bog that they have gotten themselves into. Though they appear to call out to God for help, they still rely on their own absurd solutions that only make matters worse. ...
Understanding Series
Leslie C. Allen
The Assignment of the Mission: 2:1–3 For some reason, Nehemiah had to wait four months after receiving the bad news about Jerusalem, before his chance came to present his case to the king. Verse 1 describes the procedure for serving the wine: servants brought it into the royal presence and Nehemiah poured it, probably after sampling it to check for poison. Evidently he had hidden his grief while on duty, but this time it showed—perhaps on purpose—and attracted the king’s attention. His concerned question ...
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