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 2026 to 2050 of 5000 results

2026. Jehoahaz King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:2-4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... ’s mother (but this was also the case in all other royal narratives, starting with Manasseh) and the evaluation of the king (which is unusual). In 2 Kings 23:32 Jehoahaz is evaluated negatively with the words: “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.” Like his father Josiah, Jehoahaz was also in his short reign of three months caught in the international political rivalry between the imperial forces of Egypt and Babylon (which at this stage had already taken over from the ...

2027. Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Acts 1:12-26

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... this case, Roman) name, Justus (see notes on 12:12). He should not be identified with Judas Barsabbas of 15:22, though they may have been related. The other nominee was Matthias. 1:24–25 With the two candidates before them, the disciples joined in prayer that the Lord, who knew everyone’s heart (v. 24), would show them which of the two should be taken. It is not clear to which person of the Godhead this prayer was addressed, but since the same verb “to choose” is used here as was used in verse 2 of ...

2028. To Elders and Young Men

1 Peter 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... in similar terms to describe the wanderings in the wilderness: “The sheep escaped from that water [the Red Sea that overwhelmed the wolves of Egypt pursuing Israel], and went forth into the wilderness, where there was no water and no grass … and I saw the Lord of the sheep pasturing them and giving them water and grass … His appearance was great and terrible and majestic” (1 Enoch 89:28–30). You will receive: Komizein (occurring again in 1:9) is a verb regularly used in the NT for the bestowing of ...

2029. The Plague on Livestock

Exodus 9:1-7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to the Israelites died. As in the plague of flies, the key discovery in the text is that the Israelites have again experienced the miracle of protection. This was also the proleptic sign of their deliverance during the Passover. The biblical claim is that the Lord set the limits (v. 4) and “Behold!” Yahweh fulfilled the promise of protection from the epidemic. Pharaoh did continue to have power over his subjects and sent men. The irony of his “sending” is hidden in the verb root that is the same as ...

2030. Sabbath Regulations

Exodus 35:1-3

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... covenant (21:2; 23:11–12) and after the golden calf crisis (34:12). This text also repeats the threat of death (see comment on 31:14–15). The prohibition against even lighting a cooking fire was probably related to cooking on the day before the Sabbath, when the Lord provided twice as much manna (16:23; see also Num. 15:32–36; Jer. 17:21; see the comments on Sabbath rest on 16:23–30; 20:8–11; 21:2; 23:11–12; 34:12). Additional Notes 35:1 The last time the people “assembled” (qahal), in 32 ...

2031. The Priestly Garments (II)

Exodus 39:1

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... 28:31–35). Sixth, they finished the other items of clothing For Aaron and his sons (vv. 27–31; see the comments on 28:39–43). Finally, they made the engraved medallion (NIV plate) for the crown (NIV diadem) on Aaron’s turban, inscribed HOLY TO THE LORD (vv. 30–31; see the comments on 28:36–38). 39:32–43 So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. They had finished the labor on all the elements of the tabernacle. “The tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting” is, literally ...

2032. The Sun Stands Still

Joshua 10:1-15

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... march, a 32-kilometer journey that is a demanding, twisting, steep climb from Gilgal. A night march ensured the victory by the element of surprise (10:9–10), as the coalition’s troops are thrown into confusion. The other side of the victory is that the Lord hurls large hail (lit. great stones) upon the fleeing troops at the descent of Beth Horon. More soldiers died in the hail than in battle (10:11). God’s hail emphasizes the dependence tribal forces have on support from the divine warrior. 10:12–15 ...

2033. Othniel

Judges 3:7-11

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... –15, and “Rishathaim” could well be a play on the root rs‘, or “wicked” (“doubly wicked”); thus it could be a parody on the name of an unknown Canaanite leader. 3:9–11 Israel’s response to this enslavement was that they cried out to the LORD. Nothing in this statement points to repentance on Israel’s part. Crying out is not the same as repenting. The Israelites were not sorry enough to change their ways, only enough to beg for help. The wonder in these stories is that despite a lack of ...

2034. Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 8:1-36

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... 8, it is Wisdom who speaks about herself in the first person. The verse should be seen as interruptive, coming just before the emphatic “I” of v. 12. 8:13 Contrary to the form in the rest of this poem (two lines), there are three lines. Although fear of the LORD is a genuine and frequent wisdom theme, it hardly belongs here with the first person discourse of Woman Wisdom. It is in the third person and has two words, hate and evil, that appear at the end of lines b and c. It looks like a gloss. 8:16 The ...

2035. Hosea's Wife and Children

Hosea 1:1-2:1

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... 55:10–11), may work independently of any human agency. For example, the word of God sustains all the processes of nature (cf. Gen. 1; Matt. 6:25–33; Col. 1:17). But God also uses human beings as the mediators of his word, and so, the word of the Lord came to Hosea (italics added). The fact that not much is told us about Hosea—who is not called a prophet here—shows that it is not the man but the message that is important. The name Hosea means “he has helped” or “he has saved,” from the hiphil ...

2036. Two Shepherds

Zechariah 11:4-17

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... Verse 8 moves into the political sphere, as the shepherd turns against other shepherds. The shepherd’s voice appears now to be the voice of God, for the actions that follow are beyond the ability of a human prophet. As in Ezekiel 34:10, the Lord removed bad shepherds in order to save the flock. God removed three human leaders of the community in one month. In spite of this precise detail, it has been impossible to connect this account to any known historical events. Following the removal of these leaders ...

2037. Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria

1 Kings 20:1-12

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... however, faulty. The king’s officials argue that the failure of their “gods” (v. 10) in the previous encounter had to do partly with geography (v. 23), because the Israelite gods are gods of the hills. The reader of Kings knows, of course, that this is not true: the LORD is the only real God there is, and can be active both in the hills (1 Kgs. 18) and anywhere else (1 Kgs. 17). In a world with no gods or many, the strategy would have had a fair chance of success. The world that the Arameans actually ...

2038. Sermon on the Mount: Giving, Prayer, and Fasting

Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:16-18

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... the kingdom’s arrival. It is the essential ingredient of the church’s life of prayer. Quote: Walter Russell Bowie. Bowie (1882–1969) was the rector of parishes in Virginia and New York, a faculty member at Union Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary, and author of the hymn “Lord Christ, When First Thou Cam’st to Earth.” He penned this prayer: O God, go with me as I go out into the confusion of the world. It is often hard to know the right; and even when I know it, still it may be hard to do ...

2039. A Special Child Promised

Luke 1:5-25

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... a warrior, Gabriel comes to reveal secret knowledge to the prophet. Gabriel will also declare God’s purpose to Mary (1:26–27). He is not mentioned by name again in the New Testament, but in Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19 an unnamed “angel of the Lord” guides Joseph in his dreams. Here Zechariah apparently is awake. 1:13 you are to call him John. Jesus’s name likewise will be supernaturally revealed (1:31). This is a further indication that God has a special role for this child, and the name is symbolic ...

2040. The Woman, the Son, and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... it means to overcome and conquer. Bible: In Romans 8:35–39, Paul celebrates the reality that even in our suffering and apparent defeat, we are more than conquerors. Whether by living or dying, we are bound tight in the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We cannot be beat! The War on Earth Big Idea: God faithfully protects his people against Satan’s ongoing attacks. Understanding the Text The earthly war mentioned in 12:1–6 is now resumed in 12:13–17. The dragon failed to devour the male child and ...

2041. The Vision of the Great Prostitute

Revelation 17:1-18

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... kingdom of God was present in his ministry. Because he, the King of the kingdom was here, entrance to the kingdom was through response to him. . . . The book of Acts . . . is about the continuation of [God’s] saving promises, the kingdom of God, through the Lord Jesus. Jesus is still the mediator of that kingdom, the one who administers those saving promises and the one who carries out God’s saving plan.8 We must be aware of how we are loyal to wicked power structures. History: Sometimes it is easier to ...

2042. God’s Judgment of Babylon Calls for Celebration

Revelation 19:1-10, Revelation 18:1-24

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... evil, and he has not failed to rescue his suffering people. The cry of 6:10 has at last been answered: “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (cf. 16:6–7; Ps. 70:1). God’s ... 7:11–17; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4). We have come full circle back to Revelation 4–5 and the magnificent worship of the sovereign Lord, seated on his throne. The term “amen,” meaning “let it be so,” affirms the preceding praise in 19:1–3 (cf. 1:6–7; 3 ...

2043. The Garden City as Paradise Transformed

Revelation 22:1-5

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. God’s people are commonly referred to as “servants” in Revelation (doulos [sometimes ... thing of the prior age. There are leaves for our healing! In the new creation, we will serve, worship, and reign with the Lord. Quote: Heaven Is a Place on Earth, by Michael Wittmer. We were made to be human, and on the new earth we ...

2044. The Return of the King Brings Turmoil in the Kingdom

2 Sam 19:9–20:26

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... 23–26), as if we have returned to a more successful time in David’s career (cf. 8:15–18). When the Lord delivered his covenant promise to David, he emphasized that David’s throne, in contrast to Saul’s, would endure (7:15–16 ... by another drawn with the sword, as was said three-thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Poetry: “Who Am I?,” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer (1906–45) was a German pastor, scholar, and martyr ...

2045. Tell It Not in Gath!

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 1 Samuel 31:1-13

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... he sows.” 2. The demise of God’s rebellious servants is to be lamented, not celebrated. Even though Saul’s death is the result of divine discipline and clears the way for David to take the throne, David does not celebrate. David has expected the Lord to deal decisively with Saul (26:10) and has even appealed to God for vindication (24:15), but when Saul’s death finally arrives, David does not gloat or express any kind of vindictive satisfaction. Instead, he eulogizes Saul and mourns his death. For ...

2046. The Nazarite and Priestly Blessing

Num 6:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the high priest in barring them from going near any corpse at all (6:6–7; Lev. 21:11). The expression for “corpse” in Leviticus 21:11 and Numbers 6:6 is “dead nepesh.” The KJV of Genesis 2:7 translates the Hebrew word nepesh as “soul”: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” A person who loses the breath of life and dies is no longer a living soul or being (nepesh) but a dead nepesh, that is ...

2047. Northern Kings Defeated

Joshua 11:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that the delay in allowing Abraham’s descendants to take possession of the land is because the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. Thus, the hardening of the hearts of the indigenous population (11:20) should be viewed as the Lord’s judgment on a people whose sin has reached a stage that demands judgment. Note also the singling out of the destruction of the Anakites for special mention (11:21–22). This is probably because it was the Anakites who initially so intimidated the ...

2048. Covenant Exhortations and Renewal

Joshua 23:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... they perish from the land (23:12–13; cf. Deut. 7:1–6). To further drive home his point, Joshua then emphasizes the certainty of what he has just told them (23:14–16). For just as the leaders know from their own experiences that the Lord has been faithful to fulfill all his good promises when they act faithfully, he will likewise make good all his threats if they violate his covenant and start worshiping and serving other gods. His anger will then burn against them until he has destroyed them from ...

2049. Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a woman. After recounting the gathering of troops on both sides and Deborah’s rallying cry (4:10–14), the author briefly reports the battle itself in 4:15–16. Although no detail is given regarding how the victory comes about, 5:19–22 suggests that the Lord has sent a heavy rainstorm, thus flooding the Kishon River and rendering Sisera’s iron chariots inoperable as the wheels get stuck in the mud. That may be why even Sisera himself has to flee on foot (4:15, 17). Sisera’s escape takes him to the ...

2050. David’s Census

2 Samuel 24:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... cf. 1 Sam. 29:4 [David]; 2 Sam. 19:22 [Abishai]; 1 Kings 5:4; Ps. 109:4). Even in the book of Job, the “satan” is not evil but is associated with the group of divine beings called the “sons of God” whose duty it is to serve the Lord (Job 1:6; 2:1; see NIV notes). The “satan” in Job is a sort of divine prosecutor whose task is to ferret out hypocrisy. Sometimes the taking of a census was perfectly acceptable (Numbers 1; 26), so David’s sin must here involve the motivation behind the census. In ...

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