Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2276 to 2300 of 2962 results

Isaiah 28:1-29

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... 8:14). It holds together the idea of insight and the effectiveness that follows from it. The parable is an example of the tradition that Jesus would take up, and specifically opens up the theme of his parable about a man sowing seed. It is designed to provoke questions, to make people think, to puzzle them into realization, to open them to further teaching, to get them to agree before they quite know what they are agreeing to. One must acknowledge that, to be prosaically succinct, God teaches farmers to use ...

2277. Israel the Chosen

Isaiah 44:1-5

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... bids Jacob-Israel do not be afraid (v. 2b). But that “but now” in verse 1 leads more immediately into another reaffirmation to Jacob-Israel that it is my servant, the one I have chosen. Verse 2b repeats both statements. All this repetition is designed to have an effect on the audience. The chapters have been underlining the shortcomings of the community that it has been hiding from itself. We hide things from ourselves because we cannot face or handle them. The reaffirmations may enable people to see ...

2278. The Future Glory of Zion

Isaiah 54:1-17

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... city and promises it will be rebuilt—in a different kind of stone. Taught by the LORD is literally “disciples of Yahweh.” The word is the one that described the prophet in 50:4. This again makes the point that the prophet’s position is designed to be one that is shared. The prophet models the people’s vocation and promise. The fruit of their discipleship is shalom and tsedaqah (vv. 13b–14a): presumably it is this fruit that the precious stones signify. 54:14b–17a Further, the oppressed city is ...

2279. Salvation for Others

Isaiah 56:1-8

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... reaffirming the commitment that goes beyond that, expressed in promises made in 2:2–5 and developed in chapters 40–55 (see also 1 Kgs. 8:41–43). There, we have noted, the promise of the coming of the nations may have been primarily designed to encourage the depressed Judean community. Here the promise focuses more on the way that this is good news for foreigners themselves. Judeans might be inclined to be offended at Yahweh’s openness to such people, or inclined to wonder whether Yahweh can fulfill ...

2280. Judgment and Salvation

Isaiah 65:1-16

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... prophecy. It is, rather, the classic transition from indictment to declaration of the sentence that underlines the nature of Yahweh’s threat. It is a chilling description of the fate of people who turn their backs on Yahweh. But Yahweh’s threats are always designed to be self-frustrating, and no doubt Yahweh wishes their result to be that everyone join the company of “my chosen servants” to fulfill the old vision. The promise of another name (v. 15; cf. 62:2) is accompanied (or explained) by the ...

2281. Signs and Oracles of Judgment

Ezekiel 4:1-5:17, Ezekiel 6:1-14, Ezekiel 7:1-27

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... elsewhere, when Ezekiel is certainly referring to the northern kingdom, he does not usually use the term Israel (see 23:4, where the wicked sister Oholah is Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom, and 37:16, where the northern kingdom is designated Ephraim and Joseph; but see also 9:9). Still, the use of the contrasting terms “house of Israel” and “house of Judah” in the second sign certainly suggests the northern and southern kingdoms—particularly since the “house of Israel” is identified ...

2282. Signs, Sayings, and Oracles of Judgment

Ezekiel 12:1-28, Ezekiel 13:1-23, Ezekiel 14:1-11, Ezekiel 14:12-23

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... ; e.g., see Jeffers, Magic and Divination, pp. 94–95; Block, Ezekiel 1–24, pp. 413–19; and the discussion in Bowen, “The Daughters of Your People,” pp. 418–29). However, as Greenberg notes, such a reading depends upon the Heb. nepesh designating a separable, external “soul,” a meaning it never has in biblical Heb. (Greenberg, Ezekiel 1–20, p. 240). Saggs (“External Souls,” pp. 10–12), to the contrary, cites examples which he claims support the notion of a separable, material soul in ...

2283. Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia

Ezekiel 25:1-7, Ezekiel 25:8-11, Ezekiel 25:12-14, Ezekiel 25:15-17

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... collection, and therefore the collection itself, opens with the divine word formula typical of Ezekiel (v. 1). God addresses the prophet as Son of man and commands him to “set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them” (v. 2). This action designates the prophet as God’s representative in the pronouncement of judgment (see the note on 6:2; on the title “son of man,” see the discussion of 2:1). Two judgments against Ammon follow, and the messenger formula introduces each one (“This ...

2284. Tyre, Sidon—and Israel

Ezekiel 26:1-21, Ezekiel 27:1-36, Ezekiel 28:1-19, Ezekiel 28:20-26

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... live in safety (v. 26). God’s deliverance will cause Israel to know the Lord—but not in the way that God’s judgment brought the knowledge of God to the nations. The nations learn the power of God the warrior, and the folly of opposing God’s designs. Israel will enter into a relationship: “Then they will know that I am the LORD their God” (v. 26). Additional Notes 26:2 Tyre. Herodotus (Hist. 2.161) records an assault on Tyre and Sidon by Pharaoh Apries (589–570 B.C.). This would be difficult to ...

2285. Epilogue to the Law of the Temple: River, Land, City

Ezekiel 47:1-12, Ezekiel 47:13-23, Ezekiel 48:1-29, Ezekiel 48:30-35

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... 43:1–7a; 44:1–2), while Gad, Asher, and Naphtali are to the west (Levenson, Program of Restoration, pp. 116–21, though he agrees that 48:1–29 and 30–35 have different authors, see Program of Restoration, p. 127). The tribal designations themselves also differ. The land allotment does not mention Levi (since Levi is located within the sacred precinct) or Joseph, but fills out the twelve with the Joseph tribes Manasseh and Ephraim. The city description, on the other hand, mentions neither Manasseh ...

2286. Jesus Begins His Ministry to Israel

Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 4:18-22

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... for others. Human Experience: A garment maker might create a beautiful piece of clothing, such as a dress or a suit, thus creating a pattern that allows the maker or others to duplicate this unique piece. But suppose someone chose to try to replicate this designer’s dress without a pattern. Suppose this person obtained one of the reproductions and then crafted the dress by looking at the copy without using the pattern itself. It is very likely that the reproduction would fall short of the dress as it was ...

2287. Jesus’ Authority to Perform Miracles

Matthew 8:18-22, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew 9:1-8

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... from their sins” (1:21) and foreshadows Jesus’ death, which will be “for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28). Interpretive Insights 8:20 the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Jesus here refers to himself as the “Son of Man,” a designation familiar from its Old Testament usage. This is the first of thirty occurrences of “Son of Man” in Matthew; in each case Jesus uses the phrase to describe himself (in Matthew as well as in the other three Gospels). Although in many cases it functions ...

2288. Herod and Hometown Misunderstand Jesus’ Identity

Matthew 13:53-58, Matthew 14:1-12

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... act by the rules?” and “Is he a worrier?” The second part asks the same questions of the students, but instead of “Is he a worrier?” it asks, “Are you a worrier?” The test is not about right or wrong answers, nor is it designed to help students understand Jesus. Instead, if given to enough people, the test will reveal that we all think Jesus is like us. Introverts think Jesus is introverted, for example, and, on the basis of the same questions, extroverts think Jesus is extroverted. Spiritual ...

2289. Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a Peaceable and Humble King

Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 21:1-11

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... of praise (see Ps. 118:25). The acclamation of Jesus as “Son of David” confirms the (Galilean) crowd’s perception that Jesus is the Messiah. Although they will describe him as a prophet in 21:11, the latter is presumably how he has been designated and known by reputation throughout his Galilean ministry and does not conflict with understandings of Jesus’ messianic identity (e.g., Matthew holds both to be true [see 13:57; 23:29–39]). Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Matthew ...

2290. The Jewish Leaders as Negative Foil for Jesus’ Followers

Matthew 23:1-39

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... on the back or that place of honor. By giving to the poor, praying, and fasting “in secret,” Jesus’ followers will gain honor and reward from God. As we preach and teach this message, we may also have to consider whether we have designed our communal religious practices in such a way as to foster this kind of anonymity rather than as a system that actually rewards people with human honor for their spiritual practices. 2. Instead of seeking honor and status, Jesus’ followers should pursue equality ...

2291. The Rejection of Jesus in His Own Hometown

Mark 6:1-6

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... the darkness to draw that which is hidden into the light. In John 3:20 Jesus says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” When you live according to God’s design (being a light to the world) in word and deed, then the evil that is hidden in the darkness around you will be brought to light. This will make the people around you uncomfortable, and their response will be either to take responsibility for their evil deeds ...

2292. Mission and Rejection in Galilee

Mark 6:14-29, Mark 6:7-13

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... in Iraq and Iran still identify themselves as his followers. 6:30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. The sandwiching of episodes (6:7–13, 30 intercalated with 6:14–29) is complete. The disciples were designated “apostles” in 3:14 (see on that verse and 6:7), and here they return having completed their first mission as “sent ones” or official agents representing Jesus. Jesus had inaugurated their mission as part of his own in 6:6b–7. As they ...

2293. God’s Miraculous Provision: Caring for the Needy

Mark 6:30-44

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... with the wilderness generation (Num. 27:17), the nation under Ahab (1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chron. 18:16), and especially the plundered nation in Ezekiel 34:1–10, when the leaders are labeled “the false shepherds of Israel.” Once more Israel’s designated shepherds have failed them, so Jesus as the Davidic “shepherd messiah” (Ezek. 34:23; 37:24) must intervene and “begin to teach” the people. 6:37 You give them something to eat. All that had transpired, the movement from Capernaum to the slopes ...

2294. Spiritual Hypocrisy—Living by the Rules, Not by the Heart

Mark 7:1-23

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... care of one’s parents is uppermost (cf. 1 Tim. 5:4, 8). 7:11 declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God). “Corban” means “gift” (used often for sacrificial offerings) and designates something dedicated to God. It then becomes sacred. A person could declare property or money Corban, and it could not be used for anything else (though it could be used for one’s own needs). According to the Pharisees, it would then even have priority ...

2295. Family in the New Kingdom Community

Mark 10:13-16, Mark 10:1-12

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... is on his way to Jerusalem (the normal route was to cross the Jordan to the eastern shore to avoid Samaria, then to enter Judea at Jericho). On the way he is accosted again by Pharisees. This was not an innocent question but rather a “test” designed to trip him up (see 8:11). The issue of divorce had become quite controversial both for political (the divorces of Herod Antipas and Herodias, discussed in 6:17–29) and religious reasons. There were three views in ancient Judaism: an open view (held by the ...

2296. The Necessity of Vigilance in Light of the Parousia

Mark 13:32-37

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... have permanence. The shifting sands of time will “pass away,” and only God’s truths will endure forever. 13:32 about that day or hour no one knows. It is debated whether this verse concludes verses 28–31 or begins verses 33–37.5This often designates a transition verse that both concludes the preceding and introduces what follows. Such is the case here. It is generally agreed that Jesus is referring to the time of his return rather than the destruction of the temple, as is clear in the next few ...

2297. The Arrest of Jesus

Mark 14:43-52

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... , but the leaders had intended this throughout passion week (11:18; 12:12). 14:45 Rabbi! Jesus was seen by his disciples and other Jews as a teacher or “rabbi” (9:5; 10:51; 11:21). While the honorific “rabbi” did not become an official designation until the second century, it was used of respected teachers who trained disciples in the first century, and here it is used with great irony, for Judas is acknowledging Jesus as his teacher and master at the same moment he is betraying Jesus to his ...

2298. The Supernatural Witness to the Significance of Jesus’s Death

Mark 15:42-47

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... . Mary Magdalene (from Magdala on the northwest side of the lake) is always first in the lists and was likely the leader of the women disciples. Mary (mother of James and Joseph) is not Jesus’s mother (though possible [see 6:3], this would be a strange designation) but probably the mother of James the son of Alphaeus (3:18), likely “younger” than the better-known James (brother of John). We do not know who Salome is (also in 16:1), but the parallel list in Matthew 27:56 leads many to think that she ...

2299. Mary’s Song—the Magnificat

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... derive from their use as canticles in church worship since the early Christian centuries. They have been valued as expressions of joy in God’s saving work that can be applied far beyond their original context, even though each is clearly designed to reflect the specific circumstances in which they are uttered in Luke’s narrative.2Their language and structure reflect those of the Old Testament psalms, with their poetic parallelism, so that their Semitic style stands out within Luke’s generally more ...

2300. The First Disciples

Luke 5:1-11

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... . Interpretive Insights 5:1 the Lake of Gennesaret. Matthew and Mark call it the “Sea of Galilee,” John the “Sea of Tiberias.” Luke’s term is that normally used by Josephus. Gennesaret was just along the shore southwest of Capernaum. The designation “lake,” which Luke uses consistently, better fits our modern usage, since this is a stretch of water measuring only some thirteen by eight miles that, even though well below sea level, has fresh water. 5:3 the one belonging to Simon. Luke ...

Showing results