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 2376 to 2400 of 3314 results
2376. Matthew 10:40-42
Matthew 10:40-42
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... was a short-term commitment. A "prophet" would enter the town or village, preach his message and in a few days' time, move on down the road. The prophet's primary role was proclamation. He did not organize or build up faith communities as did "apostles." He simply broke the ground for future planting. The identity of "a righteous one" is less agreed upon in scholarly circles. Some consider this to be a general term indicating any truly good person Christian or Jew. Others insist that a "righteous one" was a ...
2377. Romans 8:26-39
Romans 8:26-39
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... preaching ability stirred the hearts of the struggling new churches throughout the Roman territories, just as his skill with the written word continues to inspire new generations of seekers across the globe. For all generations of the Christian church, Paul the apostle has stood out as the "Great Communicator." This week's text reveals the source and strength of Paul's communication skills and communicative powers even while his words aptly demonstrate that gift. In verse 26, Paul begins by confessing the ...
2378. Romans 12:1-8
Romans 12:1-8
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
Although when one thinks of Paul's teachings on "spiritual gifts," one usually turns to his writings in 1 Corinthians 12, this topic is also discussed and developed in Paul's letter to the Romans. In some ways, the apostle's unique use of "body of Christ" imagery for the church community is even more important and poignant for the Roman Christian communities than for those obstreperous believers in Corinth. Paul's letters addressed to "all God's beloved in Rome" (Romans 1:7) were intended not just for a ...
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... hands on both boats to bring it in safely _ evokes a seemingly unusual response from Simon. As he is singled out and mentioned for the third time, Luke now calls Simon by the name Jesus will give him in 6:14 when he is called as an apostle. Simon Peter's confession, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" (v.8), reveals that he had experienced an epiphany _ a personal manifestation of the power and glory that was Jesus _ through this miracle. The term Luke uses here for "sinful" (harmartolos) has ...
2380. Romans 5:1-5
Romans 5:1-5
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
Although Romans 5:1 clearly starts a new section of Paul's letter, it skillfully builds on all that the apostle has already set forth. The example of Abraham, cited in 4:1-22, surely remains dominant in the minds of Paul's audience as they continue to read about the role endurance, character and hope play in the lives of the faithful. But in 5:1-11, Paul becomes primarily ...
2381. Galatians 2:15-21
Galatians 2:15-21
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
Paul's letter to the Galatians, while highly personal and emotional, yet also offers some of the clearest and most powerful expressions of theology the apostle ever wrote. The text read for today's epistle lesson starts a new section in the letter. It is concerned with the theological fallout created by the actions of Peter and the others in Antioch. Paul has already told the Galatians how he confronted Peter and openly voiced his displeasure ...
2382. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... he was among them. Not only did Paul teach against idleness but, as verses 7-8 report, he actively practiced what he preached. Again, Paul's tone is commanding and emphatic - "you ought to imitate us." Imitating the actions of a great leader and teacher - an apostle in fact - should not be an intimidating possibility for Christians. It is commanded of them. Imitation is not an option. Paul's insistence that he did not "eat bread" with anyone is a common Semitism for "get a life." Paul is not denying that he ...
2383. John 20:1-18
John 20:1-18
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... In a day before creeds and canonized texts, there was great concern over the various traditions that circulated about Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. Paul's experience of the risen Christ shaped his spirit so profoundly that it is little wonder the apostle's writings helped establish the fledgling Christian fellowships as true resurrection communities. As we see in this week's Epistle, Paul's faith determined the shape of what was to become the central kerygma for the Church. Peter's soliloquy in Acts ...
2384. Ephesians 6:10-20
Ephesians 6:10-20
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... in Christ and the established systems of the dominant pagan culture. Ephesus had already been the scene of one such face-off (see Acts 19:21-41). Although Paul's own experiences in Ephesus and elsewhere were painfully and frightfully physical, the apostle begins this admonition to "armor up" by identifying "the wiles of the devil" as the most menacing danger threatening Christians. Despite all his run-ins with local authorities, all his nights in gloomy prison cells, all his constant refereeing of bitter ...
2385. Mark 9:38-50
Mark 9:38-50
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
The week's gospel text is part of a series of seminars in discipleship Jesus holds for his twelve apostles during their final expedition to Galilee. Jesus' teachings surprise in several ways. Earlier during their travels in this region the disciples had twice failed to comprehend Jesus. When Jesus foretells his impending death and resurrection (vs.30), the disciples are so confused that they are too embarrassed to even ask ...
2386. Galatians 6:7-18
Galatians 6:7-18
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... states plainly where the ultimate responsibility lies for those whose harvests are stunted and decayed. It is within everyone's own power to determine whether the outcome of their life will be blessing or judgment. Verse 9 relieves this somber picture with the apostle's positive advice that we should therefore "not grow weary in doing what is right...." For those faithful to the Spirit, there is a harvest of eternal life freely offered. "Weary" is another term rarely used by Paul, although it was common to ...
2387. 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... denied by some of the most respected biblical scholars. This questionable heritage caused some scholars to begin to dismiss their content as well - supposing the letters to Timothy and Titus to be paler, washed-out versions of Pauline theology, lacking that apostle's fiery enthusiasm and theological virtuosity. In the last few decades a new defense of these pastoral epistles has been slowly taking shape. This argument finds support for Pauline authorship by re-examining a number of elements. (See Thomas C ...
2388. 2 Timothy 1:1-14
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... the powerhouse truths Paul unleashes here - gifts that make momentary imprisonment or any physical suffering appear totally insignificant by comparison. Having reminded Timothy of the miraculous nature of the gospel message, Paul can boldly proclaim his multiple roles as herald, apostle, teacher and sufferer - all for the sake of that same gospel. In verse 12 Paul makes clear to Timothy what living for the gospel entails. Even as God has entrusted Paul with the task of dispersing the gospel message, Paul ...
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... " with a dazzling light after he was addressed by a voice from the clouds that covered the mountaintop. The similarity between Moses' experience and Jesus' Transfiguration is both affirmed and differentiated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6. The apostle reminds his readers that, after his experience, Moses' face was constantly "veiled," while for Christians the event of Jesus' Transfiguration is only the first showing of the splendor and radiance of God's glory that is fully revealed at the Resurrection ...
2390. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... found, and that was good enough. Is that the attitude of the church toward those who are lost? Is that your attitude? Is it mine? Paul tells the Corinthians that he is an ambassador for God, as if God were making his appeal to them through the apostle (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul saw himself as a detective specializing in missing persons. "Come out of hiding," he pleads. "Be reconciled with your Father who loves you." If Jesus came to seek and save the lost, then Paul believed that mission no less his. How ...
2391. Philippians 3:4b-14
Philippians 3:4b-14
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... to obtain full knowledge of Christ and so "attain the resurrection from the dead." Just as Paul had "boasted" about his previous perfection under the Law, he denies any inference that he has yet reached his new goal of being fully in Christ. The apostle once again invokes the image of a runner (see Philippians 2:16) to describe the spiritual quest he finds himself embodying. It is not through some sort of meritorious action he can "win" this race and so achieve the righteousness he desires. Righteousness is ...
2392. Acts 16:9-15
Acts 16:9-15
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
This week's text from Acts actually begins in the middle of a travelogue text that appears to be having difficulty getting started. Indecision and doubt are characteristics that rarely come to mind when discussing the apostle Paul. But here he is searching for a new direction in his mission, and for the moment, at least, is going nowhere. Paul's first inclination had been to turn toward Asia, to spread the gospel to a region yet wholly untouched by the gospel. But 16:6 declares that ...
2393. 1 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... to God's ultimate plan. The time of salvation was determined by God. There are no divine errors in time-keeping. The cross came at the "right time." Also part of God's perfectly timed plan for salvation is the divine choice of a proclaimer. Paul defines himself as "herald," "apostle" and "teacher." Again it would appear that Paul may have some gnostic disclaimers in mind for he emphasizes his role as "teacher" by more fully explaining his mission as to "the Gentiles in faith and truth."
2394. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... larger community of faith or even any praises or thanksgivings to God. Just as verse 5 focused solely on Timothy and the work he has yet to complete ("As for you"), verses 6-7 are centered only on Paul and the work he has successfully accomplished. The apostle did not believe he had "kept the faith" without the constant presence and protection of God. Indeed, if Paul had not first been God-filled to overflowing with the spirit of faith and love, there would be nothing left in him to "pour out as a libation ...
2395. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... letter to them, Paul discusses the concepts of being "chosen" (1:4), "salvation" (5:8,9), and "sanctification" (4:3,7). For Paul, "salvation" becomes accessible to believers through the work of the Holy Spirit, an ongoing work known to the apostle as "sanctification." The work of the Spirit is progressive, a process that gradually weans believers away from the world by filling them ever more completely with the spirit and image of Christ. This is no passive spiritual surgery performed supernaturally on ...
2396. Weakness into Strength
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Sermon
James McCormick
... of us will never arrive at strength. We will never be equal to the difficulties life throws at us. Our imagined strength will always be weakness. Our only hope is to turn around, acknowledge our need, and allow God to turn our weakness into strength. The Apostle Paul was a remarkable man. But he never said, “I can do all things!” What he said was, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The Bible does not say, “Be strong!” The Bible says, “Be strong in the Lord!” Countless ...
2397. Refusing to Quit
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Sermon
James McCormick
... disappointments he had suffered. But in spite of all of that, he was able to summarize his life with those magnificent words: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” In other words, “I didn’t quit!” I. The Apostle was either an athlete or he was a fan, because in his letters, he liked to use athletic imagery. When he said, “I have finished the race”, he gave us a beautifully descriptive picture of life. Life is like a race we are to run. But, contrary to ...
2398. More Than Feelings (Weddings)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Illustration
James McCormick
... going to feel – you just feel. Consequently, many of the people who think of love in such terms fall out of love as quickly as they fall into it. Their love is undependable. Marriage is too important to be built upon a foundation so shaky. The Apostle Paul doesn’t think of love in such terms at all. He writes about a tough, durable kind of love, a love that keeps on loving no matter what. That understanding of love is so important to marriage, because only those able to love one another unconditionally ...
2399. John 1:29-42
John 1:29-42
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... understood their leader. By verse 40 John the Baptist's former disciples have clearly shifted their allegiance over to Jesus. The Baptist has succeeded. So convinced are these new followers that Jesus is "the chosen one" that they already begin to act like apostles, excitedly bringing others to Jesus as John had brought them. Andrew runs to find his brother Simon Peter and brings him to Jesus by announcing that he has found "the Messiah" (v.41). Thus John adds another title to Jesus' expanding resume: He ...
2400. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... one over the other. Paul treats all of them as though they formed one malignant lump - a tumor sapping strength and health from the body of Christ. But Paul's rejection of party ideologies being foisted on the Corinthian church is not simply the apostle's desire to divorce religious life from its civic environment. The party politics Paul denounces so utterly is the first-century type that was based strictly on inherited class and economic status. In Paul's day political struggles tended to be between the ...
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