Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: responsibility, obligation, commitment, obedience, allegiance, loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity, respect, deference, reverence, homage, job, task, chore, assignment, commission, mission, function, charge, part, place, role, concern, requirement, tax, levy, tariff, excise, toll, fee, imposition, impost, exaction, tithe, payment, rate

Showing 1 to 25 of 811 results

1. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . Abraham leaves the known and the familiar to be led wherever God leads him. He acts on the basis of God’s promise alone, heading toward the unseen and unknown (cf. the definition of faith in v. 1). Abraham is thus controlled by God and his promise. This is exactly what faith entails and what our author wants his readers to emulate (cf. 13:13). 11:9 Despite the fact that he came to the promised land, he did not settle there as though that were his final goal. Indeed, he continued to live as a pilgrim in ...

2. The Seventy “Sevens”

Daniel 9:20-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... of 62 weeks, which possibly is not meant to be taken literally. It is all about the sevens! If the author of Daniel reduced the number of years for the middle period, it would not fit the pattern. In short, even if the numbers do not work out exactly, overall there are enough other clues in the book to point us to the second century B.C. Some readers of Daniel might argue that since the numbers do not work out perfectly in any scheme, we might just as well espouse the messianic interpretation. However, if ...

3. One Body, Many Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... harmonious unity, the result of which was that its parts should have equal concern for each other. Thus, in their necessary diversity and in their mutually dependent unity, all parts of the body suffer, experience being honored, and rejoice together—exactly because of God’s design and exactly as the members of the body of Christ should also. 12:27 Verses 27–31a apply and explain the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ in relation to the Corinthians’ situation. Verse 27 begins with the bold ...

4. Elihu

Job 32:1--37:24

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... to say. It is not so much that the friends had run out of words, as there “was no answer in their mouth.” This remark suggests that Elihu understands the friends as incapable of answering Job. The Hebrew phrase for his anger was aroused almost exactly mirrors the expression that begins verse 2. Together the two statements form an inclusio around the prose introduction of Elihu in 32:2–5, which is now concluded in preparation for Elihu’s speech proper. The Wisdom of Youth 32:6–7 So Elihu son of ...

5. A Call to Persevere

Hebrews 10:19-39

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... possible. The Greek word used for new is prosphatos, which occurs only here in the NT. The adjective living is elsewhere used by our author to describe God, as it is often in the NT (3:12; 9:14; 10:31; 12:22). The word way (hodos) is used in exactly the same sense in 9:8 (but nowhere else in the NT does it refer to the approach to God’s presence). The word for curtain (katapetasma) occurs earlier in Hebrews in 6:19 and 9:3 (“second curtain”), but nowhere else except in the Gospel passages cited above ...

6. False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 Peter 2:1-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... of the moral order. These men have become “experts in greed” (2:14). The method of the false teachers is to exploit you with stories they have made up. To be effective, any evil propaganda must be a mixing of truth with falsehood. This is exactly what these men are doing. They are guilty of having fabricated fictitious arguments. Furthermore, the use of the term exploit implies that these false teachers are financially making a good living out of their dupes (cf. Jude 11, 12, 16). The effect of the ...

7. Job Hears the Whispers of God’s Works

Job 26:1--31:40

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... means, Job as the defendant calls on God as judge either to condemn him to the full extent of the law or else to clear him of the erroneous charge. If Job is guilty, then he has invited God to strike him with horrific penalties. If God does not exact the punishment, then his failure to do so will tacitly acquit Job of the charges against him. By this legal procedure, even the silence of God the judge can exonerate Job. Interpretive Insights 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a ...

8. The Son Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... used in reference to the Son (1:4), Melchizedek (7:7), salvation (6:9), covenant (7:22; 8:6), sacrifice (9:23; 12:24), promises (8:6), present possession (10:34), and future expectation (7:19; 11:16, 35, 40). The frequent use of this word is exactly in line with the central argument of the book. On the theological significance of the ascension, see J. G. Davies, “Ascension of Christ,” in DCT, pp. 15f. Christ Is Superior to the Angels in His Deity The great attention given to the superiority of Christ to ...

9. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... is James’ goal in writing. He points out the wrong way in hope that the people will turn back and their sins will be forgotten forever. With this note of grace and forgiveness he ends his work. Additional Notes 4:13 In Greek the now listen is exactly parallel to the “Now listen” of 5:1, which shows that the two passages fit together. The merchants were upwardly mobile in Palestine. In that day the oldest son took over the property of his father and younger sons were given money and told to make their ...

10. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... word here for punish includes the note of retribution: the wrongdoer is to be made to suffer for any misdeeds. There is no suggestion of more modern ideas of trying to reform the criminal as part of the judicial process. The governor’s duty is to exact recompense: that is his appointed task (Rom. 13:4). Not so for the individual Christian believer who is the victim of a crime: vengeance is not the believer’s prerogative (vv. 19–23); it must be left to higher authority—to God himself (Rom. 12:19 ...

11. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... Gulf of Suez at the northern end of the Red Sea, the body of water furthest to the south and closest to the present Red Sea was the chain of Bitter Lakes. Further to the north were Lake Timsah, Lake Balah, and Lake Menzaleh. Understandably, the exact location of the sea crossing is a matter of debate, with proposed locations ranging more than 200 mi. apart. For the argument that the Sea of Reeds should best be translated as the Red Sea for liturgical and OT contextual reasons, see Fretheim, Exodus, p. 153 ...

12. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... sleeping place would be God’s dwelling place. It was holy because of God’s presence. God was the people’s source of holiness (31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8; 22:32). The Lord asked them to make “this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” The people built the tabernacle based on God’s model (or blueprint). “Pattern” means “building plan” or “construction plan,” and so God was the architect. God showed Moses the plan while on the mountain, in addition to ...

13. Crucified, Dead, and Buried

John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... or qualification, he knows that he tells the truth (v. 35b). Like the anonymous disciple of 18:15–16, he is an important source for one small part of the story, and he may (as most commentators suppose) be the author of the whole story. But what exactly did he see that was decisive? The entire crucifixion scene? The two fulfillments of scripture in verses 31–37? The spear thrust? Or the consequent flow of blood and water from the wound in Jesus’ side? The accent is clearly on the latter two (v. 34 ...

14. Solomon's Adversaries

1 Kings 11:14-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... ultimately to transform it into blessing. God’s anger (11:9) will not last forever. 11:40–43 We are not told exactly what happened after Jeroboam received Ahijah’s message. We are told simply that Solomon, aware of the threat, sought Jeroboam’s ... to the reader who has begun to appreciate the artistry of 1 Kgs. 1–11 to discover that cloak, Hb. śalmâ, has almost exactly the same consonants as the name Solomon (Hb. šelōmōh). The division of the cloak thus speaks particularly forcefully of the ...

15. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... speak for all men who truly understand. He is supremely confident of his analysis of Job’s situation, and just as certain that Job speaks without knowledge and insight. 34:36–37 To his sin he adds rebellion. In verse 36, Elihu expresses his desire that God would exact his full judgment upon wicked Job. Elihu’s rigid logic has led him to conclude that Job is not at all a victim as he has claimed. Rather, he is an obstinate fool, a scorner whose words against God are prompted by a spirit of rebellion ...

16. Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... this point, looking back and looking forward at once. Paul did not write with a Gk. grammar in hand, worrying about the rules. Fee presses Paul’s language too hard here. The phrase the secret things of God lit. says, “God’s mysteries” (Gk. mystēriōn theou). Exactly what Paul means by these words is debatable, although since he already used this phrase in 2:7, he most likely means “the gospel,” as he did in using the phrase in the context of 2:1–10. Thus, the secret things of God are God’s ...

17. Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... 1–2 Daniel’s first vision, recorded in chapter 7, is dated to the first year of Belshazzar. Chapter 8 tells us that Daniel again had a vision (8:1). This second vision is dated to the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign (8:1). The wording is almost exactly the same as in Daniel 1:1, “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim.” This is not surprising as both were written by the same person. The author alludes to chapter 7 by noting that this vision was after the one that had already appeared to ...

18. Personal Requests

1 Corinthians 16:5-18

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... quite literally in the NIV is rendered “in your faith” in other versions. The use of the definite article “the” as if it were a personal pronoun is common or normal in Greek, and that understanding or translation is acceptable in this verse. Exactly what Paul means by this phrase is unclear. Perhaps he does intend to indicate certain basic matters of belief, such as those already registered in 15:3–8, but he may well mean to indicate the dynamic relationship between the Corinthian believers and ...

19. The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37, John 19:17-27, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

20. The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

21. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:1-6, James 4:13-17, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

22. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:7-12, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

23. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:13-20, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

24. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon

1 Kings 11:26-40

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

25. Solomon's Death

1 Kings 11:41-43

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Showing results

Showing 1 to 25 of 811 results

1. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

2. The Seventy “Sevens”

Daniel 9:20-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

3. One Body, Many Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

4. Elihu

Job 32:1--37:24

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

5. A Call to Persevere

Hebrews 10:19-39

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

6. False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 Peter 2:1-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

7. Job Hears the Whispers of God’s Works

Job 26:1--31:40

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

8. The Son Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

9. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

10. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

11. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

12. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

13. Crucified, Dead, and Buried

John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

14. Solomon's Adversaries

1 Kings 11:14-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

15. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

16. Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

17. Daniel’s Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

William Nelson

18. Personal Requests

1 Corinthians 16:5-18

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

19. The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37, John 19:17-27, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

20. The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

21. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:1-6, James 4:13-17, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

22. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:7-12, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

23. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:13-20, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

24. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon

1 Kings 11:26-40

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

25. Solomon's Death

1 Kings 11:41-43

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Showing results