Sermon and Worship Resources

1. The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

John 6:25-59

Sermon

King Duncan

... , a man sick and tired of burned toast. Americans were skeptical at first about investing in a single-function appliance, but prices dropped and sales mushroomed. From 1922 to 1930 sales tripled, from 400,000 units to 1,200,000, thanks in part ... interesting. It was humorously titled, "Do This in Random Access Memory of Me." It read like this: "In June, the Rev. David E. Courter of the Independent Catholic Church International told the Associated Press that he would soon celebrate Mass online and allow people ...

2. David Numbers the Fighting Men

1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... 24:1. The latter says that “the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he [i.e., the LORD] incited David against them” to take a census. The Chronicler makes Satan the instigator of the census, probably ... price. The latter expression is again the Chronicler’s addition to the text. In the further deliberations Araunah first offers the site to David for free, but David insists on paying “the full price.” In the end David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site (compared to “David ...

3. Proper 12 & Pentecost 10

1 Kings 3:1-15, Exodus 3:1-22, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:28-39, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:47-52

Sermon Aid

... shall give you," and the child Solomon, after recounting how God has shown his "steadfast love" to David and now to him, who succeeds his father David on the throne of Israel, prays: "Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, ... Roman Lectionary also has a shortform, 13:44-46); 13:31-33, 44-49a (E) In order to emphasize the truth of the parables of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price as parables of the kingdom of heaven, the Episcopal Lectionary does two things: ...

4. Come On Down

Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Sermon

Curtis Lewis

... price of various show cases. If Mary is lucky, she will beat out the other competitors by coming the closest to the price of a certain item or items. When this happens, she runs onto the platform to compete for various prizes and show cases. Competing on The Price ... away the arrogance of thinking that we can save ourselves. W. E. Sangster, in his book The Pure in Heart, relates the story ... Later the evangelist learned that the elderly gentleman was David Hill, a saintly and distinguished Methodist missionary to ...

5. 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

... population of Palestine put pressure on the land, keeping prices up and interest fairly high. So one took a large stock of goods to a place they were scarce and attempted to trade at a profit for the rare goods of that land (e.g., Matt. 13:45–46). When all had ... tradition of the testing of Abraham. Thus the allusion to Job catches up the theme of James 2. See further P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Citation in the Epistle of James.” The phrase for what the Lord finally brought about is simply, “the end ...

6. 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

... population of Palestine put pressure on the land, keeping prices up and interest fairly high. So one took a large stock of goods to a place they were scarce and attempted to trade at a profit for the rare goods of that land (e.g., Matt. 13:45–46). When all had ... tradition of the testing of Abraham. Thus the allusion to Job catches up the theme of James 2. See further P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Citation in the Epistle of James.” The phrase for what the Lord finally brought about is simply, “the end ...

7. 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

... population of Palestine put pressure on the land, keeping prices up and interest fairly high. So one took a large stock of goods to a place they were scarce and attempted to trade at a profit for the rare goods of that land (e.g., Matt. 13:45–46). When all had ... tradition of the testing of Abraham. Thus the allusion to Job catches up the theme of James 2. See further P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Citation in the Epistle of James.” The phrase for what the Lord finally brought about is simply, “the end ...

8. 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

... population of Palestine put pressure on the land, keeping prices up and interest fairly high. So one took a large stock of goods to a place they were scarce and attempted to trade at a profit for the rare goods of that land (e.g., Matt. 13:45–46). When all had ... tradition of the testing of Abraham. Thus the allusion to Job catches up the theme of James 2. See further P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Citation in the Epistle of James.” The phrase for what the Lord finally brought about is simply, “the end ...

9. Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Mark 10:46-52

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... work of establishing a kingdom of righteousness is to be done by giving his life as a redemption price. That is to say that the title Son of David is a messianic acclamation reflecting still the Jewish background and not yet the fuller Christian understanding of ... . In Jesus’ time it was still a well-built, attractive town in a pleasant part of Palestine. (On the site and its history, see, e.g, IDB, vol 2, pp. 835–39; IDBSup, pp. 472–73.) Both Matt. 20:29 and Mark 10:46 agree in describing the healing ...

10. Lent 1

Mt 4:1-11, Rom 5:12-21

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle." Even though David has acted shamefully, shame itself is bigger than his action and actually ... example, the commentaries of P. J. Achtemeier, C. K. Barrett, K. Barth, C. E. B. Cranfield, J. D. G. Dunn, E. Käsemann, M. Luther, and P. W. Meyer—to name a few important ... devil makes a third plea. He offers Jesus power, position, and privilege—all at only one price! Jesus must turn from the God who calls him to fulfill all righteousness and turn to Satan ...

11. Trials and Temptations

James 1:1-18, James 1:19-27

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... the race (endure) receive the reward, for God has promised it to all those who love him. Salvation has only one price, an enduring love of God. With this prospect in mind, Christians can consider themselves truly blessed or fortunate despite outward circumstances, for ... state without a qualm “God tests” (e.g., Abraham in Gen. 22:1 and David in 2 Sam. 24:1), after the exile Judaism found these statements too facile. Thus in 2 Chron. 21:1 the devil, not God, tests David; in Job the test is initiated and ...

12. Listening and Doing

James 1:19-27, James 1:1-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... the race (endure) receive the reward, for God has promised it to all those who love him. Salvation has only one price, an enduring love of God. With this prospect in mind, Christians can consider themselves truly blessed or fortunate despite outward circumstances, for ... state without a qualm “God tests” (e.g., Abraham in Gen. 22:1 and David in 2 Sam. 24:1), after the exile Judaism found these statements too facile. Thus in 2 Chron. 21:1 the devil, not God, tests David; in Job the test is initiated and ...

13. The Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1-17

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... hardship, including famine. A voice from among the four living creatures sets the maximum price for wheat and barley at a day’s wages (a denarius). A person would normally ... the earth,” a phrase used throughout Revelation to portray unbelievers who rebel against God and persecute his people (e.g., Rev. 3:10; 11:10; 17:8). Second, they ask when God plans to “avenge” their blood (cf. Rev ... killed in war during the twentieth century. Researcher David C. Barrett estimates that 160,000 believers were martyred ...

14. God's Sovereign Choice

Romans 9:1-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... 1–8 and is demanded by it. Earlier themes are reemployed and applied to the question: e.g., Jews and Gentiles (1:16–17 / 11:1–32), ethnic versus spiritual Israel (2:28– ... of wishing to be cut off from Christ! The ultimate price anyone can pay is life itself, a price which Paul prominently volunteers: I could wish that I myself ... of Moab (Deut. 29:1) and in the promised land (Josh. 8:30f.), and finally with David (2 Sam. 7:21ff.)? What people could boast of receiving … the law, the Torah, Israel’s ...

15. Favoritism Forbidden

James 2:1-13, James 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... . 3:5). The poor person needed a loan and the rich gave it to him—for a price (despite the fact that taking interest, i.e., profiting from another’s need, was forbidden, e.g., Exod. 22:25–26). If there was a dispute, the rich man hired the best lawyer. ... Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews, vol. 1, p. 281. Further passages are cited in R. B. Ward, “pp. 286–90; and P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Interpretation in the Epistle of James,” pp. 113–16. On the concept of declaring right at the end of a test ...

16. Faith and Deeds

James 2:14-26, James 2:1-13

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... . 3:5). The poor person needed a loan and the rich gave it to him—for a price (despite the fact that taking interest, i.e., profiting from another’s need, was forbidden, e.g., Exod. 22:25–26). If there was a dispute, the rich man hired the best lawyer. ... Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews, vol. 1, p. 281. Further passages are cited in R. B. Ward, “pp. 286–90; and P. H. Davids, “Tradition and Interpretation in the Epistle of James,” pp. 113–16. On the concept of declaring right at the end of a test ...

17. Jehoahaz King of Judah

2 Kings 23:31-35

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —for the story must end with disaster—he rebels. 24:8–17 It is his son Jehoiachin who succeeds him and pays the price for his rebellion. The armies of Babylon march on Jerusalem and besiege the city, as the Assyrians had done before them (2 Kgs ... God’s words about the rejection of people, city and temple (e.g., 2 Kgs. 21:14; 23:27) are God’s final words; so too 2 Kings 25:27–30 hints that the unconditional aspects of the Davidic promise may even still, after awful judgment has fallen, remain in ...

18. Jehoiakim King of Judah

2 Kings 23:36--24:7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —for the story must end with disaster—he rebels. 24:8–17 It is his son Jehoiachin who succeeds him and pays the price for his rebellion. The armies of Babylon march on Jerusalem and besiege the city, as the Assyrians had done before them (2 Kgs ... God’s words about the rejection of people, city and temple (e.g., 2 Kgs. 21:14; 23:27) are God’s final words; so too 2 Kings 25:27–30 hints that the unconditional aspects of the Davidic promise may even still, after awful judgment has fallen, remain in ...

19. Jehoiachin King of Judah

2 Kings 24:8-17

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —for the story must end with disaster—he rebels. 24:8–17 It is his son Jehoiachin who succeeds him and pays the price for his rebellion. The armies of Babylon march on Jerusalem and besiege the city, as the Assyrians had done before them (2 Kgs ... God’s words about the rejection of people, city and temple (e.g., 2 Kgs. 21:14; 23:27) are God’s final words; so too 2 Kings 25:27–30 hints that the unconditional aspects of the Davidic promise may even still, after awful judgment has fallen, remain in ...

20. Zedekiah King of Judah

2 Kings 24:18-20a

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —for the story must end with disaster—he rebels. 24:8–17 It is his son Jehoiachin who succeeds him and pays the price for his rebellion. The armies of Babylon march on Jerusalem and besiege the city, as the Assyrians had done before them (2 Kgs ... God’s words about the rejection of people, city and temple (e.g., 2 Kgs. 21:14; 23:27) are God’s final words; so too 2 Kings 25:27–30 hints that the unconditional aspects of the Davidic promise may even still, after awful judgment has fallen, remain in ...

21. The Fall of Jerusalem

2 Kings 24:20b--25:26

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... —for the story must end with disaster—he rebels. 24:8–17 It is his son Jehoiachin who succeeds him and pays the price for his rebellion. The armies of Babylon march on Jerusalem and besiege the city, as the Assyrians had done before them (2 Kgs ... God’s words about the rejection of people, city and temple (e.g., 2 Kgs. 21:14; 23:27) are God’s final words; so too 2 Kings 25:27–30 hints that the unconditional aspects of the Davidic promise may even still, after awful judgment has fallen, remain in ...

22. The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1 Peter 2:4-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... built through her.” To obtain children is to become a house (as in “house of David”); to become a house is to be built. So Peter’s juxtaposition of the ... suggesting that the people of God are to be honored? Believers have been bought with the price (timē, 1 Cor. 6:20) of the precious (timios) blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:19). ... Gospels (Matt. 4:15–16; Luke 2:32). Jesus himself claimed to be the light of the world, i.e., of both Jews and Gentiles (John 1:8–9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). The description ...

23. “Cast Your Cares on the Lord and He Will Sustain You”

Psalm 55:1-23

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... ” (1 Pet. 5:7). Whether he learned this from the great literature of the Torah (e.g., Exod. 34:6–7), the Psalms were a rich resource for recognizing the character of ... this secular world finds a place of security in the ark of God’s rest (55:6). Although David has been betrayed by his close friend and finds no respite for his pain in the city he ... best to be general about the circumstances but very specific about the emotional price that was paid. After the testimony, connect the person’s story to Psalm ...

24. “Your Love Is Better Than Life”

Psalm 63:1-11

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... his love is better than life (63:3–5) c. Night contemplation of God (63:6) d. David’s worship in the sanctuary (63:7) e. David’s faith and God’s support (63:8) 3. Complaint against David’s enemies (63:9–10) a. His enemies’ intention to kill him (63:9a) b. His ... all areas of life. For instance, Berdik writes, “brain scans reveal that expectations about a wine’s quality (based on price or a critic’s review) actually change the level of activity in the brain’s reward centers when a person ...

25. Proper 13

Luke 12:13-21, Psalm 49:1-20, Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, 2 Kings 13:10-25, Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon Aid

George Bass

... the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Teach us to seek imperishable goods and to have confidence in your blood, poured out as the price of our redemption; and to you be glory now and forever." Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (RC) - This is a frequently used ... praise now and forever." THE READINGS Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:18-26 (L); 1:2; 2:(1-7, 11), 18-23 (E); 1:2, 2:21-23 (RC) The Preacher, who is named as the son of David (Solomon's imprimatur, perhaps?), paints a vivid and bleak picture of human life on a level that has no room ...