Sermon and Worship Resources

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Ezekiel 1:1-28, Ezekiel 2:1-3:15, Ezekiel 3:16-27

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... tests Ezekiel here with the command to eat whatever it is that the Lord gives him. What the Lord gives him to eat is a scroll (v. 9). The symbolism seems clear. As in Jeremiah 1:9, the outstretched hand of the Lord places the divine word in the prophet’s mouth. Even ... the Torah, and specifically with the flood story, suggest a far better solution (see D. E. Gowan, Ezekiel [Knox Preaching Guides; Atlanta: John Knox, 1985], p. 41). Note that a very similar expression to “the thirtieth year” of Ezek. ...

2. Walking in the Light

1 John 1:5--2:14, 1 John 2:15-17

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... to be prophetically inspired by the Spirit (4:1–2; R. A. Culpepper, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Knox Preaching Guides (Atlanta: John Knox, 1985), pp. 20–21. Jesus’ role as paraklētos is in contrast to Satan’s: “Believers now have someone ... to those who believe in Jesus. See G. E. Ladd, “Eschatology,” ISBE, vol. 2, pp. 136–37. In editions of the Greek New Testament, such as the UBS text and Nestle’s, and in most modern translations, v. 14 begins at v. 13c. The NIV and NASB are exceptions. 2 ...

3. Walking in the Light and the Problem of Sin

1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 1:5--2:14

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

4. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philemon 1:1-7

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... gifts of the Christian life. Additional Notes 2 John Knox, Philemon Among the Letters of Paul. For an evaluation of the ideas presented by Knox, see Lohse, pp. 186–87. Two helpful English articles on Philemon are E. W. Koch, “Cameo of Koinonia,” Interp 17 (1963 ... Philemon’s recognition of these blessings will cause him to respond appropriately with respect to Onesimus (v. 14). 7 The theme of Philemon’s love (v. 5) is repeated in this verse: You … have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Although ...

5. The Glory Departs

Ezekiel 8:1-18, Ezekiel 9:1-11, Ezekiel 10:1-22, Ezekiel 11:1-15, Ezekiel 11:16-25

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually provoke me to anger?” (v. 17). Like his prophetic forebears (see, e.g., Amos 2:6–8), Ezekiel sees right living and right worship as inseparable. The corrupt worship of ... Genre,” in I Am Yahweh (ed. W. Brueggemann; trans. D. W. Scott; Atlanta: John Knox, 1982), pp. 100–102). The exact phrase “I will not look on them with pity or spare them” (v. 10; lit., “My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity”) occurs only ...

6. Tyre, Sidon—and Israel

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

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... repetition” (D. M. Carr, Reading the Fractures of Genesis: Historical and Literary Approaches [Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996], pp. 26–28). Most probably, then, Ezekiel’s priestly editors inserted these verses—prompted, perhaps, ... , nagid often refers to temple leadership, whether among the priests or the Levites (e.g., 1 Chr. 9:11, 20; 2 Chr. 31:12–13; Neh. 11:11). Jer. 20:1 also uses the term in this way. Apart from here in v. 2, nagid refers to a foreign ruler in 2 Chr. 32:21, Ps. ...

7. The Law of the Temple

Ezekiel 43:13-27, Ezekiel 44:1-31, Ezekiel 45:1-12, Ezekiel 45:13--46:24

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... 44 as foreigners doing menial work in the temple, such as the Gibeonites of Joshua 9:23 (e.g., Cooke, Ezekiel, p. 479; Eichrodt, Ezekiel, p. 564; Wevers, Ezekiel, p. 220; Zimmerli, Ezekiel 2, pp ... the Altar of Burnt-Offering,” JBL 39 (1920), p. 139. If the base of Ezekiel’s altar (v. 13) was a sunken foundation (as LXX and the Tg. both imply), the height of the altar ... , see S. Japhet, I & II Chronicles (OTL; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993), p. 1049; and Tuell, First and Second Chronicles, pp. 220 ...

8. Let Us Love One Another

2 John 1:1-13

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... Jesus’ love command is in mind, it is more likely that the Elder means the correct doctrine about Christ, i.e., that he came in the flesh (v. 7). One who continues (menōn, “abides” or “remains”) faithful to this teaching has both the Father and the ... -blood-related people, are called “fictive kin” relations by cultural anthropologists. See, e.g., B. Malina, Christian Origins and Cultural Anthropology (Atlanta: John Knox, 1986), p. 39. The adjective, chosen (eklektē), occurs in the Gospel and ...

9. 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

... the future, the lion, the wolf, famine, and pestilence will keep unruly humanity in check. The Lord brings these severe judgments upon the land because of unfaithfulness (v. 13, Heb. maʿal). This is a priestly term (e.g., Lev. 6:2; 26:40; note in particular its use in Num. 5:12, 27, in the ordeal to test whether or not a woman is ... father, who “judged the cases of widows, presided over orphans’ hearings” (M. Coogan, ed., Stories from Ancient Canaan (Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox, 1978), p. 35.

10. The Credibility of the Gospel Paul Proclaims

Galatians 1:11-24

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... as being within Judaism (see also v. 14), suggesting that he sees his faith in Christ as separate from the religion into which both he and Christ were born. Some Greek Jewish writers referred to their religion as Judaism (e.g., 2 Macc. 2:21; 8: ... :17 Arabia: Paul does not say whether he preached when he was in Arabia or cogitated on his conversion experience. Usually, as J. Knox notes, “it is … supposed that he went for solitude and meditation” (Chapters in a Life of Paul, p. 77). Yet, as Paul tells ...

11. Test the Spirits

1 John 4:1-6

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... schismatic “false prophets” (v. 1). They are already in the world, which is the dominion of the evil one (5:19). This is further evidence that the opponents are “the children of the devil” (3:10). 4:4 The Elder makes two assertions here about his followers. They are from God, i.e., as those who ... 106–8; and R. Kysar, John, the Maverick Gospel (Atlanta: John Knox, 1976), pp. 47–64. 4:6 On the relationship between the Johannine writings and the Dead Sea Scrolls, see Charlesworth, John and Qumran.

12. Daniel in the Den of Lions

Daniel 6:1-28

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... “law” or “religion,” but only once does it refer to God’s “law” (v. 5); every other time it refers to the “law” of the Medes and Persians ... and 8 MT). However, it occurs in the Aramaic Targums, where it corresponds to the Hebrew shoter, “officer” (e.g., Exod. 5:6, 10; Deut. 1:15; 20:5) (Driver, Daniel, p. 72). The Aramaic verb ... the number to make it more believable (W. S. Towner, Daniel [Interp; Atlanta: John Knox, 1984], p. 87). Three or four hundred people being cast into the lions’ ...

13. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... present (face to face). This recalls the illegitimate criterion by which the opponents evaluate him, i.e., according to the face and not the heart (5:12). By pointing to Paul’s ... the Lord. He is not self-appointed. He is not confident “in himself” (cf. v. 7). Paul has been personally commissioned to undertake his apostolic responsibilities (cf. 13:10). ... versus St. Peter: A Tale of Two Missions (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1994); Gerd Luedemann, Opposition to Paul in Jewish Christianity (trans. M ...

14. Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... Martyn (“Epistemology at the Turn of the Ages: 2 Corinthians 5:16,” in Christian History and Interpretation: Studies Presented to John Knox [ed. W. R. Farmer, C. F. D. Moule, and R. R. Niebuhr; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1967], pp. 269–87) on ... cross (“Epistemology,” p. 285 n. 1). In the past, scholars have assumed, based on v. 26, that the Corinthian Christians were of the lowest social classes—e.g., G. A. Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East: The New Testament Illustrated by ...

15. Philemon 1-21

Philemon 1-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of this version of Philemon has led many other scholars on a series of interesting, but unfounded, conjectures. John Knox suggested the intriguing hypothesis that Philemon returned the slave Onesimus to Paul to serve him in his gospel mission ... was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful (onesimus)" (v.11). Paul claims he is sending Onesimus "back to you." But he does not indicate here in any way that Onesimus is some kind of property i.e., a slave of Philemon. Much has been made of Onesimus' presence ...

16. Ruth and Boaz on the Threshing Floor

Ruth 3:1-18

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... Redemption: Relating Characters in the Book of Ruth [Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 1990], p. 78). Hers rather is the classic approach of the ancient ... in a public place, Boaz immediately assures her, Don’t be afraid. As E. W. Conrad points out, biblical characters often hear this assurance formula under times of ... he sends Ruth back as a messenger to inform Naomi that her empty-handed days are over (req?m, v. 17; see the identical term in 1:21). Naomi’s response to Boaz’s action is to tell ...

17. Unlawful Sexual Relations

Leviticus 18:1-30

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... translated “laws” is more often translated “statutes” and is also frequent in the Holiness Code (e.g., 19:37; 20:22; 25:18; 26:15). God’s statutes are recorded and ... ’s Bible Commentary [ed. C. A. Newsome and S. H. Ringe; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1992], pp. 36–44). 18:10 The phrase that would dishonor you (see vv. ... what is counted as oneself. In vv. 7–8 the reference is to dishonoring the father, in v. 16 to the brother. 18:21 Molech may be the local title of a deity associated with ...

18. Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... are deserving of respect.… After Paul has emphasized that he is admonishing the Corinthians as his “beloved children” (v. 14), he underscores his unique relationship with the Corinthian congregation. He is the “father” of the Corinthians, since he ... be separated from Paul’s missionary work.” Moreover, E. A. Castelli (Imitating Paul: A Discourse of Power [Literary Currents in Biblical Interpretation; Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 1991]) illuminates the full force and significance of Paul ...

19. Love for Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... 5:43–48 The final illustration of how Jesus’ teaching “brings the law to perfection” (Knox) is taken from Israel’s relationship to non-Jewish cultures. You have heard that ... to hate your enemies. In fact, some verses seem to point in quite the other direction (e.g., Prov. 25:21, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is ... is that his children be perfect, therefore, just as he is perfect (v. 48). This last statement (v. 48) has often been misinterpreted. It has served as a basic text ...

20. Mom: The Heart of a Godly Family

Proverbs 31:10-31

Sermon

James Merritt

... the finances of the family, but a help. She will help guard the family finances as Ft. Knox guards the gold. b. Devotion "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." (v.12) A good wife and mother is a perpetual blessing to her family. She is a fountain ... willing to go an extra mile to get the best for her family. e. Discipline "She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservants." (v.15) This woman is an early riser. Now I am not implying ...

21. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:1-42

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... ” to mean “all”). In fact, God “takes every hair of your head into his reckoning” (Knox). The assarion (penny) was a Roman copper coin worth one sixteenth of a denarius (a day ... to the ground) translates an Aramaic word meaning “to light or land upon” (e.g., Barclay, vol. 1, p. 389). But this removes the idea of martyrdom ... , willingly to accept martyrdom for Christ’s sake is to gain the higher life (life in v. 39 is used in a double sense—physical, and true or spiritual). The saying of Jesus ...

22. Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:1-35

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... 20:29–30). With the spread of wickedness, the love of most (tōn pollōn in v. 12 probably means “of the majority”) will grow cold. But those who stand firm to the ... may hear the truth, and “only after that will the end come” (Knox). Only when the church has completed its worldwide mission of evangelization will the ... Semitic form ḇa‘al shamēm (Aramaic; Hebrew ba’al shamayīm), ‘the Ba‘al [i.e., Lord] of the heavens’ ” (p. 467). 24:30 Sign: Filson asks whether the sign could perhaps ...

23. The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... 8); and the episode is memorialized by naming that place Babel, that is, Babylon (v. 9). This famous city symbolizes commerce, human achievement, and the pursuit of pleasure. It ... derived from human self-sufficiency and autonomy” (Genesis [Interpretation; Atlanta: John Knox, 1982], p. 100). 11:5–8 Concerned about what was happening ... did not. 11:4 “With its head in heavens” is a Semitic expression for something very tall (e.g., Deut. 1:28; 9:1); this is supported by a line in the Babylonian Creation Epic ...

24. Propriety in Worship

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... The strange sense of the argument begins to make sense when one sees that Paul understands nature (v. 14) to give indication of the God-ordained pattern of life. Nevertheless, several problems raised by Paul ... Corinthians 11:3,” Int 47 (1993), pp. 52–59. In a creative interpretive essay, S. E. McGinn (“exousian echein epi tēs kephalēs: 1 Cor 11:10 and the Ecclesial ... C. A. Newsom and S. H. Ringe, eds.; Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 1992). For a more radical line of reinterpretation, see A. C. ...

25. Jesus Walks on the Water

Matthew 14:22-36

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... v. 9). There is no question that both Herod and Herodias wanted to be rid of the prophet, although Herod is the one who is a bit reluctant. Green’s opinion that Mark’s version (adapted by Matthew) “rests on popular tradition, not to say bazaar gossip” and is therefore “no more reliable in its details than such sources generally are” (p. 139) is unnecessarily harsh. 14:22–27 As soon as the five thousand had been fed, Jesus “prevailed upon his disciples” (Knox ... ’s career (i.e., in his pride ...

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