Sermon and Worship Resources

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Philippians 2:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... by M. Dibelius (ad loc.), W. Michaelis (ad loc.), E. F. Scott (ad loc.), L. Cerfaux, “L’hymne au Christ—Serviteur de Dieu (Phil. 2, 6–11=Isa. 52, 13–53, 12),” pp. 425–37; J. M. Furness, “The Authorship of Philippians ii. 6–11,” ExpT ... ephanerōthē en sarki (“he appeared in a body”). The noun morphē “implies not the external accidents but the essential attributes” (J. B. Lightfoot, ad loc.); it has a more substantial content than homoiōma in the last phrase of v. 7 or schēma in ...

2. Jesus Made Like His Brothers

Hebrews 2:5-18

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... made him ruler over everything you made.” Despite the textual witness in favor of its inclusion (but it is missing from P46 and B), the line is almost certainly an adaptation to the LXX, and therefore the shorter reading is to be preferred. 2:8b–9 Four key ... life” and Acts 5:31, absolutely, “Prince.” See G. Johnston, “Christ as Archēgos,” NTS 27 (1981), pp. 381–85; J. J. Scott, “Archēgos in the Salvation History of the Epistle to the Hebrews,” JETS 29 (1986), pp. 47–54. H. Bietenhard, ...

3. Gift

2 Corinthians 8:16--9:5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... ; Aelius Aristides, Orations 46.22; J. B. Salmon, Wealthy Corinth: A History of the City to 338 B.C. [Oxford: Oxford University Press, ... 1984]; Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, St. Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archaeology [Good News Studies 6; Wilmington, Del.: Glazier, 1983]). Cf. Stanley K. Stowers, “Peri men gar and the Integrity of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9,” NovT 32 (1990), pp. 340–48. On Isa. 66:18–21 as foundational to Paul’s missionary strategy, see James M. Scott ...

4. Ruth Meets Boaz

Ruth 2:1-23

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... the hypocritical nativism of the concubine’s husband. To illustrate this in contemporary language, it is much easier for a white male judge, John B. Scott, to fine a poor black woman, Rosa Parks, for disorderly conduct (refusing to give up her seat to a white man) than it ... , N.Y.: Orbis, 1979), pp. 257–94. N. P. Lemche discusses the primacy of the bet ’ab in Early Israel (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1985), p. 269. 2:2a Pick up the leftover grain: On the global dynamics of hunger see R. Sider, Rich Christians ...

5. Be Joyful

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... joy! 1. Michael Hodgin, 1001 HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House), p. 163. 2. (New York: Walker and Company, 1993), p. 75. 3. BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR 4. THE KESWICK WEEK, (London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, Ltd., 1958), p. 133. Cited in J. B. Fowler, Jr., ILLUSTRATING GREAT WORDS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1991). 5. "A Joyful Noise," by Joyce Hollyday, SOJOURNERS, 6. September/October 1995, p. 48. 7. Joan Borysenko, GUILT IS THE TEACHER ...

6. Strained Gnats

Matthew 23:1-39

Sermon

Herchel H. Sheets

... pure interests gave him a perspective which ruled out such folly. And he can help us, too, toward that kind of perspective. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote once to his high school daughter, "You have got to devote the best and freshest part of your energies to things ... they are meant to make. 1. Margery Wilson. I Found My Way, pp. 93-94. Philadelphia and New York: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1956. 2. Bernard DeVoto, Editor. Mark Twain: Letters From The Earth, p. 19. Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications, ...

7. Righteousness Exalts a Nation - The Fourth of July

Sermon

James McCormick

... . We say the pledge to the flag with conviction. We fly the flag and sing patriotic songs with enthusiasm. As Sir Walter Scott suggested, it is rare to find someone who does not love his country. But patriotic feelings are not enough. Loving your country ... for ideals and values, is dependent upon us to hold it to those ideals and values, and to make sure it measures up. J.B. Priestly, a noted British author, expressed it well, when he said, “We should behave toward our country as women behave toward the ...

8. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:1-15, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... heavenly ascent to the merkabah. Some texts speak of angelic opposition during the journey to reach the throne of God (J. Maier), especially to those travelers considered unworthy or impure (Schäfer, 1, 213–215, 224–228, 258–259, 407–410; also ... inscription (possibly fourth-fifth century A.D.) attests to the existence of a “synagogue of the Hebrews” in Corinth. 11:23b–29 Cf. Scott B. Andrews, “Too Weak Not to Lead: The Form and Function of 2 Cor. 11:23b–33,” NTS 41 (1995), pp. 263–76. ...

9. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

10. Hearts

2 Corinthians 6:14--7:1

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... of Isaiah 43:6 to include not just sons but daughters as well (cf. b. Mena?. 110a). Although the influence of Isaiah 43:6 has sometimes been denied, ... of Research (STDJ 10; Leiden: Brill, 1992), pp. 327–39 (here p. 335); William J. Webb, Returning Home: New Covenant and Second Exodus as the Context for 2 Corinthians ... originally applied to the future “seed” of David (cf. 2 Sam. 7:14). Cf. James M. Scott, “Adoption, Sonship,” DPL, pp. 15–18; idem, “Restoration of Israel,” DPL, pp. 796–805. By ...

11. The Glory of the New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:7-17; 4:1-6

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... course, commonly assumed in early Judaism (cf., e.g., Philo, On the Life of Moses 2.70; 4 Ezra 3:19, 31, 36–37; Tg. Ps.-J. Exod. 34:29). See further Hafemann, Paul, Moses, and the History of Israel, pp. 287–98. On Paul’s concept of glory (doxa) and its ... applies only to the time of writing or to anytime thereafter as well. Cf. James M. Scott, “Paul’s Use of Deuteronomic Tradition,” JBL 112 (1993), pp. 645–65. On b. Ber. 32b (“From the time the Temple was destroyed, an iron wall cut Israel off ...

12. It's a Wonderment

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... coming back to work for ME?" The really interesting thing is that this guy was at the top of Scott's list of possible employers. Now I know that kind of thing doesn't happen for everyone. I thanked ... That was a holy moment for me. I saw the face of Christ in that simple request for prayer. B. We've all had mountain top experiences and the one thing that they all have in common is that ... J/F/M 1992. 3. Melinda J. Wagner, Preaching Through The Year, The Clergy Journal, Volume LXIX, Number 7, May/June 1993, p. 68.

13. A Not So Simple Story of Demons and Pigs

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

"This is a strange story," declares J.M. Creed. "Fantastic and grotesque," adds Joseph Fitzmyer. "Unsophisticated, with enough preposterous material to invite the scorn of the skeptic," concludes J. Pesch. These men are all esteemed New Testament scholars. Their statements refer to the story I just read (Luke 8:26-39). If you want a more local opinion, take it from the lady who edits the church page. In response to hearing the title of this morning's sermon, she simply said: "Yuk." But it is a good story. ...

14. Propriety in Worship

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

This section of the letter takes up a disruptive situation in the life of the congregation at worship. Paul addresses the men and the women in the congregation concerning their manner of dress, although he comes to that point via a complicated route. While the issues are practical—dress and behavior at worship—Paul frames the matters in genuinely theological terms, not only mentioning God and Christ but also bringing into consideration the meaning and implications of creation and nature. In brief, Paul ...

15. The God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Paul expands the normal OT and Jewish liturgical formula “Blessed [is/be] God” (cf. J. Scharbert) by adding the words, “and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This ... An opening praise, or eulogy, begins with the word “blessed” (Greek eulogētos, Hebrew bārûk) followed, often without a verb, by the name of God, in order ... ; and it appeals to the addressees to join with the apostle in that perspective. Cf. Scott Hafemann, “The Comfort and Power of the Gospel: The Argument of 2 Corinthians 1–3,” ...

16. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... divine power successfully to wage war with angelic forces (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7–9). David J. Halperin develops the thesis that Moses storms heaven and forcibly takes the Torah from the angels ( ... with the opponents at several points (e.g., 11:22). 10:10 Cf. B. W. Winter, “Rhetoric,” DPL, pp. 820–22 (here p. 821). Hafemann, Paul, ... Studies in Early Christianity 1; New York: Lang, 1993). 10:12–18 On Pauline territoriality see Scott, Paul and the Nations, pp. 149–62. 10:13 For a history of the word kan?n ...

17. Who is That Crouching at Your Door?

Genesis 4:1-26

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“If thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.” — Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil Envy is perhaps the deepest root of all evils. Envy is the desire to have what someone else has, to be like someone else, to be given what someone else has received, to obtain what one perceives one deserves. Envy is the opposite of satisfaction in and surrender to God. And it’s at the core of human nature. It’s stimulated by the eye, and desires of the gaze. The gaze here is not the feminist concept of ...

18. No More Tears

John 11:17-37

Sermon

King Duncan

You may have noticed that our lessons for today from Revelation and from the Gospel of John both involve tears. In one passage Jesus weeps. In the other, God wipes away tears from His children’s eyes. All of us can relate to the idea of crying. We’ve all done it at some time in our lives. Of course some people cry easier than others and people cry for different reasons. “You don’t love me anymore,” said one poor guy’s wife as she turned on the waterworks. “When you see me crying, you never ask why.” “I am ...

19. “You Are My Son; Today I Have Become Your Father”

Psalm 2:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: God’s sovereign control of the universe establishes a touchstone for understanding God’s relationship to us and ours to him. Understanding the Text The content and form of Psalm 2 is generally identified as a royal psalm, composed for and used on the occasion of some Israelite king’s elevation to the throne. We do not know which king, but given the David collection that it prefaces, it could have been composed as a literary introduction to Book 1 (Pss. 3–41). Hilber has made a case for a ...

20. Body

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... interpretation of Gen. 1–3” (ibid., p. 126). On this, see the review by Scott Hafemann, JBL 113 (1994), pp. 346–49. On jars of clay see also 1QH ... Gaventa, “Apostle and Church in 2 Corinthians: A Response to David M. Hay and Steven J. Kraftchick,” in Hay, ed., Pauline Theology, pp. 182–99 (here pp. 187–93). This ... texts between God as potter (yōser) and the evil inclination (yeser) that he created in humans (cf. b. Ber. 61a; ʿErub. 18a; Exod. Rab. 46:4; Ruth Rab. 3:1). C. M. Pate argues that the ...

21. “The Lord Most High Is Awesome, the Great King over All the Earth”

Psalm 47:1-9

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: God’s covenant of grace with Abraham, far from being exclusive, is an implicit call to the people of the whole world to become members of this covenant. Understanding the Text Psalm 47 is a good example of what Gunkel calls a hymn, and he includes it in a subcategory of Zion songs. Mowinckel has followed Gunkel’s study by proposing a new classification, the enthronement psalms,1postulating that ancient Israel celebrated a fall festival at which they reelevated Yahweh to his throne, or at least ...

22. Same Table, Different Chairs

John 15:11-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... this quote but Bishop Fulton J. Sheen once asked a missionary ... of the movie, the Cameron Diaz character Maggie reads a poem by E.E. Cummings, at her sister's wedding. Watch. B. What I want you to know is that Mary and I carry your hearts in our hearts. We love you and we ... a nickel, too. My little brother Scott always opted for the ride, while my brother Glen always bought baseball cards, which meant he had something to take home with him after the trip to the grocery store. Scott would get mad when the ride ...

23. In Search of Jesus

John 6:16-24

Sermon

King Duncan

One day, Marlene Nance’s little daughter, Emma, was playing with her paper dolls. These were special paper dolls. They were all Bible characters. Suddenly Emma realized that the Jesus paper doll was missing. Marlene and Emma looked all over the house, but they couldn’t find Jesus anywhere. Later that afternoon, Emma came running to her mother with some good news. She had found Jesus! He was in one of her Daddy’s magazine. Emma proudly held out her new Jesus. Marlene gasped as she took the picture from Emma ...

24. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

Exhortation to Resist False Teachers The concern for the “salvation” of “God’s chosen people” expressed in verse 10, plus the exhortation to perseverance, with its warning against apostasy in verses 11–13, bring Paul—and Timothy—back to the hard realities of the situation on Ephesus, with the presence of the false teachers (cf. 1 Timothy). Apparently they continue to plague the church, as Onesiphorus had probably informed him, although clearly not all have capitulated. This concern dominates the appeal ...

25. Personal Remarks

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... up the reins after Paul’s death, in light of (a) the spread of heretical/divisive teaching, (b) Paul’s imprisonment and impending death, and (c) Timothy’s own ministry, despite his timidity. Now Paul returns ... to the mistaken notions that Paul has told Timothy to stay on at Ephesus to resist the false teachers (e.g., Scott), which he has not (not in this letter at least) or that 2 Timothy like 1 Timothy is also a “church ... J. Munck, Paul and the Salvation of Mankind (London: SCM, 1959), pp. 331–33.

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