Sermon and Worship Resources

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Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... is a technical term for cultic cleansing and is so used in the LXX and even within the NT, where it can signify “ritual washing” (John 2:6; 3:25) or, more generally, purification (as also in Luke 2:22; 2 Pet. 1:9). The use of the word here is no ... 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 ...

2. Righteousness Through Faith

Romans 3:21-31

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... from deliverance to sacrifice. The rarity of the term (and cognates) in the NT (Luke 18:13; Heb. 2:17; 9:5; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) is no indication of its importance. Hilastērion translates the Hebrew ḵapōreṯ, which designated the lid or ... . See Str-B, vol. 3, pp. 165–85; and G. Davies, “Ark of the Covenant,” IDB, vol. 1, pp. 222–26. A full discussion of the theories of the atonement is presented by G. Aulen, Christus Victor, trans. G. Hebert (New York: Macmillan, 1969). Dunn offers a careful and ...

3. Trials and Temptations

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... the proper principles. The promises of the gospel all assume a commitment of the individual to, and trust in, God (e.g., the “in my name” formula, John 14:14). Without this trust there is a more basic issue to be settled than that of the item asked for: The ... law as perfect and freeing (Pss. 119; 19:7–11; 40:6–8; Rom. 7:12; m. Aboth 3:5; 6:2). W. D. Davies, The Setting of the Sermon on the Mount, has shown that the Jews expected Messiah to reinterpret the law. This Jewish expectation is precisely ...

4. Listening and Doing

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

5. Ezekiel's Call

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

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... presence of God. 1:3 For parallels between Ezek. and priestly texts from the Torah compare, e.g., Gen. 6:11–13 and Ezek. 7:1–9 (J. Blenkinsopp, Ezekiel, IBC [Louisville: John Knox, 1990], p. 45, and Gowan, Ezekiel, p. 41), or Lev. 18:6–19 and Ezek. 22 ... were written words. It is particularly intriguing that God’s word “comes to Ezekiel already as a text” (E. Davis, Swallowing the Scroll: Textuality and the Dynamics of Discourse in Ezekiel’s Prophecy [JSOTSup 78; Sheffield: Almond Press, 1989], ...

6. The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1 Peter 2:4-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... 4:16; 6:22–23; Luke 1:79; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:6; 6:14; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12; 1 Thess. 5:4; 1 John 1:6). Isaiah’s prophecy about “Galilee of the Gentiles” declares that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those … a light has ... in 3:6. In the OT, paroikos is regularly used as the LXX translation of Heb. gēr, a foreigner living among Israelites as a resident alien. See Davies, Paul and Rabbinic Judaism, p. 114. “The Christians dwell in their own countries, but only as ...

7. No Confidence in the Flesh

Philippians 3:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... to see how a repeated exhortation to rejoice would be a safeguard for the Philippians. G. B. Caird explains that joy “is a safeguard against the utilitarian attitude which judges people ... tithing unless they were sure that the tithe had been paid on it. See W. D. Davies, Paul and Rabbinic Judaism; E. P. Sanders, Paul and Palestinian Judaism; and E. Rivkin, A Hidden ... had given me birth / To brother all the souls on earth” (John Masefield, “The Everlasting Mercy”). He was already “in Christ” but ...

8. Daniel Interprets the Dream

Daniel 2:24-49

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... 14:13). However, Paul corrects them and refuses the sacrifice (Acts 14:18). The NT is also opposed to the adoration of angels. When John tries to bow down before God’s messenger, he is rebuked and instructed to worship God instead (Rev. 22:8–9). It is interesting ... earlier story was about Nebuchadnezzar and three of his successors: Amel-Marduk, Neriglissar, and Nabonidus (see, e.g., P. R. Davies, “Daniel Chapter Two,” JTS 27 [1976], pp. 392–401). One problem with this interpretation is that there ...

9. The Law and the Promise

Galatians 3:15-25, Galatians 3:1-14

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... is heard (cf. Rom. 10:16; 1 Thess. 2:13). It bears the same meaning in Paul and in the rest of the NT (e.g., Mark 4:23; 1 John 1:1; Heb. 2:3) as in our modern context when a person might say “I hear you,” meaning “I accept what you are ... . 171; Matera, Galatians, pp. 133–34; Longenecker, Galatians, pp. 141–43; J. D. G. Dunn, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians [London: A & C Black, 1993], p. 191). See also W. D. Davies, who suggests that in order to counter the Christian claim that the law ...

10. Faith or Observance of the Law

Galatians 3:1-14, Galatians 3:15-25

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

11. Let God Be God - As if It Could Be Otherwise

Exodus 7:14-24

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... . It can’t. Mister Echart knew the problem. Said he, “I pray God (capital G) deliver me from god (small g). God is God! That is what the plagues are all about. Not only was ... her relief and her joy, then she said, “Does that mean I won’t have the baby.” And John had to reckon with her about the effect of her sin. She was not asking the question if ... a pardoning God like thee Or who has grace so rich and free? (Samuel Davies) (Note: This line of thought — “Who is a God like unto thee?” suggested ...

12. The Only Place of Worship

Deuteronomy 12:1-32

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... the standard designation throughout the rest of Deuteronomy for the legitimate sanctuary at which various cultic functions were to be carried out (e.g., 14:23ff.; 15:20; 16 [passim]; 17:8ff.; 18:6; 26:2). The place itself is not named. It would have been perfectly ... The temple gives way to the person of Jesus Christ as the focus of worship in the messianic age (cf. John 4:19–26; Acts 7:44–50; and Davies, Land). From the time of David onward, with the transfer of the ark and the building of the temple by ...

13. Community Discourse: Care for Others in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:1-9, Matthew 18:10-14, Matthew 18:15-20

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... as weak and vulnerable, given their susceptibility to illness and abuse. As William Davies and Dale Allison conclude about 18:2, “The point . . . is not that ... portrays Gentiles (ethne; here “pagan” [ethnikos]) and tax collectors positively responding to Jesus’ ministry (e.g., 8:10; 21:32). Yet Matthew also uses these categories, in more or less ... and self-promotion to care for others. Literature: Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. This well-known novel traces the story of George and Lennie, migrant ...

14. Witnesses of the New Covenant

Romans 12:1-8

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... Old Testament, this Hebrew word is used at times to refer to God’s covenant mercy with Israel (e.g., Deut. 13:17 [13:18 MT]; Ps. 51:1 [51:3 MT]; Isa. 47:6; Jer. 42:12). (b ... back into a boy. His pride is gone. He is ready to worship Aslan. Literature: Paradise Lost, by John Milton. In book 1 of this epic poem Milton (1608–74) provides a vivid view of the pride ... since two other ideas better explain the phrase. 6. W. D. Davies insightfully argues that the Jewish apocalyptic/rabbinic concept of the corporate ...

15. Baby Steps on the Sea of Galilee

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

King Duncan

... to have the free will to choose to follow him or not. Let me tell you about a man named John C. Wright. Wright is a former lawyer and an award-winning science fiction writer. At one time he was also ... with your message.) 3. Jerry Kramer with Dick Schaap, Distant Replay (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1985). 4. “Why Atheists Change Their Mind: 8 Common ... , True Religion (David C. Cook, 2010), pp. 55-57. Cited in Barry L. Davis, 52 Sermons From the Book of Acts (Pulpit Outlines 4) GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle ...

16. Shining as Stars

Philippians 2:12-18

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... K. Barrett, “Shaliah and Apostle,” in E. Bammel, C. K. Barrett, and W. D. Davies, eds., Donum Gentilicium, pp. 88–102. In my presence … in my absence. In the Greek ... well mean “you shine,” “you give light”), it has been argued (e.g., by E. Lohmeyer, ad loc.), that it means “you appear (as lights in ... . For the designation “sons of light” or “children of light” applied to followers of Christ cf. Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5. 2:16 That I may boast: Gk. eis kauchēma ...

17. Body

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... throne-chariot becomes invincible and greater than all other humans (Schäfer, 84–85; cf. G. A. Wewers). So why does Paul’s suffering and dying body look so unimpressive (cf. ... and Revelations: Apocalyptic Studies since the Uppsala Colloquium (ed. John J. Collins and James H. Charlesworth; JSPSup 9; Sheffield ... 186–87]). Cf. also 2 Esdr. 4:30; 7:48, 92; Sir. 15:14–17. According to W. D. Davies, Paul seems to connect the evil impulse to the flesh, whereas the rabbis do not (Jewish and Pauline Studies [ ...

18. A Shoe Clerk Named Moody

Matthew 21:1-11

Illustration

Brett Blair

How did Billy Graham become a Christian? Well, let me lay it out for you. A 19th century Sunday School teacher named Kimball led a shoe clerk named Moody to Jesus Christ. Dwight L. Moody became a famous evangelist who influenced Frederick B. Meyer to preach on college campuses. Meyer led J. Wilbur Chapman to the Lord on those campuses. Chapman while working with the YMCA arranged for Billy Sunday to come to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend revival meetings. Community leaders in Charlotte, seeing the ...

19. Lessons From A Girl In Trouble

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Daniel G. Mueller

Mary was "in trouble." A married woman gets pregnant and we say that she "is in a family way," or "expecting." But when an unmarried girl gets pregnant, we say she is "in trouble." And Mary was definitely "in trouble." She was going to have a baby and she wasn’t married. One day, out of the clear blue sky, with no warning or advance preparation whatsoever, an angel from God came to Mary and told her she was going to have a baby. The news was understandably frightening and startling. Mary wondered what in ...

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