Sermon and Worship Resources

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Jn 4:5-42 · Rom 5:1-11 · Ex 17:1-7 · Ps 95

Sermon Aid

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

... the rock states at least two things about the nature of Israel's salvation: first, they were not liberated for death in the wilderness; and, second, liberation is transferred dependency from Egypt to God. Given that salvation is not independence, there is a proper time to test God, and Exodus 17:1-7 provides an illustration of such a time. The story concludes with a narrator naming the location as Meribah and Massah. These are Hebrew words meaning "to present a legal case against someone" (Meribah) and "to ...

2. Trials and Temptations

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... the error of doubting God’s goodness, which would be fatal to faith. 1:17 In contrast to a view of God as sending a test stands the view that God gives good things: Every good and perfect gift is from above. The phrase itself is poetic and may be a ... is the obedience to the word that counts in the end. 1:23–24 Having stated his thesis in the previous verse, James illustrates the merely listening position with a metaphor from daily life. It is like someone who carefully examines his or her face in a ...

3. Listening and Doing

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

4. Favoritism Forbidden

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... far more frequently this way, e.g., Isa. 51:2; 4 Macc. 16:20; Matt. 3:9; John 8:39; m. Aboth 5:2). The tests of Abraham are referred to in a variety of late Jewish literature, e.g., Aboth de. R. Nathan 32; m. Aboth 5:3; Jubilees 17: ... form of second- or third-hand slogans, which had taken on a meaning that Paul would have rejected. The three critical terms discussed illustrate this point. The first is the Greek ergon, which in James means what he does (charity, kindness, virtue), whereas in Paul it is always ...

5. Faith and Deeds

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

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

6. Proper 8

Matthew 10:1-42, Romans 6:15-23, Psalm 13:1-6, Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon Aid

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

... of "seeing" in carrying the meaning of the story. Check the footnote in your Bible and you will see that in fact the word that is translated "provide" is in Hebrew the word for "see." The two-part repetition of vv. 4, 8 and vv. 13, 14 illustrates the testing of Abraham in the following manner. Verses 4, 8 occur during Abraham's journey to the mountain of God. The notice in v. 4 that "Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place" is ominous in the development of the story because it signals the impending child ...

7. Testing in the Wilderness

Luke 4:1-13

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... satisfy his personal need. 4:4 Man shall not live on bread alone. Israel’s hunger had been part of God’s scheme of testing (Deut. 8:2–3). Jesus too must keep his priorities clear and accept God’s plan for him rather than use his miraculous power ... theme of Jesus as the new Israel, and also the nature of typological thinking in relation to the Old Testament as it is illustrated here by the use of Moses’s speech in Deuteronomy 6–8. Consider other ways in which this Israel/Jesus typology is ...

8. Lent 2

Mk 8:31-38 · Rom 4:13-25; 8:31-39 · Gen 17:1-7, 15-16; 22:1-18 · Ps 22

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of faith. 2. For him the goal of life was not self-expression but obedience to God. 3. God's order to offer his son as a sacrifice was the supreme test of faith. 4. God can only do great things through those who pass the absolute obedience test. Illustration: A young man recently took the bar exam in the state of Iowa. One section of the exam contained several questions. He had to answer a certain number of them (something like 7 out of 10) but the instructions explicitly stated that a certain question must ...

9. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... men is seen in their confident orientation to the future and the unseen (cf. v. 1). 11:17–18 The story of the testing of Abraham’s faith related here is drawn from Genesis 22:1–14 and became very important in Jewish tradition under the title ... what matters is the attitude and pose of worship that points to Jacob’s faith. 11:22 Joseph’s faith can be abundantly illustrated from a variety of episodes in his life. Understandably he became much celebrated for the character of his life (e.g., Philo, On ...

10. Trust versus Self-Reliance

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... with fire—twenty-three thousand died in a single day because of idolatry (Num. 25:1–9).5 10:9 We should not test Christ. Paul presents his third point in the same pastoral tone as his second. Since the typos of Christ was the rock at ... an injury. (Bringing some crutches as props and trying them out or having a volunteer try them out could add to this illustration.) We use crutches to buttress our own strength and protect injured or weakened legs until they can bear weight again. This passage teaches ...

11. Proper 21

Exodus 17:1-7, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 21:28-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Psalm 78:1-72

Sermon Aid

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

... First, they were not liberated for death in the wilderness; and second, liberation is transferred dependency from Egypt to God. Given the latter conclusion, namely that salvation is not independence for Israel but transferred dependency, it follows that there is a proper time to test God, and Exodus 17:1-7 provides an illustration of such a time. The story concludes with a narrator naming the location as Meribah and Massah. These are Hebrew words meaning "to engage in dispute with someone" (Meribah) and "to ...

12. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... and fasting is sometimes appropriate (cf. Matt. 6:16; 9:14–15), Daniel’s temporary practices are not presented as a model for either. Second, Daniel’s request to be “tested” is about obedient living and knowing God’s favor (cf. Mal. 3:10). It should not lead to capricious tests to prove something about God (cf. Matt. 4:7). Illustrating the Text God genuinely cares for his people. Bible: Psalm 34. In his beautiful acrostic poem in Psalm 34, young David praises God for his deliverance from a time ...

13. Job Feels Both Confidence and Terror

Job 23:1--24:25

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... 12). Job here reflects his trust that God knows what he is doing, even if Job cannot discern how this all makes sense. when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job is clearly convinced that God is not punishing him for his sins, so it is not likely that ... U2’s most famous songs, the lead singer, Bono, sings that he still hasn’t found what he is looking for. He illustrates with several scenarios, returning to the lines “but I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” The artist’s search ...

14. Passing The Ultimate Test

Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... Himself. Romans 8: 32 reminds us, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all"”how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" That kind of good and loving God can be trusted through any test. 1. Biblical Illustrator 2. Biblical Illustrator 3. "In Their Own Words." By Capt. Gordon Sparks, The Asbury Herald, Volume 112, No. 2 & 3, p. 11. 4. "On a Wild and Windy Mountain," by William H. Willimon, Pulpit Resource, April/May/June 1996, p. 54. 5. Quoted in Lord if I Ever ...

15. Failing the Test and Spiritual Failure—Hardness of Heart

Mark 6:45-56

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: This episode illustrates the key contrast of this central section in Mark. Jesus has the power to take care of his followers, but the disciples fail to understand this because of their hardness of heart and spiritual failure. Understanding the Text God provides for the needy (6:30–44), and Christ heals all who come (6:53–56). True disciples place their trust in God and Christ, who watch over them. As the new Israel, Jesus’s followers must be tested with their own “wilderness” experience ...

16. Visit

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... mission in the east (to say nothing of the lost prospects for the west), if they consider that he has failed the test of apostleship. In the process, their own faith will be nullified. 13:7 In this dire situation, in which the legitimacy of ... p. 30). It may seem strange that Paul would cite the law (Deut. 19:15) in order to support the necessity of his third visit. This illustrates the apostle’s highly complex view of the law. On the one hand, the law kills, and no one should seek to be “under the law.” ...

17. When the Pressure Is On

John 6:1-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... on the worry meter goes up, and we just don't seem to get it. I heard about a Sunday School teacher who was trying to illustrate to her boys and girls the dangers of drinking alcohol. So she filled up two glasses, one with water and one with alcohol. Then she ... problem taking care of your needs? I can assure you He does not. So the next time the pressure is on, just remember it is testing your faith in Jesus; it is meant to turn your focus to Jesus; and it will once again tell you a fact about Jesus which ...

18. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... leads to benefit in life. This poem begins to state clearly what Job’s arguments to the friends thus far have only illustrated less explicitly: that even sages are unable to understand fully God’s world and what he is doing in it (see, e ... and so it is probable that this postscript, with its word choice, is intentional. This reaffirms for the reader that Job, who survived the initial tests and did not sin, either by putting God in the wrong (1:22) or by what he said (2:10), remains tam, “blameless,” in ...

19. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... forces of evil. Near the end of the 2002 film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Sam reflects on the value of tests for accomplishing a greater purpose: It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo—the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, ... Masoretic Text’s ending of this chapter. The outcome of that discussion does not affect the theology of either chapter 3 or 4. Illustrating the Text God is always able to rescue, yet he may only do so in the life to come. Human Experience: When ...

20. Jesus Demonstrates Status Inversion in the Kingdom

Matthew 19:1-12, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 19:16-30

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... the narrative since 16:21, in 19:3 a group of Pharisees makes an appearance in the story (last seen at 16:1–4), testing Jesus on his teaching about divorce (19:3–12; see also 12:1–14; 15:1–20). Interpretive Insights 19:1 When Jesus had ... poor [19:21]). If anything, we need to hear afresh and with conviction this Matthean theme of the dangers of wealth. Illustrating the Text Matthew indicates that Jesus embodies and teaches that his followers should not be preoccupied with status concerns, since the ...

21. True and False Discipleship

Luke 6:46-49, Luke 6:43-45, Luke 6:37-42

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... out of character. It is also sadly possible to deliberately conceal one’s true character by the way one speaks, so that the test of “fruit” (6:44) may be needed to unmask a deliberately false profession. But it is not easy to keep up such an ... 44) the treasure from the storehouse (6:45) the two house builders (6:47–49) These images provide fertile ground for both illustration and application. What are some examples of “the blind leading the blind” in society or in the church today? In what ways ...

22. Overseers and Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... items one would expect to be applicable to the overseers as well—holding fast the deep truths (v. 9) and first being tested (v. 10). How these two groups are otherwise to be distinguished (apart from teaching) is simply not known to us. An appeal ... The church must give heed to what Paul has written because it alone has been entrusted with the truth (v. 15), truth that is illustrated by an early Christian hymn. 3:14–15 The grammar of the opening sentence is a little rough, but the meaning is clear. Here ...

23. “Lord, I Love the House Where You Live”

Psalm 26:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... , he talks about his personal conduct in both positive and negative terms, praying that God will conduct his own “laboratory” tests (26:1–5; see “Outline/Structure”). The center of his faith and conduct has been his consciousness of God’s ... his character. The path is not just a way for one’s feet but a path engraved in one’s heart (Ps. 84:5). Illustrating the Text Writing our autobiography Personal Testimony: When we look at Psalm 26:8, we see the principle that motivates David’s life. It ...

24. Christian Maturity

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... who employs everyone with different gifts for the same task. Second, the individual cannot hide as if only the group as a whole will be tested. God will test the quality of each member’s work (3:13). Each one is responsible for utilizing his or her gift(s) to build God’s building on the foundation of Jesus Christ (12:7). Illustrating the Text Christians whose decisions and behavior seem unchanged by God’s Spirit remain infants in Christ. Human Experience: Compare the behavior of infants and toddlers ...

25. Tongue-tied By Three Zeros

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Sermon

Siegfried S. Johnson

... be a son at the same time he is a father and a grandfather. Dr. Leonard Sweet introduces us to yet another illustration of the Trinity. Three braids twisted together into a pig tail. Balanced. Entwined. If one unravels, the whole unravels. If you ask ... is a boat as well as a document. And God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, thankfully, nobody's going to give us a test on it. It's a confusing doctrine. Like finding a proper name for the decade of the aughts. But here's the good news. Relax. We ...

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