Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: thirstiness, dryness, parched, craving, strong desire, longing, yearning, avidity, hunger, voracity, keenness, eagerness, lust, appetite, passion, love, crave, want, covet, desire, hunger for/after, lust for/after, hanker for/after, have one's heart set on

Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 226 to 250 of 2173 results

226. The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

John 4:27-38, John 4:1-26, John 4:39-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

The transition begun in 3:22 is continued in 4:1–4. Jesus moves from Jerusalem to the Judean countryside and from there to Galilee by way of Samaria. The intervening material (3:23–36) enables the reader to make sense of this cumbersome introduction to chapter 4. That Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John (v. 1) has already been intimated in 3:26. That the Pharisees noticed this is suggested by the fact that John’s disciples seem to have been reminded of it by a Jew (3:25). What has not ...

227.

Psalm 139:1-24

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Surrendering to God’s Inescapable, All-Searching Presence Psalm 139 is perhaps the most intimate of psalms. It displays a striking awareness of God’s interest in individuals. Understanding this psalm as a whole is key to its interpretation. At first it appears to be a meditation on God’s omniscience (vv. 1–6), omnipresence (vv. 7–12), and omnipotence (vv. 13–15). But the sudden shift from sublime wonder at God’s determined interest in the speaker to a denunciation of “the wicked” (vv. 19–22) sounds like an ...

228. Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam

1 Kings 14:1-20

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Jeroboam: Jeroboam had been promised a dynasty like David’s (1 Kgs. 11:38). His desire to have also a temple like David’s, however, has led him into disobedience—and we have seen in chapter 13 what happens to the disobedient. First Kings 14:1–20 now describes to us the consequences of Jeroboam’s attempt to possess the two “houses” he wanted instead of the one he was promised, and they do so in a way that makes clear the essential differences between the two kings. 14:1–5 We begin on familiar ...

229. Fire from the Lord

Numbers 11:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Beginnings of Rebellion: The journey has begun after the long and careful preparations. Now suddenly the reader is thrown into the rebellions that punctuate this journey. We have seen that the first ten chapters of the book prefigure this turn of events, but the overall positive tone and constant obedience of the people in those chapters are shattered by a sudden dominance of disobedience beginning immediately with chapter 11. From the theme of the right ordering of life as God’s people, we move to ...

230. Quail from the Lord

Numbers 11:4-35

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

231. Hitting the Boss Key

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

“Lead me not into temptation,” sang country artist Lari White a few years back, “I already know the road all too well; Lead me not into temptation / I can find it all by myself.” It’s a chorus that makes us silently chuckle, but after a few moments of reflection, we understand that this is, at heart, a sobering statement of the human condition: “Lead me not into temptation; I can find it all by myself.” A certain man was visiting his psychiatrist. Among the many questions the doctor asked was, “Are you ...

232. False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 Peter 2:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

2:1–10a · Certainty of judgment: At this point our author reveals his central concern, as he incorporates the material he takes from Jude. There were false prophets in the past, and there are false teachers now. In Jude the others are outsiders, never named, and never said to be teachers. Here they are insiders (“among you”) who are “false teachers,” and it is only the new ideas that come from outside. (They “introduce” them.) The phrase “destructive heresies” means not so much false doctrine (the denial ...

233. The Song of Servanthood

Luke 1:39-45 (46-54)

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

Weddings are beautiful and exciting events with an abundance of anticipation. There is so much to do. The “who, what, where, how and why” questions all need to be answered. The bride’s dress needs to be just perfect for her. The bridemaids’ dresses are to be considered and ordered. Flowers need to be ordered from the florist. The guest list must be made and invitations sent. Registration for gifts at different stores should be processed. Oh, and don’t forget the groom and his entourage must be given their ...

234. Grace Under Pressure

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

I’d like to ask you a question this morning. Who is a good example to you of grace under pressure? I’m talking about someone who can rise to a challenge without panicking or taking shortcuts. How would you rate yourself at handling pressure? We’d all like to think we could pass a sudden test or challenge with ease, but then we read the news story about a woman in Illinois who gave birth in the middle of taking her bar exam and we wonder. Brianna Hill was scheduled to take her bar exam at about the mid- ...

235. The Man of God from Judah

1 Kings 13:1-34

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The Man of God from Judah: Jeroboam stands, like Solomon (1 Kgs. 8:22), at the altar of his new temple, ready to dedicate it to his gods. He does not, however, get his chance to speak, for this temple has no legitimacy. And so, as Solomon’s temple was built in fulfillment of a prophetic promise about both temple and dynasty (2 Sam. 7:1–17), the building of Jeroboam’s temple evokes prophetic threats (1 Kgs. 13:2–3; 14:7–13), which in due course will come to fulfillment in the destruction of both dynasty and ...

236.

Psalm 145:1-21

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

The Divine King and His Universal Kingdom The praise of this psalm is hymnic in that it praises God’s attributes and deeds in general, but the speaker is “I” throughout (“we/us” does not appear), and the opening verses are characteristic of individual thanksgiving. It begins, not with an imperative summons addressed to a congregation, but with a proclamation of praise: “I will exalt you.” The verses form an acrostic (i.e., each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hb. alphabet), but this feature ...

237. A Discussion Among Angels

Matthew 24:36-44

Drama

Matthew Powell

Cast Storyteller The Archangel Michael The Archangel Uriel The Archangel Raphael The Archangel Gabriel (The Storyteller stands off to one side. Michael, Uriel, and Raphael are seated in the center and stand when they speak and remain standing. Gabriel sits slightly farther back from the others. He stands and comes forward when he finally speaks) Storyteller: A company of angels, returning from their various labors on earth, was sitting in friendly conversation. There were three of the company who seemed to ...

238. Jotham King of Judah

2 Kings 15:32-38

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Jotham and Ahaz of Judah: The kingdom of Judah has been going through hard times. Its royal house has seen three of the last four kings assassinated, and the fourth lay aside power because of illness. Things are not about to improve. 15:32–38 Jotham has already been exercising power in Judah because of his father’s illness (15:5), but now he becomes king in his own right. He is a relatively good (non-idolatrous) king, doing right in the eyes of the LORD, though like his father rather than like David (cf. ...

239. David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 19:9-43

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Return to Jerusalem: 19:8b–15 After any civil war feelings and tensions take time to settle. Bitter enemies do not become friends in a moment. Even if they had been stirred up more than was necessary, Absalom’s followers had felt genuine grievances against David. Nevertheless, after Absalom’s death people recognized that there had been many good times under David and felt a growing desire to restore the old regime (vv. 9–10). David, with a glimmer of his old diplomatic skills, used the rivalry between ...

240. Ahaz King of Judah

2 Kings 16:1-20

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

241. Ehud

Judges 3:12-30

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

The Colorful Story Ehud: The story of Ehud is perhaps one of the oldest in the book of Judges and one of the best, from the standpoint of sheer narrative artistry. In contrast to Othniel’s story, which was a bare, black-and-white etching, Ehud’s story is full of rich, colorful detail; we are almost blinded by the brilliant brushstrokes of its color. Such accolades may come as a surprise to people who are at most embarrassed and at the least puzzled that the story is even in the Bible. They are put off by ...

242. Jesus Takes the Initiative

Luke 21:5-38, Luke 21:1-4, Luke 20:41-47

Teach the Text

R.T. France

Big Idea: The pretentious religiousness of scribes and wealthy worshipers and of the magnificent temple buildings contrasts with the simple devotion of a poor widow. Understanding the Text In place of the question-and-answer scenario of the first part of Jesus’s public ministry in the temple (20:1–40), we now have a series of pronouncements by Jesus that bring that phase of the Jerusalem story to an end. They begin with a response to the leaders’ hostile questioning, in which Jesus raises the question of ...

243. The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Ethics and the Law: Matthew’s Gospel has a didactic purpose. Special emphasis is given to the message of Jesus. One of the distinct features of Matthew’s Gospel is that the teaching of Jesus is collected into five sections. The Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7) is the first of these blocks. The others are Instructions to the Twelve (chap. 10), Parables of the Kingdom (chap. 13), Life in the Christian Community (chap. 18), and Eschatological Judgment (chaps. 23–25). Each block ...

244. Amnon and Tamar

2 Samuel 13:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom: 13:1–11 The story of Amnon’s abuse of Tamar, when he treats her solely as the object of his desires with no rights or value of her own, follows directly from the story of David’s abuse of his power. Amnon followed his father’s example. For a parent there is no private morality. Behavior and attitudes have repercussions within the family, and the repercussions of David’s actions were manifesting themselves, although not in a way that he would have wished for or envisaged. Amnon ...

245. Absalom Kills Amnon

2 Samuel 13:23-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

246. Offerings for Priests and Levites

Deuteronomy 18:1-8

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Leadership in Israel: Priests and Prophets: After the two sections on “secular” leadership (the judge and the king 16:18–17:20), we now have two sections on the “spiritual” leadership provided by the priest and the prophet. Priests and Levites The responsibilities of the tribe of Levi were broadly twofold: the service of the sanctuary, especially the role of the priests at the altar; and the preservation and teaching of the law (cf. Lev. 10:11; Deut. 10:8; 33:10; 2 Chron. 15:3; 17:8f.; 35:3; Neh. 8:7–9). ...

247. I Just Need To Talk To A Real Person

John 15:1-17

Drama

Arley K. Fadness

Synopsis: Hattie, an elderly woman who is homebound, attempts to make contact with the outside world through her latest technological wonder -- a cell phone. She encounters the same difficulties with voice mail that most everyone has experienced. Hattie longs for human contact. Note: This chancel drama is a setup for preaching to the theme of "The Need For A Sense Of Community And Deeper Relationships." Theme: The Need For A Sense Of Community And Deeper Relationships Characters: Hattie Elderly lady Heidi ...

248. Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

The Assignment of the Mission: 2:1–3 For some reason, Nehemiah had to wait four months after receiving the bad news about Jerusalem, before his chance came to present his case to the king. Verse 1 describes the procedure for serving the wine: servants brought it into the royal presence and Nehemiah poured it, probably after sampling it to check for poison. Evidently he had hidden his grief while on duty, but this time it showed—perhaps on purpose—and attracted the king’s attention. His concerned question ...

249. The Day of Judgment

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

The God of Justice Will Come: The fourth speech is closely related to the second (1:6–2:9) and the sixth (3:13–4:3). The opening accusation resembles the charge of “harsh” words in 3:13, and the people’s queries about God’s justice are also similar (cf. 2:17 and 3:15). Their words parallel the priests’ failure of discernment—crippled and diseased animals are acceptable as offerings (1:6) and “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD” (2:17). The second (1:6–2:9) and fourth speeches both deal with ...

250. Abram in Egypt

Genesis 12:10-20

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

Abram’s Perilous Encounter in Egypt: On reaching the southern region of the land of promise, Abram faces two dangers that cast a heavy shadow over the promises God has made. A severe famine strikes Canaan, causing Abram to leave the land of promise for Egypt. Then, in Egypt Sarai is taken to Pharaoh’s harem. Only God’s intervention delivers Abram and Sarai from Pharaoh’s power so that they may return to Canaan together. 12:10–13 Up to this point Abram had journeyed from Haran through Canaan apparently ...

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