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 251 to 275 of 2173 results

251. Lord of the Sabbath

Mark 2:23-3:6

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

2:23–28 In this passage the author gives a fourth controversy story, this time dealing with the matter of Sabbath observance, the issue in the next story also (3:1–6). When reading this passage we must remember that the observance of Sabbath rest from labor is a command from the OT (indeed, one of the Ten Commandments, Exod. 20:1–17) and in Jesus’ day was perhaps the supremely important demonstration of a Jew’s loyalty to God and to his nation. Some later rabbis said that the Messiah would come if all ...

252. Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

Genesis 29:15-30

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel: With wide brush strokes this narrative covers fourteen years in which Jacob agrees to labor for marrying Laban’s daughter (vv. 15–20) and his marriages to Leah and Rachel (vv. 21–30). Jacob finds himself married to Leah, the unwanted older daughter, powerfully portraying the theme of reaping what one sows. The man who deceived his brother and father is bested by a father-in-law in regard to his wife, his closest companion. Throughout this narrative and the Laban-Jacob cycle ...

253. The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:1-23

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Parables of Jesus: In chapter 13 we come for the first time to Jesus’ favorite method of teaching, the parable. The seven parables recorded in this chapter form Jesus’ third discourse as arranged by Matthew, There are in the first three Gospels about sixty separate parables. In the LXX the Greek parabolē almost always translates the Hebrew māšāl, which denotes a wide variety of picturesque forms of expression, including the proverb, metaphor, allegory, illustrative story, fable, riddle, simile, and parable ...

254.

Psalm 86:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

A Servant Appeals to His Lord for Protection This prayer of the individual consists of three sections of petition and hymnic praise. In each section the hymnic praise grants assurance to the worshiper and motivation to Yahweh to make good on his praise. An odd feature that strikes readers familiar with psalms is that, after verses 12–13 have nicely rounded off the preceding prayer with a vow of praise, verse 14 resumes the lament and introduces for the first time the issue of personal enemies. If Psalm 86 ...

255. Proper 26

Joshua 3:7-17, Amos 5:18-27, Micah 3:1-12, Malachi 2:1-9, Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Warning against religious hypocrisy. The conflict continues between Jesus and the religious leaders (Matthew 23:1-12). The Lutheran lections are tied together by an eschatological theme. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joshua 3:7-17 The Hebrews are ready to cross the Jordan to take possession of the new land, under the leadership of Joshua. God commands the priests to take the Ark of the Covenant and walk into the river. When they do so, the waters heap up so that the people can cross over on dry land. ...

256. The Man with Leprosy

Luke 5:12-16

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Healing Controversies: Both of the healing stories of Luke 5:12–26 have religious implications. The healing of the leper (vv. 12–16) involves the issue of religious purity and impurity (or “clean” vs. “unclean”). The healing of the paralyzed man (vv. 17–26) involves faith and the forgiveness of sins. This healing story is the first of a series of episodes where Jesus encounters religious criticism and opposition. In 6:1–5 Jesus is accused of working on the Sabbath when he and his disciples picked grain to ...

257. Jesus Prays for All Believers

John 17:20-26

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

Earlier, Jesus stated his desire to bring all his sheep into “one flock with one shepherd” (10:16), and in the next chapter the narrator commented that Jesus’ death would be for “the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one” (11:52). Here, the unity of the disciples serves a still wider purpose, expressed in the two additional purpose clauses referring to the world: so that the world may believe that you have sent me (v. 21b) to let the world know that you sent me and have loved ...

258. Lent 4

Matthew 20:20-28, Matthew 20:17-19, John 9:35-41, John 9:13-34, Romans 8:1-17, Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, John 9:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Christ confronts a blind man and heals him. By so doing Christ also confronts the skepticism of the Jewish authorities and each person is confronted with the question: Who is this Jesus? COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 (RC) This text presents us with an interesting theological concept that challenges our notions of God's unchangeableness. Here God changes his mind about a choice he had previously made. Saul was no longer worthy to be king and Samuel was to appoint another to take ...

259. Good Friday

John 18:1-11, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Genesis 22:1-19, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme For Lenten Series: Christ Confronts Death. Theme: The passion and death of our Lord. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 This sublime poem of the Suffering Servant lifts up an idea that is featured prominently in Christian theology: suffering, pain and sorrow can be redemptive. Biblical interpreters have traditionally identified the servant in this poem with the nation of Israel. The nation had undergone profound humiliation and disfigurement through their ordeal in Babylon. Yet, the ...

260. Christmas 1

Galatians 3:26--4:7, Galatians 3:15-25, Colossians 3:1-17, Hebrews 2:5-18, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:19-23, Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7-9 The prophet recalls the goodness of God when the nation was being born. He harkens back to the covenant God made with his people at Sinai and his guiding them through the wilderness. Though God punishes his people for their sins, he continues to love them, care for them, and guide them. God carries on his gracious work of salvation. Lesson 1: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 God placed parents in authority over their children and those who honor their parents will be blessed by God. ...

261. Easter 5

Acts 7:54--8:1a, 1 Peter 2:4-12, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14, Acts 17:1-9, Acts 17:10-15

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Acts 7:55-60 (C) In the presence of Saul, Stephen is stoned to death. This pericope is the conclusion to Stephen's bold witness to Jesus. He aroused his hearers' anger to the point that they stoned him to death. Several items stand out: (1) This is the only time Jesus is referred to as "Son of Man" by one other than Jesus himself; (2) Only here is the ascended Jesus portrayed as "standing" at the right hand of God; (3) Saul is a consenting spectator; and (4) Stephen dies with a prayer ...

262. A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

1:40–45 Here we encounter another type of illness and Jesus’ power in the face of it. This time it is a person who has leprosy (see the notes for discussion of the term used). Such an illness rendered the person ritually and socially “unclean,” according to OT law (Lev. 13–14), meaning that he or she was not allowed in the temple or at any social or religious gathering. Furthermore, anyone who touched a person in such a condition became unclean also. This is why the man here (1:40) asks to be made clean. ...

263. Paul, The Great Missionary

Philippians 1:1-11

Drama

Jerry Eckert

Notes: Hostage issues always appear to be before us. It seemed appropriate to look back into the scriptures to see if there were any materials that might have meaning in that kind of historical context. While Paul was not a hostage in the classic sense, he was under house arrest a number of times, thus separated from his family and friends, and from his task as ambassador for Christ. I decided to drop the hostage notion and just concentrate on the way things were for the story line. Storytelling can do ...

264. Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

27:11–14 Standing before the governor (in the New Testament hēgemōn is used of Roman legates, procurators, and proconsuls) Jesus is asked if he is the king of the Jews. The title reflects a gentile perspective: Jews would refer to themselves as Israel. As in 26:25 and 64, Jesus answers sy legeis (lit., “You said [it]”). The ambiguity of the answer has been interpreted to mean that Jesus is in fact the king but not in any sense that Pilate would understand (Beare, p. 527). Jesus does not, however, answer ...

265. Treasure Hidden In a Clay Jar

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

King Duncan

A few years ago, a brother and a sister in west London found an old vase while cleaning out their parents’ home. They thought it might have some value. Subsequently they hired Bainbridge, an auction house, to sell it. They discovered it was valued at nearly $2 million. But, get this: after 30 minutes of spirited bidding at the auction, this vase, which turned out to be an 18th century Qing [pron. cheeng] Dynasty vase went to a buyer from China for more than 69 million dollars, the most ever paid at auction ...

266. Proper 18

Romans 13:8-14, Romans 13:1-7, Ezekiel 33:1-20, Exodus 12:1-30, Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: A word of warning. The Ezekiel 33 text is a word of admonition by God to Ezekiel that he must warn the people of their sins or else he will be held accountable. The Gospel Lesson contains the procedure for dealing with sin in the church. A three-step procedure is outlined for warning the wrongdoer and bringing him back in communion with the church. In the Second Lesson, Paul warns Christians to obey the government officials because they are agents of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14 The ...

267. ADVENT 1

Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon Aid

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are coming when Yahweh will fulfill his promise to send a son of David who will save his people. This prophecy by a post-exilic author is a repetition of Jeremiah's original promise in 23:5-6. Jeremiah predicted that the Davidic kingdom would be restored soon after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. when Judah was carried captive to Babylon. During the exile the people lost hope of the restoration of their nation. The unknown author repeated Jeremiah's ...

268. The Calling of the First Disciples

Luke 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

A Great Catch of Fish: Luke’s story of the great catch of fish parallels Mark 1:16–20, which Luke expands, partly by utilizing other Marcan details (see Mark 4:1–2, where it is necessary for Jesus to preach to the crowds from a boat) and by drawing upon his own special information. (Some scholars think that Luke’s information regarding the great catch of fish is somehow related to the similar episode in John 21:1–11.) Mark’s account of the calling of Simon (Peter), James, and John takes place shortly after ...

269. Advent 1

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

270. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, John 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 62:1-5 The Lord marries his people. Picture the situation: The Exiles have returned from Babylon and find their capital in ruins along with the temple. The prophet brings comfort and assurance that Yahweh will remedy the situation. The analogy of marriage is used. The Lord will re-marry his people and give them a new name as a bride gets a new name from her husband. Israel is the bride and Yahweh is the groom. Married to Yahweh, the bride-Israel will no longer be desolate ...

271. Proper 25

Hebrews 7:11-28, Job 42:7-17, Job 42:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 The story of Job comes to completion as the sufferer comes to acknowledge his own finitude and God's power. Job does not receive a direct answer to his questions but receives something better, the very presence of God. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you" (v. 6). This verse contrasts knowledge of God from tradition with a more direct relationship of God ...

272. Proper 14

Lk 12:32-48 · Gen 15:1-6 · Jer 18:1-11 · Heb 11:1-3, 8-19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Jeremiah 18:1-11 Jeremiah's parable of the potter. For the balance of this church year Lesson 1 will deal with the prophets. Today is the first in a series of three from Jeremiah. To help us understand these passages, a review of Jeremiah may be helpful. Jeremiah served as a prophet in Judah for forty years prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He considered Babylonia to be an instrument of God to discipline and purify his people until they learned to be faithful to him. Consequently, he was ...

273. Easter 7

John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11, Psalm 68

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 1:(1-7) 8-14 At his ascension, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to the disciples. The risen Lord meets with his eleven disciples a short distance from Jerusalem where before ascending to his Father, he promises them the Spirit who will give them power to witness throughout the world. Then they returned to an upper room in Jerusalem to pray. With the disciples are Jesus' brothers and mother. This is her last appearance in the New Testament - she is seen among the first Christians ...

274. PROPER 29

Ezekiel 34:1-31, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Theme: God is a shepherd to his people Call to Worship Pastor: God is aware that his people often feel lost like sheep who have no shepherd. People: We cannot live without divine guidance to lead us through life. Pastor: God loves all his people, and promises to lead us like a shepherd who loves his sheep. People: We trust in God to keep us under his protective love! Collect Gracious Father, who cares for your children like a faithful shepherd: Be near us in all our ...

275. Lent 1

Genesis 2:4-25, Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12-21, Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 (C); Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 (RC); Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, 25-3:7 (E) The account of humanity's fall into sin. Today's Lesson is taken from the second Genesis account of creation by the Yahwist (J) school of authors. The first part of the pericope gives the setting for the Fall: creation of Adam from dust and spirit, the garden with the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In preparation for the Fall we need to know that Adam and Eve were ...

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

Showing 251 to 275 of 2173 results

251. Lord of the Sabbath

Mark 2:23-3:6

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

252. Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

Genesis 29:15-30

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

253. The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:1-23

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

254.

Psalm 86:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

255. Proper 26

Joshua 3:7-17, Amos 5:18-27, Micah 3:1-12, Malachi 2:1-9, Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

256. The Man with Leprosy

Luke 5:12-16

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

257. Jesus Prays for All Believers

John 17:20-26

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

258. Lent 4

Matthew 20:20-28, Matthew 20:17-19, John 9:35-41, John 9:13-34, Romans 8:1-17, Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, John 9:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

259. Good Friday

John 18:1-11, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Genesis 22:1-19, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

260. Christmas 1

Galatians 3:26--4:7, Galatians 3:15-25, Colossians 3:1-17, Hebrews 2:5-18, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:19-23, Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

261. Easter 5

Acts 7:54--8:1a, 1 Peter 2:4-12, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14, Acts 17:1-9, Acts 17:10-15

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

262. A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

263. Paul, The Great Missionary

Philippians 1:1-11

Drama

Jerry Eckert

264. Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

265. Treasure Hidden In a Clay Jar

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

King Duncan

266. Proper 18

Romans 13:8-14, Romans 13:1-7, Ezekiel 33:1-20, Exodus 12:1-30, Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

267. ADVENT 1

Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon Aid

268. The Calling of the First Disciples

Luke 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

269. Advent 1

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

270. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, John 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

271. Proper 25

Hebrews 7:11-28, Job 42:7-17, Job 42:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

272. Proper 14

Lk 12:32-48 · Gen 15:1-6 · Jer 18:1-11 · Heb 11:1-3, 8-19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

273. Easter 7

John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11, Psalm 68

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

274. PROPER 29

Ezekiel 34:1-31, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Bulletin Aid

275. Lent 1

Genesis 2:4-25, Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12-21, Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

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