Dictionary: Rest
Synonyms: relax, take a rest, ease up/off, let up, slow down, pause, have/take a break, unbend, repose, laze, idle, loaf, do nothing, take time off, slack off, unwind, recharge one's batteries, be at leisure, take it easy, sit back, sit down, stand down, lounge, luxuriate, loll, slump, flop, put one's feet up, lie down, go to bed, have/take a nap, nap, catnap, doze, have/take a siesta, drowse, sleep, lie, be laid, recline, be, be placed, be positioned, support, prop (up), steady, balance, lean, lay, set, sit, stand, position, place, put, be based on, be grounded in, be founded on, depend on, be dependent on, rely on, hinge on, turn on, hang on, pivot on, be contingent on, revolve around, centre on, relaxation, leisure, ease, inactivity, respite, time off, time out, breathing space, break, interval, interlude, intermission, base, holder, stay, prop, brace, rack, hook, frame, shelf, bracket, trestle, tripod, plinth, pedestal, foundation, bed, foot, substructure, a standstill, a halt, a stop, remainder, residue, remaining part/number/quantity, part/number/quantity (that is) left over, others, those left, remains, remnant, remnants, rump, surplus, difference, extra, excess, superfluity, overflow, overspill, additional people/material/things, extra people/material/things, remain, continue to be, keep, persist in being, carry on being, go on being
Antonyms: work, motion, movement, struggle, rage, go mad, have a fit, see red, hit the roof, toil, be active, labor, effort, agony, activity, do, blow one's stack, blow a gasket, do one's nut, go ape, go wild, lose it, drive, action, move
Showing 2901 to 2925 of 3759 results
Sermon
King Duncan
The Rev. Timothy T. Boggess tells what he says is a true story. A mother was at home with her two young daughters one lazy afternoon. Everything seemed to be just fine until the mother realized something strange. The house was quiet. And as every parent knows, a quiet house in the daytime can only mean one thing: the kids are up to no good. Quietly walking into each of the girls’ rooms and not finding them there, she began to get worried. Then she heard it: the sound of whispering followed by the flushing ...
2902. Why He Did It
Mark 8:31--9:1
Sermon
King Duncan
How do you react when you anticipate that something negative is going to happen to you? Do you get nervous, do your palms get sweaty, do you have trouble falling asleep, lose your appetite, perhaps? Do you feel like your whole world is turned inside out? Well, I guess it depends on how negative the event is that you are anticipating. One young woman in the South tells about her teen years. She had a very strict Dad who was very loving, but did not mind disciplining his children with corporal punishment. ...
Sermon
David J. Kalas
A photograph of the earth from outer space reveals how much of our world is water. Indeed, that cosmic view prompted folks to refer to the Earth a “blue marble in space.” Scientists report that approxi­mately seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Genesis, meanwhile, reports an occasion when 100 percent of the Earth’s surface was covered with water. This is the familiar story of Noah and the flood. Archaeologists have discovered other ancient flood narratives that bear striking ...
Sermon
King Duncan
Jesus and his disciples were passing through the city of Jericho, a beautiful city some fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus was at the height of his popularity, and great crowds greeted him as he came into the city. Although we don’t know for certain, perhaps Jesus spent the day teaching in Jericho, which might explain why the people were so excited about having him visit their city. But regardless, as Jesus was leaving the city he encountered some desperate people with nowhere else to turn. Let me ...
Sermon
King Duncan
About this time of year many of us start getting a little frantic, don’t we? Christmas is so near. There is still so much to do. This is a frantic time for many of us. The season of Advent was supposed to be our chance to get ready, but in another week it will be over and the big day will be here. All the decorations will be in place, the packages will all be wrapped, the last card will have been sent--then, ready or not, Christmas Day will arrive. Are you prepared for Christmas? I mean the real Christmas ...
Understanding Series
James M. Scott
The third and last section of 2 Corinthians 10–13 prepares the way for Paul’s third visit to Corinth. His first visit was to found the church (Acts 18); his second visit was to check the church (2 Cor. 2:1); and now his third visit will be to judge the church. If Paul’s ministry of the Spirit is convincing evidence for the legitimacy of his apostolic authority and ministry, a ministry that he attributes directly to God (cf. 2:14, 17; 3:5–6; 10:17), then the Corinthians’ decision to reject that ministry ...
2907. Thanksgiving and Prayer
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Understanding Series
David J. Williams
Address and Greeting 1:1–2 The wording resembles the first letter’s address (see comment there) except for the addition of “our” in the phrase, in God our Father. This clarifies that God is being presented, not as the Father of Jesus but as the Father of his people and, specifically, of the church of the Thessalonians. The greeting also parallels the first letter’s (again, see the comment there), but it is expanded by the addition of from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, which becomes Paul’s ...
Understanding Series
Gordon D. Fee
Salutation The letter begins with the standard form of salutation found in almost all the letters from the Greco-Roman period. Where such a letter in our time would have begun, “Dear Timothy,” and concluded something like, “Your affectionate father in Christ, Paul,” ancient letters began with the name of the writer, followed by the addressee and a greeting. Usually these were terse: “Paul, to Timothy, greetings.” Such a terse greeting may be found in Paul’s earliest existing letter (1 Thessalonians), but ...
Understanding Series
Peter H. Davids
Because he is aware of practical problems in the community, James makes an abrupt switch from peacemakers, the wise leaders of the community, to the actual situation of intrachurch conflict. 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? That is a good question, for if God’s wisdom is found in peacemakers, community strife does not come from them. A conflict with the pagan world or the synagogue might be the inevitable result of following Christian standards, but these are quarrels within the church (i.e ...
Understanding Series
Norman Hillyer
Suffer Cheerfully for God 4:12 Dear friends signals the beginning of a new section, as Peter returns to the subject of suffering, though in particular to suffering on account of being a Christian. That a painful trial should come to those who have committed their lives to God’s keeping should not cause surprise. Conversion does not bring exemption from troubles, though it does assure believers of divine assistance through troubles. To have been born again into new spiritual life (1:3) will inevitably ...
Understanding Series
Cheryl A. Brown
Atrocities in Gibeah: Judges 19–21 constitute the final episode of the story of the judges. Even though we must divide them for the sake of analysis, they are intended to be read as one unit. These chapters have not found their way into many Sunday school books or sermons or onto the “top ten Christian books” list. They are difficult to read and more difficult to interpret. They portray human nature at its worst, and even worse than worst, because the main players were God’s covenant people. They did the ...
Understanding Series
Tremper Longman III
Oracle against Edom: Edom’s order in the foreign oracles is a slight departure from the generally south-to-north orientation that we have encountered thus far. Edom is located south of Moab in the region to the southeast of the Dead Sea. It is a region of rugged mountains and wadis, making it difficult to attack. The Bible attributes Edomite origins to Esau, Jacob’s brother, whose other name is Edom or “Red” (see Gen. 36). Notice that by the time Jacob returned from his sojourn in Paddam-Aram, Esau, having ...
Sermon
King Duncan
Years ago a religious talk show hostess was interviewing a new believer. The new believer had come from the wrong side of the tracks--economically, socially, morally, and spiritually. As he gave his testimony, this man, who had seen it all and done it all continually thanked God for the change God had made in his life. “I can’t express,” he said, “the gratitude I feel that God has changed my life.” The talk show hostess knew where he was coming from--for she, too, had walked on life’s wild side before ...
2914. God’s Love and Ours
1 John 4:7-21, 1 John 5:1-12
Understanding Series
Thomas F. Johnson
God’s Love and Our Love There is little agreement among those who have made a serious study of 1 John as to how to divide 1 John 4:7–5:4, but most have understood 4:7–12 to center around God’s love for us and, in response, our love for one another. It is likely that the opponents of the Elder had stressed their love for God (cf. 4:10, 20), their devotion, piety, and mystical spirituality (cf. 1:6, 8, 10; 2:4, 6, 9; 3:18; 4:1). But the Elder thinks that it is God’s love for human beings which is ...
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
Solomon and Wisdom: Wisdom (Hb. ḥoḵmâ) has already played an important role in the narrative, guiding Solomon in his treatment of those who were a threat to him (1 Kgs. 2:6, 9). It will play an even more central role now in 1 Kings 3. Solomon has a dream wherein he confesses a lack of discernment before God and is promised (among other things) a “wise and discerning heart” (3:4–15). He then hands down a legal judgment in which his use of this new gift is of crucial importance (3:16–28). The major question ...
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
The Destruction Continues: Elijah had prophesied that the LORD would consume Ahab’s descendants and cut off from him every last male in Israel (1 Kgs. 21:21; cf. the previous prophecies against Jeroboam and Baasha in 1 Kgs. 14:10; 16:3). It comes as little surprise, in view of the literal fulfillment of such prophecy in 1 Kings 15:29 and 16:11–12, to find that Jehu is not content with the deaths of Jehoram and Jezebel but now looks to wipe out Ahab’s family in toto (2 Kgs. 10:1–17). Nor is it any surprise ...
Understanding Series
John Goldingay
Hezekiah’s Great Political Crisis Confronts Him: We may be surprised to find the introduction to the second half of the book in chapters 34–35 followed by four chapters of prose stories about Hezekiah, the last of the kings of Isaiah’s own lifetime. One reason for this surprise is that they also appear in 2 Kings. As with 2:2–4, we do not know which is the more original version. But Isaiah is prominent in the stories and they incorporate some of his prophecies, so it is reasonable enough that they should ...
2918. Sermon on the Mount: Final Warnings and Call to Obey Jesus’ Words
Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29
Teach the Text
Jeannine K. Brown
Big Idea: Jesus’ final words in the Sermon on the Mount warn against those who claim to belong to God but are disobeying God’s will. Those who are wise will put Jesus’ authoritative words into practice. Understanding the Text The final section of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on putting into practice Jesus’ teachings and provides warnings about those who do not obey God’s will. Jesus speaks of bearing fruit being the mark of a disciple (7:15–20; see also 12:33–37; 13:18–23; 21:18–22, 43). Bearing fruit ...
Teach the Text
Jeannine K. Brown
Big Idea: Jesus tells two more parables that demonstrate how his followers should be ready for his return: they should pursue covenant faithfulness and show mercy to the most vulnerable, who are hungry, poor, sick, and imprisoned. Understanding the Text Chapter 24 concludes and chapter 25 begins with a call to be prepared, since there will be no precursor signs for Jesus’ reappearing (24:36–51). Matthew 25:14–46 continues with this theme of readiness by narrating two more parables of Jesus, one focusing on ...
Teach the Text
Jeannine K. Brown
Big Idea: Although Jesus is innocent of all charges and is truly the king of the Jews, he is delivered to be crucified by Pilate, the Roman governor, at the instigation of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem, aided by Judas. Understanding the Text Following Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the chief priests and elders bring him to Pilate, the governor (27:1–2). Matthew narrates the self-inflicted death of Judas, emphasizing Judas’s belief in the innocence of Jesus, a theme that continues through this ...
Teach the Text
Preben Vang
Big Idea: Genuine knowledge of Christ causes a believer to consider how personal behavior affects the faith of fellow believers. Christian love and care for others must trump personal rights. Understanding the Text Paul now takes up the next question posed by the Corinthians in their letter (cf. 7:1).1Moving from the larger question of human relationships, with a special focus on marriage, divorce, and singleness, he now takes up another pertinent question that relates directly to the domestic situation of ...
2922. Collection and Travel Plans
1 Corinthians 16:5-18, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Teach the Text
Preben Vang
Big Idea: Because the Christ communities in Corinth serve a Lord whose household stretches around the world, their local communities are members of a global community. With this come special relationships, privileges, and responsibilities for “brothers and sisters” who serve the same Lord (or Patron). Understanding the Text Paul has concluded his major discussions and is now rounding out his letter with a series of remarks on issues that just need a brief comment. Before his final remarks and greetings in ...
2923. Message to Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17
Teach the Text
J. Scott Duvall
Big Idea: Jesus commends his church for persevering in faithfulness in spite of persecution but warns them not to compromise with an idolatrous and immoral culture. Understanding the Text The message to the church in Pergamum is the third in the series of messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2–3. Jesus commends the church at Pergamum for enduring persecution in a very idolatrous and immoral environment but faults it for compromising with false teaching that promotes the ungodly lifestyle of the ...
Teach the Text
J. Scott Duvall
Big Idea: The heavenly beings worship God as the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe. Understanding the Text Following John’s introductory vision of the risen and glorified Christ and his messages to the seven churches in 1:9–3:22, the scene shifts from earth to heaven in 4:1. This throne-room vision of Revelation 4–5 anchors the rest of the book. This vision first presents God as the sovereign Creator seated on his throne (4:1–11) before turning to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as the only one ...
Teach the Text
J. Scott Duvall
Big Idea: God calls his people to faithful witness, leading to hostility from the world but ultimately resulting in vindication by God. Understanding the Text The interlude of 10:1–11:13 speaks to the situation of God’s people in this world. The first part of the interlude features the recommissioning of John to continue his prophetic ministry (10:1–11), a ministry that extends to the entire church in the second vision of the interlude: the two witnesses (11:1–13).1This second vision has two parts: 11:1–2 ...
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