Synonyms: renounce, relinquish, dispense with, forswear, disclaim, disown, disavow, discard, wash one's hands of, give up, stop, cease, drop, forgo, desist from, have done with, abjure, abstain from, discontinue, break off, refrain from, set/lay aside, desert, leave, leave high and dry, turn one's back on, cast aside, break (up) with, vacate, quit, evacuate, withdraw from, surrender, cede, yield, indulge in, give way to, give oneself up to, yield to, lose oneself to/in, uninhibitedness, recklessness, lack of restraint, lack of inhibition, unruliness, wildness, impulsiveness, impetuosity, immoderation, wantonness
Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on
Showing 351 to 375 of 1354 results
Sermon
R. Sheldon MacKenzie
... to experience the healing of silence. And how it may mend our minds and bodies. Help us to appreciate the power of silence. And how it may bring love into our lives. Help us to know the strength of silence. And how it may speak against evil in the world. Defend us from the cowardice of silence, when we ought to speak out and don’t. Protect us from the hurt and harm of silence, whenever it is used against us. In this silence ... hear us.-- Amen.
Sermon
Michael Rogness
... first Reformation Day, when the reformer posted his 95 Theses to challenge the sale and traffic in indulgences. He spoke about Luther's appearance at the Congress at Worms in 1521, where before the assembled rulers of the Empire he courageously defended his convictions. Then he asked, "Are there Lutherans today who know what they believe and whose beliefs are really important? ... Is there anyone here today who thinks that ..." At that moment a scientist in the congregation came forward and said, "... this ...
353. Christmas 2
John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:1-14, Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... night. She brought them over the Red Sea, and led them through deep waters; but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up from the depth of the sea. Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly; they sang hymns, O Lord, to your holy name, and praised with one accord your defending hand; for wisdom opened the mouths of those who were mute, and made the tongues of infants speak clearly.
354. The Set Face And The Turned Head
Luke 9:51-56, Luke 9:57-62
Sermon
Larry Powell
... the phrase before each case, the implication is that the litigants have already placed their hands on the Bible and sworn to tell nothing "but the truth." However, courtroom cases do not progress far until it becomes apparent that either the plaintiff or the defendent is lying. Immediately, the whole matter of swearing-in comes into question. What good did it really do if one, or both parties involved knew from the beginning that they would not hesitate to bend the facts around to fit their own purposes ...
Sermon
W. Robert McClelland
... and against his action. One of the delayed reactions was voiced by former Attorney General John Mitchell who feared that for a pardon to be granted and accepted made the recipient legally guilty. As a result he was concerned that he and the other Watergate defendants would be presumed guilty because of their association with Nixon. Basic to orthodox theology is the belief that the Almighty is in the business of granting pardons to those who fall short of God's holy will. For nearly 19 centuries the church's ...
356. Let Us Pray!
Luke 11:1-13
Sermon
W. Robert McClelland
... pray humbly. These are demands laid before the throne of Grace. Not, "if it be your will." Not, "pretty please, give us our daily bread." It is not a request. It is an imperative. "God! Give us bread!" The prayer is simply, just "Do it!" Suddenly the defenders of the faith are right there taking a stance as if protecting the honor of God. With great indignation and self-righteousness they will protest, "Hold it, Rev! Hold it right there! That sounds a little pushy, don't you think? The way I was taught to ...
Sermon
Barbara Brokhoff
... about that? We have read books on self-esteem and patted ourselves on the backs until we believe most of our own press, and feeling pretty good about ourselves we look with magnanimity on others and say, "I'm okay and you're okay." True, we further defend ourselves, maybe we are a bit self-centered, self-serving, self-concerned, self-confident; but what's wrong with that? If we don't watch out for ourselves, who will? Don't all the self-help books, programs, and courses say you have to have self-esteem ...
358. Not
Isaiah 50:1-11
Sermon
Barbara Brokhoff
... me help. I brace myself to endure them. I know that I will not be disgraced. For God is near, and he will prove me innocent. Does anyone dare bring charges against me? Let us go to court together! Let him bring his accusations! The Sovereign Lord himself defends me - who then can prove me guilty?" He knows that deliverance is certain, triumph is sure, victory is ahead - because God is his advocate, as he is also ours. Dr. Reynolds Greene told of a time when Dr. E. Stanley Jones was preaching for him. He was ...
Children's Sermon
Wesley T. Runk
... also were glad to take his teachings and share them with other people in other cities. It was a wonderful partnership that Paul had with the people of Philippi. Once when the Romans put Paul in prison for teaching about Jesus as God, the people of Philippi came to defend him and support him. They knew that Paul had not done anything wrong, and they were willing to stand by him with their love. It was as St. Paul said, a great partnership, and I know that you would have been just as glad to have friends like ...
Sermon
Erskine White
... ’s fine," he said, "and furthermore, I’m going to fine everyone in this court room fifty cents for living in a city where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant." The following day, the New York Times reported that $47.50 was turned over to the bewildered old woman. It was given by the red-faced store owner, some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations and city policemen - and they all gave their mayor a ...
Sermon
Erskine White
... an accusatory finger; they have no courageous words of condemnation! Instead, they walk in and shake the king's hand. "King David," they might say, "don't worry about abusing one poor man. You are God's chosen leader. You've added military might to Israel and defended us against our enemies. You've spoken up for religion and upheld traditional values. You are restoring Israel to greatness and in the name of God, we cast our lot with you." The words of the false prophet are music to the king's ears. But when ...
362. Good Soldiers, Bad Wars
Joshua 11:1-23, Matthew 8:5-13
Sermon
Erskine White
... around as the other soldiers do. He speaks respectfully, even reverently, to Jesus. Most incredibly of all: a Roman centurion is calling Jesus, "Lord!" He says, in effect: "Lord, I know how Your people hate me. They hate everything I represent; they despise the empire I am sworn to defend. With all the evils of Roman rule, I know I'm not even worthy to ask You into my home! But please, Lord Jesus, my beloved servant is very ill and lies near death. If You would just stand here and say the Word I know he can ...
Children's Sermon
... want the witness to speak up - or lie about what really happened? Remind your class that people accuse Jesus falsely every day when they say that he has deserted them or never really existed. Remind them that they are the witnesses who must speak up and defend Jesus. You can then provide, or help your students make, a large poster board chart listing all of your students' names. Ask each student to share each Sunday any opportunities which she or he had during the previous week to witness for Jesus. Place a ...
364. Lent 2
Philippians 3:12-4:1, Jeremiah 26:1-24, Genesis 15:1-18, Luke 13:31-35, Psalm 27:1-14, Psalm 42:1-11
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... Sunday used to be called. There is a bit more of remembering the grace of God and throwing ourselves upon his mercy in this collect: "O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen." The Psalm For ...
365. Proper 15
Hebrews 12:1-13, Luke 12:54-59, Luke 12:49-53, Psalm 82:1-8, Jeremiah 20:7-18, Jeremiah 23:9-32, Jeremiah 38:1-13
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... . It complements the theme of the Gospel for the Day, which calls people to discipleship and service of the Lord God while they await his return in Christ Jesus. It is so very relevant today with its petitions to God: Save the weak and the orphan; defend the humble and needy; rescue the weak and the poor; deliver them from the power of the wicked. They do not know, neither do they understand; they go about in darkness; all the foundations of the earthare shaken. This verse (5) inspired the title of one ...
366. Proper 22
2 Timothy 1:1-2:13, Amos 5:1-17, Habakkuk 1:12--2:1, Habakkuk 1:1-4, Psalm 95:1-11, Psalm 37:1-40, Luke 17:1-10
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... classic (Lutheran) collect for this Sunday has been transformed into a contemporary prayer. It reads this way: "Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever." It might be read after the Prayer of the Day ...
367. Proper 26
Psalm 65:1-13, Psalm 145:1-21, Psalm 32:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, Haggai 2:1-9, Exodus 34:1-28, Isaiah 1:1-31, Luke 19:1-10
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... genuine repentance that begins with confession and cleansing and culminates in a new and better way of life: "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doing before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." All of this reaches its climax in verse 18: "Come, now, let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they ...
Sermon Aid
Wayne B. Keller
... pray to be forgiven as we forgive. Continue with this printed prayer: Gracious and Holy Lord, I have forgotten often what forgiveness means. I have been reluctant to respond to my neighbor's needs. I have talked behind people's backs when they could not defend themselves. I have held on selfishly to spiritual and material idols when I knew better. Forgive me again, Lord, Help me to see a joyful tomorrow, where you and I and we will work together for this quality that we call compassion. (silence) Begin the ...
Sermon
George Johnson
... issues. I've used it often when I speak about hunger. But the text has a far greater scope and purpose than to muster up a concern for hungry people. The story was not told by Jesus as a fund-raising speech. It was not intended for use in defending the need for a Social Action Committee, or the use of hunger funds for advocacy. One can use this text for many purposes, but we should not overlook the context and overall scope of its purpose as intended by the author. This text takes us back to Genesis because ...
Sermon
George Johnson
... because he helped the peasants start a cooperative. His friend was a special friend to the poor. Soon the killing of priests and innocent people got worse. Oscar Romero began to see the need for justice. He spoke out against the injustices to the poor. He defended the rights of those who were exploited. He wrote an open letter to U.S. President Jimmy Carter asking him to stop the flow of weapons to El Salvador which were only increasing the bloodshed. He asked soldiers in the El Salvadoran army to refuse to ...
Sermon
Thomas Slavens
... three fourths of the people of the world have a dirt floor in their homes, can we shake off easily the challenge of the Christ to deny ourselves? “Take up your cross,” said the master. The trial was over. The verdict was “guilty.” Slowly, the defendant turned from the plaintiff and walked out to meet an angry mob. Thrusting a robe about his shoulders they placed on his head a mass of prickly thorns. Extroverts in the crowd bowed to him slowly with tongues in their cheeks. “Take up your cross!” a ...
Sermon
James Garrett
... heavenly Father had singled out individuals in Sidon and Syria for unparalleled blessings. “And that,” Dr. Bonnell wrote, ‘‘really set the heather on fire!” The people became angry and set out to do away with Jesus. It has been said, people defend nothing more violently than the pretenses they live by. The people in Nazareth fell into the error of thinking to destroy Jesus would also destroy the word of truth. They failed to understand that truth is indestructible! Coretta Scott King has reminded ...
Sermon
James Garrett
... is so much bad in the rest of us that it ill becomes any of us to find fault with the rest of us.” This tragicomical scene of looking always to others, not self, becomes a veil protecting us from honest soul-searching. People defend nothing more violently than the pretenses they live by. A quip published in the Arkansas Baptist says, “Some people think they are big shots just because they explode.” Many wounds are inflicted because someone’s dissatisfaction with life must express itself. The one who ...
Sermon
Keith Hammer
... good friend. He is upset because he realizes that soon he will not have his best protection against his enemies. The humorous part of it is that he has all the protection he needs. He has many horse-drawn chariots and great armies with powerful bows and arrows to defend him. If there was ever a king who could be confident in the power of his armies, it should have been Jehoash. But to the contrary, he is, as some might say, a “basket case.” What was going on with Jehoash? Of course, we don’t know all ...
Sermon
Keith Hammer
... beginning to wonder who was responsible for their being where they were. They couldn’t see that they themselves had much to do with it because it had happened so quickly. They really didn’t have time to prepare for what was happening or even defend themselves adequately. Then it dawned on them. The prophets had warned their parents that this would happen, but their parents had not taken heed of what the prophets had said. They found a way of saying that which their captors didn’t really understand ...
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