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 351 to 375 of 411 results

351. Being Thankful for the Right Reasons

John 1:14, Colossians 1:11-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... make a mistake. You see, we don’t keep any records up here.” The man was greatly relieved and overjoyed. Then he saw a group of men over in a corner beating their heads against a celestial wall and clinching their fists and stomping their feet in disgust. “What is the matter with them?” the man asked St. Peter. “Oh,” said St. Peter with a smile. “They also thought we kept records.” Obviously those men kept the law even though they would have liked to have lived a little more freely. I am not ...

352. Quail from the Lord

Numbers 11:4-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... he will provide (11:18). This implies that receiving God’s miraculous gift will be a sacred event, like a sacrifice from which the offerer could eat (cf. 1 Sam. 16:5). But the people turn it into an orgy of greed and a feeding frenzy. Disgusted by their lack of restraint or respect for him, he does not waste time by giving them a month to experience their punishment but immediately strikes many dead with a plague. The place is named after the new cemetery there: Kibroth Hattaavah, “The Graves of Craving ...

353. Tablets Like the First One

Deuteronomy 10:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... So God told Moses that new tablets were to be chiseled out of stone (10:1), and Moses was to come back up the mountain once again as God personally rewrote the same words that were on the first set of tablets that Moses had smashed in disgust at the people’s sin. Unlike other commands, which God gave through the mediation of Moses, these came directly from the Lord, hence their importance and significance. These stone tablets were to be put into a “chest” or “ark” (10:2–3). This probably was not ...

354. A Levite and His Concubine

Judges 19:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his donkey, takes her corpse home, and cuts her into twelve pieces, sending them to the twelve tribes of Israel presumably to demand retribution. The receipt of cut-up human body parts apparently achieves its intended result (19:30–20:48). The tribes react with disgust and anger, and except for Benjamin, gather together at Mizpah to discuss the appropriate response (19:30–20:13). The Levite is asked to explain what happened, and he gives a story that is at best only a half-truth, as he exaggerates the ...

355. David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:1-58

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , nor will the bulky equipment be helpful since it would inhibit his movement. Instead, he takes his shepherd’s staff, his sling, and five smooth stones from the stream and goes to face Goliath. After waiting for forty days, Goliath is disappointed and disgusted when he sees the youthful, unarmed David coming toward him. How much glory is there in killing a defenseless youth? David listens to Goliath’s curses and then acknowledges that his main weapon is “the name of the Lord Almighty” (17:45). Like ...

356. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 26:1-28, Proverbs 25:1-28, Proverbs 27:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... e.g., the failure of Ahimaaz in 2 Sam. 18:19–33), for such an arrangement may harm the employer (26:6), the fool, who is incapable of using proverbial sayings properly (26:7–9), and others as well (26:10). This is because fools disgustingly repeat their folly rather than learn from their mistakes and are self-deluded regarding their capabilities (26:11–12). Next in line is the sluggard, who is similarly self-deluded (26:13–16; compare 26:16a and 12a). This portrait employs proverbs similar to those ...

357. Sin and Punishment

Jeremiah 8:4--9:26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , he is crushed. The prophet is beside himself with grief. Exhausted, he cries and wishes for his head to be a never-ending fountain so that he could cry more (9:1). On the other hand, he would like to get away from it all. The people’s sins disgust him. Prophets did not stand at a distance lobbing bombshells; they were closely involved with their listeners. 9:3–25 · Lying, mentioned only in 8:10, is now treated in full as a major problem (9:3–9). Deception has replaced integrity as a way of life.The ...

358. Dealing with Drought

Jeremiah 14:1--15:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in the temple (2 Kings 22:13). High joy (to be called by the name of the Lord of Heaven’s armies and so be on the winning side) is followed by loathsome misery, hot indignation, and isolation. (Jeremiah did not marry; 16:2.) Jeremiah has disgust for his enemies and difficulty stabilizing his personal life, and he is disappointed in God, who has become a problem. Dry streambeds give a Palestine traveler the mirage of water. God’s answer deals with all three parts of the lament. First, Jeremiah is to turn ...

359. Much Bad News, Some Good

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... exodus event but to emphasize that the return from exile will be even more impressive. Verse 16 notes that fishermen with nets will catch the masses, while hunters will catch the stragglers, so that no one will escape. The language about idols is filled with disgust. Ironically, while Judah turns from God to idols, Gentiles, world over, turn from idols to God (16:19–21). The vision is refreshing and overpowering (cf. Jer. 12:14–17; Isa. 2:1–4; 45:14–25; Zech. 8:20–23). Gentiles are saying about ...

360. Jesus Before Pilate and Herod

Luke 22:66--23:25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 23:8–12), who is thrilled about seeing Jesus, apparently expecting some kind of miracle show or at least an interesting theological discussion. But Jesus continues to show that he is in command of the situation by refusing to speak with Herod. Herod becomes disgusted with Jesus, joining his soldiers in ridiculing and mocking him. Why did Herod and Pilate become friends on this day (23:12)? Perhaps because they experienced a kinship in their reaction to Jesus. Both of them lacked the courage to set free a ...

361. Freedom in Christ

Galatians 5:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :11; Greek skandalon; literally a “trap” or “snare”), which overturns their entire human approach to righteousness. Apparently the surfacing of such attacks against Paul’s ministry so frustrated him that he allowed a sarcastic remark to finalize his disgust with the opponents’ preoccupation with the outward rite of circumcision (5:12). While some commentators appear reluctant to believe Paul would utter such a condemnation, this would actually be a better fate for these opponents than the one he ...

362. Paul’s Ambition and Joy Is the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 1:12-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s Word with boldness and fearlessness (1:14). Paul is an inspiration and an example for them. His suffering has turned out to have the exact opposite result of what one would expect. Instead of his imprisonment inciting fear in Christians and eliciting disgust from his guards, the church has been inspired to further preaching, and the guards have been exposed to the truth of the gospel in Paul’s life. Next, while still discussing the mission of the gospel, Paul anticipates an objection. He claims that ...

363. The Letter to Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... springs, and Colossae for its pure, cold water, Laodicea had a poor water supply and imported water from five miles out through an aqueduct. The water was tepid on arrival. Christ laments that Laodicea is neither hot nor cold but rather disgusting (in the spiritual sense) like its lukewarm waters. Though they think highly of themselves (3:17a), they are actually wretched, pitiful, morally bankrupt, blind, and naked (3:17b). Referencing their wealth, Christ admonishes the church to buy what really matters (3 ...

364. Repent or Perish

Luke 13:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... . If Luke has seen this connection he may have wished the parable to be understood as suggesting that on the third year there is to be special evidence of fruitfulness (which for Luke is seen chiefly in terms of sharing wealth with the poor, widows, orphans). Disgusted, the owner of the vineyard wants to cut it down, but his question (Why should it use up the soil?) may hint at the replacement of this fruitless tree. 13:8 one more year: The implication is that judgment will be postponed, but only for a ...

365. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... came to believe in him. Other uses of the word “sign” are not so purely positive—Mark 8:11 states that “the Pharisees came and … asked for a sign from heaven” to test Jesus, not necessarily a noble cause. In Mark 8:12 a rather disgusted Jesus sighs and says, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to this generation.” Paul himself seldom uses the word “sign.” The readers of Paul’s letters encounter the word only at Romans ...

366. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... . NIV translates the title of the sacrifice with the traditional sin offering, while its purpose is purification. 4:5–10 The use of the blood distinguishes this offering as a purifying agent, a kind of holy detergent. The use of blood might evoke disgusting images for us, but in ancient Israel, sacrificial blood is a sacred cleansing agent. The priest dips his finger into the blood and sprinkles it seven times, the number for completeness, before the LORD, in front of the curtain separating the Holy of ...

367. Purification After Childbirth

Leviticus 12:1-8

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... particularly from a male perspective. These offerings celebrate the move from the dangers of childbirth back to full community in faith. The offerings for cultic purification attest to the sacredness of life rather than implying that reproduction and birth are disgusting or evil. The text understands that life is beyond human control. The mother was vulnerable during this time. The whole burnt offering also points to the dedication of life. Interestingly, the sacrifices required are the same in the birth of ...

368. Discharges Causing Uncleanness

Leviticus 15:1-33

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the community’s life around the divine presence and appropriate responses to that presence gives these texts continuing significance. Additional Notes 15:2–3 The term discharge indicates a “flowing” or “gushing forth.” The term can be associated with disgusting conditions. Gonorrhea has been suggested, or urinary infections. It does seem to relate to infections of bodily organs of some kind. The discharge may continue or be sealed, but the impurity is still present. In v. 3, the flow would ...

369. Bildad

Job 8:1-22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... Ps. 49:13, where the NRSV translation “foolhardy” captures the kind of unreasoned trust that the term is intended to relay here. The verb translated “to be fragile” (Heb. qwt?) is not otherwise known with this meaning. Elsewhere it is translated “feel a disgust for,” which is not appropriate in this context. Translators supply the meaning “be fragile” from the demands of the context and the association with the spider’s web. 8:15 It seems more likely that all the verbs in this verse refer ...

370. The Calling of Levi

Mark 2:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... as sinners and welcoming them to divine favor? But, of course, Jesus’ prophetic conviction that God’s new salvation was at hand and that he was chosen to demonstrate it was not shared by many religious leaders, and so his conduct only generated disgust and offense among these opponents. This story and the preceding one in 2:1–12 are linked together in showing how Jesus’ striking actions generated great opposition. The actions in view are really very similar, the forgiveness of sins and the welcome ...

371. The Woman on the Beast

Revelation 17:1-18

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the story as a typology of Israel’s idolatry (Ezek. 23:48–49); accordingly, the two sisters represent Israel. They become prostitutes in Egypt, giving themselves with increasing lewdness to the ruling elite of Israel’s various enemies (Ezek. 23:1–21). In disgust, the Lord first provoked their lovers and ex-lovers to disfigure them (Ezek. 23:22–27), and then the Lord handed them over to their hated enemies to leave them “naked,” to kill their sons and daughters, and to “burn down” their ...

372. The Ultimate Mountaintop Experience

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... would happen the day they decided to drop everything to follow Jesus. Simon Peter especially was annoyed with Christ’s announcement, and never having cultivated the good sense of knowing when to keep his mouth shut, he let Christ know about his disgust with this announcement. So when Jesus called his inner circle, his closest friends, Peter, James, and John, to go with him up the mountain, their heads were probably still reeling from that announcement. Perhaps they thought that, in the rarefied air of ...

373. All for Some Dumb Sheep

John 10:11-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... course, we can sympathize when humans do dumb things out of desperation. But what about people who do things that are downright evil? Newsweek magazine recently quoted a 15-year-old African young person from Botswana who said, “The situation in our town is so disgusting that you sometimes ask yourself the question which has got no answer and that is, ‘Why did God create the human being in the first place?’” That’s a good question. Human beings obviously have a problem deep in the soul. And it is a ...

374. Could the Pharisees Have Been Irish?

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... who was visiting Philadelphia. She boarded a bus. A few stops later, a man with a wide‑brimmed black hat, white shirt, long black coat, black pants, black shoes, and a long curly black beard gets on and sits down beside her. The woman looks at him with disgust. “Jews like you,” she hisses at him, “give us all a bad name.” He looks up at her, puzzled, and says, “I beg your pardon madam?” She says, “Look at you. All in black, a beard, never take off your hat! It’s Jews like you that give ...

375. Advice from a Billionaire

Mark 12:28-34

Sermon

King Duncan

... take communion. This was a bigger issue than you may think for this congregation drank from a common cup. It was a tense and anxious moment when Dr. Brand and John arrived at the church that first Sunday. After years of being the object of other’s disgust, John expected others to reject him, even to hate him. John had learned to believe that Jesus was love, but, if even Jesus’ followers rejected him, then who could possibly love him? Dr. Brand noticed John trembling as he made his way down the aisle of ...

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