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 4201 to 4225 of 4959 results

4201. The Daughters of Zelophehad (Part 1)

Numbers 27:1-11

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... of fire (1 Kings 8:33–40; 1 Cor. 11:30; Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8). Of course, as the book of Job teaches, not every hardship is retribution from God. Moreover, God’s retribution must be balanced with God’s mercy and his desire to redeem/forgive people. Thus God in his grace often does not mete out the punishments that people deserve, for which we should thank God. Teaching the Text 1. Pray for wisdom. When the daughters of Zelophehad come to Israel’s leaders, their request stumps even the ...

4202. Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1-16

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... as long as you both shall live” with words such as “for as long as we continue to love each other,” or “for as long as our love shall last,” or even “until our time together is over.”6While this change represents a commendable desire of couples not to make promises that they may be unwilling or unable to keep, the change also represents a woeful lack of commitment to the marriage relationship. It remains a Christian duty to keep solemn promises, specifically marriage vows. Unwise oaths can be ...

4203. Selfishness of the Transjordan Tribes Corrected

Numbers 32:1-42

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... s punishment of idolatry and immorality is offset by Phinehas’s bold actions (Num. 25). Balaam and his Midianite allies who have deceived Israel are killed (Num. 31). Now Numbers 32 introduces another potential crisis. The tribes of Reuben and Gad announce their desire to settle in the Transjordan rather than in Canaan. Moses fears that this could discourage the rest of Israel from taking the land. But the crisis is averted when these tribes agree to go with their sibling tribes to conquer Canaan before ...

4204. Making a Successful Future

Numbers 34:1-29

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... in our DNA. But I was disappointed and I let him know that I thought he could be [a] better man. . . . He had a wife who loved him, had baby twin girls, and had a father thinking about running for president who was vice president.”9 Focusing on where God desires to take us can give motivation to take the right step, right now.

4205. The Road to the Throne Is Covered with Blood

2 Sam 1:1–5:5

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord fulfills his promises to his chosen servants as his people depend on his providence and align their desires with his purposes. Understanding the Text With Saul’s death, David’s path was open to the throne of Israel. This next part of the unfolding story (2:1–5:5) tells how David fulfills his destiny and ascends the throne. This is a distinct literary unit, marked out by ...

4206. David the Conqueror

2 Sam 5:6-25

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Israel is to take care of some unfinished business. When they conquered the land, Israel failed to take the Jebusite stronghold in Jerusalem, but now David conquers it and builds a palace there, thus declaring, “This city now belongs to Israel.” His desire to obey the Lord’s ancient command regarding the conquest of the land is exemplary. The Lord honors David with his enabling presence and secures his reign, for David’s actions are consistent with God’s goal of establishing his kingdom on earth ...

4207. The Lord Decides to Build David a House

2 Samuel 7:18-29, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... for his covenant community. Understanding the Text David has transported the ark, the symbol of God’s presence, to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5). Knowing that the Lord is the true King of Israel (2 Sam. 6:2), who has defeated his enemies (5:17–25; 7:1), David naturally desires to build a “house” (a temple, or palace) for this victorious King.1The Lord will eventually allow a temple to be built (1 Kings 5–6), but the time is not yet right, nor is David the one whom he has chosen for this task (2 Sam. 7:13 ...

4208. Fighting Wars and Keeping a Promise: David Establishes an Ideal of Kingship

2 Sam 8:1–10:19

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... him to show favor to him and his descendants (20:14–15). 9:3 to whom I can show God’s kindness. The wording is identical to verse 1, except that now David refers to “God’s kindness” (hesed). Perhaps recalling Jonathan’s appeal, he desires to mirror God’s faithful character in his treatment of Jonathan’s descendants (cf. 1 Sam. 20:14).8 9:7 Don’t be afraid. David’s assuring word to Mephibosheth is ironic, for years before, when David was running from Saul, Jonathan encouraged David ...

4209. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

2 Sam 18:1–19:8

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... his troops. For the first time since 13:27, the narrator describes David as sending (shalah). In chapter 11 the narrator portrays David as possessing absolute sovereignty: he sent people where he willed (vv. 1, 3–4, 12, 27) and by a mere message accomplished his desires (vv. 6, 14). But he used his power to satisfy his lust and cover up his crime. In chapter 13 he continued to exercise his authority over others, but now it backfired on him as the Lord providentially brought to pass the fulfillment of his ...

4210. Blood Vengeance in Gibeah

2 Samuel 21:1-14

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... take their lives as long as the Gibeonites kept their part of the bargain and served Israel as laborers (Josh. 9). Saul violated the treaty. sought the face of the Lord. The expression “seek the face” refers to seeking the Lord’s favor. Sometimes, as here, the petitioner desires the Lord’s mercy (cf. 2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 27:8; Hosea 5:6). his blood-stained house. In contrast to David, whom the Lord has restrained from shedding the blood of Nabal and his house (1 Sam. 25:22, 26, 33), Saul’s house is ...

4211. David’s Mighty Men

2 Samuel 21:15-22

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... provided weekly tutoring at first, but the challenges went beyond academic needs. They began to look at all the agencies and political and educational systems that, as Barnes put it, “needed to be lobbied and manipulated” to meet their desired goals. Then those involved realized they were not working to “bring these kids and their families into our understanding of a loving community.” In the learning process the church expanded its relationships with community organizations who shared their concern ...

4212. Barren No More

1 Sam 1:1-20–2:11

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... them from their affliction (2:3, 8). 1:11 she made a vow. In this culture, making a vow to a deity in a prayer for deliverance was a typical response to a crisis. Vows commonly offered the Deity a gift in return for granting the desired favor (cf. Num. 21:2).4 Lord Almighty. Hannah addresses the Lord with a title (traditionally, “Lord of Hosts” [KJV]) that highlights his sovereignty, envisioning him as one who sits enthroned above the cherubim of the ark of the covenant, the earthly symbol of his ...

4213. The Lord Chooses a Prophet

1 Sam 3:1--4:1

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... preached to 215 million people in more than 185 countries, founded the Billy Graham Association, and had an audience with a number of presidents, starting with Harry Truman. Despite his worldwide success and his access to the halls of power, Graham is widely recognized for his humility and his deep desire to honor the Lord. He did indeed bring the salvation message and spiritual renewal to tens of thousands in his preaching career.

4214. Jonathan’s Faith Ignites a Victory

1 Sam 13:16–14:23

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Midianite crisis faced by Gideon (see the comments on 13:5–7). But unlike Gideon, who needs a sign to buttress his wavering faith before he engages the enemy (Judg. 7:13–14), Jonathan is eager to engage the enemy. His waiting for a sign reflects his desire not to be presumptuous (see v. 6), yet we can tell that Jonathan is just itching to spring into action. Furthermore, his choice of a sign reflects his faith: he assumes that God will be in this business even if the task seems impossible (vv. 8–10 ...

4215. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:1-35

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... for this service, the gods would protect their worshipers and provide for them. Within such a framework, religious formalism is of the utmost importance. In the biblical covenantal model, humans serve God, but he does not need their service. He desires a relationship with them in which he provides for their needs in exchange for covenantal faithfulness demonstrated by obedience.3Saul’s actions suggest that he does not fully understand the covenantal model and is operating in accordance with the cultural ...

4216. The “Nine Lives” of David

1 Samuel 19:1-24

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... people. In the end the divine hardening even caused Pharaoh to reverse his decision once he had responded properly (Exod. 8:8–15; 9:27–10:1; 10:16–20, 24–29; 14:4, 8). Surely the divine hardening brought Pharaoh’s deep-seated motives and desires to the surface (cf. Exod. 9:30).6 Perhaps that is the case with Saul as well. Before he came under the influence of the evil spirit, he blatantly disobeyed the Lord and displayed pride and jealousy (15:12; 18:8–9). Furthermore, following the initial ...

4217. God’s Protection Takes the Form of a Faithful Friend

1 Samuel 20:1-42

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... of greater honor than he was (18:8). His anger against Jonathan is also misdirected, prompted by his belief that his son is siding with David against him. 20:31 neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Contrary to Samuel’s prophecy (13:13–14), Saul desires to establish a royal dynasty, and he views Jonathan as the heir apparent. But Jonathan is not harboring such delusions (20:15–17; 23:17). 20:33 Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. For the second time in the story, Saul tries to ...

4218. David Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... though we have no reason to doubt their recollection.1 However, the prophecy does not state that David should or will kill his enemy. It simply says that he will gain the upper hand over his enemy, and it seemingly gives him permission to do as he sees fit or desires. [He] cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David cuts off an edge of Saul’s robe so he can offer it as proof that he had the opportunity to kill the king but spared his life (see v. 11). Attempts to see symbolism in this action are speculative ...

4219. David Spares Saul’s Life—Again

1 Samuel 26:1-25

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... down in a dangerous area, he witnesses the brutal death of his son at the hands of a sociopathic gang. This event changes Hume forever. Embittered by grief, he eventually comes to a disturbing conclusion that he must go to any length to avenge his son’s death. After the desire for vengeance has infected him, Hume gradually becomes like the evil characters who first victimized his son. The movie teaches the evil of such self-proclaimed vigilante justice.

4220. David Flees to Gath—Again

1 Samuel 27:1-12

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... returns to Saul. The reader must wait to find out what happens to David. Will he really march out to do battle against his own countrymen? David’s return to Gath brings the story of his exile full circle. Earlier, after Jonathan told him of Saul’s desire to kill him, he fled in desperation to Nob and then to Gath (chap. 21). But then the Lord told him to return to Judah and protected him from Saul’s repeated attempts to capture him. This culminated with Saul’s acknowledging David’s innocence and ...

4221. Turning Up the Pressure

Job 2:1-13

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... your integrity?” as a statement (“You are still maintaining your integrity”), but that does not explain Job’s sharp reply to her in 2:10. It may be best to view her words as proceeding from her understandable sympathy for her husband, and as expressing her desire that he not have to suffer longer. Nevertheless, even if this is what has prompted what she says, she is then willing to have Job surrender his commitment to do what is right, so that his pain can be relieved. Job refuses to do that. At the ...

4222. Bildad Has the Answer (He Thinks!)

Job 8:1-22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... to life. Quote: Reflections on the Psalms, by C. S. Lewis. In this series of reflections, Lewis writes about Christ’s teaching that it is “not given us in that cut-and-dried, fool-proof, systematic fashion we might have expected or desired. . . . We cannot reduce them to a system. . . . His teaching cannot be grasped by the intellect alone.”2 Good theology may be mixed with inaccurate application, prescribing a cure before diagnosing the disease. Medical Stories: Many stories exist of doctors who have ...

4223. Job Considers a Legal Dispute with God

Job 9:1–10:22

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Daniel J. Estes

... a human, Job cannot force Almighty God to fulfill his personal agenda, even though he desperately wants God to act on his behalf. In fact, Job can see no good alternative to resolve his situation. As the rest of the book will go on to indicate, the resolution he desires will come only at God’s time and in God’s way. Job has to learn to live in humble dependence on God, even though he cannot understand or appreciate what God is doing in his life. We, too, must learn to trust God when we cannot understand ...

4224. Zophar Rejects Job’s Complaints

Job 11:1-20

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... renders a portrayal of him that is inaccurate, careless, and even cruel. 11:5–6 God has even forgotten some of your sin. Zophar speaks as though he can read God’s thoughts. He predicts that if God were to speak as Job desired, then he would say that Job actually deserves far more punishment than he has received (see the sidebar). Zophar’s implication, then, is that instead of complaining, Job should be grateful for God’s leniency toward him. Zophar evaluates the situation in solely theological ...

4225. Job Feels under Attack by God

Job 16:1-17:16

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... . As Job considers his life, he senses that it is slipping away quickly without his hopes being fulfilled. Even though Job’s understanding of wisdom prompts him to look for hope in this life, all he finds is disappointment. As much as he wants to enjoy the desires of his heart during his life on earth (cf. Pss. 27:13; 37:3–5), he has to concede that he can find no hope in life. Earlier in the book, Job expressed his hope that death would provide relief from the adversity he is experiencing. Nevertheless ...

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