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 551 to 575 of 2173 results

551. Don't Jump?

Luke 16:19-31

Drama

Note: Again, this is a play that is difficult to produce without a good stage setup. A platform, table, or chair may be used to represent the ledge. Lighting must be used carefully at the end. The audience should not know for sure if #2 actually jumps. Scene: The ledge of an observation tower with a railing around the outside. 1: [Enters, climbs onto the railing, looks around, very relaxed] 2: [Enters, notices 1, walks by and sees what is going on, starts to leave quickly, but turns back. Can’t decide ...

552. Fasting

Matthew 4:1-11

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Is it possible for the average Christian to fast or is it just for the super spiritual saint? And why do we fast? Summary: Two people talk about their struggle to fast as a preparation for Easter. They learn that they can be strengthened in the process. Playing Time: 3 minutes Place: Anywhere Props: None Costumes: Contemporary, casual Time: The present Cast: RON -- a struggler JAN -- another one RON: Hey, are you still hungry? I am. JAN: It was a good dinner. But, please, don't talk about dessert. ...

553. The Birth of Isaac

Genesis 21:1-7

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Birth of Isaac and the Expulsion of Ishmael: Sarah bears the child of promise. In light of this couple’s waiting twenty-five years for God’s promise to be fulfilled, it is amazing how matter-of-fact is the report of Isaac’s birth. Directly following this happy, triumphal account comes the report of an ugly incident in which Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be expelled from the household. The latter incident receives more coverage because it relates the drastic rearrangement the birth of the son of ...

554. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Genesis 21:8-21

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

555.

Psalm 73:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

God’s Goodness Redefined: The Nearness of God This psalm is a favorite for many because it rings so true to our feelings and experience. Many of us have felt disappointed in God. When we feel life has treated us unfairly, we often betray our belief in the sovereignty of God by blaming and abandoning him! The psalm confesses what we are afraid to admit, and so helps us to be honest before God about life’s temptations and our readiness to sell out. The psalm’s first half is largely negative (vv. 1–14) and ...

556. Boundaries of Canaan

Numbers 34:1-29

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Land of Promise: The tone of the last three chapters of Numbers is very hopeful as the people anticipate entering Canaan. After the last section of chapter 33 witnessed the divine instruction to take the land (v. 53), it is reasonable now to articulate what constitutes the land and how it will be distributed among the tribes. These questions are the subject of chapter 34. The final two chapters in the book turn to other issues related to settling the land. 34:1–12 The chapter begins with a description ...

557. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Prayer for Divine Enlightenment From the context of 1:15–2:10 it appears that these verses form the next major section of Ephesians. The apostle has just finished recalling the spiritual blessings that God, through Christ, has bestowed upon all believers. From this universal truth, he turns to something more specific: His thoughts move from doxology to prayer; he reminds his readers that he thanks God for them (vv. 15, 16) and that he prays specifically that they will have the necessary wisdom to ...

558. Haman's Plot to Destroy the Jews

Esther 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

Haman’s Promotion and Plot against the Jews: Esther 1–2 describes the splendors of the Persian court as well as its dangers. One queen was banished and her replacement installed. An assassination attempt by two officials was uncovered and executions followed. Chapter 3 begins with echoes of these earlier chapters. Like the king, Haman is a person with great honor (and wealth, 5:11). He also has a very sensitive ego. Mordecai, like Vashti, refuses to comply with a simple command to perform a gesture of ...

559. Jacob and Esau

Genesis 25:19-34

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Birth and Early Rivalry of Esau and Jacob: The next patriarchal narrative, that of Jacob (25:19–36:43), extends from Jacob’s birth to Esau’s lineage. (See the Introduction for an overview of the Jacob narrative as a whole and its relationship to the Joseph story.) Three incidents set the stage for the drama of Jacob’s life: the struggle of Jacob and Esau in the womb and at birth (vv. 19–26), a brief portrait of the two boys (vv. 27–28), and Jacob’s stealing the birthright from Esau (vv. 29–34). 25:19– ...

560. Jerusalem’s Siege, in Parable and Sign

Ezekiel 24:1-14, Ezekiel 24:15-27

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

Ezekiel 24 contains two discrete units. The first, verses 1–14, picks up on an image from 11:3: Jerusalem as a cooking pot. The parable opens with the word of the LORD came to me, and a very important date: the day when the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began (v. 2). It closes with the oracular formula declares the Sovereign LORD (v. 14). The second unit describes the most difficult sign-act in this book. Here God forbids Ezekiel to mourn the death of his wife (vv. 15–27; for other sign-acts in Ezekiel, ...

561. Jehoahaz King of Israel

2 Kings 13:1-9

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Jehoahaz and Jehoash: The crisis of 2 Kings 9–11 is past. A descendant of David once more sits on the throne of Judah, and a new house governs Israel, with security of tenure until the fourth generation (10:30). We anticipate a period of relative calm within the two countries, even if not in their relations with other countries (cf. 8:12; 10:32–33; 12:17–18). Chapter 13 unfolds much as expected, updating us on events in Israel during the reigns of the two Israelite kings who acceded during the reign of ...

562. Jehoash King of Israel

2 Kings 13:10-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

563. Samson’s Marriage

Judges 14:1-20

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

Samson’s First Encounter with a “Foreign Woman”: After the dazzling introduction of this wonder-man in Judges 13, we anticipate seeing him in action. He was grown, the Spirit was stirring him, the Israelites had been in bondage to the Philistines for forty years. Surely it was time for some action. We want to see what he can do, and we know that the stage is set for the performance. That is why Samson’s first moves are so surprising, and frankly, disappointing. We expected a little more than a spoiled brat ...

564. Ezra Comes to Jerusalem

Ezra 7:1-10

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

Ezra’s Commission: Chapter 7 introduces us to the person and mission of Ezra. His mission is the second of the three presented in Ezra-Nehemiah. It has two parts: first to take back to Jerusalem valuable supplies and pledges for the temple, along with a fresh group of returning exiles; and second to implement the adoption of the Torah to regulate the life of the Judean community. We notice, looking over the chapter, that it falls into three sections. First, verses 1–10 give a preview of the journey of ...

565. Judah Unfaithful

Malachi 2:10-16

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

Do Not Break Faith: This third address is different in form from the others in the book, and it includes several obscure Hebrew phrases and sentences. In the prophet’s opening statement he speaks initially in the first person plural as one of the people (v. 10). He then goes on to accuse Judah (in the third person, vv. 11–12) and his audience (in the second person, vv. 13–15). He quotes the Lord’s word in verse 16. This address ends with an admonition, while the others conclude with either judgment or ...

566. The End Times

Daniel 12:1-13

Understanding Series

William Nelson

The Final Revelation--The Body: We enter now into the body of the last main revelation of the book of Daniel. There has been some progression in the visions of the book from a more general scope, encompassing larger blocks of history, to a more narrow focus on shorter periods of time. So, for example, Daniel 2 spans four and a half centuries by outlining the four human empires of Babylonia, Media, Persia, and Greece, which are swept away by the fifth—the eternal kingdom of God. Aside from the fact that the ...

567. King Artaxerxes' Letter to Ezra

Ezra 7:11-28

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

568. The Living Advent Wreath (The Manger: White Candle of Peace)

Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Frank Ramirez

Note: Pilgrim and Guide have minimal singing parts. Attendant carries the candlelighter and lights the candles in the Advent wreath each week. Faith, Hope, Love, and Trust, representing the four candles of the Advent wreath, enter one per week, then remain through the final weeks. They have mostly singing parts. Mary, Joseph, and Infant have nonspeaking parts and are seated behind a curtain in the final week of presentation. Cast Pilgrim Guide Attendant Faith Hope Love Trust (three people) Mary Joseph ...

569. Jehoram King of Judah

2 Chronicles 21:4-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Jehoram: The previous three kings, Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat, were (mainly) positive role models of the Davidic kingship in both Chronicles and Kings. (For darker episodes, see the turn of events in Asa’s and Jehoshaphat’s reigns in 16:1–14 and 20:35–37, respectively.) However, the Chronicler even enhanced their exemplary profiles with some of his own material. The same does not apply to Jehoram’s history. His portrayal is very negative, with the ominous note already sounding early in the narrative: “he ...

570. The Tabernacle

Exodus 26:1-37

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Instructions for Making the Tent of Meeting: Exodus 26 deals with the inner four-layered tent of meeting, including the holy place and most holy place. The small “t” tabernacle in verse 1 refers to the tent of meeting, not the larger structure that includes the courtyard (27:9–19). Four distinct Hebrew words describe various fabric creations woven for the tabernacle. (The NIV translates all of them “curtain.”) The woven cloth for the tent of meeting is yeriʿah meaning “tent fabric,” from a verb that means ...

571. David's Victories

2 Samuel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

War and Peace – Enemies and Friends: 8:1–14 In contrast to the relaxed narrative style of the surrounding chapters, this is a terse summary of David’s military successes against the surrounding tribes. These verse fill in the background and explain how the LORD gave him rest from all his enemies (7:1). David’s victories eventually led to the stage where the Philistines no longer posed a serious threat. In a similar way, the other tribes surrounding Israel were subdued and often subjugated. Some, like ...

572. David's Officials

2 Samuel 8:15-18

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

573. Cain's Sentence

Genesis 4:1-26

Drama

Jerry Eckert

Comment: The story of Cain and Abel tapped into experiences I had had with the criminal justice system in years past, and I set it into a rural Wisconsin county. I told it as a short story, but as I look at it now, I see it as something that could be readily dramatized with the help of individuals and with the help of the whole congregation at one point. The narrator can be an older person. Cain and Abel should be young adult men. The pastor can be him/herself as can some of the other participants such as ...

574. David Anointed King over Judah

2 Samuel 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David’s Rise to Power Begins: Chronicles, which is primarily concerned with the history of the house of David, gives little detail about the reign of Saul. First Chronicles 10 records Saul’s death in the same form as 1 Samuel 31 but with the addition of a negative summary of Saul’s reign. Chapter 11 of 1 Chronicles then moves to the meeting of the whole nation with David at Hebron that is described in 2 Samuel 5:1. The pains and struggles that accompanied the birth of David’s reign and the role of Ish- ...

575. War Between the Houses of David and Saul

2 Samuel 2:8-3:5

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

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