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 651 to 675 of 2173 results

651. God’s Covenant with Noah

Genesis 9:1-17

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

God’s Blessing on Noah and His Offspring: After the great deluge God gives to Noah and his sons the same blessing he gave to humans at their creation (1:28), empowering them to prosper and to replenish the earth. Further, we learn that humans continue to bear the image of God; each person possesses intrinsic value.Yet God introduces three drastic changes. First, God grants humans permission to eat meat. Second, dread of humans henceforth characterizes the way animals respond to humans. Third, God also ...

652. Mourning for the One They Pierced

Zechariah 12:10-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

12:9–11 This next section is laden with grief. The root “mourn” (spd) occurs five times in as many verses (12:10–14). Yet this mourning is God’s good gift, a necessary accompaniment to repentance (see also Joel 2:12; Isa. 22:12). This blessing will enable the people of Jerusalem to turn back to God. While God sets out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem (v. 9), God will transform the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (vv. 10–14). Then the Lord will provide them with the means to ...

653. Six Woes

Luke 11:37-54

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

11:37–54 This lengthy section begins by a Pharisee’s observation that Jesus did not first wash before the meal (see note below). The reference is to Pharisaic ritual, as expressed in their oral laws and traditions. In response to this, Jesus addressed the issue (ritualistic washing) in vv. 39–41, but then goes on to deliver a diatribe revolving around the theme of Pharisaic hypocrisy. The first example of hypocrisy that Jesus cites is a take-off on the Pharisaic concern with washing. In actual practice the ...

654. The Narrow Door

Luke 13:22-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

13:22–30 Verses 22–23 disrupt the flow of thought somewhat. Some see in these verses (particularly the reference to Jesus’ going through the towns and villages … as he made his way to Jerusalem) the beginning of a new major sub-section in the Central Section (see commentary on 9:51–62 and 10:1–24 above). This could be the case, but the Parable of the Narrow Door does relate to the previous parables, especially since it is a parable concerned with entry into the kingdom of God (v. 28). The question of v. 23 ...

655. To the Church in Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

3:14 Laodicea was an affluent city. Located strategically at the intersection of three major trade routes, the city quickly became a banking and trading center, known especially for its woolen carpets and clothing. Also in Laodicea was one of the ancient world’s most prominent medical schools, especially famous for its eye and ear treatments (cf. 3:18). This cultural identity is a useful metaphor for the faith of this city’s Christian congregation. Their participation in the city’s wealth had made them ...

656. The Season Of The Nativity

Matthew 25:31-46

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

CELEBRATING THE PRESENCE OF GOD Pastoral Invitation For the second time, in the name of the newborn one, welcome to the ____ day of Christmas, when my true love gave to me __________. Now that we are well past the culture's celebration of Christmas day, we can celebrate the biblical version of the event. Someone (author unknown) has said, "In despair we cry, 'Look at what the world has come to!' In joy we shout, 'Look at what has come to the world!' " Ask the people to stand and reverently shout, "Look at ...

657. Seder Service: The Passover Haggadah

Bulletin Aid

Robert L. Linder and Rabbi Sol Ester

The Passover "A program of fellowship for adults and/or youth in Christian congregations desiring a better understanding of the heritage and the meaning of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion." This work was inspired and initially written by Rev. Robert L. Linder while pastor of First English Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. He was assisted by Jewish leaders of the community. It has since been revised by others, including Rabbi Sol Oster of Lima, Ohio. BLESSING OF THE FESTIVAL CANDLES Before ...

658. The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac

Genesis 35:16-29

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Birth of Benjamin and the Deaths of Rachel and Isaac: This section contains small vignettes in the context of Jacob’s moving south from Bethel to Mamre. Jacob loses his beloved wife Rachel as she gives birth to Benjamin (vv. 16–20). Reuben sleeps with Bilhah (vv. 21–22a), and there is a list of Jacob’s children (vv. 22b–26). Isaac dies (vv. 27–29). These vignettes, framed by the burial scenes of Rachel and Isaac, conclude the core Jacob narrative. Jacob, however, continues to live and reemerges in the ...

659. The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-6

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

22:1–5 The phrase, Then the angel showed me, seems to indicate John’s decision to add a separate “paradise tradition” into his vision of the new Jerusalem. The reasons for this are clearly theological: he thereby indicates that God’s redemption returns the new creation—the community of overcomers—to the Garden of Eden and to the creator’s intentions for humanity (Caird, Revelation, p. 280; Boring, Revelation, p. 218). These intentions, already indicated by the “new song” at the Lamb’s exaltation, are ...

660. Balaam's Third Oracle

Num 23:27--24:14

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Balaam’s Oracles: Balaam’s oracles comprise much of the rest of the Balaam cycle. Olson’s treatment of the first three oracles has shown clearly how the material is organized as a narrative. Olson has further noted that the account of the three oracles mirrors the account of the three encounters with Balaam’s donkey in chapter 22 (Numbers, pp. 145–47). Balaam is caught between God’s intention to bless and Balak’s desire for a curse, as the donkey was caught between Balaam and the angel. As Balaam’s ...

661.

Psalm 83:1-18

Teach the Text

Craig C. Broyles

The Conspiracy of the Nations Unlike other corporate prayer psalms, this one actually names the national enemies (vv. 5–8), and so it would seem we have one psalm we can date precisely to a particular crisis. But we cannot correlate the nations listed in this alliance with any event narrated in the OT. This list of ten nations appears simply to summarize those who have been national enemies of the people of God, thus making this psalm appropriate for any instance where national security is threatened. ...

662.

Psalm 83:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

663. Seventy Years of Captivity

Jeremiah 25:1-14

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

The Seventy-Year Punishment: The next oracle begins like many others. After dating it to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, it proceeds to condemn the people of God for not obeying the Lord, particularly in the matter of their worship of other gods. After rehearsing their sin, the oracle pronounces their punishment: destruction at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Many of the themes of this textual unit are found earlier in Jeremiah. Indeed, this section may well be seen as a grand summary statement ...

664. Report on the Exploration

Numbers 13:26-33

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Of Spies and Rebellions: Numbers 13–14 constitutes one of the central narratives in the book, a kind of watershed that determines the course of a generation in Israel. The narrative is complicated and carefully constructed, taking a variety of turns along the way. Since the census in Numbers 1, readers have been prepared for some military encounter. As chapter 13 begins, the people in the Desert of Paran appear on the verge of the land they have been promised and are preparing to take possession of it. 13: ...

665. Hiding in Plain Sight

Matthew 2:13-18, Matthew 2:19-23, Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 2:11-25

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Things are not as they appear. We will not know ourselves or our beauty until we see God.” C.S. Lewis (“Till We Have Faces”) C.S. Lewis loved secrets, symbols, layers of meaning, and mystery. In 2008, Michael Ward, currently Senior Research Fellow at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, announced his discovery of a possible new connection between Lewis’s 7 fiction books, The Chronicles of Narnia. Based on Lewis’s love of the stars, cosmology, and time spent in the Oxford observatory, Ward believes that ...

666. Proper 25

Exodus 22:16-31, Leviticus 19:1-37, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 2:1-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Loving God and the neighbor. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Moses goes to the top of Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, where God shows him the promised land. Then he dies and God himself buries him. Joshua inherits the spirit of Moses and the mantel of leadership. He will bring the people into the fulfillment of God's promise. The Deuteronomist summarizes the life of Moses by commenting that there has never since been such a prophet who knew God face to face. Old Testament: Exodus 22:21 ...

667. The Death of Jesus

Mark 15:33-41

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

15:33–41 This portion of the narrative of Jesus’ execution is full of dramatic events, including the darkness from noon till mid-afternoon (v. 33), Jesus’ cry to God (v. 34), his last cry (v. 37), the tearing of the temple curtain (v. 38), and the statement of the Roman officer (v. 39). But at least some of these events hint at the significance of Jesus’ death. For example, the darkness not only suggests in general that something momentous was happening, but it also may be an allusion to Amos 8:9 (“I will ...

668. Proper 14

Genesis 37:12-36, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Jonah 2:1-10, Matthew 14:22-36, Romans 9:1-5; 10:5-15

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: How to overcome a contrary wind. The disciples faced a fiercely opposing wind on the Sea of Galilee. So too did Elijah, after his victory on Mount Carmel. Queen Jezebel was after his life. In both instances, they felt overwhelmed. Then, God came to still the storm. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Joseph, who was given a long robe with sleeves as a sign of his father's favor, was deeply resented by his brothers. One day, Jacob sent Joseph out in the field to find his brothers and they ...

669. Christmas 2

Jn 1:1-18 · Eph 1:3-6, 15-18 · Isa 61:10--62:3 · Jer 31:7-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Jeremiah 31:7-14 Yahweh promises to rebuild the nation of Israel. God's word is one of hope through restoration of the exiles to their homeland. Previously Jeremiah had the unpleasant task of giving God's word as a message of doom, destruction, and exile. Now, God has him give a message for the period after the Babylonian captivity. Through Jeremiah God has a word of hope by promising the gathering and returning the exiles to Zion. Isaiah 61:10--62:3 Israel rejoices that God has clothed him with ...

670. God and Idols

Jeremiah 10:1-16

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

The Supremacy of Yahweh: 10:1–5 The chapter begins with a diatribe against idolatry, which is reminiscent of the biting sarcasm used by Isaiah (40:18–20; 41:7, 29; 44:6–23; 46:5–7). After the admonition to listen to the divine oracle (vv. 1–2a) the passage begins with the call to avoid the ways of the nations, which are further defined as signs in the sky. The latter is a reference to astrology, the use of astral phenomenon to determine the future. This method was used to read the minds of the gods ...

671. A Tree and Its Fruit

Matthew 7:15-23

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

7:15–20 For several hundred years before the time of Christ it was generally believed that prophecy had ceased. The period between the two Testaments is sometimes called the silent years. With John the Baptist the prophetic voice returned, and in early Christianity prophecy flourished. To the crowd that gathered on the Day of Pentecost, Peter explained that the phenomenon of tongues was the fulfillment of Joel’s promise that in the last days God would pour out his Spirit on everyone, so that young men ...

672. Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

14:32–42 This is another of the most well-known scenes from the Gospels, the subject of paintings and of countless sermons and meditations. The tradition that Jesus prayed fervently before his arrest is preserved in variant forms in John 17:1–18 and Hebrews 5:7, as well as in the parallels to the present account, Matthew 26:36–46 and Luke 22:40–46. As a final preparation before the rush of violent events to follow, Jesus withdraws to a quiet area just outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem for prayer. The ...

673. The Sign of Jonah

Matthew 12:38-45

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Opposition Mounts: In chapter 12 Matthew relates a number of incidents that reveal the basis for Pharisaic opposition to Jesus and his ministry. Jesus vindicates his disciples’ plucking grain on the Sabbath (vv. 1–8), restores a paralyzed hand on the Sabbath (vv. 9–14), moves away when he hears of a plot against him (vv. 15–21), refutes the Pharisees’ claim that he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub (vv. 22–32), calls his antagonists “snakes” who will be held accountable on the day of judgment (vv ...

674. A Love Feast

John 13:1-17, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

A: The Examination Service Call To Worship O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 117 KJV) Unison Prayer Lord God, this day we are gathered to share fellowship, service, and suffering. Let us be true to you, kneeling as Jesus knelt, girding ourselves with a towel, washing each other's feet, and coming to your table. We thank you for this invitation, and pray that we ...

675. Lent 2

Philippians 3:12-4:1, Genesis 15:1-18, Luke 13:31-35, Jeremiah 26:1-24

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Yahweh makes a covenant with Abraham who is promised a son and a land. This passage is one of several accounts of Yahweh's covenant with Abraham. It is noteworthy that Yahweh came to Abraham with a covenant proposal. Yahweh comes to Abraham as a shield (v. 1) and thus Abraham has no need to fear being in Yahweh's holy presence. In this account, Yahweh promises Abraham three tremendous blessings: a son, a nation, and a country. The covenant is made legal and ...

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