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 676 to 700 of 2173 results
676. January 1
Lk 2:15-21 · Php 2:5-11 · Num 6:22-27 · Ps 67
Bulletin Aid
Paul A. Laughlin
First Lesson: Numbers 6:22-27 Theme: The power of God's name Exegetical Note The famous tripartite blessing in this passage is presented as a liturgical way to put God's name on Israel, which to the ancient mind meant to bestow upon them the full force of God's very being, saving presence, and sustaining providence. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 67) Leader: May God's grace and blessing be upon us! People: MAY GOD'S FACE SHINE UPON US! Leader: May God's ways be known upon the earth! People: MAY GOD'S ...
Understanding Series
Robert H. Mounce
Feeding of the Five Thousand: Jesus was not the only prophet who was rejected by his own (cf. 13:53–58). John the Baptist had been treated the same way by Herod, ruler of Galilee and Perea. Matthew tells of Herod’s concern that Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead (v. 2). This in turn caused Jesus to withdraw from a public to a secluded area (v. 13). Verses 3–12 record the death of John the Baptist, which had taken place earlier but is brought into the narrative at this point by Matthew. ...
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
Luke's Preface: The first four verses of Luke’s Gospel make up what is sometimes called a “prologue” or “preface.” Since these verses, which are only one sentence in the Greek, actually function as a literary preface, it is probably best to regard them as Luke’s preface introducing his Gospel. Since Luke 3:1–2, however, also functions as an introduction to the Gospel and since some of the components found in the infancy narratives of chaps. 1–2 appear to be loosely connected, it has been suggested that ...
Understanding Series
Mary J. Evans
Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag: 29:1 The Philistine forces collected at Aphek, north of all the main Philistine towns but still well south of Gilboa, Shunem (28:4), and Jezreel before they regrouped to travel north to face Saul. The impression given is that Saul had already gathered his army around the spring, probably Harod (see Judg. 7:1), at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Saul’s terror when he sees the Philistine army (28:5) does not at first sight support this impression. However, it could indicate that ...
Bulletin Aid
David M. Oliver
Introduction to this Service Everyone is to bring an evergreen branch to worship. Extra boughs may be brought by church members and handed out to those who do not have any. The evergreen is a useful symbol for the Christian life. The focus of the message is to consider how we can remain "ever-green" and fruitful as people of faith. During enjoyable holiday periods, most of us are like the fresh-cut evergreen. The sweet aroma of our lives is readily lavished on everyone. After these periods of celebration, ...
Sermon Aid
Wayne H. Keller
Liturgical Color: White Theme: Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Then, and Now. INVITATION TO WORSHIP Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and People) Pastor: In the name of the One who prayed for, and continues to pray for, his disciples, welcome to this last Sunday in Easter. I invite us to take one minute of silence to recall what we have learned this Easter season, and to recount new acts of obedience. Write them down; let them guide you as, next week, we move into the Season of Pentecost. The call of Christ is no ...
682. All Saints' Sunday
Mt 5:1-12 · 1 Jn 3:1-3 · Isa 26:1-21 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:9-11, 22-27; 22:1-5 · Ps 24 · Ps 34 · Ps 149
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
COMMENTARY Epistle: Revelation 7:9-17 This is an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The saints are marked with the seal of God which affords protection from the plagues and coming judgment. During this period of great persecution under the Roman Emperor, Domitian, about 96 A.D., John encourages the struggling church with a heavenly vision of light and glory. A great throng of believers are gathered around the throne of God for worship and praise. They are clothed in white and are waving palm ...
Bulletin Aid
David M. Oliver
Introduction to this Service Many people struggle with having too much to do at Christmastime. The consequence is that we live harried lives in a season intended for us to welcome the Prince of Peace. People are invited to come to this worship bringing with them an attitude of openness and expectancy so as to experience God in new ways this Christmas. This service is intended to assist persons to let go of their frantic busyness and intentionally relax in the presence of God. As they relax, a "thin" place ...
684. Lent 2
Lk 9:18-36; 13:31-35 · Php 3:17--4:1 · Jer 26:8-15 · Gen 15:1-12, 17-18
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
COMMENTARY 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 binding by the ...
685. Lent 2
Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-25, 2 Timothy 1:1-2:13, John 3:1-21
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-8 By faith Abraham accepts Yahweh's promise and obeys his command. Around 2000 B.C. a man named Abraham lived in Haran. Yahweh came to him and called him to leave his home and family to go to a strange, unknown land where he would become the father of a great nation. Abraham proved his faith in Yahweh by trusting his Word of promises and obeying. He left all for a great adventure in faith. Yahweh promised to bless him and to make him a blessing to all nations. Abraham ...
Understanding Series
James K. Bruckner
Introduction to the Tabernacle: The thirteen chapters that describe the tabernacle have posed a challenge for interpreters since the time of Philo (d. 50 A.D.). In The Life of Moses Philo gave a symbolic reading that has influenced interpretation to the present day. For him, the tent of meeting represented the spiritual world and the courtyard signified the material world. The colors (blue, purple, crimson and white) represented the basic elements; the seven lights of the lampstand were the seven planets; ...
Understanding Series
J. Ramsey Michaels
The unity of 7:14–8:59 becomes apparent once it is recognized that 8:1–11 is the record of a separate incident and not an original part of John’s Gospel. Only by ignoring these verses and moving from 7:52 to 8:12 without a break can the reader sense how closely chapters 7 and 8 go together. Jesus’ temple ministry is presented in the form of one long discourse, even though it is probably assumed to have been given over a period of several days during the Feast of Tabernacles, and even though the material ...
688. Saul Made King
1 Samuel 10:9-27
Understanding Series
Mary J. Evans
The Coronation and Confirmation of Saul: 10:9–16 The exact significance of the change in Saul’s heart is not clear. The mention of the fulfillment of the signs may indicate that he was now convinced about his commission, although verse 16 could cast doubt on this. Only the third of Samuel’s three signs is described in detail. Saul did meet the prophets and did temporarily join in their prophesying, an experience as unexpected to those who saw as it was to Saul. It gained proverbial significance as Saul ...
Understanding Series
Mary J. Evans
The Famine, Its Cause, and Its Remedy: Chapters 21–24 form an appendix to 2 Samuel. They are distinct from the preceding narrative, which continues in 1 Kings chapter 1. They contain six independent sections only marginally related to each other. Each section includes information and incidents relating to David that the writers thought was helpful or important for their readers to be aware of but that did not fit in with the natural flow of the main narratives. A. F. Kirkpatrick (The Second Book of Samuel ...
690. Salt and Light
Matthew 5:13-16
Understanding Series
Robert H. Mounce
Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Ethics and the Law: Matthew’s Gospel has a didactic purpose. Special emphasis is given to the message of Jesus. One of the distinct features of Matthew’s Gospel is that the teaching of Jesus is collected into five sections. The Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7) is the first of these blocks. The others are Instructions to the Twelve (chap. 10), Parables of the Kingdom (chap. 13), Life in the Christian Community (chap. 18), and Eschatological Judgment (chaps. 23–25). Each block ...
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
20:9–19 The Parable of the Wicked Vineyard Tenants follows the preceding exchange between Jesus and the Jerusalem authorities (20:1–8) and makes exceedingly clear Jesus’ indictment of the religious establishment (see v. 19). This parable in effect summarizes the whole of the biblical history, including the gospel story. Servant after servant is sent, but the tenants refuse to hand over the fruit of the vineyard. Finally, the son of the owner of the vineyard is sent, but he is murdered. This outrage ...
Understanding Series
J. Gordon Harris
An Altar Crisis on the Eastern Side of the Jordan River: Joshua closes with three chapters that form an addendum pointing out challenges for the next generation. These chapters include speeches that address concerns of Deuteronomy and use Deuteronomic language. Crises in these passages point toward the book of Judges and the rest of the so-called Deuteronomic History (Samuel and Kings). The closing chapters of Joshua parallel the final chapters of Deuteronomy with its farewell speech of Moses and story of ...
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 ...
694. Proper 10
Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:1-13, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 25:19-34 Once again, God seems to linger in fulfilling his promise to make a great nation of Abraham's progeny. Isaac is 40 by the time he married Rebekah. Another 20 years expire before his wife gives birth to the twins, Esau and Jacob. Perhaps the Lord wants to demonstrate that this business of nation building is his doing, not a human accomplishment. Esau, being firstborn, earns the birthright, but foolishly sells it to his scheming brother for a pot of stew. Old ...
Understanding Series
Robert H. Mounce
The Last Who Are First: It is important to note the close tie between chapter 20 and the verse that precedes it. The saying about the first who will be last and the last who will be first (19:30) is repeated at the end of the first section of chapter 20 (v. 16). This Semitic device is called inclusio, and because the order is inverted it is also an example of chiasmus (for other examples compare 7:16 with 7:20, and 24:42 with 25:13). Chapter 20 also begins with the Greek conjunction gar, which emphasizes ...
Understanding Series
Robert H. Mounce
The Birth of Jesus: Genealogical records were important to the Jewish people of Jesus’ day. They were maintained by the Sanhedrin and used to ensure purity of descent. Josephus, the famous Jewish historian who served in the court of Rome, began his autobiography by listing his ancestral pedigree. Similarly, Matthew opens his Gospel by tracing the lineage of Jesus. It has often been noted that, from David forward, the Lucan genealogy has forty-one generations traced through Nathan rather than twenty-six ...
Understanding Series
Mary J. Evans
David Meets Mephibosheth: 9:1–13 The story of David’s first encounter with Mephibosheth is told without editorial comment. It can be read as a charming picture of life at court, emphasizing David’s kindness and sense of responsibility. However, it can also be read as a further example of David’s political opportunism, using Saul’s family to bolster his own position within the country. There has been a long delay between David’s promise to care for Jonathan’s family (1 Sam. 20:14–16) and the events of this ...
698. The Resurrection of Our Lord
Acts 10:23b-48, Exodus 10:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, John 20:1-9, John 20:10-18, Colossians 3:1-17
Sermon Aid
COMMENTARY Acts 10:34-43 (C); Acts 10:34, 37-43 (RC) Peter tells Cornelius and his friends that God raised Jesus from the dead. A very devout Roman centurion, Cornelius, sends for Peter to preach to him and his friends. In his sermon, Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus including the crucifixion and resurrection. It is to be noted that Peter says that God raised Jesus; he did not raise himself. Note also that Peter explains that the risen Christ did not appear to people in general but to a few chosen ones ...
699. Lessons for Year A Proper 27
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Joshua leads the people to renew the covenant. When Joshua took over the leadership, he called the people together before crossing the Jordan. At the end of his term, he again calls them together and calls upon them to get rid of pagan gods and serve Yahweh. The people swear they will serve only the Lord. Thereupon, the Mosaic covenant was renewed. Old Testament: Amos 5:18-24 Prepare for the day of the Lord by exceeding justice. Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13- ...
700. Marriage Violations
Deuteronomy 22:13-30
Understanding Series
Christopher J. H. Wright
The Integrity of Marriage and Sexual Relationships: The progression through the Ten Commandments as a framework for other laws continues with this short section fairly obviously related to the seventh commandment forbidding adultery (see the commentary and additional notes on 5:18). These laws relating to marriage, adultery, fornication, rape, and incest were not merely matters of sexual morality alone but have at heart the vital integrity of the family as the fundamental unit of the covenant community—a ...
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