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 726 to 750 of 2173 results

726. Concluding Exhortations

Hebrews 13:1-25

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

A Call to Ethical Living The author has concluded the main part of his epistle, having argued his points with convincing forcefulness, and now turns to various matters he desires to mention before concluding. chapter 13, therefore, is like an appendix. This is not to say, however, that the material in this chapter is unrelated to the main part of the epistle. Indeed, some of the author’s main concerns are again touched upon here, but in a somewhat different way, fleetingly, in order to bring out the ...

727. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 21:1-31

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

21:1 Synthetic. Not only ordinary humans, but even kings are thoroughly under the Lord’s control. The watercourse is an irrigation channel, subject to the design of the gardener. 21:2 Antithetic. The possibilities of self-deception are enormous; the LORD alone knows the truth of a person’s heart (a catchword with v. 1). See 16:2 and comment, as well as 17:3. 21:3 This is a frequent biblical theme (cf. v. 27; 15:8, and the so-called prophetic critique of sacrifice; also Sir. 34:21–35:8). 21:4 The MT is ...

728. Shining as Stars

Philippians 2:12-18

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

Encouragement to Fidelity After the Christ hymn, and reinforced by its contents, the apostolic exhortation is resumed. 2:12 Christ’s obedience has been stressed; his obedience should be an example to his people. Paul has no misgivings about the Philippian Christians’ obedience: unlike the Corinthians in the situation reflected in 2 Corinthians 10:6, they had always shown obedience, not so much to Paul as to the Lord whose apostle he was. If it is felt to be strange that obedience should be mentioned at all ...

729. The Jewish Leaders as Negative Foil for Jesus’ Followers

Matthew 23:1-39

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: For Matthew, the Jewish leaders are disobedient to the Torah and pursue the honor of their positions, providing a foil to Jesus’ followers, who are to renounce concern for status and live in community as brothers and sisters. Understanding the Text Matthew concludes his narration of confrontation between Jesus and the Jerusalem leaders with a series of judgment warnings upon the Pharisees and teachers of the law (23:1–36). The chapter begins with a call to Jesus’ followers to avoid the motivation ...

730. An Absolute Cure for Boredom

Philippians 3:7-4:1

Sermon

King Duncan

Do you ever feel bored . . . like your life is in a rut . . . that your life is a big, fat zero? Comedian Brad Stine puts it this way, “I feel like I’m in a rut. Every time I go to bed at night, I find myself just getting up again the next morning.” Well, some of us are grateful just to get up the next morning . . . but there are many people, if they were to define their lives at its essence, would define their life with one word: boring! People will sometimes go to desperate measures to escape boredom. ...

731. When Mickey Mouse Recognizes You...

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon

King Duncan

Some of you of a certain age may remember when Journalist Howard K. Smith was the co-anchor of the ABC Evening News along with Barbara Walters. Anyone remember her? In his post as a network news analyst Smith had the opportunity to interview some of our society’s most fascinating people as well as various Presidents. Yet in spite of having a job that most of us would consider high status, he complained that his children never considered him very “hip,” as [they/we] said in those days. In fact, they seemed ...

732. Movable Stone, Portable House

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

Lori Wagner

How adaptable are you? In today’s culture, this is a key question not just for individuals, but for businesses too! Are you able to adapt to our culture’s changing landscape? To calamities that come your way? To unplanned events and surprises? To change? When a hurricane hit Roger Hammett’s home in Florida, he had to evacuate, taking with him only some personal items. When he returned home days later, his home was gone, essentially washed away with the tide. Within a day, Roger had bought a “portable home ...

733. Survival

Luke 21:5-19

Sermon

Will Willimon

365 Days a year you can see them, tourists from all over the nation, all over the world, come to admire the beauty of this place. Why do you think that so many thousands come to see this Chapel? I'll tell you what I think. In a world of disposable diapers, nonreturnable soft-drink bottles, throw away cartons, bio-degradable shopping bags, and plastic everything, it is good to encounter something substantial. So much that surrounds us is so transitory. Everything changes, decays, is tossed on the garbage ...

734. In The Presence Of Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (vv.23-26). The story of the institution of the Lord’s ...

735. Come to the Feast

Isaiah 25:6-9

Eulogy

George Reed

[Read Isaiah 25:6-9] Most of us really look forward to special meals. Thanksgiving is probably the biggest feast day for us with Christmas and Easter close behind. While we enjoy any good meal there is something really special about a feast. It doesn’t even have to be a huge meal just as long as it is special. A couple of really good cheeses with fresh fruit can make for a feast especially when shared with someone that means a great deal to us. Isaiah taps into this part of our humanity when he describes ...

736. Famine of the Heart

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sermon

Lori Wagner

We humans are a competitive species. Make no mistake, when it comes down to it, we aren’t a whole lot different than many others in the “animal kingdom.” Lions, hyenas, wolves, crocodiles, orca whales, gorillas, and even ants (small but fierce warriors) all exhibit extremely competitive behavior toward each other, vying for food, mates, territory, and dominance. But human beings are for most part the only ones who make great attempts to rise above/override our baser instincts in the name of the greater ...

737. Easter 6

Acts 8:9-25, 1 Peter 3:8-22, Acts 17:16-34, John 14:15-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Making God known. In the First Lesson, Acts 17:22-31, Paul witnesses to the cultured pagans on the Areopagus. Referring to a statue to an unknown god, he declares that unknown God is revealed in Christ. In the Second Lesson, 1 Peter 3:15-22, Peter encourages the beleaguered Christians to make Christ known through their words and actions. In the Gospel, Christ promises that he will make himself known to the disciples through the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 17:22-31 Peter alters his approach ...

738. Proper 15

Mt 15:10-28 · Rom 11:13-15, 29-32 · Gen 45:1-15 · Is 56:1-7 · Ps 133

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, who have come to Egypt to secure food during the famine. Rather than seeking revenge, he sees God's gracious hand in his brothers' treachery. Joseph openly wept for joy and reveals his plan to provide for his entire family in Egypt. This ends the cycle of stories from Genesis. Old Testament: Isaiah 56:1-7 The prophet foresees a time when foreigners would be included in God's covenant. God's holy temple will be a house for all ...

739. Easter 5

John 15:1-17, Acts 8:26-40, Acts 9:19b-31, 1 John 4:7-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The life of faith, begun in baptism, remains alive if we stay close to Christ. Christ is the vine and we are the branches. COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 8:26-40 Philip is instructed by an angel to go to the road that leads from Jerusalem past Gaza down to Egypt. On the road he encounters an Ethiopian official, the steward of the queen's treasury. He is traveling along in a chariot and reading the Old Testament, Isaiah 53. He was either a proselyte of the Jewish faith, one who was circumcised and accepted ...

740. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-30 · Neh 8:1-10 · Isa 61:1-6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the returned Exiles. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the return of the Exiles under Governor Nehemiah during the reign of Artaxerxes. Under Nehemiah the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and various reforms were introduced. He is known for his relationship with Yahweh and his frequent prayers. Today's pericope tells us of the gathering of the people for the reading of the Mosaic law by Ezra, the priest and scribe. When the people ...

741. Jesus Is Anointed and Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples

Matthew 26:1-5, Matthew 26:6-13, Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:17-30

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Matthew contrasts the Jewish leaders and Judas, who conspire against Jesus, and even the disciples, who continue to lack understanding about Jesus’ impending death, with an unnamed woman who anoints Jesus for his burial, pointing toward his missional death to bring covenant renewal through the forgiveness of sins. Understanding the Text Chapters 26–28 narrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus. After Jesus predicts his coming death again (26:2; also 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:17–19), Matthew narrates ...

742. The Collection for God's People

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

Paul almost certainly is responding to a pair of inquiries at this point, since the words now about (vv. 1, 12) identify topics that were brought to Paul’s attention by the letter or the delegates from Corinth. Paul discusses the collection he was assembling. He states some guidelines that the Corinthians may follow, and the principles inherent in his directions provide theological insight into Christian life. In turn, Paul mentions his future travel plans to inform the Corinthians of his situation and ...

743. The Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

The Prophet: The prophet comes last in the listing of Israel’s different leadership roles. Almost certainly this is deliberate and significant, like the putting of the judge before the king. Maintaining justice was a higher priority than having a dynastic monarchy. Judge and king must both submit to the law of God, just as the priest must faithfully teach it. But what if those entrusted with such forms of leadership were themselves to go astray? Then the last word was God’s. And God would put that word in ...

744. The Death of Josiah

2 Chronicles 35:20--36:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

The Death of Josiah: 35:20–36:1 In the following verses the narrative gives an account of Josiah’s death and burial. Although the Chronicler used the source text in 2 Kings 23:28–30, he adapted that version freely (by abbreviating certain information and changing the order of presentation) and expanded it with the reference to the encounter with the Egyptian pharaoh, Neco, at Megiddo (609 B.C.). This last episode in the Josiah account creates some tension with the preceding sections, particularly with ...

745. Epiphany 6

1 Corinthians 10:23--11:1, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Leviticus 13:1-46, 2 Kings 5:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: God's cleansing presence and power, with or without water. In the First Lesson Elisha cleansed Namaan, the Syrian, by telling him to wash in the Jordan River. In the Gospel Jesus cleansed a leper who requested healing by touching him. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-15 Namaan, a general from the army of the Syrians, was sent to the king of Israel by his own king, asking that he be healed of his leprosy. An Israeli girl, absconded in war, informed her master of a prophet in Samaria who could do ...

746. Proper 23

Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven when material things have a hold on you. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Job responds to Eliaphaz, one of Job's friends and supposed comforters. Job wants to talk with God face to face, to make his case and hear God's response. But Job experiences only God's absence and it upsets him. Job's arguments sounds like what humanistic philosophers of the twentieth century have said about the so-called death of God. Yet the absence of God is a ...

747. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

26:2–4 · Eliphaz, early on, was the first to praise Job for his past help and counsel (4:3–6). Bildad, having heard Job undermine traditional understanding and now indict God for cosmic negligence, shakes his head in disbelief. “How is it possible that this man ever helped the powerless and offered sound advice? How is it that he utters what he does?” 25:2–6 · Bildad now crafts his theme: the dominion, awe, and order of God. The second line of his thesis statement (25:2b) is literally “maker of peace in ...

748. Saul's Jealousy of David

1 Samuel 18:1-30

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David's Fame Continues to Grow: 18:1–5 David’s victory over the Philistine champion brought several major changes in his life. He ceased being a shepherd at his father’s home in Bethlehem and joined Saul’s service, becoming the squire who is described in 16:21. His service was appreciated by all, his military prowess indicating that his dramatic victory over Goliath had not been a fluke. Saul was so impressed that he gave David significant promotion within the armed forces, an action that officers and men ...

749. Proper 14

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Jesus is the Bread from heaven that truly satisfies us. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 David's son, Absalom, rebels against his father to gain the crown for himself. David splits his army into three parts and surprises Absalom's troops near a wooded area. The rebellious army is put into panic and Absalom flees into the woods on his donkey where his hair is caught in the thicket of a tree. He is left hanging there but is still alive. David had charged his men prior to battle not ...

750. Easter 7

John 17:6-19, Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The church organizes for mission and Christ prays that the ways of the world will not subvert that mission but that the Father would keep them in his grace. COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 1:15-26 The post-resurrection church begins very small, some 120 souls. Once again, Peter takes the lead in filling the slot left by the bloody death of Judas. They selected two men who met the criteria: (1) They had witnessed the resurrected Jesus and they were in the company of Jesus' disciples since the baptism of ...

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