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 1076 to 1100 of 1245 results

1076. Exhorter, Sentry, and Arbiter

Ezekiel 3:16-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... twice tells Ezekiel to eat the scroll (3:1, 3), it may be that there was some reluctance on Ezekiel’s part. If so, he stands in the train of others such as Moses, Gideon, Jonah, and Jeremiah who were not initially euphoric about God’s call. Only Isaiah is eager and receptive from the start (Isaiah 6). It is not enough for Ezekiel to take the scroll into his mouth (3:1); he must ingest it as well (3:3). To his surprise the scroll tastes as sweet as honey. This simile reminds us of Psalms 19:10 and 119 ...

1077. The Lord’s Conquest of the Enemy Restores Productivity to the Land

Joel 2:18-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of his people before him. The normal cycle of autumn and spring rains once again nourishes the land. The nation will once again prosper and, more importantly, have the means to offer sacrifices to the Lord at the temple. The people eagerly celebrate the reinstitution of worship in the community. Suffering and adversity provide the occasion for glorifying God and affirming his sovereignty. The Lord declares that he will “restore” or “make whole” (NIV “repay”; from the same Hebrew root as shalom ...

1078. The Prophet’s Prayer and God’s Exaltation

Habakkuk 3:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a heavy weight being delivered to the roof of a house and crushing it from top to bottom. Verse 14 is particularly picturesque. The enemy’s self-confidence is compared to that of certain brigands who, expecting to realize their nefarious ends, lurk with eager anticipation in dark, secret places so as to set upon unsuspecting passersby. Israel’s overconfident enemy, however, will be rudely disappointed. In all of this God’s purpose is to be seen not so much in the fury of nature or in his ferocious ...

1079. Eighth Vision - Resolution—Gentiles Judged, God at Rest

Zechariah 6:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... particularly singled out as the focal point of judgment. The reference is almost certainly to Babylon. Though it lay to the east of Jerusalem, the invasion route of Babylon (and Assyria) was always from the north (via the Fertile Crescent). God’s angels are eager to carry out the program of judgment, to snuff out the blasphemous and boastful rebelliousness of the nations. But all is in God’s control, and judgment will take place only when he gives the command, not a moment before. If only people would ...

1080. The Little Children and Jesus

Mark 10:17-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In the third discussion of what is fundamental to life (10:17–31), the possessions and social standing of the rich man are a striking contrast with the deficiencies of the children in the previous story. The rich man approaches Jesus with great eagerness and apparent receptiveness; he is the first person in Mark to ask to inherit eternal life, and he receives a clearer picture of the kingdom than anyone yet in Mark. Ironically, however, he turns away. Jesus deflects the address “good teacher” (10:17 ...

1081. The Book of Signs

John 1:19-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... fulfillment of the principal festivals and institutions of Judaism. But since the Jews fail to grasp the message of Jesus’s signs, John shows us who will: the Greeks. The book closes with Jesus’s final plea to Judaism and a picture of eager Greeks imploring Philip, “Sir . . . we would like to see Jesus” (12:21). 1:19–51 Review · The testimony of John the Baptist: The opening frame establishes two points: first, it clarifies the relation between Jesus and John the Baptist; second, it provides a ...

1082. Jesus Heals the Official’s Son

John 4:39-42, John 4:43-54

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... with belief. Notice how there is a progression as Jesus moves from Jerusalem (chap. 3) to Cana (chap. 4). In Jerusalem Jesus cannot trust men (2:24), and Nicodemus comes making secretive inquiries at night (3:1–2). Then in Samaria Jesus is received eagerly (4:39–42), while in Galilee the enthusiasm for him is open (4:45). The transition from Jerusalem to Galilee is a transition from unbelief to belief, from darkness to light. The proverb of verse 44 (used in the Synoptics to refer to Nazareth; cf ...

1083. Jesus Predicts His Death

John 12:20-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... some Greeks in Jerusalem (12:20–36). This is unexpected because Greeks are Gentiles (though these may be proselytes) and unaccepted by Jews. John’s irony cannot be missed: when Jesus’s efforts to unveil himself to Israel have been exhausted, Greeks arrive, eager to see Jesus. Jewish reluctance is exceeded by Greek zeal. Mark’s Gospel follows a similar structure. In Mark the watershed is in 8:27–30, and from then on Jesus devotes himself exclusively to his disciples. But prior to this revelation at ...

1084. Israel’s Unbelief

Romans 9:30--10:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Paul was himself, before his conversion, extremely zealous (Gal. 1:14); he had a zeal for God’s honor that manifested itself in his persecution of the followers of Jesus (Phil. 3:6). The tragedy is that, even though the Jewish people are eager to worship God and do his will, they have not accepted the truth that God grants righteousness through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. They continue to establish and maintain righteousness through obedience to the law. Because God’s righteousness ...

1085. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... be no doubt that Paul wants Jews to be saved now and that he reaches out to the Jewish people in his missionary work. Whether or not there will be a large-scale conversion of Jews in the future before the end does not change Paul’s eagerness to evangelize in the synagogues of the cities in which he works as a missionary. In 11:26–27 Paul provides scriptural confirmation from Isaiah 59:20–21 and Isaiah 59:21a + 27:9 (with allusions to other Old Testament passages). The first citation explains the means ...

1086. Love

Romans 12:9-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... be kept genuine, protected from evil, and focused on what is good, as an expression of affection and esteem for the other believers (12:9–10). The basic attitude and behavior of Christians must be determined by diligent discipline and earnest eagerness, by an enthusiastic spirituality, by the consistent commitment to serve Christ as Lord, by rejoicing in view of the hope of sharing the glory of God, by patient endurance in suffering, by perseverance in prayer, by helping to alleviate the practical needs ...

1087. Epistolary Introduction

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jesus. Furthermore, God’s initial gift of grace has led to an enrichment of the community in speaking and in knowledge, which has confirmed the apostolic testimony about Christ. Thus, at present, the church does “not lack any spiritual gift” as it eagerly waits with Paul “for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed” at his return (1:7). The words that follow contain one of the strongest statements within Paul’s letters of his conviction that his converts would be enabled to persevere in their ...

1088. One Body, Many Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... that all should not expect to receive any particular gift, including the ability to speak in tongues or interpret. The discussion, however, is not allowed to conclude on this point. For neither the gifts nor the giver is static (12:11). Thus all may “eagerly desire” to someday sense the call and empowerment to use in service to the body those gifts that really are “greater” in the list Paul has outlined. But in the midst of this ambition (as they are encouraged to realize) they should know that ...

1089. Orderly Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... will acknowledge the truth in what he has written (14:37). If stubborn ignorance is chosen, however, then it will also be safe to ignore the claims of such an individual to be led by the Spirit. The exhortation epitomizes Paul’s advice. The ability to prophesy should be sought eagerly, and speaking in tongues should not be forbidden. But whatever form the worship service takes as a result of adherence to these directions, “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (14:40).

1090. Judge Those Who Work among You by the Truth of the Gospel

Philippians 2:19-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of their own interests and have a genuine concern for the welfare of the Philippian church. Paul begins with Timothy, Paul’s close companion mentioned in the opening of the letter. Paul is sending Timothy to the Philippians for at least two purposes. Paul is eager to receive news about how the congregation is doing, whether they are living in a manner worthy of the gospel, and he wants to encourage them about his own situation in Rome. Timothy is Paul’s “son” in the gospel and can represent Paul in ...

1091. Follow the Example of Paul As He Follows the Example of Christ

Philippians 3:12-4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . In Philippians 3:20–21, Paul reminds his readers that those who have the mind of Christ and are mature enough to join in imitating Paul as he imitates Christ have their citizenship in heaven. Their minds are not set on earthly things, for they “eagerly await a Savior” from heaven and the resurrection power that he brings. Those who embrace the crucified Christ and “becoming like him in his death” (3:10) will be made “like his glorious body” (3:21) when he brings all things under his control ...

1092. Paul’s Teaching

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 3:1–5, 12–13. Timothy should expect to encounter people who become discontent with sound teaching and who seek teachers who merely satisfy spiritual lusts. The false teachers specialize in ego-gratifying, speculative storytelling. “Itching ears” (4:3), it would seem, are eager to hear that resurrection life is all in the “now.” In contrast with all counterfeit gospels and all false approaches to what it is for God to refashion us in his image, Timothy is to offer himself as one who is sober ...

1093. The Taming of the Tongue

James 3:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 4:3) and harmful, critical speech (3:1–12; 4:11–12). 3:1–12 · The concern James has already shown about sins of speech (1:19, 26) is given full exposure in this paragraph. He introduces his topic by first warning people not to be too eager to become teachers (3:1). A particularly honored position among the Jews was occupied by the rabbi, and some of this prestige undoubtedly rubbed off on the teacher in the church. James does not want to discourage those who have the calling and the gift for teaching ...

1094. Waiting on the Lord

James 5:7-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... within a short period of time. What is meant is that Christ’s coming (Greek parousia) is the very next event in God’s timetable of redemption and that it could take place within a short period of time. Every generation of believers lives in the eager expectancy of that return. As we wait, and as we suffer the difficulties of economic deprivation and other trials, we must be careful not to take out our frustrations on one another by grumbling against one another (5:9). The Lord who is coming to deliver ...

1095. Preparation for Action

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Second, from the prophets we can learn the Christian faith, which Peter has just so eloquently and movingly summarized. Even though they wrote long before Christ came, they realized that they were writing about a grace to be given to someone else and eagerly sought to learn about the time and circumstances of its coming, the sufferings of the Christ, and his glories. The prophets became aware that they were writing for someone else, so that the gospel only needed to be “announced” (NIV “told,” 1:12 ...

1096. This Spirit Is Not Spooky

John 14:15-21

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... to what he is about in our world. This is the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, and he is present wherever two or more are gathered in Jesus' name. Today, the Holy Spirit is here looking out for you, for each of us. "Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10). I invite you to respond by entering into a personal walk with him and commit your life firmly to Christ and his church. When you do that, you will find ...

1097. New Year's Resolutions

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

James L. Killen

... changes. We may very well encounter the Son of Man as we look back on our year just past and make resolutions about what to do differently in the coming year. Jesus does more than just remind us that we need to make some resolutions. He is eager to give guidance about the resolutions we should make. Most of us could use some help with that. We are good at thinking up resolutions. We are going to get organized, study harder in school, or lose weight. But most of our resolutions are pretty superficial. They ...

1098. Come and See

John 1:29-42

Sermon

James L. Killen

... disciples were drawn to Jesus, they did not know half of what was in store for them. But they knew an exciting new possibility had overtaken them. They quickly began to refer to Jesus as the "Messiah," the bringer of a new possibility. They eagerly went about inviting their friends and kinsmen to come and make the discovery they were making. Philip found Nathaniel and invited him to come and share in the discovery. Nathaniel expressed some skepticism. But guess what Philip said to him? "Come and see." Let ...

1099. Can You Hear It?

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... -equipped to face your challenges and are just plain terrified. If any of this touches you where you live, Isaiah is chomping at the bit to speak to you. In fact, Isaiah is leaping off the page to tell all of us how he has handled life and won. Isaiah eagerly desires to tell anyone who will listen how he has been able to stand victoriously amidst the booming blows of life. Listen to Isaiah’s insights: The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word ...

1100. Wounded Healers

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... “gift of understanding.” This is what being a wounded healer is all about — being able to reach out and identify with the wounded and say, “I understand. I have been wounded too. How can I help?” If and when you do reach out, you will find that people will eagerly receive you. I cannot tell you how many people come in to my office in tears and say to me, “I just want someone to listen to me. I just want someone to understand me. I just want someone to love me.” There is an old story about the ...

Showing results