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

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101. Love One Another

1 John 3:11-24

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... . In the light of the example of the brothers, Cain and Abel, the readers, whom the author cites as my brothers, should not be surprised. (Perhaps they had been surprised, not expecting aggressive opposition from those who had seceded.) The same kind of animosity that Cain displayed toward his brother the world shows toward the Johannine Christians. The world hates you. Jesus had already warned the community about this (in identical words) in his discourse to his disciples in John 15:18. Just as those who ...

102. Joseph’s Dreams

Genesis 37:1-11

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... going to rule over them. Their question contains the dream’s interpretation. The clarity with which Jacob’s family understood Joseph’s dream sharply contrasts with Pharaoh’s inability to find an interpretation for his dreams (41:8). Despite the growing animosity of his brothers, Joseph related a second dream. This time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. Besides increasing his brothers’ fury, Joseph’s recounting his dream exasperated Israel so much that he rebuked Joseph ...

103. Mission and Rejection in Galilee

Mark 6:14-29, Mark 6:7-13

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... worthy of suffering disgrace for the name” (5:41). Both Stephen and James were martyred (Acts 7; 12), and Paul was repeatedly driven out of cities by persecution (Acts 14:5–6, 19–20; 16:39–40; 17:10, 13–14; 20:1). Paul further dealt with animosity for several years in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome as he was on trial for his life in Acts 21–28. Clearly, most churches went through serious suffering for the Lord, and Paul treats this as something almost to be expected. In Hebrews it was the basic ...

104. The Horrific End of Nadab and Abihu

Leviticus 10:1-20

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... by God to minister is improper. The Bible mentions other acts of improper worship: worshiping images (Exod. 20:3–6) or angels (Rev. 22:8–9), wearing immodest or lewd attire in worship (Exod. 20:26; 1 Tim. 2:9), worshiping in a spirit of anger or in animosity (Matt. 5:23–24; 1 Tim. 2:8), and allowing the money changers in the temple (Matt. 21:12–13). The dishonest and deceptive “worship gift” of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) has an outcome as severe as the case of Nadab and Abihu. Some ...

105. A Lifestyle of Holiness and Love

Leviticus 19:1-37

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... by respect for parents (v. 3), the handicapped, and the elderly (vv. 3, 14, 32). Foreigners are neighbors too: “Love them as yourself,” the text says (v. 34; cf. Luke 10:25–37); help them, do not exploit them (vv. 10, 33). Animosity or taking revenge is incompatible with loving neighbors, but reproving them can be an act of loving correction (vv. 17–18). Sexual impropriety is incompatible with truly loving a neighbor (vv. 20–22, 29). Love of neighbor motivates making courts fair to everybody ...

106. Cities of Refuge

Numbers 35:6-34, Numbers 35:1-5

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... end like a hammer or an ax (cf. Deut. 19:5). Rocks (“stone”) or clubs (“wooden object”) are more likely used by deliberate murderers. 35:20–21 with malice aforethought. “Malice aforethought” is literally “out of hatred” (ESV). Animosity previous to the act provides evidence that it is murder, even if no weapon is used. shoves another or throws something at them intentionally . . . out of enmity . . . hits another. Hostility before the act provides circumstantial evidence that the act ...

107. David Defeats the Ammonites

2 Samuel 10:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the frequent fighting between Israel and the Ammonites, we might well wonder how and why the Ammonite king Nahash previously assisted David (10:1–5). Perhaps Nahash harbored David in some way while he was fleeing from Saul. Regardless, the old animosity is not far below the surface, and David’s attempt to congratulate the new king is interpreted as a spy mission. David’s men are badly mistreated. In the ancient Near East, beards were shaved only during times of personal or national catastrophe ...

108. The New Covenant

Isaiah 54:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... —forever. The length and intensity of the love of God cannot be compared with the shortness of his wrath. The Lord assures his people by oath that he will never be angry with them again. He will never again use exile as an expression of his animosity toward his people. The certainty of the covenant lies in Yahweh himself. The Lord swears that he will never remove his covenantal blessings of peace, mercy, and kindness from his people. The ground for the restoration of the Jewish people lies in the Lord’s ...

109. The Lord’s First Commission to Jonah and Jonah’s Disobedience

Jonah 1:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... mistreatment toward Israel; consequently, the depth of Nineveh’s moral decline draws God’s attention. Other prophetic books also describe Ninevites as arrogant and godless (Zeph. 2:13; Nah. 3:19). Jonah’s refusal to travel there underscores Israel’s animosity toward Nineveh’s population. Jonah flees to the coast of Joppa, near Jerusalem. There he boards a ship headed to Tarshish, probably a seaport located on the west coast of the Mediterranean, in the opposite direction of Nineveh. Jonah seeks ...

110. John the Baptist’s Testimony about Jesus

John 3:22-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... become greater; I must become less” (3:30). The scene is set at the Jordan River, where John is at work (3:22–24). A minor crisis arises when it is observed that Jesus’s following is exceeding that of John (3:26). The transition is breeding animosity, but John the Baptist responds with a series of testimonies: the providence of God determines the success of ministry (3:27), and as he made clear at the outset (1:29), Jesus is the Christ and bridegroom (3:28–29); John is merely his advocate. These ...

111. Second Meeting with Jerusalem Leadership

Galatians 2:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jerusalem church or to face the threat of continual schismatic strife. Though the early church seemed to be learning that the same Holy Spirit was given to all individuals upon their acceptance of Christ (see Acts 10:34–38; 11:18), the animosity characterizing Jewish-Gentile relations was not going to be eradicated easily. Paul must settle this issue early in the history of the Gentile outreach, or he would face ongoing feelings of prejudice throughout the areas in which he would be working. Thus, when ...

112. Jesus' Sorrow for Jerusalem

Luke 13:31-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... .) Traditionally commentators have interpreted the warning of the Pharisees as devious and hypocritical, either to incite Jesus into acting rashly or to scare him out of Galilee and toward Jerusalem where he might meet his end. There is, however, no hint of animosity in this passage. These particular Pharisees (some Pharisees) may very well have been supportive of Jesus’ ministry and wished to warn Jesus of a very real danger. This piece of synoptic tradition is probably very early and has not yet been ...

113. Peace and Joy

Romans 5:1-11

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... , he must speak of the cross, for the cross is the constitutive criterion of salvation. Whoever thinks God begrudges the world a pittance of goodwill finds that notion dispelled forever by verse 8. Christ did not die of natural causes. In the face of animosity and rejection he offered his life as a supreme sacrifice for us. The Greek preposition translated for means “on behalf of.” Unlike most prepositions, this one is concrete: Jesus took our place. It is one thing to say Christ died; quite another to ...

114. The Gibeonites Avenged

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... been in charge when the original offense was committed. It was enough to make the Israelites feel satisfied that their own guilt was dealt with and thus that the famine was likely to end. However, it was not enough to rouse further animosity against the Gibeonites by Saulide dissidents. Furthermore, the Gibeonites must have been aware that this request would make it easier for David to strengthen his grip on the kingdom. It seems that they hoped this would strengthen their own position within the community ...

115. Haman's Rage Against Mordecai

Esther 5:9-14

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... and does not show any affective response. Haman is probably able to restrain his rage (v. 10) only with the thought that his well-crafted edict will unleash a widespread genocide of the Jews that Mordecai himself cannot escape. Presumably, Haman will never have to make his personal animosity public if he just waits for the edict to have its way. Patience, patience . . . Haman comes home drunk (NIV in high spirits, v. 9; see also 1:10; Judg. 16:25; 1 Sam. 25:36; 2 Sam. 13:28), with his ego in an excited and ...

116. A Time to Get Angry

John 2:13-22

Sermon

King Duncan

... rivalry between the two men. Tensions reached a boiling point when Hamilton defamed Burr’s character in a New York political campaign. In the duel Burr shot and mortally wounded Hamilton, who died the next day. Burr survived the duel but the harsh criticism and animosity directed toward him following the duel brought an end to his political career. Aaron Burr is an instance of a gifted and able man who permitted hatred and anger to get the best of him. Later he confessed that it would have been wiser for ...

117. What Really Counts

Mark 9:38-43

Sermon

King Duncan

... for the Protestants.” I would love to have been in that congregation that day. It would have been refreshing to hear Roman Catholics cheering for the Protestants or Protestants cheering for Roman Catholics. One of the real scandals of our faith is the animosity of some Christian groups toward other Christian groups. Fortunately things are not as bad as they used to be. And it has been encouraging in recent years to see many Christian groups at long last opening their arms to one another. For example ...

118. The Peace of Christmas

Philippians 4:4-7

Sermon

King Duncan

... that her name would be a suitable one for Jesus.” (6) The child who takes the anger away. Yes, that would be a good name for Jesus. In the same way that this woman as an infant brought so much love into a family that old grudges and animosities wasted away, so the Christ child brought love into human society, enough love so that if each of us lived in that love all anger and all hatred in our world would quickly drain away. Isaiah the prophet wrote, “A little child shall lead them.” It is the Christ ...

119. The Sign of Jonah

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... . He is an unwilling prophet. But one whose voice is ultimately God’s voice. God uses Jonah’s stubborn character (to Jonah’s own dismay) to decidedly move the gentile people back into the fold. Jonah’s anger at the Ninevites reflects the general animosity of the Pharisees and devout Jews of Jesus’ day toward all Gentiles. Jesus, however, sees the Gentiles as God’s children and wants Peter to be part of his mission to save the lost sheep of God’s kingdom. In the story of Jesus’ appearance ...

120. Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... was in some way ousted by the High Priest. This is entirely possible, since Jesus’ friend Lazarus was most likely also referred to as Simon the Leper. Was Simon healed by Jesus and not restored properly by the High Priest? Did the healing of Simon cause animosity among the Pharisees? Who was Simon? Was he one of them, who was outcast due to his disease? We also know that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, a story which the more it circulated the more it infuriated the powers that be. Not only that ...

Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.

Charlotte Bronte

Abandon your animosities and make your sons Americans!

Robert E. Lee

The church cannot share the temporal power of the state without being the object of a portion of that animosity which the latter excites.

Alexis de Tocqueville

124. You Don't Have to Yell

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... ground.” That phrase originally referred to a place where herds of animals typically gathered. (3) Most of Jesus’ ministry took place in the region of Galilee. But sometimes Jesus went rogue. At least in the eyes of the religious establishment. The animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans can be traced back to at least 700 years before Jesus’ birth, when the Assyrians conquered the Jewish city of Samaria. Marriage between the pagan Assyrians and the Samaritan Jews led to changes in the way ...

125. Jews and Christians: All in the Family

Romans 15:4-13

Sermon

Will Willimon

... his pregnant wife who had no where to stay during Caesar's taxation? How many of us would risk our families to save some Rachel and her Jewish boy-child from Herod's sword? This is only my theory, but I believe that one reason why there is animosity between Christian and Jew is that we Christians know, in our moments of deep honesty, how miserably our religion failed when it needed to be laid on the line for Jesus' family. We had our chance to show that faith in Jesus enables us to be courageous, peaceful ...

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