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 1476 to 1500 of 1838 results

1476. Philip and the Ethiopian

Acts 8:26-40

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... plain some eighteen miles northeast of Gaza. Like Gaza, it had been one of the five cities of the Philistine shore. More recently, both cities had been restored by Gabinius and Herod the Great and had mixed Jewish and Greek populations (as did the whole area, with bitter rivalry between them; see disc. on 9:30; 10:1; 21:10; 24:7). Philip may have stayed for some time in Azotus, as indeed in all of the towns that he visited, so that this verse may cover what was actually a protracted journey. Because of ...

1477. Peter Explains His Actions

Acts 11:1-18

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... term is appropriately applied to these people (cf. 15:5; see further note on 15:1). Their criticism focused on Peter’s having been a guest in the home of a Gentile. This was a serious breach of church polity, and something of the bitterness of their feelings comes out in the phrase uncircumcised men (v. 3). This description was the greatest reproach that Jews had of Gentiles, for it emphasized their exclusion from the covenant. 11:4–17 Peter’s defense was simply to explain everything to them precisely ...

1478. Paul the Roman Citizen

Acts 22:22-29

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... The centurion reported this new development to the prefect, who then questioned Paul himself. He was clearly put out by Paul’s claim. His remark about paying a big price for his own citizenship does not reflect doubt about Paul’s, but only his bitterness that the status of citizen had seemingly been devalued. Under the early emperors citizenship was in process of being widely extended. Theoretically it was not a thing to be bought, but money often did exchange hands. This was especially so in the time ...

1479. Paul Before Agrippa

Acts 25:23--26:32

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... may only have meant the Sanhedrin, as representing the nation (cf. vv. 2, 7, 15). But it was not unheard of that a crowd in Jerusalem should add their voice to the demands of their leaders (cf. Mark 15:11), whereas in Caesarea, the great bitterness between Jews and Gentiles may well have found expression in a Jewish demonstration against the “apostle to Gentiles.” Festus himself had found no crime in Paul deserving death (v. 25). It was unreasonable, however, that he should send him to Rome without an ...

1480. Accusations

2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... section quite directly with a general declaration of his innocence. But it seems strange that the apostle would start off with a boast in a section dominated by accusations that have been leveled against him. Perhaps this is already a hint of the bitter irony that characterizes Paul’s boastful defense in the “Fool’s Speech” later in the letter (11:1–12:13). As verse 13 makes clear, the issue here is the apparent duplicity of Paul’s prior correspondence with the Corinthians, but the Jerusalem ...

1481. Body / Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Prior to that, Paul had denied that he was commending himself again (3:1). Paul seems to have a delicate tightrope to walk between defense and self-commendation. As the apostle bitterly contests in 12:11, “I ought to have been commended by you.…” The reason for this is simple: The Corinthians themselves are supposed to be Paul’s letter of recommendation for all to read (2 Cor. 3:2). Therefore, if he needed first to ...

1482. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:1-15, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Their boasting provoked Paul to engage in similar boasting, even though he recognized it to be utterly foolish. He had already resorted to self-commendation earlier in the letter (cf. 1:12–14; 6:3–10). Now, however, in this extended and, in part bitterly ironic “Fool’s Speech” (11:21b–12:13), Paul boasts in an attempt both to counter the accusations of his opponents and to expose the false apostles as frauds who pervert the gospel and lead the Corinthians astray. To a certain degree, the apostle ...

1483. Rules for Christian Households

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... wives and not be harsh with them. Love (agapē) and harshness stand in stark contrast to each other. Lest husbands interpret “obedience” incorrectly, Paul reminds them that theirs is a relationship to be governed by the highest of all loves—a love that avoids any bitterness, resentment, or tyranny, because its supreme aim is the well-being of the other person. Additional Notes 3:19 L. J. Baggott states it well when he writes that “the rule of love is always better than the love of rule” in A New ...

1484. The Israelites Oppressed

Exodus 1:1-22

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... . They could not explain it except that God helped them (Houtman, Exodus, vol. 1, p. 223). The agents of life and death in creation were the Lord’s to command, yet Pharaoh believed that they were under his personal control. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly. The literary key here (vv. 12–14) is the five occurrences of the Hebrew word root (ʿabad), translated “hard ...

1485. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... will be to strike (nakah) Egypt with wonders (3:20), with blood (7:17, 25), with gnats (8:12–13), and with hail (9:25, 31–32). 5:19–21 Moses and Aaron were waiting for the foremen when they left Pharaoh. The foremen complained to them bitterly and say, ironically, “leave it in the LORD’s hands to judge.” This expression usually means that they believed God would punish Moses and Aaron for what they had done. They also complained, “You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials (lit ...

1486. The Exodus

Exodus 12:31-42

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... . First, the locations of Rameses and Succoth are not precisely known, and maps of the exodus vary. The general locale of a one-day journey out of Egypt limits the range. Succoth is usually assumed to be southeast of Rameses toward the Bitter Lakes. More problematic is the declaration that There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. The clear reference to “strong men” did not include the elderly or youths. Estimates of the total group size reach two million people ...

1487. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... margins of fresh water.) In the region between Egypt and Sinai north of the present-day Gulf of Suez at the northern end of the Red Sea, the body of water furthest to the south and closest to the present Red Sea was the chain of Bitter Lakes. Further to the north were Lake Timsah, Lake Balah, and Lake Menzaleh. Understandably, the exact location of the sea crossing is a matter of debate, with proposed locations ranging more than 200 mi. apart. For the argument that the Sea of Reeds should best be translated ...

1488. Wives for the Benjamites

Judges 21:1-25

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... six hundred survivors. In their consternation, they cried out to the Lord (vv. 2–4). Although it is not stated explicitly, the text implies that they blamed God for what had happened; they did not ask for help but only expressed in very strong terms (weeping bitterly) their grief over the sure loss of one tribe from Israel. This was neither the first time nor the last time people would cry out to God with the question Why? In Israel’s case, we know the answer that they could not seem to see. Deception ...

1489. Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

Esther 4:1-17

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... out” the plot in 2:22. Mordecai is one who has access to important information, and he uses it to help people at risk. Mordecai’s response is dramatic and public: he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly (v. 1). These behaviors in the ancient world are stereotypical expressions of grief and anguish over a loss or in the face of a grave threat (e.g., Gen. 37:29; 2 Sam. 1:2; 2 Sam. 13:19). Taking on these symbols of death also conveys shame ...

1490. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 27:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... of love). In verse 6, there is a contrast between the frank though hurtful actions of a friend and the profuse (but hypocritical) kisses of an enemy. 27:7 Antithetic. This is partially matched in Ahiqar, line 188 (ANET, p. 430): “Hunger makes bitterness sweet . . .” The paradoxical observation is applicable to many situations in life. 27:8 The point of the explicit comparison between the bird and the human is homelessness. Uprooting could be caused by various events, such as war or exile. 27:9 Verse 9a ...

1491. A Common Destiny for All

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... acknowledges the randomness of human existence. Therefore, one does not get what one deserves and outcomes happen unexpectedly and suddenly. The imagery of net, snare, and being trapped in relation to evil times is strongly reminiscent of the description of the woman more bitter than death (folly?) in 7:26. This segment underscores the urgency of the preceding call to joy. The opportunity may end at any time with no warning. Additional Notes 9:1 Whether it is love or hate: The syntactic relation of this ...

1492. Jerusalem Under Siege

Jeremiah 6:1-30

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... of losing a child or the mother’s life during the birth process. Thus, it is an image of great distress. God’s advice is to begin the mourning process, and to mourn as if they lost their only son. Putting on sackcloth, rolling in ashes, and bitter wailing are all well-known mourning customs in ancient Israel. Jeremiah, Metal Tester (6:27-30): 6:27–30 In this final unit of the chapter, God addresses Jeremiah as a metal tester, or refiner. The people are the ore, and they are to be refined to ...

1493. Threat of Captivity

Jeremiah 13:15-27

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... gloom. Listening means more than simply hearing the words of Jeremiah. The Hebrew word (shmʿ) implies acting on that message, in other words, repenting. Jeremiah imagines his reaction to the strong possibility that they will not repent—he will weep secretly and bitterly. If they do not repent, it will be because of their arrogant attitude (v. 15), their pride (v. 17). Pride keeps them from acknowledging God’s glory because to do that entails recognizing their own subordinate place in the world. Perhaps ...

1494. Lying Prophets

Jeremiah 23:9-32, Jeremiah 23:33-40

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... gods. Thus, God pronounces that they are like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:16–19:28). That is, they are evil through and through and well-deserving of the most horrific judgment. That judgment is pronounced in verse 15. God will make them eat bitter food (specifically wormwood) and drink poisoned water. For the significance of this see the similarly worded judgment in Jer. 9:15. 23:16–22 Yet another oracle against false prophets follows in this section. It is addressed to the audience of those prophecies ...

1495. Israel’s Ill-Placed Confidence

Amos 5:18-27

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... rituals that reactualized the night God’s destroyer spared the Israelites in Egypt. A lamb was killed, and its blood was put on the doorposts of the homes and on the bronze altar in the sanctuary. The lamb was roasted and served with unleavened bread and bitter herbs while those partaking—dressed in their traveling clothes—listened to the retelling of the exodus story. No yeast was to be found anywhere among them, no work was to be done on the first and last days of the festival, and offerings were to ...

1496. Jacob Loved, Esau Hated

Malachi 1:1-5

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... wickedness, not the result of God’s choice of Jacob. The answer to Israel’s question, “How have you loved us?” comes when they perceive events in their world in the light of God’s word. In answer to prayer and in fulfillment of prophecy, a bitter enemy who had violated the bonds of brotherhood was vanquished. The Edomites had held their land as a gift from the Lord (Deut. 2:2–4), but now they had lost it permanently because of their sins. No attempt to rebuild their cities or their nation would ...

1497. Timeout at Tiberias

John 21:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... fell out of favor and he was forced into retirement. After retiring, it’s said that Sam Mayo would stand outside of music halls listening to the applause given to other performers and tears would run down his cheeks. (3) We read that Simon Peter wept bitterly after the cock crowed and he remembered Christ’s words that he would deny him three times. Failure always hurts. But let me ask you this: Do you think Simon Peter could have been as effective in his preaching--and remember he became a powerful ...

1498. A Grayhound and a Kite

Acts 2:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... your own life. Author Anthony De Mello tells a story that I think is particularly appropriate for Pentecost. It is about a man who invented the art of making fire. The man took his tools and went to a tribe in the north, where it was very cold, bitterly cold. He taught the people there to make fire. The people were very interested. He showed them the uses to which they could put fire--they could cook, could keep themselves warm, etc. The people of this tribe were so grateful that they had learned the art of ...

1499. A Woman Burdened with Guilt

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

King Duncan

... that we, too, can forgive. Someone has said that a person who knows himself to be a sinner avoids church like an overweight person avoids the scales. But, if we could tell that sinner, “you are forgiven,” a barrier will be taken away. I once read about a very bitter man who was sick of soul, mind and body. He was in the hospital, in wretched condition, not because his body had been invaded by a virus or a germ, but because of the anger and the contempt and self-pity in his soul. Finally one day, when he ...

1500. Breaking Down the Walls

Ephesians 2:13-22

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... with your fist just as tight as it is now. What? That's a problem? Of course it is. It's very difficult to receive a gift when your fist is clenched, isn't it? That is the problem God has with some people. They are so angry, and so bitter, and even so mean that He can't give them the joy of Christ. He can't give them faith and hope and love until they let go of they own hostile feelings. It's also hard for other people to give us anything when we are like that, isn ...

Showing results