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 1526 to 1550 of 1838 results

1526. Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

Revelation 5:1-14

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... . The term for “weep” (klai?) is often used when mourning the death of a loved one, such as Mary weeping at the death of her brother Lazarus ( John 11:33; 20:11–15; cf. Mark 5:38), or when grieving a broken relationship, as when Peter wept bitterly after realizing that he had denied Christ for the third time (Matt. 26:75; Luke 19:41). The mere thought that God’s plan to bring deliverance and restoration and justice and victory will never be realized drives John to despair. 5:5 Do not weep! See ...

1527. Purification from “Leprosy”

Leviticus 14:33-57, Leviticus 14:1-32

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... it probably means “wild” (so ESVmg), though they are called “live” to underscore the life symbolism. “Fresh water” is literally “living water.” “Living water” refers to water from a spring or river that seems alive and is sweet as opposed to stagnant or bitter water. Blood is a common symbol of life in Leviticus (see comments at Lev. 17:11). Cedar and scarlet yarn are reddish in color and further symbols of blood and life. All these references to symbols of life indicate that the leprous ...

1528. The Nazirite Vow

Numbers 6:1-21

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... Moses, and Elijah (Matt. 17:4). And he promised never to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:33). Each of those stories ends with Peter looking a little foolish. His betrayal of the Lord, however, broke Peter. Scripture says that after denying Jesus, Peter wept bitterly (Matt. 26:75). Unlike Judas, whose despair led him to self-destruction, Peter’s failure led him to a deeper understanding of the Lord’s grace. In John 21 we read about the resurrected Lord restoring Peter to discipleship, leadership, and purpose. No ...

1529. Ingratitude and Judgment

Num 11:1-35

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... .1In this case an especially huge flock was blown off course and became accessible for miles (“a day’s walk”) around Israel’s camp. Interpretive Insights 11:1 the people complained about their hardships. This is better rendered that they complained “bitterly/openly” (NJPS, HCSB) or “in a wicked way” (LXX). The Hebrew word is ra‘ (“bad, evil”). Fire from the Lord burned among them. Perhaps lightning has ignited grasses into a wildfire.2 consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The ...

1530. Failure to Enter the Land

Num 13:1–14:9

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... unfaithfulness. This is literally “harlotry,” referring to the spiritual harlotry of unbelief and disobedience. 14:35 I, the Lord, have spoken. God’s decision is final: Moses should not bother to intercede further. 14:40 we are ready to go up to the land. Having mourned bitterly (v. 39) and confessed their sin, the people now agree to go and take the land, but by doing so they now are in violation of God’s new command to turn back toward the desert (v. 25; cf. Deut. 1:42). The attack will fail ...

1531. Condemned to Wilderness Wandering

Numbers 14:1-45

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Joe M. Sprinkle

1532. The Ark Finds a Resting Place

2 Samuel 6:1-23

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... see further discussion below on v. 23). 6:20 How the king of Israel has distinguished himself. We are not told Michal’s underlying motives for criticizing David. She may resent the fact that he has supplanted her father as king, and she is probably bitter about how she has been treated. David has married other wives but then insists that she be taken from (her current husband) Paltiel and added to David’s harem. Though one might be tempted to sympathize with her, her attack on David on this occasion ...

1533. You Reap What You Sow

2 Sam 13:1-39

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... ’s intentions to avenge his sister. As a foil, his awareness serves to highlight David’s ignorance and helplessness before the inexorable providence of God. Others know of Absalom’s intentions but do not communicate this important fact to the king. 13:36 wept very bitterly. This is another link with the death of David’s infant son. On that earlier occasion he “wept” (12:21–22) as he begged the Lord to spare the child; now he weeps again over Amnon’s death (cf. v. 31). 13:39 longed to ...

1534. A Prodigal Son Comes Home in Body, but Not in Spirit

2 Sam 14:1–15:12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... matter of Amnon, or (2) he is convinced that his weak-willed, indulgent father will never punish him. In either case, he desires his innocence to be established legally. 14:33 And the king kissed Absalom. Not knowing the extent of Absalom’s bitterness and ambition, David unwittingly opens the door to a rebellion. Worse yet, by reinstating Absalom, he overlooks Absalom’s guilt and by default, like it or not, condones Absalom’s murder of Amnon. In his intercession on behalf of Absalom, Joab has not ...

1535. “O Absalom, My Son, My Son!”

2 Sam 18:1–19:8

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... the failure of Absalom’s coup, will Israel continue to support David? The stage is set for the conclusion of David’s story, which will focus on his attempt to maintain his throne. Historical and Cultural Background Following Absalom’s death, David weeps bitterly and appears to be ungrateful for the sacrifice his soldiers have made (19:1–4). Joab confronts him and accuses him of misplaced priorities: “You love those who hate you and hate those who love you” (v. 6). This is not empty rhetoric ...

1536. David Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... , this much-acclaimed film (1999) chronicles a trip made by 73-year-old Alvin Straight (played by Richard Farnsworth) from Laurens, Iowa, to another town in Iowa, Mount Zion, to mend the relationship with his 75-year-old brother Lyle, from whom he has been bitterly estranged. Alvin’s legs and eyes are too compromised for him to obtain a driver’s license, so he hitches a trailer to his recently purchased, used John Deere 110 tractor and sets off on the 240-mile journey. During Alvin’s six-week journey ...

1537. David Flees to Gath—Again

1 Samuel 27:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... God’s servants to compromise their identity. Bible: Luke 22:47–62. In this passage, Judas betrays Christ, and Peter, afraid for his welfare, denies Christ three times. Judas recognizes his failures as a true disciple of Christ and commits suicide. Peter weeps bitterly after his denial. Quote: All the Days, by Vance Havner. Havner (1901–86) was a preacher at twelve and ordained at sixteen; he spent decades as a much-in-demand speaker. He wrote the following in this collection of daily devotionals: But ...

1538. Eliphaz

Job 4:1-5:27

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Daniel J. Estes

... that thingscan get better, that a new day can replace the storms that have overwhelmed their lives. Eliphaz leaves little room for Job to hope; instead he adds to the feeling of hopelessness. It is no wonder that Job’s response to Eliphaz expresses his bitterness as he feels that he has been kicked when he is down. Rather than leading Job to hope in God, Eliphaz pictures God as implacably against sinners like Job. Illustrating the Text Damage can result from speaking beyond what we know about another’s ...

1539. Job Presents Evidence against the Retribution Principle

Job 12:1--14:22

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Daniel J. Estes

... by divine wrath against sin (Isa. 59:2; Jer. 33:5; Mic. 3:4), Job thinks that God is treating him as a guilty enemy. In addition to hiding from Job, God seems to attack him as well (cf. Job 7:12; 10:16). 13:26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth. Job acknowledges that he committed sins in his youthful years (cf. Ps. 25:7), but as a blameless man he has doubtless confessed them long before this time. He now wonders if his adversity can possibly be a ...

1540. Bildad Again Beats the Retribution Drum

Job 18:1-21

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Daniel J. Estes

... mitigating factors in her experience (her youth, her rape). Fate seems to move her relentlessly and cruelly toward her end. She says at one point, “You, and those like you, take your fill of pleasure on earth by making the life of such as me bitter and black with sorrow; and then it is a fine thing, when you have had enough of that, to think of securing your pleasure in heaven by becoming converted!”2 Poetry: “Affliction (IV),” by George Herbert. In a wonderful poem called “Affliction (IV),” the ...

1541. Job Hears the Whispers of God’s Works

Job 26:1--31:40

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Daniel J. Estes

... weakness (6:11–13; 9:19; 12:16; 24:22). To Job’s ears, Bildad’s claims sound bankrupt, and his counsel seems misguided. Job wonders about the source of Bildad’s words (26:4), because they do not have the ring of authenticity. Job’s intense and bitter words make it evident that as the dialogue draws to an uneasy close, no one is attempting to be polite to the others anymore. 26:7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space. As Job describes God’s greatness in the natural world, he uses ...

1542. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... mercy and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. Sometimes the righteous and obedient experience adversity worse than they deserve. Missionary History: Paul Carlson ...

1543. “In Peace I Will Lie Down and Sleep”

Psalm 4:1-8

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C. Hassell Bullock

... he learned that his grandfather had been murdered. Paul’s grandfather, Nathaniel Jones, was randomly selected and then robbed and beaten to death by five teenagers. Paul was very close to his grandfather, who was well respected in the community, so you would expect him to be bitter. Rather, in an interview with ESPN’s Rick Reilly, Paul says, “These guys were 14 and 15 years old [at the time], with a lot of life ahead of them. I wish I could talk to them and tell them, ‘I forgive you. Honestly.’ I ...

1544. “I Love You, Lord, My Strength”

Psalm 18:1-50

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C. Hassell Bullock

... helpful to share personal stories from your life or the lives of people in your congregation who have experienced the God who is powerful in deliverance. Look for people who have stories to tell about how God delivered them from spiritual bondage, bitterness, brokenness, emotional struggle, relational turmoil, physical danger, financial stress, and so on. Love is the frame of Scripture. Bible: We have to read the whole of Scripture in the context of God’s love. The standard “creed” of Israel’s faith ...

1545. “I Will Praise Your Name, Lord, for It Is Good”

Psalm 54:1-7

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C. Hassell Bullock

... good is on the inside, and keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would so like to be, and could be, if there weren’t any other people living in the world.”6This provides a challenge to each of us to fight the tendency to allow bitterness and vengeance to tarnish our soul.

1546. “Zeal for Your House Consumes Me”

Psalm 69:1-36

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... to meet to discuss their latest works. While he was there, the manager complained about Christians who came to the famous pub and stole menus, utensils, and even pictures from the walls. After his conversation, White made the following observation: “The irony is bitter; the manager of The Eagle and Child pub holds Christians and, one would surmise, Christianity itself, in disdain because of the behavior of the Christians who flock to pay homage to Lewis. Many wouldn’t dare drink a pint (of beer), but ...

1547. “The Lord Is Great!”

Psalm 70:1-5

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C. Hassell Bullock

... provides great insight into how to live well for the Lord amid suffering, and a vivid reminder of God’s care for those in need. Having been sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and sent to prison, Joseph easily could have become bitter toward God. But throughout Joseph’s story we see that he seeks to honor the Lord. After he has finally been released from prison, his brothers, in the midst of a time of great need, come to Egypt, where he is now in a position of power ...

1548. “Even When I Am Old and Gray, Do Not Forsake Me, My God”

Psalm 71:1-24

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C. Hassell Bullock

... covered with scorn and disgrace” (71:13) was the worst curse that could befall a person.4 The psalmist articulates another concept that is often expressed in the Old Testament, that God causes weal and woe: “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter” (71:20a). In the Old Testament, God is the ultimate cause of everything. This theological position builds a fence, so to speak, around the idea of God’s sovereignty. Evil is no threat to God, because it too comes under his control. In fact ...

1549. Closing

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... an exhortation section, a peace benediction, greetings, and a grace benediction. These elements are also found in the closing to 2 Corinthians (in vv. 11a; 11b; 12–13; and 14 respectively). In the closing, Paul lays aside the harsh threats and bitter irony that characterized chapters 10–13, returning instead to the conciliatory tone and message that were more characteristic of the first nine chapters of the letter. 13:11 Paul closes the letter (finally, loipon) with an appeal for concord. After four ...

1550. How to Escape Being Possessed By Our Possessions

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... danger from covetousness comes to those who are in between poverty and wealth. The enterprising, ambitious man often comes to measure success by a dollar sign and nothing else. This is deceptive and dangerous. We think it will bring happiness. It often brings misery and bitterness. When a man is a slave to the almighty dollar, he is undermining his own life at the roots.” (1) Have you ever thought of it this way? We envy people who are rich; Jesus pitied them. When we hear of people inheriting fortunes ...

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