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 2776 to 2800 of 5000 results

2776. The Beginning And The Ending

Luke 1:1-4; 24:44-53

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

... Many writers in the first century A.D. began their works with a preface similar to Luke's. Luke's preface is one long, elegant, well-balanced Greek sentence. Such a sentence would catch the eye of an educated reader and establish Luke as a person ... a community which was brought into being by the events to which he is about to bear witness. These events are a fulfillment of long-awaited promises of God. Luke states the purpose of his writing: "so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which ...

2777. One Bride For Seven Brothers

Luke 20:27-40

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

... 3:6). I am sure the Sadducees accept this story as literal truth. But do they think through the implications of God's words at the bush? Jesus gives those words an interpretation his adversaries never considered. If God identifies himself as the God of patriarchs long since dead, what does that say about the relationship now between God and those heroes of the faith? Jesus declares that God is not the God of the dead. God is God of the living. Death does not separate God from God's people. Abraham, Isaac ...

2778. The King On A Cross

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

... a swift death? Is it not more appropriate for him to call down judgment and retribution upon those who take part in his execution than to pray for their forgiveness? Perhaps the second criminal ponders questions such as these. Forgiveness is something for which he longs but does not expect to receive. But here is a man hanging beside him on another cross praying for forgiveness for those who execute him. What a strange strength is this! What a radical sense of mercy and justice! If he can ask forgiveness ...

2779. The Lost Is Found

Luke 15:11-32

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

... the trip in a state of excited anticipation. And it was true! It really was Kathy. The lost had been found. Having found his daughter Pastor Dave and his wife could instruct the nurses on her medical history. Kathy seemed to respond quite well. It wasn't long before the hospital was ready to release her. Pastor Dave drove across the state once again for the last time since Kathy was found. He could still hardly believe that after ten lost years he was actually going to pick up his daughter. But it was true ...

2780. Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... me. What about you? It must be something pretty weighty on your mind to bring you out here and for you to give up food, for how long? GUY: I don't really know. I lost track of the days. ANGELA: Oh, yeah, that's right. Well, what's your problem? GUY: Me, oh, ... on Him. ANGELA: No, you don't want to wait. You want to be as effective as possible, now. GUY: I will only be effective as long as I do what God tells me to do. ANGELA: But, I don't think you understand. GUY: No. I'm not interested. ANGELA: Right. I ...

2781. The Narrow Door

Luke 13:22-30

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... little hamlet of Bath, Ohio. Let's catch some of the runners as they are warming up, and see if they have some time to talk to our audience. (SHE MOTIONS TO A RUNNER WHO APPROACHES) This is Rahab, a favorite in this long distance race. Rahab, I know you've been training for a long time for this particular race. Rahab, what makes this race so important? RAHAB: Well, Priscilla, I feel every race I enter is important. I want to do my absolute best. I really want to win. But this race is so important because ...

2782. Noah

Luke 12:22-34

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... t want to miss it. NOAH: You're right. I don't want to miss it, but I've got work to do. GERHON: Noah, how long have you been working on that ark? NOAH: One hundred and nineteen years. GERHON: One hundred and nineteen. Don't you think you could take a ... NOAH: I don't know. But, don't get hung up on that ... GERHON: (LAUGHING) I think you've been working out in the sun too long, Noah. Water that comes down, huh? And you think Yllis is unbelievable. Noah, why don't you take some time off and come to the wedding ...

2783. Noah

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... , Noah, what's a few days? There's going to be \neating and drinking and merrying and, of course, giving in \nmarriage. You don't want to miss it. \nNOAH: You're right. I don't want to miss it, but I've got work \nto do. \nGERHON: Noah, how long have you been working on that ark? \nNOAH: One hundred and nineteen years. \nGERHON: One hundred and nineteen. Don't you think you could take \na few days off for your friend's wedding? \nNOAH: You have been a good friend, Gerhon, but I just can't do \nit. \nGERHON ...

2784. This Present Time

Luke 12:54-59, Luke 12:49-53

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... the weather? Jesus says we'd better learn. Summary: A father and daughter are talking about the weather and the daughter longs for her mother and brother from whom she and the father are estranged. A family drama emphasizing our inability to see ... a while it just slips out. I have to talk to you, Dad. I don't have any friends. DAD: You'll make some new friends. It won't take long. You'll see. WENDY: All my friends were at church and school and I can't go either place. Dad, I'm lonely. If I can't talk to you ...

2785. Reward Time

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... heaven. \nRIDGE: I'm really sorry. The computer has been down all this \nmorning. We'll try to access from this portable. \nGEORGE: Good, can we just get my information now, so I can be \nprocessed? I am hungry. Do you know how long I've been waiting \nhere? \nRAY: We've all been here a long time. Well, then, that proves \nit. This can't be heaven. There's not supposed to be any sense \nof time in heaven. \nKAY: Definitely not heaven, then. My watch is working. It says \nit's 10:35. What time does yours say ...

2786. From Singleness To Solidarity

Ruth 1:1-22

Sermon

Zan W. Holmes

... other. A familiar African fable tells about a group of people on earth who wanted to know the difference between heaven and hell. A tour was arranged so they could see for themselves. In hell they saw all of the people sitting across from each other at long tables. There was plenty of food on the tables. However the people in hell were starving and frail because their arms were taped with splints so that they could not bend their elbows and get the food from the tables to their mouths. When the people on ...

2787. Look How You Listen

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon

George W. Hoyer

... -- the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people." Is not this what all of us, in our best desiring, want to become? All of us who have perceived in Jesus Christ the power and love of the Son of God, do we not long to be, fully and completely, beloved children of God? You who, like the twelve, have been following faithfully, do you not with the Ephesians say, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing ... just ...

2788. The Taught Can

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

George W. Hoyer

... wine that is our Lord's blood. Sometimes, it is true, in the days after this thanksgiving we are caught napping. But much of the time, most of the times, we go in the strength of this heavenly food forty days and forty nights. That's biblical talk for as long as necessary. And that is only as long as it takes until our next liturgy. All things are ready. Lord, make us more ready and willing and able! "

2789. Sabotaging The Sabath

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Richard Patt

... here would have ended another way. Yes, it was the sabbath (always meant to be a beautiful day for God's people!). And even on the sabbath people become sick or continue to be sick. Jesus notices a woman, all hunched over, obviously one who had been ill for a long time. He is a merciful Lord, so he takes the initiative to call her over and lay his hands on her. In these gracious acts, the woman is healed on the spot. Her body is straightened again, and she praises God for God's goodness. From here on, I say ...

2790. Homecoming

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Robert A. Hausman

... and have become at home in Babylon. Of course, that happened to Israel also. There were those who set up shop in Babylon, made a good living, started families, formed friendships, and were satisfied with the synagogue worship of the diaspora. They had no longing for Jerusalem. They had too much to lose. They would settle for Ziggurats and hanging gardens. We too find ourselves at home in the Babylon of malls, movies, and market places. We have forgotten that we are pilgrims and strangers in an alien land ...

2791. Arise! Shine! For Your Light Has Come

Isaiah 60:1-22

Sermon

Robert A. Hausman

... your light has come." They saw the star and followed it. They went first to Jerusalem, where they were disappointed. The newborn king was not in the capital city. As Luther says, "This was a grievous cross to them." Common sense said, "You are fools to have made this long journey at the behest of a star, no one here knows anything about it." So now they must go on to Bethlehem, but what will they find there? Still, Luther says, "Faith pays no regard to what it sees and feels, but clings only to the word."1 ...

2792. Love Your Enemies--It Will Drive Them Crazy

Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

... came to me after the early service one morning. He had been visiting this church for about three weeks, and he was very intrigued by this text. He said to me, "You know I like the way you talked about this text. I have entertained being a Christian for a long period of time and I still don't know if I am." I said, "Well, join the club because somewhere in what you said is my story, too." We don't so much become a Christian at one particular time in our lives as we constantly come together entertaining the ...

2793. Advent Of Angels

Malachi 1:6-14

Sermon

Tony Everett

... told of conditions during the period about sixty years after the return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylonia. Temple services were so long and superficial that even the priests were bored and becoming lax in the performance of their duties (1:6-15). Many people ... to use Marvin's story to help other hurting children. Karen is now "a Marvin," an angel of comfort, as a therapist in a long-term care facility. This day, open your eyes and see the messengers of the Lord surrounding you. This day, open your ears to ...

2794. In Times Of Need

1 Kings 17:7-24

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... into a newfound optimism. Food and oil, which had been scarce, became abundant. A son who was near death was now restored to health. Along life's way we need these little victories, these triumphs of life and the Spirit, after being beaten down so long by life's trials and tribulations. Elijah himself may have had a reprieve of faith after his hard trials and struggles. The truth is that whatever our condition, God meets us along the way to give us consolation, prosperity, hope, and faith amid our numerous ...

2795. Extreme Measures

1 Kings 21:1-29

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... What began as a query for the purchase of land ended up as senseless homicide. What began as an effort in horticulture ended up as a felony murder in the first degree. Ahab and Jezebel utilized extreme measures to get their point across but had long lost their souls in the cauldrons of decadence and despair. What made their measures so diabolically extreme? The first extreme measure was bringing false charges against Naboth. Because of his refusal to sell the land to King Ahab, Jezebel sat down and wrote a ...

2796. The Blind Guiding The Blind

Psalm 92:1-15, Luke 6:46-49, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Isaiah 55:1-13, Luke 6:37-42

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... Pride. Two kinds of persons are particularly susceptible to the kind of spiritual pride that leads them to feel superior to ordinary mortals. The first are those who have had the grace to grow up in a family and a church with a long and strong historical tradition. They come into the church with no great spiritual struggle. Having been nurtured in a supportive family and church, entry into the congregation has approached being automatic. The particular temptation of persons with such a background is to feel ...

2797. Lent 3

Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Psalm 63:1-11, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... parable has elements of an allegory. God is the owner of the garden. He was the one who had planted his chosen people in Palestine. God expects his people to be fruitful. 8. "For Three Years I have Come." (v. 7) God has worked with the people over a long period of time to look for the results of the planting. The results are disappointing. The chosen people continue to act contrary to God's will. 9. "Cut it Down ... Wasting the Soil." (v. 7) A judgment that the same thing will happen to the Jews in Jesus ...

2798. Weather Signs

Luke 12:49-53

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... and expectations that he will usher in a kingdom of glory and power. He is aware that he is generating opposition. He tries to warn the crowd that his preaching and healing will not automatically lead everyone to enter the kingdom of God. He foresees a long struggle. Not all will appear as optimistic as at the moment. He wants to prepare the people for the time when the struggle intensifies. He challenges them to be watchful and waiting. Context of Related Scripture Psalm 124:4-5 -- The image of a flood ...

2799. God On His Knees

John 13:1-17

Sermon

Don M. Aycock

... it's Judas Iscariot's turn. Jesus knows what Judas was down deep. Jesus is not fooled. Maybe, just maybe, the die wasn't cast yet. Maybe Jesus could still reach through the false layer of shallow commitment and lay hold of that part of every person that longs to believe. Jesus kneels down, and begins to pour the water over the feet of Judas. With tender compassion, he bathes the feet of one set to destroy him. "I was wrong about this man," thinks Judas to himself. "He almost had me convinced that he was the ...

2800. God's Most Unmistakable Message

John 20:1-9

Sermon

Don M. Aycock

... in common -- they are dedicated to their tasks with such devotion that they put the rest of us to shame. They have something inside them which motivates and drives them on to accomplish extraordinary things. They might inspire us, but their inspiration will do us no good as long as it is external to us. It has to seize us by the heart. This is what God has done in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Christ is the very power of God in our lives. Paul pondered this and wrote, I have been crucified ...

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