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 2876 to 2900 of 4959 results

2876. The Story behind the Glory

Galatians 3:26--4:7

Sermon

Fredrick R. Harm

... treated God's Son, I'd knock the world to pieces." But here is the crowning mystery of the story behind the glory of the Christmas event. He tells us, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways" (Isaiah 55:8). There is no desire in him to retaliate, or in any way act as man would act under similar provocation. On the contrary, the cross of Calvary, which is the supreme evidence of human wickedness, proves to be at the same time the crowning revelation of God's redeeming grace. It was ...

2877. What a Resume!

2 Corinthians 2:12--3:6

Sermon

Fredrick R. Harm

... The final quote comes from Phillips Brooks, the author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." "Be such a person, live such a life, that if everyone were such as you and every life a life like yours, this world would be a paradise." Can you think of a more beautiful desire than this? Is it any wonder that some hymnals include the inspiring hymn that has us sing: O master let me walk with thee, in lowly paths of service free; Tell me thy secret, help me bear, the strain of toil the fret of care. Help me the slow of ...

2878. What It Takes to Do the Job

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... being successful, supporting the party, staying off drugs, knowing your Bible, loving your neighbor, keeping your nose and all other parts clean. The list is long. Of course when you get inside the heads of individuals and move away from the “ought” of authority figures to the real desires of a person, things change a bit, don't they? Job #1 for a child may be keeping her distance from that bossy Erin or finding a way to convince Mom and Dad to buy her that new Pokeman or Game Boy. Job #1 for a sixteen ...

2879. Too Good to Miss

1 Peter 3:8-22

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... in his newsletter that speaks well, I believe, to the real meaning of Lent for us. In his article he said that rather than Lent being a time of denial, it should be seen as a wonderful time for "pampering and self-indulgence." But rather than pampering our every desire and whim, we "pamper our spirit and indulge our deep human need for love." Dan believes that Lent "is the time when we let the guilt come right up to the surface and pay close attention to how God has dealt with our sin and guilt in the cross ...

2880. Stop the Offerings!

Hebrews 10:19-39

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... which speaks so stirringly about the power of God's action in Jesus through the cross and resurrection: In some moods -- the mood, for example, in which I find myself on each Good Friday morning -- one feels it almost a sacrilege to argue and to discuss. One desires then only to bow in adoration before the mystery of a love whose depths no one can sound and the range of whose august purposes is like that of a shooting star. It sweeps in from the Infinite and the Unknown, and comes near enough to earth ...

2881. Do You Hear What I Hear?

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... to generation of birds is truly an awe-inspiring miracle. If that skill were to be lost somehow -- well, it would be catastrophic. Since the crisis with China over the airplane incident, the Olympics have been talked about a lot, especially regarding China's desire to host the 2008 Olympics. One of the most dramatic moments that happens again and again in the Summer Olympics is the passing of the baton during relay races. What an exciting and anxious moment it is when the athletes exchange that baton! A ...

2882. The Highest Bidder

Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... things up. When faced with the challenge of addressing uncomfortable realities, people vote en masse to "keep the peace" instead. In his book The Different Drum, psychologist and author Scott Peck makes a case that within all of us there is a God-implanted desire to experience authentic relationships. Deep inside we long for true community: for relationships in which we can express our real feelings, be accepted for who we are, and give and receive genuine love. But most of us settle for a pale imitation of ...

2883. Gifted People

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... like a stray horse that's wandered into our living room during a party. "I am a prisoner of the Lord." It takes a mature person to recognize that placing one's gifts at the disposal of the church is a divine commandment. Unity is not often the desired end of competitive people living in a supply and demand world. Building up the body of Christ through love and humility is the only way to keep a bond of peace. Yet we sometimes do not measure growth as a maintenance process where each gifted part is simply ...

2884. Sweet-Smelling Fragrance

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... a mere walking down to become a member of an institution; not placing a signature on a commitment card.1 It is becoming part of a special arrangement which bears the mark of its designer. Like many today, the members of the early church had a genuine desire to be part of an institution that would help them be recognized by their neighbors as good people. Yet morals are difficult to learn and adopt. As Robin Lovin, Dean of Perkins School of Theology, has noted,2 most Christians do not realize how serious are ...

2885. Maundy Thursday: Seeing Ourselves in the Disciples

Matthew 26:17-30

Sermon

Brett Blair

... we must count the cost of discipleship. As we come forward this evening to participate in this ancient sacrament of the church, may we confess before God that we are all of the disciples, with all of their frailties and sinfulness. But we are also like them in our sincere desire to follow the Christ. My prayer is that through the sacrament this evening that the power of God may reinstill in you a sense of mission and remind you who you are--a disciple of Christ.

2886. First Light

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

Curtis Lewis

... people and keeps them from knowing the true freedom which he came to provide on that first Christmas. The prophet then gives a beautiful picture of what can happen when the true source of light is discovered. The weapons of war will be destroyed, but also the desire to use weapons of terror and mass destruction will be taken away. Oh, that this would happen! How will this light come to the world? It will come through the birth of a baby who will establish the government of the Kingdom of God. Years ago Bret ...

2887. A Song, A Dance, A Savior

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Curtis Lewis

... who seeks and saves the lost ones. This is a picture of God's care and concern, not only for Israel, but of his concern for you and me. God wants those who have wandered into exile in any generation to be gathered to him. It is his desire that all exiles will come home to his joy. This Old Testament story of song, dance, and Savior finds more obvious fulfillment in the opening chapters of Luke's Gospel. Here Jeremiah's hopes are realized. Young Mary and Priest Zachariah burst forth in eloquent praise to God ...

2888. How to Recognize a Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon

Curtis Lewis

... Washington family's day was dictated by the ritual crowing of the rooster. Now Booker T. Washington's family knew the true meaning of freedom. Young Booker T. discovered that the first day he didn't have to get out of bed was the first day he really desired to get up and start living for his own reasons. He realized a purpose for living and a passionate call to serve others. The book of Deuteronomy recognizes that the people of God will be faced with crowing roosters who will stifle and harm the purpose and ...

2889. The Paradox of Death

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... for his country." That simple statement says something very profound about what we as a society think of death. We see it as something that is to be shunned and avoided; it is dishonorable to die. Certainly anyone in a normal situation wants to live and desires that all friends and loved ones remain healthy and active. Still, for the Christian, one's attitude toward death must be different. We have been given life by God for the ultimate purpose to return to our Creator. We are on a journey which leads to ...

2890. Death Leads to Life

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... they expected. They did not realize that being cut down was the price for entry into God's glory. They did not understand it, but they needed to be molded and transformed, a process which took a sense of dying to their own wants and desires. On Good Friday we commemorate Jesus' death, his complete sacrifice. Saint Paul summarizes Jesus' action well: "And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death -- even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). But Jesus' death was ...

2891. The Good Shepherd

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Brett Blair

... of the heritage of Christ. This picture comes more clearly into focus in the New Testament. Jesus once told a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep, but one of them went astray. In our way of thinking a 99% return on our investment would be most desirable, but not this shepherd. He left the 99 to go in search of that one lost sheep. Later, when Jesus was speaking to a great throng of people, Mark tells us that he had compassion upon them because they were "as sheep without a shepherd." Throughout the ...

2892. A Forgiving Presence

John 7:45--8:11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... sin, in order that they might have the opportunity to repent and be free. But the woman is already bound to her sin in guilt, so Jesus moves to free her immediately by forgiveness. You see, Jesus is treating both of them in the same way. And what he desires for both the accusers and the accused is that sin be recognized and confessed and that persons be free by forgiveness. Is there a more hopeful, life-giving word in the gospel. Neither do I condemn you, go your way, and sin no more. I’ve said three ...

2893. Being Christ

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... , it affects all races and sexes, the rich and the poor. We do well to consider that word from the epistle of James, this is scripture. “What causes is war, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have so you kill, and you covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask, you ask and you do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions, unfaithful creatures.” It’s ...

2894. What If God Is Dependent Upon Our Praying?

2 Chronicles 7:1-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... . Prayer is the basic identification we have with the world and with God. Now does that sound strange. It’s not just the basic identification we have with God, it’s the basic identification we have with the world. Christian prayer destroys our false desire either to be independent of other people or independent of God. Clarence Jerden paraphrased Paul’s great word, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself into a vivid symbol. God was in Christ putting his arms around the world and hugging it ...

2895. Reconciliation: Our Gift And Our Ministry

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... into a friendship relationship is what the Old Testament covenant was all about. God wanted to be Israel’s God and he wanted Israel to be his people. And the new covenant, which we celebrate in Holy Communion is the completion of that old covenant. God’s constant desire to be our God and for us to be his people is completed in Jesus Christ. And this is what Paul was saying, through the death of His Son, God has made you his friends. Put another way, it comes out, God was in Christ reconciling the world ...

2896. Adoration And Confession

Psalm 103:1-22

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... and uneducated, white and black and red and brown - proclaim to all the acceptable ear of Lord. Idolatry, which is not making graven images or golden calves, but making a God of material security - our money, our education, our social image, our position or profession. Insatiable desire for things which make a God of our appetite, and I could tire us out with the list because I know the sin of my own life. And the problem and pains that are paraded before me and my pastoral relationship to you, reveal the ...

2897. Why I Believe In Tithing

Malachi 3:6-18

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... and cannot do. I believe in and practice tithing because it enhances my performance in the cause of God’s kingdom. Now I don’t know whether you tithe or not. I hope you do, because I want everyone to share the joy of Christian stewardship. But more than my desire, is God’s will and way for you. Listen to him as he speaks to us in Malachi? I deliberately saved the text until the last. Listen to God. Will a man rob God. This is Bible now, not Maxie. “Will a man rob God? You’re robbing me. How ...

2898. Such A Babe In Such A Place

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... prolific hymn writer who set Methodism to music, rose to his greatest height of expression when he set down those hymns of Advent and Nativity. Listen to him in one of those high moments of inspiration: Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord. Long desired behold him come, finding here his humble home. Veiled in flesh the God head see, hail the incarnate deity. Pleased as men with men to dwell, Jesus our Emanuel. God has come to dwell with persons in the form of a person, and this is ...

2899. The Christian Life Defined By Prayer

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... to detect whatever faults or flaws may be in the article you’re interested in. Sun judged. To be able to stand in the clear sun of God’s judgment and the judgment of our brothers and sisters with no need to hide or conceal our thoughts and desires. Paul said to the Ephesians, live like persons who are at home in the daylight. Isn’t that beautiful? Live like persons who are at home in the daylight. That’s what it means to be transparent. Sincere, and without blame, sun tested and sun judged. Is that ...

2900. Servants Of The Servant Who Was Lord

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... . Then, amazingly, we experience great freedom. We become available and vulnerable. We lose our fear of being stepped on or manipulated or taken advantage of, and aren’t these our fears? But what joy comes – what energizing of life – when we act out of the desire to be a servant, rather than the pride-producing choice to serve now and then, when we please. Now I must close. Let’s return to where we began – to Jesus. It is the paradox of the Christian gospel that the last become first, the humble ...

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