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 3001 to 3025 of 5000 results

3001. Jesus: The Ultimate Ordinary

John 18:28-40

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

... wondering. “I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.” These remarks are hard to interpret. Yet, as with all he says, we are inclined to believe they hold great value for us. Not long ago in a study group a man asked me if Jesus were “ordinary.” The question was unusual. On the spur of the moment I replied, “Of course, Jesus is ordinary.” His reply, “Jesus is the ultimate ordinary.” I have thought about that a lot. It occurred to ...

3002. Would That God. . .

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

... we are inspired to change when we see ourselves as Jesus sees us. At last we know what we really long to be; and, at last, that becomes our primary purpose, our all-consuming drive. Faith is at work. We know, through his favor, what we are really like and what ... we must do to become the person we long to be. As a result of meeting Jesus we gain power. Because our faith is put to work we have impetus to do more. Our working ...

3003. Giving with Open Hands

Mark 12:41-44

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

... dorm room, made an inventory of needed clothing and replaced each item. Bill never needed to think about such mundane concerns. When I knew him he and his wife had just had a child. No sooner was the child born than the mother came forth with a long, itemized bill, listing every item she had purchased for him. This so angered the couple that they dedicated themselves to paying her off as soon as possible. A loving gesture turned out to be a closed-hands service. 3. Open hands. When we give with open hands ...

3004. A Song Sung Blue

1 Samuel 1:1-20

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... and recorded a song that became quite popular; it was entitled “Song Sung Blue.” The lyrics have long left me, but that title came rushing back when I began looking at David’s lament for ... moments, and life itself is grace. (Now and Then, p. 87) There is a time to lament, as David lamented, and during those moments we have this assurance: Lord, all my longing is known to thee, my sighing is not hidden from thee.My heart throbs, my strength fails me; and the light of my eyes it alsohas gone from me. But ...

3005. An Untouchable God?

1 Samuel 6:1-7:1

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... do. “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.” (Mark 5:34 TEV) Here is one, unlike Uzzah, who reaches out and intentionally touches him who is God, and far from killing her, it heals and restores her a long way from our story in 2 Samuel. The good news of the Gospel? God can be touched and confidently so. Or perhaps more true to the Gospel story, God reaches out and touches us in Christ Jesus redemptively and gracefully and says, “Don’t be afraid of my ...

3006. Adam’s Prime Rib

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... prodigious amount of forgiveness. A woman in Texas wrote to Ann Landers that, after nineteen years of marriage and several children, she discovered that her husband was having an affair. She demanded that he leave, but he begged for forgiveness. They talked it over for a long time. Finally, they agreed on two things: 1. She would never mention his affair or the woman again. 2. He would end the affair and never have another. After five years both had lived up to their agreement. It had been hard as nails to ...

3007. Renewal of the New

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... truth of Galatians exploded inside him, he didn’t have any better sense than to go tell it to other people. This produced the Reformation.” When the Word explodes in us, our faith automatically is shared with others. Like a fire within, it cannot long be hidden nor contained. Faith calls for a passion for lost souls. Today’s Protestant mainline churches are in need of a renewed passion for souls. This need is shown by the declining membership of our churches. In the past ten years Protestant churches ...

3008. Charlie Used To Do That

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

... the ice while walking up his front steps one evening having been at the church to fix a leaky commode. He never returned home after that. When he left the hospital he went to live at a nearby nursing home where he received the best of care. And for a long time after that members of the church where Charlie went would say things like, "Look at those marks on the floor, why aren't they being cleaned up? I cannot see to sing or read in church. The lights above me are burned out. Why doesn't someone fix those ...

3009. The Robe

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

... Josh was addicted to clothes. David liked clothes. "After all," he thought, "clothes are my business." But David had learned a long time ago that clothes certainly do not make the man. "Sign right here Josh, and here is your receipt and your ... and Tommy. But you're right, I do have the opportunity to get a lot of clothes because of my buyer discounts. But I learned a long time ago that clothes and things can never finally make one happy and fulfilled. If you want to know the truth Josh, there is a garment ...

3010. Esther: Wise Woman Of Strength

Sermon

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow

... of fun. I was encouraged to join the celebration, but I went on to my office. It's hard to come to the middle of a party. But I made a promise to myself to learn about Purim, what it was, when it was, why it was, and how long it lasted. Always one month before Passover, Purim celebrates the story of the Book Of Esther, a tale of twists and turns, ups and downs, ironies and reversals, and a mostly happy ending, at least for the Jews. The characters, especially when compared to the intricate plot, appear one ...

3011. Solomon's Song Of Love

Sermon

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow

... steamy. For the Song Of Solomon is a clear melody to sexual love. The song says that such love should be sought after and treasured when found. These poems are an unapologetic depiction of two lovers and all that they share, their tenderness, intimacy, longing, illusion, mutual esteem of and desire for each other's bodies. The Song Of Solomon is a song sung to the mysterious and glorious dimensions of human sexual love. Scholars have most often placed the Song in the body of biblical wisdom literature. I ...

3012. Giants In Your Way

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Sermon

Charles Curley

... Israel had been defeated in battle by Goliath, because not one single soldier of the people of Israel had overcome his fear long enough to fight Goliath. Not yet. They were not depressed because of what the giant had done to them, they were depressed ... Saul's fears down, and after awhile some little spark of something Saul hardly recognized any more started to grow in Saul. It had been so long since he had felt any of it in himself, Saul didn't quite recognize that spark for what it was, just a little bit of ...

3013. There's A Man Going Around Taking Names

John 1:19-28

Sermon

Thomas Long

... is always having to demonstrate competence and justify actions. A stockholders' meeting places the achievements of the corporate officers on trial. Single people and divorced people are often accused in the court of gossip of being unable to maintain long-term relationships. Parents enroll in "effectiveness training" seminars, lest they be found guilty of inadequate methods of raising their children. And now that dozens of paperback books have mapped the dark regions of the unconscious, there is opened up ...

3014. Shepherds And Bathrobes

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Thomas Long

... other to get near the newborn King, our unsteady voices searching for the correct pitch as we sing anew, "O, come, let us adore Him, O, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord." 1. Portions of this sermon previously appeared in Thomas G. Long, "Bit Parts in the Christmas Pageant," Journal for Preachers, Vol. VI, No. 1 (Advent, 1982), pp. 14-21. This material is used by permission. 2. William Sloane Coffin, "Our Resurrection, Too," in Paul H. Sherry (ed.), The Riverside Preachers (New York: The Pilgrim Press ...

3015. The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law

Mark 1:29-34

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... like the trusted physician whom we give the power to take one look at a problem and know immediately what to do. The disciples did not have to waste your energy with words or long explanations. Jesus: One dimension of the silence is our familial ease together. It is similar to the comfortable silences between a long-married couple. To reach that level of communication requires the work and practice of trusting. Beyond that, as we become adept at listening with our whole self, we can learn much about another ...

3016. Stilling The Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... rather meeting that fear with faith. To reach the other side of the lake in the storms of life requires partnership with God. Partnership flows in two directions. In our noise, we forget God's presence. God is with us always, but we must quiet our chaos long enough to listen. We must become aware of God. Asker: When people were in distress and cried out to God, the Psalmist said, "He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed" (Psalm 107:29). Were you also fulfilling that scripture? Jesus ...

3017. Let's Have A Fruitful Christmas Season

Drama

May Dembowski

... undivided attention. Supervising, making suggestions, teaching, guiding ... AND THAT INCLUDES CLEANUP TOO ... really saves time AND your nerves in the end. CAROL: I'll agree with that. It's so tempting to do it myself. But my mother-in-law made sense when she advised me a long time ago, "If you don't let the children do things, they can't learn." MARCY: I guess the key is to pray, plan, schedule, and follow through ... and look for God's patience and joy. (ALL nod to each other in agreement, make notes, sip ...

3018. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... events for significance and implications. Such was the case even in Jesus' day. The Lord's ministry caused quite a stir; everyone agreed that he was someone of great significance but the spin doctors couldn't agree. Some said he was a great prophet of long ago, others claimed that he was Elijah, and many thought that the Spirit of John had come into Jesus. King Herod, who had John killed, was of this opinion (v. 16). Besides the tractional Christian interpretation of Jesus, there have been and continue to ...

3019. Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Mark 6:45-56, Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of urgency because we had witnessed a wonderful window of divine opportunity in the ministry of Jesus. The church in many places today is languishing because we have lost this sense of urgency and opportunity. For many Christians Jesus has passed through but a long time ago. They don't expect to encounter Jesus' healing presence in the marketplaces, highways and byways of life. To recapture this sense of urgency we must also recapture a deep sense of Christ's living and life-giving presence. Outline: 1. The ...

3020. Proper 14

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... says, "Be angry but do not sin," which indicates that he doesn't think anger is a sin. Anger is an emotion which certain events can spark in our heart. Anger only becomes a sin when we permit it to burn out of control or let it smolder over a long period of time. "Do not let the sun go down on your anger" is good advice. If our anger dissipates quickly, it will do little damage. The virtue of honest labor (v. 28). Thieves are warned that they must give up stealing and engage in honest work. But for what ...

3021. Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Christ. Yet there remains a truth here. The Christian gospel must become a part of us, it needs to be personalized and integrated into our being. Personal, not private. The gospel must be personalized but not privatized. As Paul explains, this gospel was a secret for a long time but now is being made known to all nations by the command of the eternal God. We have an obligation to make known the mystery of God. Standing firm. Paul commends his hearers to the God who is able to make them stand firm. If they ...

3022. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of performing religion in order to be noticed by other people. Do we go to church to look religious? Do we pray long and eloquent prayers to reap the praise of others? The only proper audience for our religious devotions is the Lord. What ... even now...return to me..." (v. 12). The saddest words are these: "It's too late." When it comes to our relationship to God, as long as there's life, there's hope. If we genuinely repent, our relationship with the Lord turns over a new leaf. Outline: 1. The Israelites ...

3023. Epiphany 8

Hosea 2:2-23, Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... competence as we minister in his name. Gospel: Mark 2:13-22 1. Sermon Title: A Time For Fasting, A Time For Feasting. Sermon Angle: When Jesus was asked why he and his disciples were not fasting as others were, he responded that fasting was inappropriate as long as he (the bridegroom) was with them. They would fast when he was taken away from them. There are seasons of fasting and feasting. Soon Lent will be upon us, a traditional time of fasting. Easter season is the prime time of feasting. There are also ...

3024. Epiphany

Ephesians 3:1-13, Isaiah 60:1-22, Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... shine. How could they when the darkness of death clung to their souls like a wet garment? The glory of the Lord shone upon them. God was the source of their light and after a long night of sorrow was about to dawn upon them. The people of God do not have to manufacture the light, merely reflect it. Outline: 1. After a long night of captivity, the day of favor had dawned. 2. The Jews were to reflect the Lord's redemptive light. 3. The light of salvation is revealed in Christ. 4. Arise from spiritual slumber ...

3025. Proper 26

Hebrews 9:11-28, Ruth 1:1-22, Mark 12:28-34

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . Let's say that a person is caught in a blizzard and he thinks he knows where home is but isn't sure. After wandering a long time, he lies down to rest and never wakes up. His family finds him the next day; he was only 100 feet from home, within a ... neighbor. 4. Such love is possible when Christ lives in us. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 146 "I will praise the Lord as long as I live" (v. 2); Psalm 119:1-16; Psalm 17 Prayer Of The Day: God of grace, remove from our lives all that distracts us ...

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