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 3076 to 3100 of 4959 results

3076. Conversion to Christ

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... is just as badly needed by the Christian community today. We can have absolute confidence that as Yahweh walked with his chosen people, so Christ, our brother, friend, and Lord is with us at every moment. During his public ministry Jesus demonstrated numerous times his desire to restore people to wholeness. The Gospels recount how he raised to life Lazarus (John 11:1-44), the widow of Naim's son (Luke 7:11-17), and Jairus' daughter (Luke 5:21-24, 35-43). Numerous times Jesus cured the physical ailments of ...

3077. Eleven Plus One

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of the earth like Peter, but a man of ideals who tended to forget the individual in pursuit of the ideal. A leader among the apostles and favored by Christ, James was often consumed by the unholy ambition to be Jesus' favorite disciple (perhaps mirroring his desire to be his wealthy father's favorite). A disciple full of zeal and enthusiasm, James serves as a counterpoint to John. His angry temper flared out at the Samaritans who wouldn't accept Jesus and was rebuked when he asked his Master to call down ...

3078. Four Cornerstones

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of materialism. It's Dreiser's argument that we've developed a listening ear for the voice of materialism, and can hear the "voice of the so-called inanimate." Dreiser does this through his heroine in Sister Carrie: "When she came within an earshot of their pleading, desire in her bent a willing ear. Ah, ah! The voice of the so-called inanimate. Who shall translate for us the language of the stones? 'My dear,' said the lace collar she secured from Partridge's, 'I fit you beautifully; don't give me up.' 'Ah ...

3079. More!!!

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in the dark. But when that final divine addition fell upon the earth, everything was changed. All Israel wanted was another king. Instead all the world got was the Incarnation – God suddenly and personally and relationally in our midst. All Judah/Israel desired was to reestablish their national identity and borders. Instead all creation was offered the promise of universal peace – a world without barriers and borders, an existence free of all enmity and strife. A young four-year old girl had a terrific ...

3080. Someone to Watch over Me

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... their need for independence and self-expression and at the same time the opposing yearning to fit in, be part of a group, and measure up to peer approval. It is really hard to fit an admiring, watching-every-move mom or dad into that dual desire. Instead of wanting parents to "watch me," teenagers seem like they are trying to get parents to look the other way as much as possible. In adolescence we all need to "get away" with something. But school counselors and adolescent therapists tell us that in reality ...

3081. The Lamb's Book of Life

John 1:29-34

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... know where the profit was. And not long-term profit. Short-term profit. Does this not bother anybody? Are there not theological implications to the fact that already the technology of genetic enhancement is enabling made-to-order babies, as parents specify the desired characteristics – education, looks and special talents – of egg and sperm donors. Does this not bother anybody? What will church and state do when, thanks to a fully decoded gene array, there's a dynamic rebirth of a kind of trust-to-the ...

3082. The Real Dish Network

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... to the satellite TV industry, there is no such thing as enough. Every year more and more households are sticking out their own little satellite downloading system and beaming in anywhere from 100-600 channels of entertainment and information. Our overwhelming desire for this kind of electronic-overload is played for laughs in the commercials aired by DISH Network and Direct TV. In one series of ads the satellite installer has the stuffing hugged out of him by an emotionally overcome client. Another ...

3083. The Real Winning Attitude

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , this kind of gain and the love of things, will lead these false teachers, these would-be-winners into an endless snare, "...those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (verse 9) Instead of succumbing to the temporary pleasures of life, the Pauline author lists those qualities possessed by true winners. "...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness." (Verse 11) These qualities ...

3084. This Kiss

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... can now so easily gather, access, manipulate, and exchange at the touch of a button. Layers of Sophistication that let us look back at our first-century ancestors as though they were some alien species, unrelated to us and our more "advanced" desires. Layers of Scientism and Rationalism that convince us to validate scientists as our only question-askers and answer-seekers, rejecting the faith quest as having integrity in and of itself. Layers of Selfishness-that refuse to let in any information that might ...

3085. Y'all, What's in Your All?

Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... gives power and persuasion to today's epistle text. At first the Colossians text makes it clear that not all those traits people hold in common are characteristics to be proud of. The selfish sexuality sins listed in verse 5 (fornication, impurity, desire, greed) coupled with the vituperative verbiage sins (anger, wrath, malice, slander) reeled off in verse 8 are easy to find and identify in all of us. But the epistle writer offers the ultimate in consolation to his Colossian listeners. Despite the fact ...

3086. DodgeGod

Amos 8:1-14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... horizon they couldn't see any bigger reason for existing. Only concerned about serving themselves, they failed to provide resources for needy. The bowerbird supposedly creates gorgeous accommodations to lure a mate. But his overblown production only really serves his own desires. The female must leave such selfishness in order to successfully raise a nest of new baby bowerbirds. In today's Old Testament text, Amos addresses merchants who may appear to be serving the needs of the community. But their greedy ...

3087. Inward, Upward, Outward

Romans 9:30--10:21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... snagging some of those peanuts from the bowl as we walk past. The problem is that it only takes us a short journey to move from that behavior to waking up dreaming about strawberry ice cream in the middle of the night. Our wants, our desires become focused on that which provides us with a "quick-fix." We become concerned only with satisfying ourselves, our immediate wants, our external needs. Jesus was famished after forty days in the wilderness. So the devil's challenge that he make himself a meal seems ...

3088. Inside-out Living

Mark 7:1-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... when it talks about original sin. We all have this blight in our being that rots us from the inside out. So even if we look great on the outside, and even if we tithe our lottery earnings and put lots of people to work, our hidden hungers and deep desires within are our true selves. Paul the Apostle said "the good that I would I do not, and the evil that I would not I do." We all stand as lepers, ritually unclean, standing in the need of grace and prayer. Do you remember your first trip to Disney World ...

3089. Warts and All

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... scales from fish. For others it is temporary face and body painting at sporting events. For others the entire body becomes a canvass, emblazoning the story of one's life loves, hates, people, places, triumphs, lost opportunities across biceps, pecs, backs, and backside. But the desire to edit our body into a text (or the anorexic ideal of being without a body or text-less) seems to be picking up steam rather than losing it. I will never forget meeting a burly, biker guy (now balding) who caught me staring ...

3090. Attics, Basements, Closets

Psalm 130:1-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... garbage get into our attics, our basements, our closets, our drawers? Hard as we try, how come it never seems to ever really clear-out or cleanup? The attics, basements, closets and drawers in our home serve the same purpose that dark thoughts, hidden agendas, and secret desires do in our lives. They hold those things we don't want exposed to plain sight, those things that are part of us, but not the part that we put on public display. Our Puritan ancestors had a succinct short-form way to define all these ...

3091. Loud and Clear

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the purifying power of the Spirit burn away our jealousies, and refine and galvanize us, so that we CAN break down language barriers and be heard. To be plugged into the power of the Spirit means that we can no longer focus on our own desires and accomplishments, like the people of the Tower of Babel did. At Babel, their selfishness and pride resulted in a worldwide breakdown of communication. But Pentecost REVERSES Babel and says, "If you ride the wings of this wind, nothing can limit your love, not even ...

3092. Show and Listen

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... first comment to the Ethiopian eunuch makes no judgments. It only asks for insight into the man's own perceptions: does he understand what he is reading? Philip didn't present himself as one with all the answers and he didn't presume he knew the needs, wants, desires, of the stranger in the chariot. For all Philip knew at this point, the Spirit could have brought him to the Ethiopian so that the stranger could teach him! What makes Philip a true evangelist is that he waits for the Spirit of God to make the ...

3093. Transmission

1 John 3:11-24

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... 2001), chapter 12) A sense of destiny they're unique, special, and have confidence; A sense of purpose they have a mission in life; A sense of love a legacy of love; A sense of security they're safe; family is their refuge; A sense of hope; A desire for godliness a passion for God and the gospel. In today's 1 John text, the author has considered what he most wants to transmit to the fledgling house churches he is parenting. What he most wants to transmit is love. The newness of Christianity, its reliance on ...

3094. Patience

James 5:7-12

Sermon

King Duncan

... she reads over the words of the Psalm again. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103: 2-5) In this drab prison hospital, Cassandra compares her life to the life of this death-row inmate. Something in her is deeply touched by his concern. (6) In the ...

3095. Jesus' Forty Days, and Ours

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

James McCormick

... son of God, do this, do that - if! If you are the son of God, then prove it!” And, if he was the son of God, and if he was to be the kind of Messiah the people wanted, the things he was tempted to do seemed reasonable, even desirable! If Jesus did the three things he was tempted to do, those things would hold great promise for an earthly kingdom: bread for him, and for the world, political control of all nations, a spectacular feat to gain the attention and the affection of the masses. Why not? Why not ...

3096. The Imperishable Dream

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the faith of others. Paul's example suggests that to cause the failure of others in the quest for the imperishable wreath is to invite failure or disqualification into one's own quest. And the greatest getting off track both then and today? What is your greatest desire and dream? Is it for the advancement of your own personal kingdom? Or is it for the kingdom of God? What's your dream life? Every one of us has one? But does your dream life revolve around yourself, as in those American Idol contestants? Or ...

3097. Weak Sauce

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... gospel. It's as weak sauce that Paul finds the gift of grace, that he discovers the presence of Christ's redemptive sacrifice. Not in strength. Not in freedom. Not in ability. Not in accomplishment. The gospel comes alive, and becomes Paul's greatest hope and desire, only when in weakness the apostle experiences his own need for salvation. His is the same need, the same yearning, as is felt by those who struggle with every facet of life, those whose existence is characterized by a weak heart, a weak will, a ...

3098. You Shall Name Him Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

King Duncan

... . The name of God is holy. Remember how Jesus, in the Lord’s Prayer, taught us to pray, “Hallowed be thy name.” (Luke 11:2). We play too loosely with God’s name in our modern world. It is a sign of how far we have fallen from what God desires us to be. Names are important in the New Testament as well as the Old. And no name is more important than the name Mary and Joseph gave their newborn son; “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins . . .” The name ...

3099. Seeking a Shepherd King

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... Psalm 139:23; Jeremiah 17:10). Indeed, human history is one great dialogue between God and human beings, in which God speaks and acts, and human beings react accordingly. And then God in turns shapes events and motives nevertheless to further his good purpose. God desired, in 1000 B.C., to anoint a son of Jesse, to begin that line of davidic kings — that line of mashiachs or messiahs — that would, in the fullness of time, find its final representative in Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem of Judea and ...

3100. The Servant Song

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... eschew some material comforts, or stand up to criticism and scorn for our way of life (cf. 1 Peter 4:1-6). After all, our Lord proclaimed that those of us who would be his disciples are required to take up a cross and die to our own wills and desires. But if this Servant Song and the passion of our Lord teach us nothing else, they witness to the fact that God’s way, taught us in the scriptures, is true — that it is the way that leads to life and to joy eternal. God never deserts his servants. And ...

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