Synonyms: renounce, relinquish, dispense with, forswear, disclaim, disown, disavow, discard, wash one's hands of, give up, stop, cease, drop, forgo, desist from, have done with, abjure, abstain from, discontinue, break off, refrain from, set/lay aside, desert, leave, leave high and dry, turn one's back on, cast aside, break (up) with, vacate, quit, evacuate, withdraw from, surrender, cede, yield, indulge in, give way to, give oneself up to, yield to, lose oneself to/in, uninhibitedness, recklessness, lack of restraint, lack of inhibition, unruliness, wildness, impulsiveness, impetuosity, immoderation, wantonness
Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on
Showing 301 to 325 of 1409 results
Sermon
John B. Jamison
Before we look at today’s passage, it will help if we take the time to remember a couple of old stories: The first story is about a time when God caused a terrible drought to cover the entire land. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel had built altars to other gods, like Baal, and had been hunting down and killing the prophets of God. The prophet Elijah was hiding in the wilderness when God told him to leave Israel and go to the town of Zarephath, near Sidon, an enemy of Israel. One day while he was there, ...
Sermon
Will Willimon
That's the rather impudent query that sprouted on tee-shirts after Duke's back-to­ back basketball national championships. Talk is cheap, but can you do what it takes to get in the game? Richard Hays, in his commentary on Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, says that sums up today's epistle, First Corinthians 9:24-27. One of you once congratulated me, during one of Duke's winning seasons for “never once mentioning basketball in a sermon. “I can see your point. At this time of year, around here, the ...
Sermon
Jill J. Duffield
Grit is trending these days. Have you heard of it? There was a viral TED talk by Angela Duckworth in 2013 and then she published a book of the same title in 2018 ― Grit: The Power Of Passion And Perseverance. In a nutshell, “grit” is mental toughness, the ability to persevere and keep at it in order to achieve a long- term goal. Like calculating what it is going to take to build that big tower and then keeping after it, no matter that a storm knocked it down or that the permit got delayed or that thieves ...
304. Let Us Make A Name For Ourselves
Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41
Illustration
Richard A. Jensen
"When you're No. 1 in the world ... you're like a god to (people)." Burt Reynolds made that statement a few years ago. It was reported in the Chicago Tribune in an article written by Howard Reich. Mr. Reynolds had come to Chicago with his one-man stage show. The show was titled: "An Evening With Burt Reynolds: The Laughs, the Loves, the Legends, the Lies (Not Necessarily in That Order)." Howard Reich interviewed Mr. Reynolds while Reynolds was in Chicago for the show. Burt Reynolds, of course, made a ...
305. Choices
Luke 10:38-42
Illustration
Richard A. Jensen
She was elected to high office some time ago. Let's call her Beverly Washington. She was the first woman Lieutenant Governor ever elected in her state. Such a first brought much deserved media attention. There were many demands for photo opportunities and interviews. Beverly Washington had never experienced the limelight quite like this before. One of the interviews with Lt. Governor Washington was conducted by a much younger woman who was obviously taken with the Lt. Governor's success. "I see you have a ...
306. Airmail
Luke 3:1-20
Drama
Robert F. Crowley
Theme: Are we, as Christians, doing what Christ asks us to do everyday or are we content to just be Christians? Summary: Don, an average Christian businessman going through the mail, is throwing out the junk when a letter catches his eye and he begins to read it. It convicts him of his non-involvement in the active Christian life. A monologue. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: Don's home Props: Lots of junk mail Costumes: Contemporary, casual Time: The present Cast: Don -- a Christian businessman DON: ( ...
307. Jesus? Where?
Luke 4:14-30
Drama
Robert F. Crowley
Theme: Why do we come to church? Summary: Frank's taking Ollie to church and Jill is upset because Ollie is a bit slow and always embarrasses her. Ollie asks, "Where is Jesus?" and Frank can't give a sufficient answer. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: Church Props: None Costumes: Clothes appropriate for church. Time: The present Cast: Ollie -- a bit slow, Frank -- his friend Jill -- Frank's friend (ALL THREE ARE ENTERING THE SANCTUARY) JILL: I really feel the Lord's presence today. FRANK: Me, too. JILL: It ...
Drama
Robert F. Crowley
Theme: Loving your enemy is not as easy as it sounds. Summary: Willie and Bart are friendly enemies who are both interested in a lovely young Indian princess named Li'l-Buttercup-Shines-In-The-Morning but cannot understand her Indian sign language. Along comes Chief Bull-Feathers-In-The-Campfire who has obviously been educated, not only in the English language but also in the Bible. Maybe the chief can get these two "ornery critters" to be quiet long enough to listen to his wisdom. Playing Time: 7 minutes ...
309. This Present Time
Luke 12:54-59, Luke 12:49-53
Drama
Robert F. Crowley
Theme: Can we analyze the present time as well as analyze 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 the signs of the present age. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: A house Props: Some business papers Costumes: Contemporary, casual Time: The present time Cast: Dad Wendy -- 15 years old WENDY: (ENTERS AND ...
Drama
Robert F. Crowley
Theme\n It is never pleasant to be humbled but it is necessary to be \nused by God. \nSummary\n Alexander is the type of ruler who cannot get started with a \nproject, blames others for his misfortunes, and ends up hurting \nhimself and his people; but he is finally humbled before God. \nPlaying Time 7 minutes\nSetting The throne room, Macedonia\nProps Agamuse -- a pot of mud\nCostumes Ancient Greek with half masks and cothurni\nTime Ancient Greek\nCast ALEXANDER -- the king of Macedonia\n CHOREGUS -- the ...
Sermon
George W. Hoyer
Accustomed as we are to hearing the words, "This is my body" in the consecration of the sacrament and "The body of Christ" as we receive holy communion bread, do we still draw back in surprise at hearing our Lord say "flesh"? Accustomed as we are to hearing the words "The blood of Christ" when we take the chalice, do we still find a murmur rising in our minds as we hear this text: "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you"? The gospel for today seems very ...
Sermon
George W. Hoyer
Let's Hear It For The Deaf Man -- that's the title of a detective novel. That could mean, "Do his listening for him." But, for today, let it mean, "Three cheers for the deaf man." The deaf man deserves our first cheers, but before we give him his desserts, let's hear the voice of this Sunday telling us to cheer for some others as well. "Let's hear it for those who have heard and for those who now hear the word of the Lord." Another group deserves cheers: "Let's hear it for those whose tongues are released ...
Sermon
Richard Patt
We wish the story 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. ...
Sermon
Richard Patt
For a moment, call to mind Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. Green pastures. Still waters. A cup overflowing. Oh, yes! There is a serene side of being a Christian. But this Gospel reading in Luke crashes in on our spiritual serenity. The spell of a peaceful religion is shattered. We become startled as we hear Jesus speak these uprooting words. Some believers have admitted to being shocked and puzzled by what Jesus says here. How about you? How do these words strike you? If anyone comes to me and does not ...
Sermon
Richard Patt
For a moment, call to mind Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. Green pastures. Still waters. A cup overflowing. Oh, yes! There is a serene side of being a Christian. But this Gospel reading in Luke crashes in on our spiritual serenity. The spell of a peaceful religion is shattered. We become startled as we hear Jesus speak these uprooting words. Some believers have admitted to being shocked and puzzled by what Jesus says here. How about you? How do these words strike you? If anyone comes to me and does not ...
Sermon
Richard Patt
This is the kind of sermon topic that the preacher hesitates to advertise ahead of time. If people come to church to hear some good news, this topic doesn't sound too promising. But I ask you to brace yourself and stick with it. The words we consider here are from the lips of none other than a merciful and loving Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. His words often contained some hard truths, but they also finally reveal to us the marvelous, incredible goodness and love of God to you and me. So let's dare to ...
Sermon
Maurice A. Fetty
A lot of people don't believe it -- but there's a new kingdom coming. Often, like a phoenix bird, it arises out of the ashes of the old. As a young sapling is germinated by forest fire, so the new kingdom is sprouted in the desolation of despair. Like tundra flowers and crab grass the new kingdom has irresistible life impulses and grows anywhere. There is a new kingdom coming. You may wonder where it is -- this new kingdom. You may look for advance press releases, television bulletins, screaming headlines ...
Sermon
Tony Everett
Have you ever watched children choosing up sides for a game? It seems as if certain children always get chosen first: the taller, stronger, more athletic, more intelligent, more popular. As more names are called and teams are formed, inevitably there is a small huddle of children standing off to the side trying to pretend that it doesn't matter. But it does. It matters and it hurts. These children can't help but overhear the scornful laughter and humiliating names aimed in their direction. Remember that ...
Sermon
James McLemore
What is meant when we say, "Go down to the potter's house"? Let me explain through these illustrations. A young mechanic was doing his studies about engine repair. He was in the final stages and was discussing with his instructor what he felt was the most important thing he needed to learn to master the engine. He told his instructor that he had read all of the relevant material on the internal combustion engine, the rotary engine, and turbochargers. He stated that he knew that the engine has nine systems ...
320. Roosevelt's Life: After Tragedy
John 2:1-11
Illustration
Edmund Morrison
When Theodore Roosevelt was an Assembly man in the legislature of the state of New York, events developed in his personal life that would wound him deeply. On February 13, Roosevelt, seated on the floor of the Assembly, received a telegram informing him that his wife Alice had given birth to a baby girl late the night before. He received the congratulations of his colleagues but decided to finish work on legislative matters before leaving for home to be with his family. Several hours later he received ...
Sermon
Glenn E. Ludwig
"What is God like?" There probably isn't anyone here who hasn't struggled with that question. Theologians file it under "the nature of God" controversy. We all seek to know and understand this God that we worship and pray to and sing praises of. And we all know, at least in an academic sense, that our minds are incapable of comprehending God. Biblical images give us clues, however, about the nature of God. The image for today from our gospel text may unnerve some, and be a source of delight for others. But ...
Sermon
John A. Stroman
Ruth, what a remarkable book. Here is an interesting portrayal of three women -- Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth. Against the brutal setting of a famine in Judah, Elimelech flees from Judah with his wife Naomi and their two sons to the country of Moab in search of food. After their arrival in Moab Elimelech dies leaving his wife Naomi alone with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion. The two sons marry Moabite women, Naomi and Ruth. Ten years later the husbands of Ruth and Naomi die leaving all three woman widowed. Naomi ...
Sermon
Stephen M. Crotts
Did you hear about the man who went into the preaching ministry, worked for seven years, then resigned to go back to medical school and become a doctor? "People," he explained, "don't want spiritual health. They just want to feel good." But after working as a physician for seven years, he again resigned, this time to go back to school. "I'm going to become a lawyer," he explained, "because, in the end, people don't want spiritual health. They don't even want physical health. They just want to get even." I ...
Sermon
Steven E. Albertin
There is a gentle and quaint Christmas carol in which the shepherds of Bethlehem point out to everyone they meet on their way the marvel they have seen in the manger. "Do you see what I see?" they ask all those gathered in Bethlehem. According to this Christmas carol, this birth, which had taken place under the most plain and ordinary of circumstances, would surely have been overlooked were it not for those shepherds who called it to everyone's attention by exclaiming, "Do you see what I see?" In my church ...
Sermon
Paul W. Kummer
Today is Palm Sunday. Some of you wonder why our text is not highlighting the trek into Jerusalem on a donkey, but rather this coming Friday's story of Jesus' suffering as found prophesied in the Old Testament. Why is this the chosen lesson? Too many people move from Palm Sunday's jubilation to Easter's victory and never take the excruciating walk through the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Trials, and Mount Calvary. But you must go through it all really to know the joy of the Open Tomb! I like ...
Showing results