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 401 to 425 of 1245 results

401. The Gathering, The Scattering

Hebrews 10:19-39

Sermon

Various Authors

... in the scorching heat of summer, are a couple dozen lucky individuals. It is a private pool party. Beyond them, looking through the fence, their swimming suits on but with no invitation, the less-than-lucky stand, their fingers curled into the fence, their bodies eager for the coolness of the water. "Come on in," somebody shouts from somewhere in the pool. "The water’s great!" But others in the water grumble. "Them? They’re black (or white or red or brown or yellow). We don’t know them. There’s ...

402. Away with the Stable

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

... pray the same prayer every year. "Help us," he would say, "not to forget the birth of the One whom we remember on this day." He would pray that simple prayer right in the midst of it all: the aroma of the almost-done turkey, the eager grandchildren, the large room littered with wrapping paper, and the growling stomachs and tender taste buds. Granddaddy had never heard of the kataluma, but he prayed as though Christ had not been pushed into the guest room of his life. Frederick Buechner, a well-known writer ...

403. Misunderstanding Jesus

John 6:25-59

Sermon

... among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." The Jews were so taken up with their private arguments that it never struck them to refer their decision to God. They were exceedingly eager to let everyone know what they thought about the matter; but not in the least anxious to know what God thought. But you and I should not be so quick to blame New Testament Jews for what we often do as well. It might well be that sometimes in our ...

404. Proper 5 & Pentecost 3

Matthew 9:9-13, Romans 4:1-25, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 50:1-23, Hosea 5:1-15

Sermon Aid

... with himself and new life in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew 9:9-13 All of the lectionaries bypass the eighth chapter of St. Matthew and move from Matthew 7:27 to Matthew 9:9. The apparent reason is that the church is eager to develop the story of the calling of the disciples instead of dealing with the five specific miracles listed and the "many cures" also mentioned in chapter eight, as well as the healing of the paralytic in chapter nine. It could be that the church didn ...

405. Proper 10 & Pentecost 8

Isaiah 55:1-13, Psalm 65:1-13, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 8:18-27, Exodus 2:11-25, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

... just that, and gave the church an example, as well as a prophecy. Romans 8:18-25 (L); 8:18-23 (R) - "Glory and Grace." 1. Glory - that's what's in our future. We may dare to expect it, and may even wait for God's future glory with "eager longing." There is a better day coming! 2. Grace - that's what is ours right now. We have been redeemed in Christ, and live the new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given us "the first fruits of the Spirit." 3. Gospel - God has made all ...

406. Proper 11 & Pentecost 11

Isaiah 44:6-23, Psalm 103:1-22, Psalm 86:1-17, Exodus 3:1-22, Romans 8:18-27, Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Sermon Aid

... excerpt from Isaiah 44. Romans 8:18-25 (E, C) (Note: Roman Catholics and Lutherans appointed this text for reading last Sunday. These are additional comments.) This is one of Paul's "I've got a glory" sayings, set in the context of a world that "is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons" and to free the whole world "from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God." (Jerusalem Bible) There is a "not yet" to Paul's understanding of "glory," because the fullness of ...

407. Proper 21 & Pentecost 19

Ezekiel 18:1-32, Psalm 25:1-22, Psalm 99:1-9, Exodus 32:1-33:6, Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:12-18, Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon Aid

... Jesus' public ministry, it has a completely different meaning. Matthew rightly puts it in the context of the question about his authority and the unwillingness of the religious leaders to accept him and his message while the prostitutes and tax collectors eagerly accepted him. He probably could never have resolved the question of his authority to teach and preach the good news to the satisfaction of the religious establishment, so he called upon them to repent, echoing through the parable the first message ...

408. Proper 27 & Pentecost 25

Psalm 50:1-23, Psalm 43:1-5, Psalm 63:1-11, Amos 5:18-27, Hosea 11:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon Aid

... complete. The Prayer of the Day (LBW) The mood of the prayers of Advent finds expression in this prayer, which even begins the way that three of the Advent collects address God: Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people to seek more eagerly the help you offer, that, at the last, they may enjoy the fruit of salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Suitable for Pentecost or Advent, it reveals the continuum that exists between the last few Sundays of Pentecost and the Sundays of Advent. The prayer ...

409. A Hissing Hot Coal

1 Samuel 18:1-30

Sermon

... spewed down the throat of Saul. Saul has been made to swallow the boy’s success. He has as much trouble doing so as I experience when gulping down a liver sandwich. George Balanchine, the founder of the New York City Ballet, instructed his dancers, eager to follow his choreographic genius, to "See the music, hear the dance." Saul saw the music of the maidens as their dancing feet beat out a tune of triumph. He heard the dance of the prancing priests celebrating victory over the once invincible Philistines ...

410. Labor Pains

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

... chords of his heart’s deepest grief at the way Absalom had manuevered himself into a position of power. A position allowing him to usurp, for a time, the crown of David. Absalom loved power more than he loved his own father. Rallying young men eager for battle and for shekels, Absalom forced David to flee with a few hundred faithful followers over the Mount of Olives. Absalom was given bad advice. He made several military mistakes. In the forests of Ephraim, his army was obliterated by David’s guerilla ...

411. Born One Of Us

Drama

... door! How did you get in the house? Abner: (Moves forward and sits on stool, facing forward. He pants - breaking up the words) I climbed - the wall - and came in - through - the bedroom - window. Miriam: (Accusingly, rising) You’ve done something bad. (Eagerly) What? Abner: (Nodding) Yes, I’ve done - something. Not much, but something. Miriam: (Alarmed, voice rising) Not to a Roman. Oh, not to a Roman, Abner! Abner: Yes, to a Roman. Miriam: (Horrified) Why? Abner: There they were, riding their horses ...

412. The Rest of the Christmas Story

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

... and mountains made low. Good news is preached to the poor, and the rich are sent empty away. So, Merry Christmas to one and all! By God’s Word, this is the rest of the Christmas story. I dare say that millions of people around the world are eager to hear this story today. From Harlem to Hong Kong, faithful people everywhere want to know that God has "scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, [and] put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree." (Luke 1:51-52) When ...

413. Some Assembly Required

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

... , and we hoped our kids would be happy with theirs. Well, about ten o’clock that night, after we were home from church and the little ones were asleep, I pulled this huge hobby horse box out from its hiding place. I put on some nice music and eagerly settled down to enjoy performing a parent’s ritual on Christmas Eve. Then I looked at the box, and right away, I knew I was in deep, deep, trouble. There in big, bold letters, were those three fatal words: "Some Assembly Required." The horse and the eight ...

414. Christmas, First Proper

Titus 2:1-15

Bulletin Aid

... the first coming of the Christ, and "the glory of God" to the second. The author, almost certainly not Paul and very probably not even Jewish, at least manages to capture one dynamic of his namesake's theology in his assertion that godly lives and eagerness to do good deeds are practical consequences of such theophanies and the salvation that they bring, and are not themselves the source of redemption. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 96) Leader: Great is our God, and greatly to be praised! People: FOR ALL ...

415. Easter 5

1 Peter 2:4-12

Bulletin Aid

... , we confess our ongoing resistance to your power to transform us from our present condition as slaves to sinfulness and captives to confusion, and our unwillingness to lay aside our pointless endeavors and meaningless lives in order to become righteous and holy people, empowered and eager to do your will. Forgive us, we pray, and open us up to your gracious desire and offer to change us into new creatures. Make us long for the image of the Christ until we are finally ready to accept your tender mercies and ...

416. Proper 22

Mt 21:33-46 · Php 3:4b-14 · Ex 20:1-20

Bulletin Aid

... in its present gifts, which abound even now in our imperfect world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Righteous God, we confess that we do not consistently keep your promised coming Reign before us as our goal, and that we settle all too eagerly for the world as it is, as if there were nothing else to look forward to; and we admit that such complacency and contentedness on our part denies your word and weakens our discipleship on behalf of you and your Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and ...

417. Proper 25

Psalm 128:1-6, Ruth 2:1-23

Bulletin Aid

... grace in us: that, realizing the love and mercy you have shown to us, we may now extend it to others. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most compassionate God, it saddens us to admit to ourselves, much less to you, how eagerly we have accepted the grace, mercy, and forgiveness that you have extended to us, but how slowly, reluctantly, and rarely we have been willing to do unto others as you have done to us. Forgive us, we pray, and teach and coax us to return grace for grace ...

418. Epiphany 8

Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 5:33-37, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon Aid

... not submit to a new yoke of slavery. Ministers: We come willingly to bind ourselves to Christ in the bonds of love. Pastor: Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forebearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ministers: We come to be equipped to live that kind of life. Pastor: It is in bondage to Christ that we become free indeed! There is nothing that can separate us from the love of ...

419. Hail! Your King!

Mark 15:1-15

Drama

... say so." Now what kind of an answer is that? But that’s the only thing he said, in the face of all kinds of accusations and throughout my interrogation, he would not deny or affirm. He kept silent. Amazing! But I could tell that the Sanhedrin was eager to (how do you say it now?) railroad this man into prison or whatever, because they were jealous for some reason. And as is customary at Passover I could present the people with the option, Barabbas or Jesus, and if the people, the crowds, chose to release ...

420. A Fool’s Tools

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

... and use responsibly ... to ignore ... or to misuse. When tools are ignored, they deteriorate. The petroleum industry, your local dry cleaner, pest controllers, and even your doctor can help you compile a long list of somethings coming in all shapes and sizes that are eager to get at the tools you ignore. And there are a number of reasons why tools may be ignored. It is quite possible that an individual doesn’t know he has the tool. An occasion permitting its discovery just has not occurred. Walter Johnson ...

421. Jailbreak at Midnight

Acts 16:16-40

Sermon Aid

CSS

... still exists as a mining and textile center named Veroia, also had a Jewish colony. Perhaps some of the Bereans were relatives of the Christian converts at Thessalonica. They received Paul and Silas gladly into their synagogue and listened to the Word with eagerness, engaging in daily Bible study to verify the truth of the teaching. Their devotion to the Scriptures is remembered today in many congregations which have a "Berean Bible Class." But again, Greek men and women were won over to the Christian faith ...

422. Faith, Love, and Fakers at Ephesus

Acts 18:18-28

Sermon Aid

CSS

... the teaching and baptism of John. Paul’s concern for doctrinal purity led him to catechize these disciples and he got some strange answers. Asked about the Holy Spirit, they responded honestly, "We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." But they were eager to learn and Paul was quick to teach. He instructed them about John’s call for repentance and its place in paving the way for the coming of Jesus, since John acknowledged that he was the forerunner to clear the way for the Lord. He showed ...

423. Striking Silversmiths Start Riot

Acts 19:23-41

Sermon Aid

CSS

... condition. While Paul was at Philippi waging his physical and mental struggle, "fighting without and fear within" (2 Corinthians 7:5), he got good news from Corinth. Titus came to him and reported that the Corinthian church had repented of its evils and was eager to welcome Paul. They were not angry with him, as they might well have been because of the scolding they had received in his first letter, but were instead longing and even mourning for his presence. For his part, Paul said, "We have wronged ...

424. "I appeal to Caesar!"

Acts 24:1-27, Acts 25:1-12

Sermon Aid

CSS

... back to Caesarea, Paul was summoned to a hearing at which the Jews brought "serious charges that they could not prove." Paul’s defense was once again a strong denial of the charges and a declaration of his total innocence. Since Festus was new to the scene and eager to get off to a good start with the Jews, he proposed that the matter be litigated at Jerusalem, as the Jews wished, with a trial over which he would preside. However, a change of venue could not be made without the consent of the accused and ...

425. Rome at Last

Acts 28:11-16

Sermon Aid

CSS

... move when the sealanes opened up again to commerce about the beginning of March - early spring in the Mediterranean. At that time a ship from Alexandria, which had wintered at Malta’s main port was ready to sail. Centurion Julius, with his soldiers and prisoners, was eager to complete the final leg of his journey. Paul and the others were therefore taken aboard the "Twin Brothers" or "Twin Gods" for the trip northward past Sicily and up the west coast of Italy to Rome. The name of the ship refers to the ...

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