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 426 to 450 of 4959 results

426. What Is Required of Us?

Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... really, really dangerous, Daddy." McManus then asks a question that called me up short, “Have you come to that place in life where you stop asking God to give you a safe life and make you a dangerous follower of Jesus Christ?”1 If I had to summarize the desires of most people who come to me off the streets and from this and other churches I would say they come with two questions: first, Will you listen to me? to which the answer is Yes, and secondly, Can you make it better? to which the answer is, That ...

427. Going Hard against the Grain

Matthew 5:33-37

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... . It has been tried and found difficult and therefore abandoned.” Speaking the truth in love at all times, giving up the right to hurt others who hurt me: what could be more demanding than this? But it is the only path that Jesus has given us, and if we desire his company, then this is his agenda- to make us new people, a people who give credible witness to the coming kingdom of God by showcasing it in the present. I’m glad you believe in Jesus; I’m glad I do as well, but are we willing to actually ...

428. Loving Like God Loves

Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... and me. I can’t do these things on my own, and neither can you; that’s just the point. But, and here is the good news, in the company of Jesus and through the interior work of his Spirit we can be changed so that we begin to desire impossible things, and then, by the miracle of God’s supporting grace, find ourselves sometimes getting it right and surprising even ourselves! Jesus welcomes us into a parallel reality called the kingdom of God. We are invited to plug in! It is a new world in the midst of ...

429. Playing to the Right Audience

Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-4

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... defective; it’s how God made us. We were made for the enjoyment of all things in God, and in this fallen world addiction is when we seek to enjoy something apart from God and ask it to deliver satisfactions it was not designed to offer. Our desire gets stuck to the object and can’t get free. Addiction is a sign of idolatry, that I am overloading something in creation and asking of it what it was never intended to supply. All addictions have spiritual roots, which is why 12 step programs or outright ...

430. The God Who Must Be Pursued

Matthew 7:7-12

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... and frail humanity but not our systemic disease of rebellion against God and partnership with the Evil One. We can be infested and colonized by evil desires, even by demons, but not Jesus. He was not infected with our disease; he spoke of you who are evil, not we who are evil. Jesus ... our prayers but to, as best we can, pray for what is on the heart of Jesus and come into tune with his desires. It’s OK to be excited about the gifts of God, particularly the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They give life and are ...

431. Million Dollar Christmas

Matthew 19:21

Drama

Matthew Powell

... that my housekeeper Mary's nose might be a half an inch shorter than it was. Another thing was that my sister-in-law would stop her exaggerated boasting about her quite average children. And, oh yes, I remembered another thing I had often said to myself that I desired more than anything in the world: that my sister Jane might have a sense of humor. Well, I am a millionaire now and can have anything I wanted. Edgar 2: I will have these things attended to right off. Edgar 1: Suddenly, it struck me with a cold ...

432. Proper 9

Gen 24:1-67, Zech 9:9-13, Rom 7:7-25; 8:1-17, Mt 11:1-19, 25-30

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... do the right thing? It is the law of sin, the power of evil that possesses the flesh. It is the unregenerated part of us that desires evil. While the Law in itself is good, the Law shows us the wrong we do. This calls for a continual battle against temptation and ... 7:24-25. Need: We may have inner turmoil to the point that we consider ourselves as "wretched." We are torn between conflicting desires and natures. We may be able to understand all this, but what is the solution? Can a person get peace of mind and ...

433. Proper 21

Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:12-18, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Turn from evil to good and you shall live. With that we can agree, but the rub comes in making the turn. What will create a desire to change? Where does one get the power to break away from sin to walk in righteousness? The answer is in "a new heart and a ... new way of life. 4. Pleasure (v. 32). What hurts God? What gives him pleasure? Because God is love, he loves all of his people and desires them to live with him and for him. He made us to live in him and with him. Even a human being who loves finds pleasure ...

434. God, Or the World?

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... way to show his readers that any route to the kingdom of God cannot bypass Jesus, yet temptation lurks around every corner. As we celebrate this first Sunday in Lent we must ask ourselves the question, where do we stand, with God or the world? Concerning power - does the desire for power consume us? If we have power do we use it for personal gain or for the betterment of all? Is power a thing of value and a necessity, or can we live without it? With regard to prestige, do we do things so others will notice ...

435. The Day of the Lord

Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... Day of the Lord is coming, they announced, the Day of God’s final judgment, when he would defeat all of his enemies and bring in his kingdom on earth. But far from being exalted, sinful Israel too would be judged. “Woe to you who desire the Day of the Lord!” Amos proclaimed. “Why do you desire the Day of the Lord? It is darkness and not light” (Amos 5:18). Many of the prophets who came after Amos affirmed that dreadful message, as does Joel here in 2:1-2 (cf. Zephaniah 1; Isaiah 2:6-22; Ezekiel 7 ...

436. Our Sin Against God

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... to discuss God as an object — always a disastrous step. And what the serpent does in that conversation is to set three temptations before the woman. First, the serpent tempts the woman to think that God is not good (v. 1), that he won’t give the woman what she desires and what will be good for her (cf. v. 6). But like all of us pious folk, the woman is very zealous to defend God, and so she replies that she and her husband may eat of any tree except that in the midst of the garden, “Neither shall you ...

437. Proper 13

Psalm 17:1-15, Romans 9:1-29, Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... complete poem may be found in The United Methodist Hymnal (No. 387). Four stanzas for congregational use are at No. 386 in UMH and at No. 638 in the 1982 Episcopal hymnal. The Episcopal version has altered the text at two points and so is less desirable. American Methodists have traditionally sung this hymn to a Scottish melody, which in their hymnals they have named after their own Bishop Candler for whom the text and tune was a great favorite. It is not as widely known as it deserves, and care should be ...

438. Putting Mom in Heartbreak Hotel

1 Kings 2:5-6

Sermon

James Merritt

... all Israel to my Lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.' So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace." (II Sam. 3:21) You talk about a one hundred and eight degree turn, you ... loved saints in the church, He loved sinners outside the church. If you do not love the lost, and if you do not have a desire whatsoever to bring lost people to Christ, you are not saved. When I think about the fact that 95% of all Christians have never even ...

439. Never Let Them See You Sweat (Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control)

Galatians 5:23

Sermon

James Merritt

... are: "you," "the," and "a," but the word we use most often is "I." As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us." Now compare this emphasis on self to what Jesus said in Luke 9:23: "Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and follow Me." Society says, "deify yourself." Jesus said, "deny yourself." What is the result of a society saturated with self, where self is in control? Beginning in v.19 Paul gives the characteristics of a society where self is ...

440. Nobody's Perfect--Except Jesus

Hebrews 4:15-16

Sermon

James Merritt

... eyes"; with the lust of the flesh when she saw that it was "good for food"; and with the pride of life when she saw that it was a "tree desirable to make one wise." As you will see, the Lord Jesus was tempted in exactly the same way; and the way He was tempted is the way we are ... the hunger drive, the thirst drive, or the sex drive; what is wrong is to make a god out of any physical desire. Satan wanted Jesus to make bread his god. Today, there are people who make the bed their god, so they worship sex. ...

441. America: You Are Too Young to Die

Psalm 80:1-19

Sermon

James Merritt

... between restoration and revival. Restoration is for the sake of man. He says, "Restore us…and we shall be saved." But revival is for the sake of God. "Revive us and we will call upon Your name." (v.18) You see, we not only need to desire revival, we need to desire revival for the right reason. I think some people want revival because they are afraid that if we don't get right with God, the Stock Market might crash and our way of life might be threatened, and we might fall into a deep depression. Well ...

442. The Lion King

Revelation 5:1-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... made it with his hands; He bought it with his blood; He was promised it by his Heavenly Father; and one day, He will unroll the scroll and exercise His sovereignty over this world. Oh, many are willing to open the scroll, but He alone is worthy. Many are desiring to open the scroll, but He alone is deserving. Many are prominent who would open that scroll, but He alone is preeminent. II. The Wonder of the Lord "And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the ...

443. With Malice toward None, With Charity for All

Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon

James Merritt

... this: "The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Think about this: The sun shines on Afghanistan just like it shines on America. It rains in Iraq just like it ... love him and serve him." That is the way of Jesus. Just as the Father wants to turn sinners into saints, we ought to desire to turn our enemies into friends. The only way you can do that is by loving them. When Martin Luther King, Jr. began to ...

444. Breaking down Barriers

Matthew 15: (1-10) 21-28

Illustration

John Tucker

... you're left out, and deeper anguish when someone close to you gets let in. Worst of all, once you're in, you want to keep others out, because it's the exclusive nature of the group that makes you feel good. Jesus' disciples wrestled often with that desire to be part of the inner ring. They argued over who should have the seats closest to Jesus. They asked Jesus to bring down fire on pagan villages. They rebuked little children for coming in too close and wasting Jesus' time. Jesus must have often shaken his ...

445. Making Disciples

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... ink but with the Spirit of the Living God. The proof is there. All anyone needs to do is look carefully. Those he has influenced are wonderfully valuable letters to the world. It should be obvious that those professing Christ as Savior and Lord are desirous in making disciples for him. Sadly, it is not always that obvious! For reasons, known only by God for the most part, we too often provide a surface approach in our evangelistic efforts. Our lack of fruit produces a dampening expression. Praise God, there ...

446. Final Instructions

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... doesn't try to rule our lives because he is some eastern potentate who enjoys putting us down. God knows what's best for us. He desires to rule our lives because he knows what's best for us. That's what Jesus taught his followers just before he ascended. Like a mother ... not we will be ruled, only who or what will rule us. If we refuse to let God rule, we will be ruled by our own desires which will betray us, a false leader who will lead us astray or the evil one who will deceive us. Unless that which is above ...

447. Protecting Your Valuables

James 3:13-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in today's increasingly economically influenced language. On the one hand we use "value" to describe items of great worth and desirability either materially (oil, gold, or real estate in Aspen or Beverly Hills) or more philosophically (truth, wisdom, and loyalty). On the ... around a commitment to service and obedience. James explicitly lists qualities such as meekness and mercy as the most desirable of spiritual values. In each text it is evident that there is a hierarchy which has firmly established certain ...

448. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... help me put up with you." If you're really praying, you seldom get the answer to the prayer that you're looking for. Because true prayer causes the pray-er to make a new prayer. True prayer convinces the one who is praying that what was once desired is no longer desirable. Prayer makes a new person out of the pray-er. No one can feel the power of God's love and remain the same or make the same request. Once God has touched us, our concern becomes more to convey unbinding love than to receive it. Real prayer ...

449. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... truly Spirit-filled and Christ-like. These virtues are very different from those celebrated in the surrounding Greco-Roman society. James first declares purity as the most desirable trait for Christians to cultivate. This contrasts with the leader described in verse 14, who operates with mixed motives, putting selfish desires above communal harmony. Coupled with this purity are a string of adjectives that reflect a distinctively Christ-like complex. In contrast to Hellenistic tradition, where meekness and ...

450. Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... is Jesus "master" or "teacher;" now he is "Lord." Simon then falls at Jesus' feet _ a completely subservient and worshipful posture. When Simon Peter begs Jesus to "Go away from me, Lord," the language of the text suggests that his plea is more than a desire for Jesus to physically move away from him. The reference includes the request that Jesus' spirit depart from Simon Peter's own mind and spirit _ as though even a mental or spiritual connection between Jesus and Simon is more than Simon can bear as he ...

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