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 4576 to 4600 of 5000 results

4576. The Compassionate Christ

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

King Duncan

... declared that lepers were treated “as if they were, in effect, dead men.” Whenever leprosy was diagnosed on examination by the priest, the leper was banished from the community. The writer of Leviticus spelled out the sentence of the condemned: “He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean; he shall dwell alone in a habitation outside the camp” (13: 46). The leper had to go with “rent clothes, disheveled hair, and with a covering upon his upper lip,” and as he went he had ...

4577. Bigger Is Not Always Better

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Mickey Anders

The American businessman was at the pier of a small, coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, "But ...

4578. Looking at the World through the Eyes of God

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Brett Blair

... hope dawned as a result of that great victory. Prosperity beyond any ever known improved lives around the world. But there was a shadow that was cast in the dawn. For the war was won in 1945 by the invention of the bomb. And today it still casts its long shadow. Since then the Korean War and Vietnam were reminders of just how chaotic the world could be. And then we seemed so close to a lasting peace. The wall had gone down in Berlin. Eastern Europe had opened up. The cold war with Russia had thawed and at ...

4579. Wesley's Rule of Conduct

John 12:20-36

Illustration

Brett Blair

John Wesley wrote to his people called Methodist the following Rule of Conduct: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. This is the meaning of the Passion. The crucifixion of Jesus is God's conduct; it is the rule for our lives as long as we shall live.

4580. It's Not a Snuggie Love

Mark 15:1-15, Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... work together to create “the Wave.” In a crowd your own behavior doesn’t have to make sense. What you do doesn’t have to be well thought-out. Before you do what you do you don’t have to draw up any long-range plans. Crowds have personalities. *There are joyful crowds — think of Billy Graham stadium revivals, or the Pope’s outdoor Masses, or round-the-world “rock concerts for a cause.” *There are violent crowds — mobs ransacking Paris, Palestinian youths surging towards Israeli soldiers ...

4581. Easter 5

Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... answered. Epistle: Acts 8:26-40 1. Worship (v. 27). Here is the story of a high government official who traveled a long way in a chariot to worship. Why could he not do this worshiping in Ethiopia? Is worship worth the trouble? What is ... , "Love is God." Outline: Is God love or is love God? a. The world's view: love is God. 1. Situation ethics do as you wish as long as you love. 2. Unwise love love without discernment. 3. Harmful love people are hurt in the name of love. b. The biblical view: God is love. ...

4582. Proper 13

2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, John 6:25-59, Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 6:24-35 1. Seek (vv. 24, 26). The people sought Jesus. They took a lot of time and traveled, for that day, a long distance to find him. To seek Jesus is praiseworthy, but is he sought for the right reason? In this incident, they wanted him to ... no "rice Christians." 2. Labor (v. 27). Jesus urged the crowd not to labor for physical but for spiritual food. Indeed, it does take hard and long labor to raise food in a garden and on a farm. People work hard to earn a living. How does one labor for spiritual food? ...

4583. Proper 15

John 6:25-59, 1 Kings 2:1-12, 1 Kings 3:1-15, Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 4. 2. 2. What do you want of God? (3:5-14). Need: We have so many things that we could ask God to give us. What is your greatest need? It takes some thinking. What you ask for reveals your character. Outline: What do you want? a. A long life? No. b. Wealth? No. c. Defeat of your enemies? No. d. Wisdom? Yes! Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-20 1. Carouse or celebrate? (5:15-20). Need: Drunkards carouse or celebrate. Those drunk with wine carouse in dissipation and debauchery. Those drunk with the Spirit celebrate. We ...

4584. Proper 20

Mark 9:33-37, Mark 9:14-32, James 4:1-12, James 3:1-12, Proverbs 31:10-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... as people do not treat one another justly, there will never be peace. If there is economic injustice, there will never be peace between the "have" and "have not" nations. Goodwill, honesty and fairness are pre-conditions of peace. As long as people and nations are unChristian in their human relations, there can be no peace. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Mark 9:30-37 1. When silence is not golden (9:32, 34). Need: In a world of noise and chatter, in a world of talk-talk by radio and television, silence ...

4585. Proper 28

1 Samuel 1:1-20, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 10:19-39, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... we can cope with and redeem the times. 3. Birthpangs (v. 8). The end is not yet. The natural disasters of wars, earthquakes and famines are the penultimate end. They mark the beginning of the end. When they appear, we can expect the end soon. But how long will the birthpangs last? For 2,000 years there have been wars, earthquakes and famines. Since they are always happening, the parousia is always around the corner. Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 1. Closed (v. 6). Twice it is explained that "the Lord had ...

4586. The Nativity Of Our Lord

Isaiah 9:1-7, Titus 2:1-15, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... REFLECTIONS Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) 1. Decree (v. 1). The relation of church and state is a problem every generation faces. At the very beginning of Jesus' life the state had its say. A "decree" from Rome gave Jesus' parents a difficult time: a long, arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem at a time when the expectant mother needed to stay at home with family. The decree resulted in a stable for a delivery room and animals for attending nurses. "Caesar" continued to be a problem for Jesus to the very ...

4587. The Rush and the Hush of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... too many kids being raised in families who do not know the meaning of “family time.” Traveling down an interstate on a long car trip used to be good “family time.” Anybody remember “The Alphabet Game” where kids and grown-ups could work their way ... every two miles—-that was the stuff family trips were made of. Then came the Walkman. Then came built-in DVD players. Now a long-distance trip with a car full of kids can be the quietest, most solo experience a parent can have. -One kid is plugged into ...

4588. Too Good Not to Be True

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

King Duncan

... ’s plans for the weekend, and another week of work would begin the next morning. She was living hundreds of miles from family and friends. Her budget wouldn’t allow too many long-distance calls, and there wasn’t anything good on TV. She decided to go to the supermarket to pick up a half gallon of milk and perhaps buy a single, long-stemmed rose to brighten her apartment as well as her mood. Sunday night was the best time to do this; that’s when the produce manager would remove any flowers that were ...

4589. A Shepherd's Love

John 10:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... I think of the Good Shepherd without knowing that he must love us beyond measure if we are like sheep to him. A sheep is smelly, with an oily kind of dirt that lingers on anything it touches and soaks right through clothing to give an overall aroma long after you’ve come in. One old ewe that I hate with a passion, since she takes advantage of every unsuspecting moment to assert her authority, had trouble having her lamb. Would you believe we had to pen her up all the while she was trying to incapacitate ...

4590. Heart-Healthy Christians

Romans 8:18-27

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... risen Christ into the world, which means not rising from the dead (Jesus did that) but rising from our seats, getting on our feet and walking behind Jesus into the world. “Dieting” Christians may look good on the outside, but a diet faith can’t be sustained in the long-haul and has no energy to change the world. You need a faith rich in the devotional life and steeped in the Word off God. Here’s a Heart-Smart Test of how healthy your heart is: Does your heart break at the sight of a homeless man or ...

4591. Afraid No More

Romans 8:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... opening the search for ideas and innovation to all employees, held a meeting to discuss the need for change. A veteran worker, who had joined the company as a young immigrant, tentatively suggested an idea for ending the breakage and it worked. When asked how long he had had that idea, the worker replied, “Thirty‑two years.” (5) Thirty-two years he sat on an idea that could save his employer money. Nobody had asked for his imput before. More distressing, he had not had the courage before then to speak ...

4592. A Life of Trust

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... your way out of. How can anyone ever make it through the loss of a child? How about the loss of a marriage or the loss of a life-long partner? How can anyone face a fatal illness? And yet people walk through such valleys all of the time. It’s not easy. In fact, it can be ... wish there were a simple formula. Some people grow up trusting. As the brilliant psychologist Eric Erikson taught us long ago, the establishment of a sense of trust is the most basic developmental task. Erikson said that humans encounter ...

4593. The Small Gems in Life

Mark 4:26-29

Illustration

Lori Best Sawdon

... minutes by making a complex transfer in the subway at Grand Central Station. When they emerged from the underground in Central Park, the monk sat down on a bench. His host wanted to know what he was doing. "I thought we should enjoy the ten minutes," the monk replied. How long has it been since we have stopped for ten minutes simply to be, to observe our surroundings, to wonder at the world around us, to enjoy the time we have? It is not a very ...

4594. The Ride of Your Life

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Gail” found out, there is always one storm bigger than any boat. There are Perfect Storms. No one gets out of life alive. Even in this worst case scenario, even if the Rock doesn’t walk on water but sinks and drowns, what is the worst that can happen? As long as we are in the boat with Jesus, “[nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39) In fact, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” (Philippians 1:21) and “to be away ...

4595. Paul’s “We-With” Body-Building

2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... “Year of Paul” would inspire others to similar missionary zeal and spirit of sacrifice. In his sermon establishing this “Year of Paul” that we Protestants somehow managed to miss (the Orthodox Church celebrated it quite a bit), Benedict XVI noted a long‑standing tradition that said Sts. Peter and Paul met near the basilica before they were martyred, where they hugged and blessed each other. Both Peter and Paul were giants in the church, with different roles to play, and while there were sometimes ...

4596. Never Ever Give Up!

Mark 5: 21-43

Illustration

James W. Moore

... -"Jimmy V," as sports fans around the country affectionately knew him. Valvano died on April 16, 1993, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was forty-seven years old. He will he remembered as a great basketball coach. His North ... viewing audience, he said this: Today, I fight a different battle. You see, I have trouble walking and I have trouble standing for a long period of time. Cancer has taken away a lot of my physical abilities. Cancer is attacking and destroying my body. But what cancer cannot ...

4597. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24:1-10, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... is quite different from the dance before King Herod in today’s Gospel. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Second Lesson—Paul rejoices in the eternal purposes of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel—The martyrdom of John the Baptist is remembered long after his death and burial. Mark 6:14-29 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Believer/Priests, you are clothed with the garments of salvation. People: As loyal servants of the ...

4598. Proper 18

Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-13

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... 14-17 Gospel—The healing ministry of Jesus extends beyond the borders of Israel. Mark 7:24-37 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Praise the Lord as long as you live. People: We will sing psalms to God all our life long. INVOCATION God our Maker, Creator of the rich and the poor alike, may our worship be inspired by your Spirit so that what we hear and what we promise in obedience to your word in Christ may be evident in our daily ...

4599. Christ the King

2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-18, John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4-8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... country. While enjoying the bounty and variety of the harvest, teach us to avoid waste that we may have more to share with others in need anywhere in the world. Hear our prayers for family and friends who are sick, anxious about uncertain diagnoses, impatient for a cure, longing for relief from pain. Bless us all whatever the nature of our need. Comfort those who are dying. You are the Alpha and the Omega, O God, who is and who was and who is to come. Our hope is in you because of Jesus Christ, the faithful ...

4600. Advent 4

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Psalm 89:1-4, Luke 1:26-38, Romans 16:1-27

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... risk of personal reputation or at hazard of private wealth. Have mercy on us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who served your purpose without reservation. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! The Divine secret kept in silence for long ages has been disclosed through the proclamation of Jesus Christ. People: The prophetic scriptures have made known to us and to all nations. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Come in faith and ...

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