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 4601 to 4625 of 5000 results

4601. Caring for the “Little Ones”

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

George Reed

... do?" in each situation of life. Perhaps we should wear HWJJ bracelets to remind us that another question is, "How would Jesus judge?" the value of the people we see and meet? We know that there is no one whom Jesus would not judge as worthy of the grace and love of God; that there is no one whom Jesus would not judge as worthy of justice; that there is no one whom Jesus would not judge worthy of having enough to eat, having clothes to wear, a place to live, and the respect of their neighbors. Let us go into ...

4602. Risking Relationships That Redeem

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... about, deciding from her heart to do what she believes is right. Giving up everything in life that is familiar to her, Ruth makes her painstaking way from Moab back with Naomi to her hometown of Bethlehem. Ruth sacrifices for another who is in need of her love, without regard for the loss of her own well-being. Ruth's persistent care and concern enable Naomi to lay aside her bitter feelings and to take charge of her life again after the devastating loss of her husband and sons. An older widow like Naomi, in ...

4603. A Priceless Gift

Matthew 25:14-30

Illustration

King Duncan

... they'd also dirty it up a little. Now, this was no way to treat such a precious thing, so the man built a box to protect his jewel. And he decided to show it only to those who would treat it with respect and meet it with a reverent love of their own. Even that didn't work, for some tried to break into the box. So the man built a bigger, stronger box--one that no one could get into--and he felt good. At last he was protecting the jewel as it should be. Upon occasion, when he ...

4604. Rock-Bottom Living

1 Peter 2:2-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Bible says, they that labor build the house in vain. Are you among those who have "bottomed-out" on "bottom-living?" Are you ready to try finding a solid-rock foundation instead of banking on some bank account? Or are you still hoping that fulfillment, love, inspiration and commitment can be purchased for a price? There is plenty of evidence pointing to the predominance of the "bottom-line," "more-is-good" mentality in our culture. More and more of us are buying into the new version of the American Dream ...

4605. Hello!?

Romans 8:26-39

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . In another of his letters from prison, Bonhoeffer wrote, 'This is the only God who counts.' Christ on the cross is not a mere theological precondition for salvation. He is God's enduring Word to the world saying, 'See how much I love you. See how you must love one another.'" (The Signature of Jesus [Portland, Ore.: Multnomah Press, 1992], 40). God is with us, wherever we are and whatever we face. Does your faith falter when it contemplates the challenges that surround every human life? Are you doubting in ...

4606. And Again I Say...Amen!

Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... is a So-Be-It Spirit. 3. Embody a So-Do-It-Spirit Be a "Now" person. Christians are a "Now" people. If someone wants your coat _ give it to him, and your shirt also. Jesus says to act out in love without considering what may or may not be in it for yourself. Christian love is action _ not talk, rumination, investigative committees or long-term studies. Be a "Now" Christian, not a "maybe later" fence sitter or an "I'll get around to it" procrastinator. Part of what makes "enemies," enemies of Christ as well ...

4607. Enemies of Promise

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... ?" Don't make too much noise or you'll get hit so hard your ears will ring. Don't admit to being scared or lonely or sad because you're supposed to be a "big boy" or "big girl" now. The enemy of fear takes trust and confidence and love away from children. After the bombing at Oklahoma City, with the images of blown-to-bits children seared in our kids' skulls, fear will be a key enemy of promise to this millennial generation (those born after 1984). 3. The Enemy of Hate: Children are not angels. They can ...

4608. Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... essence of Christ's nature fully human and fully divine but to offer his Philippian readers a most moving and miraculous example of genuine Christian behavior. In Philippians 2:2, Paul urges his readers to be "of the same mind" and have "the same love" as Christ. In light of this plea, then, Paul offers Christ's astoundingly humble and obedient acts of incarnation and crucifixion as the supreme examples of the kind of behavior he is advocating. Even if these verses are not an appropriated earlier hymn, as ...

4609. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... he must do is to live those commandments, and then he shall live. By ignoring the question of "Who is my neighbor," the parable Jesus now presents reveals that the proper question this lawyer should be asking is not "Who" but "How should I love my neighbor?" The parable of the Good Samaritan confronts the lawyer, and all those listening, with the challenge to go beyond a quest for simple obedience and instead, spontaneously, even recklessly, to care. All the images and players Jesus uses in his story of ...

4610. Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:12-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the Colossians' ability to truly live anew in Christ for the forgiveness they are called to offer others is made possible only because of their experience of the Lord's (Christ's) forgiveness. In verse 14, Paul singles out one quality that stands "above all" the rest love ("agape"). This love is literally described by the Greek as "a bond of completeness." The function of "agape" and its binding relationship to the earlier listed virtues is not made entirely clear by this text. The text could be identifying ...

4611. Jesus' Good News of a New World · Part 1

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... one disappointment, after another, you don’t feel very blessed. Jesus says that in God’s new world such people are God’s top priority. Love can turn a curse into a blessing. I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh. We don’t know what ... those who get to the top by looking out for No. 1. Jesus says that in God’s new world, which is governed by love, meekness is a virtue. When a horse’s training is complete, the horse is said to be “gentled.” All that spirit, that strength, that ...

4612. Epiphany 5

Isaiah 40:1-31, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 1. Known (vv. 21, 28). Through the prophet Deutero-Isaiah, Yahweh asks his people whether they have not known about him. If they knew God, they would not be fearful and discouraged. For a full and confident life, we need to know God: his power as creator and his love as known in Jesus. Know the Lord as one who does not forget his children in distress and as one who has the power to deliver. 2. Compare (v. 25). To know God is to compare him with other gods. Of course, there is no comparison, for other gods ...

4613. Proper 16

John 6:25-59, 1 Kings 8:22-61, Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... his words. His words have the authority of God. It is not the bread and wine of the eucharist that confers forgiveness but the Word which is enclosed in the bread and wine. Outline: The wonderful words of Jesus – a. Words of life. b. Words of truth. c. Words of love. Old Testament: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 1. How great is God! (8:22-30, 41-43). Need: The tendency is to limit God to our own weaknesses and prejudices. Is he great enough to transcend our limitations and faults? Is he great enough ...

4614. Proper 22

Job 1:1-5, Job 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:5-18, Mark 10:1-12, Mark 10:13-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... but in terms of reverence and obedience. Because of his fear, he was blameless and did not sin by word of mouth. Not only should we love God but fear him, also. 2. Spare (2:6). God turned Job over to Satan to test his loyalty to God. There was only one limitation ... a marriage is filled with incompatibility, strife, violence and hatred, it is certainly not in harmony with the spirit of Christ and his love. To live in hatred may do more damage to the spouses and the children than would be done if there were a ...

4615. Proper 23

Job 23:1--24:25, Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:17-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... for us. He can do this because he was altogether human, except he did not sin. 3. Boldness (v. 16). We can approach God through Christ with "boldness." We come with boldness, not with fear nor hesitancy. Our boldness is based on the fact that Christ loved us enough to die for us. In love there is no fear. Though he is in heaven, we can receive mercy from him for our sins. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Mark 10:17-31 1. How to get real life (10:17-22). Need: Many identify with the man of the text who could ...

4616. 2 Corinthians 7:3-15

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... in his life after that stroke of insight on the Damascus Road revolved around spreading the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul’s message and ministry were all about that mission. The evangelical imperative that drove Paul and made him crazy in love with Jesus (“fool” in the Greek is “moros,” better translated “crazy”) came from his own experience. Paul was born a Jew, but he became a Christian. No members of the Body of Christ are “born” into it. All are in a continuous state of ...

4617. Proper 25

Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-22, Job 42:7-17, Hebrews 7:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... human and divine support to those anticipating new kinds of treatment. Assist all healers that their work may benefit the sick. Timeless God: By your power Jesus Christ was raised from death. Watch over the dying. Fill fading eyes with light to see beyond this life a home within your love, where pain is gone and all our frailties transfigured. Banish all fears. Let death come gently as nightfall, and faith give assurance of a promising day of glad reunion with Jesus Christ and those whom we have ...

4618. Proper 26

Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146:1-10, Ruth 1:1-22, Hebrews 9:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and recorded books to those who cannot see. Minister to all who are bowed down, to the depressed and the addicted through healers and counselors, medical and spiritual. Strengthen all who seek to make our society more caring and moral. As you love the righteous and watch over strangers and orphans and the bereaved, bless agencies that aid travelers and care for battered women and children. Restrain those who are violent and bring them into such caring custody that will restrain and pacify the hostile ...

4619. Lent 4

Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... employee, that we may work together in harmony and good faith. Grant grace, mercy, and peace to all who maintain hospices for the dying. May we live serenely and come to the end of life in serenity. We rejoice in the hope of everlasting life with you, loving God, and with the whole community you gather around you. We celebrate the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and pray to be brought at last to the community of the righteous made perfect by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

4620. Proper 27

Psalm 98:1-9; 145:1-5, 17-21, Haggai 1:15b-2:9, Luke 20:27-40, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and orphans and have provided for them when they were in want. We remember happily the citizens who have welcomed newcomers, strangers, and aliens and helped them find their place in a new land. We celebrate in anticipation the pleasant place you have prepared for all who love your appearing. Glory be to you, O God. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION God of the living, not only in one great hour of sharing, but in all the days of our lives, use us and our total resources to help feed the hungry, to heal the sick ...

4621. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... come in Jesus of Nazareth to show us the undeserved favor of God. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Accept the limitations of your own knowledge. Have reverence for the wisdom of the Creator. Be thankful for his love in Christ and for a humble place in his house. PRAYER OF THE DAY Available God, whatever our age, whether married or single, make us sensitive to what you are doing and about to do, that we may not miss the excitement of being a part ...

4622. Easter 3

Psalm 30:1-12, John 21:1-19, Acts 9:1-19a, Revelation 5:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... as our leader and Savior. People: Our Savior grants us repentance and forgiveness of sins. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Be witnesses to all this. The Holy Spirit is given to those who are obedient to him. Love him more than all else. PRAYER OF THE DAY Living Christ, meet us at the place of our daily work so that what we do may be done with patience and honesty and be offered to you as our obedient service. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Worthy ...

4623. Proper 17

Matthew 16:21-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... :9-21 Gospel - Peter and the disciples have more to learn about the mission of Jesus as Messiah. Matthew 16:21-28 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Persist in prayer. Let love for our community breed warmth of mutual affection. People: With unflagging energy, in ardor of spirit, we will serve the Lord. INVOCATION We come to you again, Holy God, in this holy place, to receive your view of things and to offer continued service to you ...

4624. Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, Matthew 5:38-48, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... : Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Share God's work in putting the land to rights and in caring for prisoners and others in distress. PRAYER OF THE DAY Perfect Parent, bring to perfection the love we have for others so that we love our enemies as well as our friends and become more truly "little Christs" to the honor of the name of Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We give thanks, O God, for your great wisdom and understanding of our humanity. For ...

4625. One Nation Under God

2 Chronicles 7:14

Sermon

James Merritt

... God, you've got to seek God with all your heart. If you're going to pray it must be a heartfelt prayer. The face of God does not mean His literal face. It signifies His presence; it signifies times of coming into His presence with nothing but praise and love and adoration, and doing all that you can to give God the worship that He deserves. You see we're looking for solutions to our problems in all the wrong places. We ought to be looking to God because He is the solution to our problems. You know sometimes ...

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