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 51 to 75 of 215 results

51. Wicked Tenants

Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... and Economic Justice. Working to bring God's kingdom into being in the world at large is another way to produce fruit for the harvest. 2. Treating His Slaves. (vv. 35-36) Prophetic voices often lead to intense opposition because of their challenge to our apathy and comfort. They call us to awaken to needs for change and to undertake tasks that are difficult and may be dangerous. A. Heed Their Voice. Listen receptively. B. Test Their Message. Use the plumbline of scripture to discern the true from the false ...

52. Standing On The Shore

John 20:1-18 · Mark 16:1-8

Sermon

Elaine M. Ward

... story and his words we are given -- Christ! The promise of the gospel is God's victory over death and the mission of the church is to bring life where there is death, freedom where there is oppression, love where there is hate, compassion where there is apathy, and hope where there is despair. Do you remember the movie Dead Poets' Society? In it the English teacher in a private boys' school attempted to open their hearts and eyes to feel and think and experience for themselves. He lost his job because of it ...

53. Advent 3

John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... lives of those whom we know, and those whom we will never see? Charge to the Congregation Despite all of the armies and political forces; despite all of the sufferings and sacrifices, tragedies, and torturing of God's people; despite all of the apathy, lethargy, procrastinating, no one, nothing, has ever, or will ever, extinguish his light. We have a choice. We can hide our in our personal darkness; or, we can be Christ's light in this world. BENEDICTION Meditation "We are God's reflectors and refractors ...

54. The Calling of the First Disciples

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... true identity" (WHK). Response to the Benediction "Ready, Lord!" Meditation Are you ready for the future, which begins now? If you are not ready, how will you get ready; for we ready ourselves by default or decision, by inertia or energy, by apathy or action, by complaining about or by accepting change (WHK). Music Possibilities Music for Preparation and Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany hymns. Hymn of Praise: "Fairest Lord Jesus" Response to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity: "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O ...

55. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Matthew 6:25-34

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... He is insisting that we put life in its proper perspective, now. Jesus urges us not to be anxious for what we cannot have anyway, namely, safety, security. Pastor: Go forth now, into a world in which there is no security and safety, into a world where apathy (who cares?) and halfheartedness are dominant. In Christ's name, move the world a little, beginning in your own home, in the name of God the Parent, the Child, the Spirit. God be with you. Minister:: And with you too, pastor. Pastor: God's grace, mercy ...

56. The Easy Way Out

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... about her tears because we won't let her in and those tears will never soil our shoulders. We fall to the temptation to take the easy way out in so many subtle ways -- in our neglect, or ignorance; in our uninvolvement; in our blindness; in our prejudices; in our apathy -- because the way of the cross is hard. But, my friends, let us not forget: We do not carry it alone. The one who took up that cross in the first place not only has shown us how; in carrying his, he helps shoulder ours. He carried his and ...

57. Baptism of Our Lord

Luke 3:21-38, Luke 3:1-20, Isaiah 43:1-13, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 8:9-25, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... your chain of Christian experience? 8:14-17 Need: As in the case of the rich young ruler, we may have one thing lacking. The Samaritan Christians had everything but one thing. The Spirit is lacking in many church members. Evidence for this is the apathy, indifference, and inactivity of church members. In an inductive style, the sermons will come to the missing link in Christian experience. Outline: Do you as a Christian have this? a. Knowledge of the Gospel? Yes -- v. 14. b. Baptism in Christ? Yes -- v. 16 ...

58. Pentecost

John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:5-14, Romans 8:1-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... to preach about according to the Lectionary. Probably the solution is to study the immediate needs of your congregation. Does the congregation need a revival or renewal of Spirit? Is there a lack of interest among the people in church services and work? Is apathy the order of the day? Is the attendance poor? Are the offerings lagging? Are you having difficulty getting people to take leadership positions? Are your people not sure they have the Spirit? Are they full of doubt and upset by those who claim they ...

59. Proper 10

Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:10-17, Luke 10:25-37

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Today's victims of crime and violence. It is a tough world that shows no mercy to innocent people. b. Carefree vv. 31, 32. Tragedy is that people are care-free from any sense of responsibility to go to the rescue, to help the afflicted due to apathy and indifference. This includes religious people whom you expect to help people in need. This leads to the question: who is my neighbor? Is my neighbor the starving children in Somalia? c. Compassion vv. 33-35. The source of help is compassion, but whence comes ...

60. Proper 15

Luke 12:54-59, Hebrews 12:1-13, Luke 12:49-53, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the church cold, often with icicles on the chandeliers. The warmth of fellowship is lacking. Except for official greeters and the pastor's greeting at the door after the service, strangers would not be greeted. Among the members there is a spirit of apathy and indifference. It is next to impossible to enlist leaders. Resisting change, members say, "We have always done it this way." The average church is in need of warmth, zeal, energy, and enthusiasm. This sermon is to arouse the congregation with the Word ...

61. Proper 24

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Luke 18:1-8

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... one book he had in mind was the Bible. Is the Bible the book of a Christian's life today? While it continues year after year to be the nation's best-selling book, it is one of the least read books. This accounts for shallowness of beliefs and our apathy in the church. A revival and reformation of the church have their source in the Scriptures. In this sermon we want to motivate the congregation to make the Bible the book of their lives. Outline: To make the Bible the book of your life a. Know it 3:14-15 ...

62. Proper 9

Galatians 6:1-10, 2 Kings 5:1-27, Luke 10:1-24

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 't pick our prospects! d. Why visit vv. 5-9. To offer peace, to heal the sick, to announce good news. 3. Get a move on! (10:9, 16). Need: The mood in the average church today is "What's your hurry?" The weakness of today's church is apathy, unconcern, and indifference toward unchurched people. We excuse ourselves from witnessing for Christ by saying, "There is a church on almost every corner. If they want to go to church, they can." Or, we think one religion is as good as the next. Or, we say our neighbors ...

63. Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50:1-11, Psalm 118:1-29, Psalm 31:1-24, Philippians 2:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, Luke 22:66--23:25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... justice. Forgive any compromise of integrity and any indifference to miscarriages of justice. Have mercy on us for the sake of Jesus Christ, your suffering servant and our Savior. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Sympathetic Parent, Suffering Servant, Consoling Spirit, forgive our apathy in the face of your identification with our sins. We are still so insensitive to the abhorrence you have to all evil. Despite your holiness you forgive our sins both deliberate and unknowing. Hear us as in the silence we bring ...

64. Jesus' Countercultural Sermon

Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... , cradled in a feed trough; God dies on a cross, convicted like a common criminal. The countercultural mystery of the gospel is that that coming and that cross are more powerful than any regime, any power or principality in the world; more powerful than any sloth, apathy or lovelessness in our hearts and souls, for that coming and that cross simply are the power of God's perfect love. When we hear the stark and startling demand Jesus makes in the closing verse of today's text, "Be perfect," we do well to ...

65. Ascension

Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . Christianity is not as much dogma as it is truth, communicated through persons. 2. Sermon Title: The Churches' Ho Hum Festival. Sermon Angle: Of all the holy days of the Church, Ascension has to be the least understood. Most Christians regard it with apathy and ignorance. What is the significance of the Ascension? Outline: 1. It concluded Jesus' earthly ministry 2. It expanded the Lord's outreach through the Church 3. It made available the Holy Spirit to the Church 4. It allowed Jesus to prepare a ...

66. End times

Mt 24:1-14 · 1 Thess 3:7-13 · Jer 26:1-6 · Ps 105:1-7

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... on the contrary, lets the chips fall where they may, being driven by a God-inspired passion for revealing the truth, even when it is unpopular. Urgent message. God's message of repentance was delivered with great urgency. The people didn't receive it that way. Apathy turned to hostility toward the messenger. Lesson 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Living in others. The tone of this letter is one of rejoicing. In spite of their persecutions and hardship, they can celebrate the faith and love of those whom they have ...

67. Standing Firm

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... of view. One could argue it's the latter personality type who changes things and the former type who helps avoid or defuse confrontations and divisions. This is what makes the world work. Unfortunately, the excess of one is fanatacism and of the other is apathy. Jesus seemed to believe that if we can practice the ethic of love, we can avoid both extremes, each of us standing firm in what we truly believe. One Dr. White, a highly respected clergyman, was approached by church members who had decided to invite ...

68. Renewal of the New

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... . Imagine first-century Christians encountering an automatic teller machine. Would Luther even recognize a Big Mac as dinner? Possibly not, but he would recognize the same old sinners walking down the streets of our towns. Nothing is new! Today’s church is plagued with apathy and worldliness. The crying need is not for a new, but for a renewed, church. Will this Reformation Sunday be the beginning of a renewed church for a new century? What would it take to renew the new covenant? A renewed new covenant ...

69. Lessons for Lent 3

John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Nazi era are but a few outstanding examples of the corrupting of the church and the need for spiritual cleansing. The corruption in your congregation may not be nearly so dramatic. Perhaps it takes the form of lack of zeal for the Lord's house, apathy, or an unwillingness to serve those in need. Outline: 1. The Lord attacked the merchants for corrupting the house of God. 2. Religion has a tendency to become corrupt, like all other institutions. 3. The church must ever be reforming and renewing. 4. What are ...

70. Epiphany 7

2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4, Isaiah 43:14-28, Mark 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... behalf of their friend. I wonder how often hurting people find a blocked entry at the door of the local congregation. I don't mean to refer to a massive crowd but other barriers much less obvious. How often is the entry blocked by apathy, lack of interest in the community or uncaring attitudes toward those of a different racial, social or ethnic mix? Or perhaps the entry is blocked by lack of imagination, faith and risk taking. Are there barriers in your congregation that prevent folks from gaining access ...

71. With Unwavering Trust

Romans 4:1-25

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... to blame the circumstances of this life for our failure to obtain the promise of eternal life. Closing Prayer O God, we are aware that it would be so easy for us to slip through the cracks that appear in our faith. Make us alert to the dangers of apathy and neglect. Strengthen our resolve and enrich our perseverance that we may win over weakness, and find courage to do what we know we must to fulfill your trust in us, as well as attain the promise of eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ...

72. The Prodigal Nation

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Erskine White

... matter more than the claims of Christ. There's a lot of that going around today, too. Maybe you've gone to the far country of spiritual pride, where once you walked humbly with your God. Or maybe you have slipped into the far country of apathy and resignation, where once you lived life with courage and commitment, conviction, faith and grace. There are so many far countries, but ultimately, they are all in the same place - a place where we lose our right selves and our better values. "Father, I have sinned ...

73. Who Do You say He Is?

Mark 8:27-30

Sermon

Erskine White

... friends, but soul mates in the fellowship of God's people - the faithfulness of Jesus' church hangs in the balance and the One in whose name we worship is waiting for His church to say, "You are the Christ." And in our hearts, in your hearts and mine - where apathy can give way to purpose and casualness can turn to convictfon, where worldliness can give way to holiness - the purity of our lives and the fate of our souls hangs in the balance and the One who died for us on the cross is waiting for us to say ...

74. Easter Sunday

John 20:1-9, John 20:10-18

Sermon Aid

Wayne B. Keller

... venture, dared to step out in faith and obedience, while its enemies from outside threw verbal, sometimes physical rocks, shouting, "Stay out of certain areas, or else!" (the seven last words of the world); and while its enemies from inside sat on their dedicated apathy, and insisted, "We've never done it that way before." (the seven last words of the church.) Yes, we Christians still act phonily and pretend; because we have such difficulty giving up something so dear to us. And yes, God daily makes us over ...

75. Friendship with God

John 15:18--16:4

Sermon Aid

Wayne B. Keller

... to you, which keeps him from becoming a friend of God, others, self? Eric Berne once suggested that human beings, out of relationships, have three basic scripts: joylessness, mindlessness, lovelessness. These lead to all kinds of sins from gossip to apathy. Yet, these are only symptoms. Biblically, sin is alienation, rebellion, broken relationships, I-centeredness,which lead to contempt. Sin is the attempt to justify our existence, and to discount/condemn the behavior of others. Give five minutes of silence ...

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