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 376 results

51. What Ever Happened to Wisdom?

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... ’s eye has not seen it,” we read in Job 28. The falcon soars at immense heights. It can see from horizon to horizon, and its telescopic eyes can pick out the smallest detail on the ground. Half humorously. Scripture reports that even the falcon’s keen eyesight has not detected wisdom on the surface of the earth. Instead, the modern falcon sees a lot of foolishness, like the Wisconsin ex-convict who won the Illinois lottery jackpot of over 380,000 dollars and let it run through his fingers so fast that ...

52. Pleased To Reconcile

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... of one who, even as he is dying, and even as he is cruelly mocked by the perverse titles and trappings of royalty, nevertheless acts like a king in his dying moments. One of the criminals who has been crucified with him suddenly is overcome by remorse and a keen feeling that this man on the next cross is a victim of cruel injustice, while he is getting no more than he deserves, and in his own agony, he says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus replies with the calm authority of a ...

53. Like Parent, Like Child

Ephesians 5:1

Children's Sermon

... few minutes. I want to have you look at (name)'s [Mom/Dad] and then tell me, how do you think the two of them are alike. For example, do they look alike in some ways? (Let the children make some suggestions. Be prepared for some humor mixed with some keen insights.) Both the parent and the child really do look like each other in some ways, don't they. Of course, they will always look different in some ways, because they are not the some person. But there are a lot of ways they look alike. And as (child ...

54. What Do You Mean, "Repent"?

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Thomas Long

... -ripping novel of one man's perilous drift down an alcohol and white-powder-polluted stream of delayed adolescence. The young man is bright, creative, and desperately lonely. His language is marked by the kind of sarcasm which forms at the intersection of keen intelligence, comic conceit, and human desolation. (He describes a woman he meets as having a voice "like the New Jersey state anthem played through an electric razor.") Barely holding on to his low-level job at a New York City magazine, he spends ...

55. Advent 3

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... (vv. 7-8). Witnesses in court are called upon to witness to the works of darkness and sin. A person can't go through a day without hearing testimony concerning the works of darkness. Our recent obsession with the O. J. Simpson trial exposes our keen fascination with the realm of darkness, regardless of whether Simpson is innocent or guilty. If only we gave half as much attention to those who have committed outstanding acts of goodness, love and grace. Like John, we have been called to bear witness to the ...

56. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 17 We know little about the writer of this book and there are no historical markers by which to judge the period in which it was composed. Many scholars believe that Joel lived in the Persian period (559-331 B.C.). We do know that he had a keen interest in the temple and can surmise that he hails from priestly origins. An invasion of locusts causes a call to repentance. The prophet sees this devouring army as the arm of God's judgment. God is trying to arrest his people's attention. Yet the Lord is merciful ...

57. The Baptism Of Our Lord

Mk 1:4-11 · Act 19:1-7 · Acts 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-9 · Gen 1:1-5 · Ps 29

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the nations were soon going to notice God's servant, Israel, because he had placed his Spirit upon his people. In the Gospel we hear the heavenly voice booming "This is my beloved Son, listen to him." Behold my Son, my chosen! We are told to pay keen attention to the Beloved, and what made him noteworthy was the fact that the Son shone forth as the preeminent servant. Behold the servant Son, the Chosen, who gave his life as a sacrifice of service. Such servanthood needs lifting up. Lesson 2: Acts 19:1-7 ...

58. Easter 7

John 17:6-19, Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... as Christ's elect? 2. Sermon Title: When You're Not The Number One Pick. Sermon Angle: Many folks in our society set their sights to be #1, the first chosen and the best. Recall the Jessica Savitch story in the previous chapter. We take a keen interest in the identity of the #1 pick for the National Football League or National Basketball Association. Judas was not the first one selected by Jesus but he was picked to be on the first team, the starting lineup; sadly, his dishonorable conduct disqualified him ...

59. The Good, The Bad, And The Justified

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... needs? Is it the fact that God knows you, and knows you intimately and fully? If so, then accept the freedom that God offers you. Open yourself to him, confess who you are to him, and you will find him gracious. Perhaps it is the second aspect which speaks most keenly to you -- that God accepts you as you are and declares us righteous on the basis of your trust in him. That too is liberating. Not only do you not have to hide your real self, but you do not have to make yourself good. Accept his love. Accept ...

60. If I Live To Be A Hundred

Psalm 30:4-5

Illustration

John E. Sumwalt

... busy with their own lives that they seldom visited. And when his last surviving daughter had died of cancer last year at the age of 75, Sam couldn't help but wonder if God was allowing him to be put to the test, as he did Job. He felt very keenly the truth of Jesus' words in the Gospel of John: ... when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where ...

61. The Son Makes Us Free

John 8:31-41

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... materialistic turn, we increasingly attribute eccentric or even horrible behavior to chemical imbalance in the brain, treatable, if not completely curable, by various psychotropic drug therapies. Twenty or so years ago, the famous psychiatrist Karl Menninger, with keen insight and foresight, lamented the loss of religious language to explain human behavior in his best-selling book, Whatever Became of Sin? Although religious people occasionally talk about sin, we tend to speak of "sins" rather than ...

62. A Lady With A Listening Ear · Mary Of Bethany

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... however, Martha's acceptance of the responsibility without involving Mary in it barred Mary from the festivities since protocol dictated that only men might share the meal as guests. For all the occasion's colorful trappings and joyous atmosphere, however, Jesus realized only too keenly that he was experiencing one of his last peaceful moments. For weeks he had been on the move, hounded from one place to another by enemies who even now lurked in the shadows of Simon's gates. (John 12:10) The pleasant feast ...

63. And Now, We Thank You, Our God

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... cafeteria, and purchase prepared turkey and trimmings for the occasion. The age of automation and pre-preparation has robbed us of many of the details that add to the enjoyment and the excitement of what this day has traditionally meant. True thanksgiving requires a keen awareness and consciousness of both bounty and sacrifice. David reminded those who brought gifts for the house of God of the divine resource that is ours to rejoice about, saying, "All things come from you, and of your own have we given you ...

64. The Conversion of Saul

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... . But even more than our interest in important people, we are desirous of knowing about Saul because of what conversion is and how it occurs. We realize that nothing is more staggering than knowing salvation through faith in Christ, so we read of this man's pilgrimage with keen interest, for we want to know, too: "What must I do to be saved?" "How can I be right with God?" "Is there a clue here that will help me to be converted, and to help others come to faith?" So, let us use Saul's experience to guide ...

65. Grace Is What Christ Has Done

Acts 15:1-21

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... looked at the big muscle which once pumped life through his body, the famed surgeon suddenly realized that this was the first time in human history that a person had ever seen his own heart. It was a historic moment, but for the patient it must have been a keenly sensitive sensation, for the old heart had worn out and failed him. Now the old heart had been replaced by a new one, and without it his life would now be extinct. After gazing for a long moment at the old heart, the grateful patient looked up at ...

66. Death Of A Dream - Birth Of A Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... . They, too, are of one mind, in one accord, with one common goal. But they don't seem to be actively engaged in a project. From all observation they haven't even appointed a committee to work on the problem yet. But, in the room you sense a keen expectancy. If one thought they ought to be "doing" something, one might well ask, "Don't you have any place else to go?" "Peter, couldn't you at least go back to fishing for awhile?" "Matthew, couldn't you return to collecting taxes?" Or, "Have you thought that ...

67. The S & L That Didn't Fail!

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... and while the cross-wood is lovely, the captivating feature is the exquisitely carved figure of the suffering Lord portrayed in the clarity and pain of his torturous, crucified death. That Christ as Victim has won my heart, my love, my loyalty, and my allegiance. I am keenly aware that I serve him always imperfectly, and often very poorly, but still I own no other Lord before him. The S & L That Didn't Fail Yes, the savings and loans have failed us. Man-made institutions have a way of doing that. They come ...

68. Like Parent, Like Child

Ephesians 5:1

Children's Sermon

69. The Fool On The Hill

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

... ." (Looks closely at her) But you don't seem to be her, so go on. What is it you want to know? Woman: I want to know how to harness spiritual power within. Master: (Under his breath) Eat beans. Woman: What was that, master? Master: I said, isn't that keen. Now why is it you want to know how to harness peak power within? Woman: I'm in the midst of a great spiritual battle. If I am going to win this struggle I must have the power. Master: How much are you willing to pay for the answer? Woman ...

70. Robert Paul, You Were Right!

Daniel 7:1-14, Daniel 7:15-28

Sermon

Richard Hasler

... ascends the steps, lights the flame and the Games officially begin. The athletes participating in the Games are connected to a glorious past that goes all the way back to the first Games held in Olympia. As they engage in their contests they are keenly aware of what Robert Paul has called “a sense of being rooted in history.” The New Testament writer in the Letter to the Hebrews seems to have in mind the Olympics or some other significant athletic event when he writes the following words: Therefore ...

71. For One Who Worked With Disturbed Children

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Eulogy

William Luoma

... do not have to bear this grief alone. Your family and friends offer their support. All of us who find it difficult to know what to say, sincerely want you to know that we care. We care about Jackie, about you, and your son, Bryan. We share your sorrow and keenly feel your loss. I have not known Jackie for as long or nearly as well as most of you. But I've known her well enough to respect her deep commitment to her work, and to her family and to her Lord. Her death leaves us with many questions, and ...

72. Three Days To See

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon

Helen Keller

... the past, what regrets? Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die to-morrow. Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life. We should live each day with a gentleness, a vigor, and a keenness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to come. There are those, of course, who would adopt the epicurean motto of 'Eat, drink, and be merry,' but most people would be ...

73. Are You the One?

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... here. You see, it is my belief that John the Baptist was in the grip of the kind of fear we’ve been talking about. Wouldn’t you be afraid if you were alone in a cold, dark, damp prison cell, not knowing what’s going to happen next, but keenly aware of the animosity your captor feels for you? How did that fear affect John the Baptist? Did he wake up in the middle of the night, drenched with perspiration, horrified by some nightmare of the fate that awaited him? Did he fear for the lives of those who ...

74. What You See Is What You Get

John 14:5-14, John 14:1-4

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... love and compassion for all of us. But at the same time we must acknowledge that some of our questions will never be answered in this life. As Martin Luther said, God is both revealed and hidden, present and absent, known and unknown. Sometimes we are more keenly aware of God’s presence. At other times, we feel as if God must be a million miles away. In either case, the ultimate question we must ask ourselves is, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living ...

75. The Sound of Weeping

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... parents can bear. There is no pain to compare with the pain of rejection. In a small town in the western part of our country there once lived a minister and his wife. They had a son who grew to be a fine young man with a keen mind and clean and wholesome personality. Also in that town lived a foul-mouthed, atheistic, but brilliant doctor, who became a hero to the boy. Gradually, he became estranged from his family. He grew irritable and unmanageable, contemptuous of his father's faith, resentful even of his ...

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