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 751 to 775 of 1245 results

751. The Double Cross

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... emotional "pit stop," a refreshing place that prepared him for Jerusalem. At these restful moments, Jesus enjoyed the company of some of his best friends Mary, Martha, Lazarus. Bethany was a place where he could hang out, where he could eagerly engage people in conversation and not worry about being trapped. Jesus loved Bethany Suppers. They were his favorite dining experiences. Yet Bethany Suppers were not moments of self-indulgent "timeouts" for Jesus. At Bethany Suppers, Jesus extended himself outward to ...

752. A Concert of Prayer

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Drama

Leonard Sweet

... /conference/diocese/presbytery. Pray that this New Reformation might not pass us by and leave us a monument to a dying order. Finally, let us pray that we might go forth from this Concert of Prayer a changed people, a transformed tribe, ready and eager to witness to our risen and regnant Lord in whatever, wherever and whenever God chooses. Do you believe there are burning bushes still out there? Will you leave this place open to the stirrings of God's Spirit? MUSIC: Close by holding hands and singing ...

753. Easter Completes

Colossians 3:1-4

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... abundant in springtime. Kids love the Easter Bunny! Perhaps because the Easter Bunny doesn't keep lists of who has been "naughty or nice" like that Santa Claus fellow, or perhaps because he is quiet and soft and huggable and speechless, children eagerly flock to the sides of mall Easter bunnies. Sitting on Santa's lap is often a terrifying experience for small children. But hugging the Easter Bunny is a guaranteed "warm fuzzy." All the strange and seemingly nonsensical (to adults) traditions that go along ...

754. Hello!?

Romans 8:26-39

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... as an institution before our government and its policies; the distance between "conservative" and "liberal" church attitudes. . . . "Hello!?" The problem is that Christians have let their god become too small. They have allowed their salvation to be microchip miniaturized. We are eager to pray that the check we just wrote won't bounce but we are hesitant to ask God to deliver Bosnians, Croats and Serbs from the simmering pot of hatred that keeps them locked together as bloody adversaries. "Hello!?" This is ...

755. Paying Dues to God

Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . The creative genius within us is an unfolding of God's creative genius itself. If doing justice to God means doing justice to the image of God we embody, then unfortunately we have let our dedication to creativity become increasingly selective. Today, we are eager to be creative in the fields of technology and science fields where the most creative concepts "pay off" the most financially, professionally, etc. Why is it that we can be so creative in other areas of our lives, and so positively resistant to ...

756. Easter Dreams

Luke 24:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , in rightful wrath, he almost returned it. "Pronouncing the Trinitarian formula, the pastor lowered the new Christian down into the liquid grave to be buried with Christ and then raised him up to eternal life. Though the water was cold, the man was not eager to get out. Instead, he stood there, weeping for joy. When at last he left the baptismal box, I thought he would hurry away to change into something dry. I was mistaken." The prisoner, the newborn Christian, told them, "I want to wear these clothes ...

757. Preparing the Way, Preparing Our Hearts

John 1:1-18

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

... Jesus was God's divine Visitor to this world, then John was the one who was sent to prepare the way. Because God knew and John the Baptist knew: how the visit of God's Son would be received would very much depend on people's situation. If they were eager to hear the good news that God's tender mercies were available to forgive their sins, then they'd be glad to hear just that message from the lips of Jesus. But if people didn't think they had a problem with sin, then the visit of God's Son ...

758. John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... harm. The action of the seraphim then has far-reaching ramifications. As Isaiah's lips are purified by the burning coal, his heart and his mind are also made pure. The prophet's thoughts and actions will now be clean in the Lord's sight. With that assurance Isaiah now eagerly offers his services to this magnificent "Lord of hosts." No matter the "host of Lords" (Bishop Roy Sano) who rule on earth, Isaiah's mission is to speak for the supreme ruler of the universe.

759. Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... journey. Truly this is an ignominious beginning for one who will be called "Messiah" - tossed out by a scruffy settlement of Samaritans. James and John suggest a little corrective surgery be performed on this early blemish upon Jesus' image - they eagerly recommend calling "fire to come down from heaven and consume them" (v.54). This helpful offer, while utterly rejected by Jesus, does bring into focus another theme scholars perceive running through much of Luke: James' and John's bloodthirsty zeal ...

760. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the tradition of daily prayer and praise to the one true God, instilled in him from birth, enables him to maintain a worship schedule, praying for colleagues such as Timothy on a regular basis. It is surprising to find Paul, the one usually so eager to call himself "sinner" and "short-faller," extolling the "clear conscience" that abides with him during these moments of prayer. The reason for this clear conscience is, however, not dependent on Paul at all. It is a function of the tradition of his ancestors ...

761. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (v.7). While Samuel appears to heed the Lord's directive and patiently awaits God's revelation of the chosen one, Jesse becomes the next one eager to select the most likely of his sons for Samuel's scrutiny. The proud father is orchestrating some strange beauty pageant as he carefully selects one son and then another to parade in front of Samuel. Though the text does not record Samuel's telling Jesse ...

762. John 1:6-8, 19-28

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... make a career out of questioning Jesus and his disciples throughout his ministry. The question put before John the Baptist is a fishing expedition. Although John could certainly have engaged in some sort of verbal jousting match at this point, instead he is eager to confess who he is not. The awkward phrasing of verse 20 is probably best translated as an indication of John's immediate, unhesitating, very dramatic answer. "I am not the Messiah." The emissaries are not easily put off. They follow up with ...

763. Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... tumultuous assembly. By choosing the phrase "Word of God," Luke emphasizes that Jesus' preaching and teaching were not based on Jesus' own thoughts but were in fact the Word God was speaking through him _ Jesus as God's chosen messenger. But while the message is eagerly received, the messenger is in danger of being bowled over by the crowd's exuberance. Instead of seeing the water at his back as a barrier, Jesus determines to use it as a stepping stone. The soon-to-be-disciples are drawn into service first ...

764. Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... enjoying one of these mountaintop moments that Jesus singled out 12 apostles from among his many disciples. Immediately after this, Jesus leads his newly appointed apostles back down the mountain to "a level place," a place where apostles, disciples and a crowd of eager people stand shoulder to shoulder. The level place accords them all equal footing, just as they are all equally in need of Jesus' message. Although this week's gospel lesson does not include Luke's version of the "blessings and woes" (vv.20 ...

765. John 21:1-19

John 21:1-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... fishing expedition closes. A new scene now takes place on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Before they quietly gather together for a meal, however, Peter has still one more task to complete. At Jesus' request, Peter returns to the boat he had so eagerly abandoned and now single-handedly pulls the filled net ashore. Clearly, this is yet another of this redactor's efforts to portray Peter as the one who coordinates the efforts of all the other disciples. While scholars can do little except offer an ever ...

766. Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... But Jesus also reveals to his missionaries that sometimes this remarkable message of "peace" will fall flat. "One who shares in peace" is an idiomatic Semitism referring to one who is focused on righteousness, not wickedness. To him, the message of peace will be eagerly received. But to he who is not of a "peaceful" mind, the Good News will not even register. The households of those closed off to the peace message will remain in spiritual darkness. Hence these missionaries are counseled to stay in one home ...

767. John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

768. 2 Samuel 18:24-33

2 Samuel 18:24-33

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... sooner the news of Absalom's death can be carried to David the better. His first request to run the message to the king is overruled by Joab. However, Ahimaaz's prodding does goad Joab into sending out a Chushite runner with the news. Still eager, Ahimaaz once again pesters Joab to send him out, and this time Joab relents. Yet, when the young man reaches his destination, he too succumbs to doubt, slyly sidestepping David's questions about his son in order to avoid revealing the whole truth. Ahimaaz relates ...

769. Luke 9:51-62

Luke 9:51-62

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

770. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

771. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ; in fact, he hears it as a familiar voice and is convinced that Eli is calling him. The boy's response illustrates the obedience that Samuel has demonstrated throughout his temple tenure. Without hesitation, Samuel runs to his master and declares both this presence and his eagerness to serve ("Here I am, for you called me"). Two times the Lord calls Samuel. Two times Eli sends him away before the text, in an aside to the reader, explains that "Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had ...

772. Mark 11:1-11

Mark 11:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... mission because it is past his bedtime: "It was already late." Jesus and his disciples go back outside the city to Bethany and retire for the night. Mark's highly ironic sense highlights the fact that at the very moment the crowds seem at last to recognize Jesus and seem eager to affirm his identity, Jesus chooses to emphasize that he is not the kind of Messiah they have been expecting.

773. Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... which identified the uniquely chosen first twelve disciples of Jesus. Certainly, for Mark's readers, the term "apostle" denotes one who operated in the name of another. An apostle claimed the authority of the one who sent him out, which is why the Twelve are so eager to relate to Jesus "all that they had done and taught." The mission they had carried out was none other than Jesus' own. Jesus' response to his apostles' return is also unique to this moment in Mark. Jesus calls for his disciples to take a rest ...

774. Mark 7:24-37

Mark 7:24-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of the options are very appealing. But the results are what ultimately matter. The crowds who witnessed this cure were moved to wonder and overcome with zeal. Even when Jesus told them to keep quiet, they were unable to contain their exuberance and eagerly proclaimed the news of this miracle all about. The crowd's ultimate conclusion is one which both recognizes Jesus' power and articulates their faith. Jesus "has done everything well" (v.37). Jesus not only brings about healing but knows the best way to ...

775. Luke 3:7-18

Luke 3:7-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... fresh start in this baptism of the repentant? For John to address such seekers with soft souls as "You brood of vipers," and to head their way a heap of apocalyptic wrath doesn't seem to mesh with the crowd's openness to John's words and eagerness for John's baptizing touch. Perhaps, however, not all of those who came seeking baptism were moved by sincere repentance. Could it be that some in the crowd were merely seeking "insurance" against the "wrath to come"? John's harsh words may well have been sparked ...

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