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 776 to 800 of 1199 results

776. John 20:19-31

John 20:19-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... followers of Jesus. The first pericope expands the astounding events of Easter Sunday "evening on that same day." Despite the fact that Mary Magdalene has reported to the disciples her encounter with the risen Jesus, they continue hiding out fearing the hatred and hostility of those who would destroy Jesus' followers. If the disciples believed Mary's testimony, they also still believed with equal fervor that "lying low" was their best strategy. Demonstrating that his resurrected form was not simply his old ...

777. A Very Different Top 10 List

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . . . . Go exorcize some demons this week. Make a list of things you want to go extinct in your life, and then stop feeding them. Change the climate in your home and in your heart. Make the climate in which you live inhospitable to hatred, a wasteland for bigotry, a desert for envy. [Alternative Beginning: Here is an alternative start to your sermon, which can be used to supplement or supplant the “list” beginning above . . . . Just as predictable as a baby goes from the crawling phase to the ...

778. Demons in Our Modern World

Mark 1:21-28

Illustration

Roger Ray

... them speak or of exorcisms. He did, however, say that there were demons in Papua, New Guinea and that he was shocked that I had not seen anywhere I lived in Memphis, Tennessee. "Do you not see the demons at work in pornography, prostitution, in racial hatred and in poverty?" he asked me. At first it seemed to me that he just didn't understand my question...later it became obvious to me that I had not understood his answer. Racism, poverty and the whole abuse of women in the sex industry were certainly ...

779. Where a Cross Should Be Worn

Matthew 6:1-4

Sermon

King Duncan

... despaired over the condition of the world, or of the condition of someone you love, or if you have ever despaired over your own life and what you have made of it you can take heart in this. God has been where you are. The cross is the symbol of hatred and scorn and bitterness and fear and rejection and hurt and despair. But it is not the last word on these emotions. The empty tomb is God’s last victorious word on our lives. But none of it would have been possible without the cross. In one of his books ...

780. I'm a Leper, You're a Leper

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . They want to isolate and keep out that which is a part of them. In effect, they make themselves both the leper, and the community that rejects the leper. Within each of us are the germs of our own form of “leprosy”, our weaknesses, our pet hatreds, our obsessions, our fears, our desires, our diagnoses. We are always afraid of ourselves. We are afraid of our true selves, and we project onto others what we most fear or dislike in ourselves. We can’t forgive others what we can’t forgive in ourselves ...

781. Lent: Giving Up

Mark 1:9-15

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

... when we overlook theirs first. GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting or to offer a smile. Why not check that sharp tongue at the door? GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. "Love covers a multitude of sins." GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! They're too heavy for you to carry anyway. Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something ...

782. Easter Day

Isaiah 25:1-12, Mark 16:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-9

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... can we, who are so far removed from the first Easter, be sure it happened? So much depends on whether it is true. Without the resurrection there is no hope for life beyond the grave, no assurance that God is in control, no guarantee that love is greater than hatred. Outline: How we know that Easter is true – a. Circumstantial evidence: the empty tomb v. 6. b. Witness of God's messenger (angel) the witness of the Word v. 5. c. Experience of the living Christ he is to be seen in Galilee v. 7. 2. If Christ ...

783. Easter 3

Luke 24:36-49, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Acts 3:11-26

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the prophets. What can the guilty people do about the cross? They are to repent and to receive forgiveness and refreshment. Epistle: 1 John 3:1-7 The context indicates that Christians are in danger of being led astray. The devil's children are known by their hatred of the brethren. In contrast, Christians know they are children of God because of God's love and their love for each other. Christians can guard against the devil by the knowledge that they are the children of God now, and in the future they will ...

784. Easter 7

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

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... might have abundant life. To have Christ is to have life a quality, a richness of life which has no ending. Outline: To have Christ is to have life – a. Christ is holy: to have him is to overcome sin. b. Christ is love: to have him is to conquer hatred. c. Christ is life: to have him is to defeat death. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 1 "The way of the wicked will perish." (v. 6.); Psalm 47; Psalm 68:1-20 Prayer Of The Day: "Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Savior is with you in ...

785. Proper 21

James 5:13-20, Esther 7:1-10, Esther 9:18-32, Mark 9:38-41, Mark 9:42-50

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the man." 3. Gallows (v. 9). A king's aide called the king's attention to the gallows Haman built to hang Mordecai. The king ordered Haman to be hanged on his own gallows. It is a demonstration that the pit we dig for others, we ourselves fall into. Hatred and revenge pay us back. Epistle: James 5:13-20 1. Pray (v. 13). Like Paul said, "Pray unceasingly." Whether you are sad or happy, pray. Prayer is more than petition; it is conversation with God. We talk over our joys as well as our sorrows with him. 2 ...

786. Proper 4

2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... , he and his men ate the sacred bread in the house of God. Then Jesus goes to a synagogue where a man with a withered hand needed healing. With anger at their hardened hearts in objecting to healing on the Sabbath, Jesus heals the man. Filled with hatred and anger, the Pharisees consult with the Herodians to plot Jesus' death. Already in 3:6 we begin the passion story. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Mark 2:23--3:6 1. Sabbath (v. 23). In Hebrew the word "Sabbath" means "rest." For the Jews it fell on the ...

787. Servants of the Most High

Jn 15:1-8; Rom 7:7-8:2

Illustration

Brett Blair

... will understand. This kind of Utopian Christianity is only possible in a perfect world. It is even said that John Lennon later disavowed his secular version of this starry eyed optimism, his song Imagine. Even as the best of Christians, we struggle with sin: revenge, hatred, lying, sexual desires. Paul understood the struggle. What he wanted to do, he did not do. What he did not want to do, he did. The great Apostle lived with the same tensions as you and me. Now I'm going to say something controversial ...

788. The Mystery and the Glory of the Kingdom of God

Mark 4:26-34

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

... out life on earth if they struck us. There are dictators harboring or seeking weapons of mass destruction, many of which threaten our survival as a species. In the Middle East but in so many other places, too, there are seemingly intractable hatreds and prejudices between and among various ethnic groups. There are diseases like viruses galloping through continents, threatening to wipe out the tens-of-thousands if not hundreds. Hunger and poverty loom up like a whole mountain range of daunting problems whose ...

789. Proper 4

Mark 2:23-3:6, Psalm 139:1-24, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... Lord and Savior. Let your light by the Spirit shine out of us wherever we go. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy God, devout Christ, sanctifying Spirit, cleanse our speech from any trivial use of your hallowed name. Save us from attributing to you the hatreds and curses that issue from our anger whether justified or not. May our restraint turn others from the blasphemous use of your name and the desecration of what is holy. Hallowed be your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor ...

790. Proper 6

1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Mark 4:26-29, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... be in you who are ours in life and death. Remind the nations of their common humanity, that they are not self-created, but that all life comes from you, and that we are accountable to you for what we do with our time on earth. Save us from blind hatred and wild vengeance that so often injure and kill the most innocent. God of all times and places, we praise you for all your servants who, having been faithful to you on earth, now live with you in heaven. Keep us in communion with them until we meet with all ...

791. Lent 5

Psalm 51:1-19, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... the world, Conscience and Remaker of the world, hear our prayers for the world that stands under judgment for the fracture of covenants of law and grace that you have made with human society. Drive out the evil one who draws together forces of hatred and genocide and cleanse us and our society from the prejudices that fail to measure others as we measure ourselves. Confront with your justice the anarchists who resist justice with laws of their own making. Replace the hard heart and the narrow construction ...

792. Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:14-29

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... into positive action in his life. Herod is attracted to John the Baptist’s fearless righteousness. Yet his personal weakness and moral morass keep him from traveling the right paths and making the correct choices. Herodias has no such moral qualms. She nurses her hatred of John. She bides her time until her moment comes to take her ultimate revenge. In Mark’s text verse 22 names Herodias’s daughter also as “Herodias.” But even for the Herodians that is an unlikely doubling-up of the family name ...

793. Proper 8

2 Kings 2:1-18, Psalm 77:1-20, Luke 9:51-62, Galatians 5:16-26

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... your holy way; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful Sovereign, we are not fit subjects of your rule. You have shown us the ways of love and forgiveness, but we sometimes turn back to ways of pride and hatred. We are more ready to denounce your enemies than to declare the Good News. We delay obedience to your call with excuses of personal privilege. Forgive our refractory discipleship and our outright disobedience, for Jesus’ sake. Amen. Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends ...

794. Proper 15

Psalm 80:1-19, Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... of governments at war with their enemies or anarchists willing to exploit conflict to destroy all lawful authority. Teach people and parties how to reform governments and institutions without destruction or violence or the threat of violence. Deliver us from envy and hatred, from suspicion and craftiness, and from every cruelty which human beings have inflicted on each other. Teach all movements and all nations how greatly we need a Prince of Peace to rule over us all. Savior, keep in your mercy all those ...

795. 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 not the few but powerful. You have made a world where we may join together to do things that cannot be done alone. In business and industry bring cooperation between those who labor and those who manage. Do not let greed bring injustice that spawns hatred and violence. May income be fair for all and work worth doing. Save us from exploitation both in the workplace and in the marketplace, that our society may live peaceably. Remember, O Lord, those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, and in particular ...

796. Second Sunday after the Epiphany

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Psalm 36:1-12, John 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... who are sick. Sustain their spirits in faith and hope, and in due time make them completely well. Give comfort to those overburdened with the cares of this life. By the loving and Holy Spirit clear the minds of those plagued by doubt or hatred. Send your people to befriend the friendless and console the bereaved. Give rest and peace to the dying. Grant that all your children may learn obedience by the things that they suffer, like him who shared our common lot, and having been made perfect, became ...

797. Easter 3

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

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... People: And also with you. Leader: Sing a psalm to our God, all loyal servants. People: We will give thanks and hallow God’s name. INVOCATION God of holiness and peace, grant us an honest spirit in our worship that we may get beyond the disquiet of your hatred of sin to the forgiveness you grant to the penitent; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of every tribe and language, people and nation, your dying, rising Son is the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world ...

798. Proper 7

Matthew 10:1-42, Psalm 86:1-17, Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... receive our praise and our petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Meticulous God of immeasurable grace, how shall we measure our sins? Only you know their real dimensions; the history of human disobedience; the ramifications of hatred; the multiplication of wrongdoing by generations; the perpetuation of prejudices by unthinking repetition; the aggravation of offenses by the unforgiving and vengeful. However you account for our sin, there are none of us who do not stand in need of ...

799. Proper 16

Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... of faith and morality in preparing our children and ourselves for your service in society at large. Hear our prayers for our own country and for all the nations of our world. Mediate our differences, ameliorate our privations, overrule our misuses of power, banish hatred and strife, and call all people to a love of justice and peace. Creator and Healer, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that we know very well. We ask for your continued healing of our diseases, the mending of ...

800. They Will All Be Taught By God

John 6:35, 41-51

Illustration

Ralph Waldo Emerson

... traditionally, the temple and church have been the schools of virtue. Not so necessarily as places of organizational denomination, but as places that teach children to replace selfishness with unselfishness, dishonesty with honesty, sensuality with self-control, and hatred with love. The family is the strongest educator, but moral teachings in the family are based on what prophet and sage have inculcated. Those families that place emphasis on religious training are generally the ones whose children learn ...

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