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 851 to 875 of 1199 results

851. Scaring the Church, So It Will Be the Church

Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

Charles L. Aaron

... . The church shines the light in the darkness so that the world can see. The world needs to see God and to see grace and hope. Light also shows us our sinfulness. No evildoer wants the glare of light. The church shines the light in the midst of fear, hatred, and violence so that the world can see the way out. What will motivate the church to be the salt and the light? Will we fulfill our task only if we are frightened? Matthew adds a twist to this saying of Jesus. In Mark, Jesus asks essentially the same ...

852. Personal Politics

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... drives us to pain and frustration. Only if we can somehow reframe the other person's image in our senses as a "pagan or tax collector" — that is, someone who needs to experience the grace of God — can we still the inner growls and get the beast of our hatred to stop bristling. It is not easy. I have two names in particular that set me off every time I hear them. I wish it were otherwise, but it is not. These people have genuinely hurt me badly in the past, and I carry angst about them into my eternal ...

853. Children of the Heavenly Father

Romans 8:12-25

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... funny. At other times it made you cry because it was so painfully and truthfully honest. As the family Stone gathered together to celebrate Christmas, you saw how incredibly dysfunctional family life can be. There is incredible love and humor. There is also incredible pettiness and hatred. It is amazing to see how cruel family members can be to one another. It is heartrending to see them try to love one another in spite of their cruelty to one another. I think it is a portrayal of family life that we can ...

854. Luke 14:25-33

Luke 14:25-35

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the primacy of human kinship. For all those who would enter into a relationship with Jesus, all those who would follow him and all those who would “come to” him, must put faith before family. The dramatic “hate” Jesus calls for is not literal “hatred.” As in Genesis 29:30-31 and Deuteronomy 21:15-17, the word means to “love less.” A disciple’s first love, greatest allegiance, absolute priority, must be Jesus. Even the disciple’s own life must be “loved less” than the love for Christ ...

855. The Word Hate

Luke 14:25-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

... opened her womb: but Rachel was barren" (Gen 29:31). Jacob's desire for Rachel rather than Leah is the point. So in this case Jesus is probably expressing the need for kingdom commitment to abandon all other allegiances. Jesus is not suggesting feelings of hatred toward people who we would otherwise love and care about. The opposite is actually being stressed here. The disciples separating themselves for mission in the kingdom underscores their devotion to Jesus because they have left the ones they loved.

856. Four Views of the Gospels

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Jerry Goebel

... coin lost through no choice of its own; a sheep that strays because it hasn't the sense to know better; a boy who chooses to get lost but learns the hard way what real love means; and a brother who rejects pure love and chooses hatred and self-righteousness when he could have known pure joy. Which story am I living out today? Herein is what many theologians call; "the Gospel within the Gospel," and others have simply called; "the best short story ever written." Here is a concept that rocked the theological ...

857. Radiate Love

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... our love for Him. We should Radiate Love in everything we do. St. Francis of Assisi agreed and years ago wrote a prayer that I want to close with. You know it. Or at least have heard it. Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred let us sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek To be consoled as to console ...

858. Reversal of Fortune

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the French Revolution. The Bishop tells Jean Val Jean, "Don't forget, don't ever forget, you've promised to become a new man. . . . Jean Val Jean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil. With this silver I've bought your soul. I've ransomed you from fear and hatred. And now I give you back to God." Jean Val Jean, an ex-convict with a yellow passport, which meant he had no hope and no future, received Grace at the time of his greatest need. The Bishop took a risk. And in so doing, Jean Val Jean's life ...

859. Good and Mad

Luke 4:21-30

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and Good." Conclusion Comedian Buddy Hackett says: "Don't carry a grudge. While you're carrying the grudge the other guy's out dancing." (2) A guy was on his death bed, all of a sudden his heart was filled fear because he had harbored anger and hatred against another man. He sent for that individual. They dying man made overtures of peace. It was really quite moving. At the end, the two men shook hands in friendship. But just as the visitor was leaving the room, the sick man roused himself and said, "Now ...

860. Beneath The Shadow Of The Cross

Mark 15:16-37

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... . Behind the smile, his eyes were full of the future. He knew the irony of this parade and this show of support. Jesus knew where it would all end. He knew because, while he saw the joy and the hope in the eyes of the people, he also saw the hatred in the eyes of his silent, sullen opponents. So, beneath his smile was sorrow and compassion. When the folks in the crowds saw Jesus riding on that donkey, some laughed because he was so big and the sight was so comical. But then like a flash, some of them ...

861. There Will Be Peace

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... beginning of a grand and glorious invasion of divine love. In the language of war, a beachhead has been established. The seed of the kingdom of peace and love has been planted. The love of a tiny infant will someday overcome all the anger and hostility and hatred that reside in human hearts, and we shall all know that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And all people across this globe will live in peace and dignity together. That’s Isaiah’s message to us today. Even though young men and women ...

862. License to Steal

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of the Jews,” pulled off the greatest heist in all of human history right in front of their eyes. This Jesus had a long criminal record. He had already “robbed” the woman at the well, a woman with five husbands, of her shame and self-hatred. Jesus had already robbed the cursed and ostracized lepers of their disease and disenfranchisement. Jesus had already robbed the lame, the sick, the poor, of their disgraced places on the fringe, their dishonored seats at the table. He robbed two blind men of their ...

863. The Ecclesiastical Equivalent of Homeland Security

Luke 21:5-19

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

... that they won't dare lay a hand on you to begin with." We want the ecclesiastical equivalent of "Homeland Security" that will seal up our borders from evildoers and proffer us protection into the future. Instead of that Jesus assures us that when it comes to the world's hatred of us on account of his very name, there's nothing for it. It will happen. But he will remain with us and in us when it does.

864. Easter 5

Psalm 31:1-5, John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

... . All: Amen. Leader: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold. As he prepares a place for us, let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release. Silence for reflection and self-examination Leader: Unbelief, hatred, revenge, All: Lord, do not hold our sins against us. Leader: Gossip, despair, deceit, All: Lord, do not hold our sins against us. Leader: False pride, unfaithfulness, idolatry, All: Lord, do not hold our sins against us. Leader: Whatever you ask in Jesus’ name ...

865. Epiphany 7, Ordinary Time 7

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, Matthew 5:38-42, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

... Lord, have mercy. Silence for self-examination and confession Leader: Most holy God, All: you call us to a life of holiness. We confess to you our theft of your good gifts of the land, our hoarding, which leaves little for our neighbors, our slander of others, our hatred of those whom we have named as enemies, and the bitterness of our hearts that comes from such sin. We pray for you to restore us so, that we may live the life that you intended for us. Leader: God, our heavenly Father, hears the prayers of ...

866. Peace and Goodwill: Changing Our Attitudes

Matthew 3:1-12

Illustration

King Duncan

... and again to the lines where comrades handed him full canteens. "Troops on both sides who had watched this unselfish act paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute - not a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence."' To repent means to change our attitudes toward other people from one of suspicion or hatred to one of love. The message of John the Baptist is to repent, to change our ways because Jesus will soon be on the scene.

867. The Transforming Power of Mercy

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Susan R. Andrews

... ... why did you not take them along with the plates?" The police, surprised and confused, reluctantly let the thief go. Like Joseph's brothers cowering in fear before the one they have wronged, Jean Valjean expects blame and condemnation for his actions. Instead, he receives forgiveness and mercy. He expects hatred, and, instead, he receives love, and at that moment evil is transformed into good.

868. The Triumph and the Tragedy

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... . And friends, the same dark heart that beat in the hearts of our ancestors beats within us. As much as we would like to think differently, human nature has not changed in these past 100years. That is why any appeal to discrimination, prejudice, hatred whether against people of another race or another religion, or whatever that prejudice might be cannot be tolerated, not by people whose Lord was hung on a tree while mocking soldiers gambled for his garments below. Palm Sunday. Good Friday. Life happens. It ...

869. Daring Thomas

John 11:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... opportunity to meet Mrs. Jihan Sadat, widow of the former Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat. You may not know, but in the beginning of Sadat’s presidency, the Egyptian president had championed war against Israel. He was part of the destructive cycle of hatred and bloodshed that has stalked the Middle East for decades. But then one day, Sadat determined to become a peacemaker. He wanted to break down the walls of violence and misunderstanding between the Egyptians and Israelis. He knew that members of his ...

870. Matthew 5:38-48

Matthew 5:38-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . The enemies of Israel were obviously not “neighbors” in any sense of this understanding, and so would fall outside the directive of “loving” them. Deuteronomy 7:1-6, 20:16-18, and 23:3-6 certainly suggest a legitimated attitude of hatred towards those outside of the “neighborhood.” This makes Jesus’ directive all the more shocking to his Jewish audience: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Clearly, Jesus’ mandate steps far afield of the letter of the Torah law ...

871. Love Your Enemy

Matthew 5:38-42

Illustration

Dr. Martin Luther King

... getting even, of hitting back, of dog eat dog…My friends, we have followed the so-called practical way for too long a time now, and it has led inexorably to deeper confusion and chaos. Time is cluttered with the wreckage of communities which surrendered to hatred and violence. For the salvation of our nation and the salvation of mankind, we must follow another way. This does not mean that we abandon our righteous efforts. With every ounce of our energy we must continue to rid this nation of the incubus of ...

872. Like

Romans 5:12-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Savings Time, is the signal to our souls that something miraculous is on the way. We need this More Excellent Lent because politics is becoming not a place where we come together for the common good, but where we coalesce around our common hatreds. You could see this painfully on January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, when a terrible, tragic event occurred. The shooting spree of Jared Loughner left nine persons dead, and 13 terribly wounded. His actions were evil, inexcusable, and insane. Yet instead of ...

873. God Cries with Us

John 9:1-12

Illustration

Ken Griffin

... in pain and agony as the doctor cut away at muscles and bones and flesh, so that she might have life. God loves us, Christ has shown, just as a father loves his own children. Sometimes, sometimes, God grieves with us, and our screams of pain and fear and hatred pierce right into his heart. God understands when in pain we cry out ‘Why, oh why, God?' God instead calls back to trust and know that we are still loved. And that even in the pains of this world we live through it with God beside us so that ...

874. It’s Stormy Out There

Matthew 14:22-36

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

... or with other folks. Right now the seas outside our little boat are churning with a struggling educational system, a culture saturated with guns, drug addictions and glorified images of violence, with people so filled with hate that they would destroy a house of worship to give vent to their hatred. If you don't think it's stormy out there on the sea of life, you probably don't get out much!

875. Giving It Up for Lent

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... our shortcomings 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. 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! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about: like tomorrow ...

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