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 76 to 100 of 215 results

76. An Invitation to Rest

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Wayne B. Keller

... and the meaning of their work, once a week. Stewardship Consider this: The stewardship of compassion. Have you noticed how much easier it is for Us to be unkind than kind? I have a word for it, as I experience it in my congregation. I call it, "negative apathy," that is not only does the person do nothing he criticizes those who do something, and do it well. God forgives nail-prints, and asks us to forgive pin-pricks. Consider this: How will you allow the Spirit of God to change your lack of compassion into ...

77. Fatal Subtraction

Acts 5:1-11

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... because it was done during a time when the church really needed them to be faithful and honest about their commitment to Christ. It's similar to people who have joined the church today, committed themselves to give to the church and then don't give because of apathy, stinginess, and selfishness. They can give something, but refuse at a critical time of the church's journey. Here I am not referring to people who simply don't have it and can't give it. I'm talking about people who have it and refuse to give ...

78. Shake It Off!

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... these serpents and demons if we expect the full benefit of God's blessings as we do ministry! This serpent that latched on Paul at this critical time of his journey represents terror, fear, doubt, sadness, depression, unforgiveness, distrust, disobedience, calamity, strife, and apathy. As Paul shook these things off, we must shake them off. The serpent threatened to harm him, thus thwarting his service and movement for God. As believers we must shake off the memory and pain of our own past sin by confession ...

79. The Road To Jerusalem

Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... stand aside." They stood aside. One day, one palm-waving day, Jesus marched right into Jerusalem, the Holy City, and said to everything unholy, "Stand aside." And he is calling us to join him in the parade, and to say to every form of hatred, bigotry, ignorance and apathy, "Stand aside," and when we dare to do it those things will stand aside. His kingdom will live in us, and we will help spread his rule in his world. Would you dare to do it? Come join the parade. Pastoral Prayer: O God, our Father, on this ...

80. Ash Wednesday

Sermon

William Luoma

... on God. Before you approach to receive the sign of the cross with ashes, reflect on the meaning of this action: Do you accept responsibility for your personal sins? (You may answer "I do.")Do you accept responsibility for that evil in the world which your apathy and indifference have allowed? (You may answer "Yes.")Do you desire to return to the Lord with your whole heart, and to seek his forgiveness and strength? (You may answer "I do.")Do you believe that, to be a follower of Jesus, you must deny yourself ...

81. Encounters With Christ V: Jesus and James and John

Matthew 20:20-28

Sermon

James W. Moore

... lumber mill floor while he labored for his hourly wage to provide for his son…who just took it all for granted. And the pain was too much. The boy cried at the magnitude of his father’s sacrificial love… and he cried in shame at his own apathy and preoccupation and selfishness and his lack of appreciation… It would be a long time before he could think of his father without weeping. I have a feeling that that’s the way James and John must have felt a few days after their presumptuous request. Whey ...

82. Self-discipline Is Required

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... your Son, that we may not disqualify ourselves as your disciples. We pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Confession Our Father, we confess we are in poor condition for the demands of Christian living. Forgive us for our relaxed attitude and our apathy towards the self-discipline that ought to be a part of everyday living. We pray for renewed spiritual strength as we discipline our hearts and minds, and correct our life styles to the demands of Christian living. We pray through Christ, who gives ...

83. Love to God in Relation to Forgiveness Received

Luke 7:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... without realizing the consequence of our sins from which your forgiveness has saved us. Our "acceptable" sins have brought little forgiveness; and little forgiveness has produced weak love; and weak love is not enough to make us rejoice. Forgive us for our apathy toward our sins and your forgiveness. We confess that our sins are immeasurable. Give us that kind of forgiveness; and our love will be more than we can contain. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Hymns “Amazing Grace” “Lord (My) Jesus, I ...

84. When Christ Doesn't Bring Peace

Luke 12:49-53

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... some reject your Son: Grant us harmony, that as families we may be united by our faith in your Son as our Savior, without whom there can never be peace. In his name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession We have fooled ourselves, Father, because our apathy has prevented serious religious division in many of our homes. We silently agree not to be too religious, or too sinful; and so we know too little about the genuine peace and security you also bring. Forgive us for our noncommittal attitude that has been our ...

85. Give Them Good News...

Romans 5:1-11

Sermon

Robert V. Dodd

... the sinner as well as the sin. Our judgments may have been sound, but they have not inspired people to turn from their evil ways. As a seminary student I served a small rural congregation in Eastern North Carolina. At one point I became frustrated by their apathy and launched a series of "hell-fire" type sermons. I really blistered their ears! I told them that they were all sinners bound for hell, and they all agreed with me. But, guess what? They didn't change - and I couldn't understand why. Something was ...

86. On Having "The Right Stuff"

Luke 14:25-35

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... is the final word. If that’s true, and if we really trust in this possibility, then we find the courage to exhibit the sacrificial and daring "right stuff" that Christ wants from us. The year 1653 was not a good time for religion in England. Destruction and apathy about the faith and the church were widespread. But Sir Robert Shirley saw beyond the evil and chaos - he founded a church. And on a plaque in that church is this tribute to this man: "He stood for the best of things in the worst of times ...

87. Advent 2

Malachi 2:17--3:5, Philippians 1:1-11, Luke 3:1-20

Sermon Aid

... need cleansing from sin. God starts his purification at the top, for "like priest, like people." The state of the church ultimately depends on her leadership. In addition to ordinary sins, clergy persons have special sins, such as professionalism, sloth, and apathy. 3. Offerings (v. 3). When the religious leaders are cleansed of sin, they will offer "right offerings." Because of the sin of greed, their offerings might be of secondary quality. A worthy sacrificial animal had to be without spot or blemish ...

88. Pentecost

Jn 14:8-17, 25-27; 20:19-23 · Acts 2:1-21 · 1 Cor 3-7, 12-13 · Gen 11:1-9

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 ...

89. Proper 9

Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 · Gal 6:7-18 · 1 Ki 21:1-3, 17-21 · Isa 66:1-14

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 ...

90. Proper 10

Lk 10:25-37 · Col 1:1-20 · 2 Ki 2:1, 6-14 · Deut 30:9-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... '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 child in Bangladesh? c. Compassion - vv. 33-35. The source of help is compassion, but whence comes ...

91. Proper 15

Lk 12:49-56 · Jer 20:7-13; 23:23-29; 38:4-10

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 ...

92. Proper 24

Lk 18:1-8 · 2 Tim 3:14--4:5 · Gen 32:22-30 · Ex 17:8-13 · Hab 1:1-3, 2:1-4

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 ...

93. The Baptism of Our Lord

Lk 3:15-17, 21-22 · Acts 8:14-17; 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-7; 61:1-4

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 sermon 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 C ...

94. Proper 23

Matthew 22:1-14

Bulletin Aid

... we feel it is necessary to be in the church. But once we are in the church, we too easily become deaf to your call to Christian commitment. And in our deafness, we lose interest in Christ's invitation into your kingdom. Forgive us for the apathy we express toward the eternal blessing you share with us through Christ. Help us to be ready, willing, and excited about your promised kingdom. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymns "Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast" "Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult" "Jesus ...

95. Allegiance to Nation and to God

Matthew 22:15-22

Bulletin Aid

... through our faith. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Prayer of Confession We love our nation, Father, and commit ourselves to its support and defense. But we would not want that allegiance to interfere with our devotion to you. Nevertheless, we interfere with it ourselves through apathy. Forgive us when we are so careless in giving you what is yours, but continue to expect you to bless our land and our lives. Make us a strong nation to people who are sincere in our devotion to you, and in our support of one ...

96. All Saints' Day

Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Matthew 5:1-12

Bulletin Aid

... who serve him, and for his faithfulness to those who trust him. Collect Gracious Father, whose glory is poured upon those who gave faithful service to your Son: Endow your church with conviction to be faithful in times when persecution is replaced by apathy and indifference, that we may continue to serve Christ, and become his church triumphant. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Praised be your name, O God, for you have remained faithful in every generation! Glory and honor is yours ...

97. And You Thought God Didn't Care!

Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon

Someone asked a man,"Do you think the biggest problem in the church is ignorance or apathy?" The man replied, "I don't know and I don't care!" Lots of folks believe that about God. He is either unaware of all that concerns us or is indifferent to it. For all those who suspect God of this detached inclination, who think God doesn't care, there ...

98. Communion Is Realizing Forgiveness

Matthew 26:17-30

Sermon

... you've broken God's heart by your lack of faithfulness in worship and in the study of his Word. Confess that to God, then come to Holy Communion and realize that he has forgiven you. Have you thrust that spear more deeply into Christ's side by your apathy toward the hurting and hungry in this world? Acknowledge that to God, then come to his table and realize that you are forgiven. Have you shattered God's will through the way you treat your family or the way you conduct your life when no one sees or hears ...

99. Life in The Meantime

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

D. Wayne Burkette

... a problem, especially when the thing for which we hope is so long coming (remember that all ten maidens, wise and foolish, fell asleep). What about frustration and anger when life doesn’t take the turns we anticipate? Or, the loss of meaning that comes with apathy and failure of will? The meantime is filled with forces and experiences which can render us unable to embrace our hope when it comes upon us. Moreover, the Gospel announces that hope has come upon us. The Kingdom is at hand. Whatever it may be ...

100. The Prodigal Prince

2 Samuel 14:1-33

Sermon

... ’s pardon, the Bedouin code of honor would demand the lad’s life. Without her son she would be deprived of grandchildren; deprived of family and deprived of hope, which was the only candle beaming light into her heart’s humble hovel. David was roused from his apathy and vowed that the murderer would live. Quickly his mind saw through the tale. It was too pat. Too easily did the spurious parable mirror his own situation. For did he not also mourn a murdered son Amnon? And did he not also have a son who ...

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