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 1101 to 1125 of 1164 results

1101. Proper 4

1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Psalm 96:1-13, Luke 7:1-10, Galatians 1:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: We’re here again! It must be Sunday! The Old Testament poet invites us to sing to God — a new song! With the sky overhead and the earth suspended mysteriously in its place among the planets, it is easy for us to be awed and to sing and dance our praise. People: We certainly do not want to bore God with repetitious songs or old dances. Leader: Let’s try some new songs, some new words, and some new rituals. People: Hmm, we’re not sure we are comfortable enough to do that. Leader: How ...

1102. The Nano-Punch of Pentecost

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The soul has its seasons. “There is a time to be born, a time to die.” The Bible has its seasons. The biblical New Year begins at the appearance of the first "new moon" of spring, when nature comes to life. The West has its seasons. The New Year begins in the depths of the winter, which is often when the new comes, in the midst of winter, the soul most often coming to life in the wintry seasons of life. The church has its seasons. In the church our “seasons” are not determined by climate changes or a ...

1103. Our Helper

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Robert Beringer

There is an imaginary story in which the angel Gabriel asks the Risen Christ what is his plan for carrying the message of God's love to all the world. Jesus explains that he has asked Peter, Mary, John and Thomas and some others to carry that message wherever they go. As others hear and respond, they will carry the same message until the whole world knows of God's amazing love for sinners. Gabriel listens rather skeptically, and then asks Jesus, "But, Lord, what happens if Peter goes back to fishing, or ...

1104. How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need Of God

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mark Radecke

You may be familiar with the story. It is as wonderful as it is true. A successful businessman was invited, over 30 years ago, to give a commencement address to a group of 61 sixth graders. The youngsters were about to graduate from an elementary school in a very poor part of one of our major cities. If these boys and girls followed in the footsteps of the school's other alumni/ae, only about six or seven of them would graduate from high school and it would be remarkable if any went on to college. The ...

1105. Have You Accepted Jesus' Invitation?

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon

George Johnson

This morning I want to talk to you about becoming a Christian - the invitation of Jesus to come and follow him. It is not my intention to judge who is or is not a Christian, or criticize anyone's experience of salvation, or to suggest that you are not already a member of God's family. My intention is rather to allow this text to speak clearly to us about Jesus' invitation. My purpose is to give voice to Jesus' call to discipleship. I approach this text from Matthew with a few assumptions, a few underlying ...

1106. A Wandering Aramean

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

Ten years ago history was made in the broadcast of a television show. The show was Roots. As you may remember, Roots was a documentary of one man's search for his ancestry. Black author, Alex Haley's hunger to know his identity led him to record his own roots, his own heritage, first on paper, then on the screen. And the significance of this T.V. show? This mini-series attracted more viewers than any other television program in history. With eighty-five million viewers, this story of the black man's ...

1107. A New Perspective

Deuteronomy 7:1-26

Sermon

Gregory J. Johanson

HENRY T. CLOSE is a gifted therapist, teacher, and writer, a Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors currently working as a pastoral counselor in Florida after many years on the staff of the Georgia Mental Health Clinic in Atlanta. His special interest in the world of intimacy is reflected in the two sermons in this volume. A New Perspective developed from an allegory he wrote for his wife Nancy. (See VOICES: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy, Summer, 1979, "A Boy and His Kite.") In ...

1108. Father Knows Best?

Matthew 5:1-12

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes Our pastor decided to work his way through the Beatitudes so I opened up Matthew 5 to get some ideas. What struck me was that believers and non-believers alike could easily gloss over these as nice, little one-liners by Jesus. Since I knew that Pastor Ray would be dissecting the verses for the congregation, I thought I would have fun with the drama and show that without the wisdom of God we can't really understand what His Word says. So, in typical Dave Marsh fashion, I decided to take it ...

1109. The Triumph of the Cross

Galatians 6:11-18, Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

In T. S. Eliot''s classic writing, MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL, there is a revealing scene when Archbishop Thomas Beckett goes back to the cathedral knowing that King Henry II has pronounced him to die. Knowing that he will be murdered, Beckett goes back to the cathedral. Out of respect for the Archbishop some of the guards of the cathedral lock the doors. However, the Archbishop cries out, "Unbar the doors! Throw open the doors. I will not have the church of CHRIST which is a house of prayer, a sanctuary, ...

1110. Passing From Old to New

Joshua 5:13--6:27

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

Christians live under new conditions. Paul tell us in the Epistle lesson for this Sunday that the old life has been done away and that the new life has begun. We are new creations of God. There are all sorts of metaphors that the Bible uses to describe that Christian passage from old to new. It says that we have been born anew, or that we have passed from slavery into freedom. It proclaims that we have emerged from darkness into light, or from despair into meaning, from mourning into joy, or from death ...

1111. John 6:24-35

John 6:24-35

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

As part of the fourth gospel's continuing efforts to disclose Jesus' identity so that people might believe, the "bread of life" discourse is crucial. Jesus distinguishes the "living bread" from all other human attempts to nourish body and soul. Not even the manna gathered in the wilderness can compare to the eternally nutritious power of the true bread of heaven. Chapter six begins with two of the most startling and impressive "signs" Jesus ever delivered: feeding five thousand hungry listeners with a mere ...

1112. Radical Love in the Neighborhood (Series: Radical Love in a Risky World)

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

One of my most meaningful opportunities for ministry came to me in Crestwood, Kentucky where I served for nine years as a member of the Community Rescue Squad, as well as pastor of the Methodist church. A little group of volunteers, trained as EMT’s, provided this community service. When we inquired about our legal liability, we were informed that we were protected by the Good Samaritan Law. Since then, I’ve discovered most states and many countries have a Good Samaritan Law. The Good Samaritan Law, in ...

1113. Holy Smokes! God Is Here

John 6:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

The Rev. Thomas Bandy tells about a meeting his wife Lynne, also a pastor, once attended. The meeting was sponsored by a group in their denomination. To begin this meeting, they had a customary sharing time. Each person answered the question: “How did you experience God this summer?” “Several people in the room told how they had experienced God in nature. At the cottage, in the woods, or on the lake, they saw a sunset, heard a loon’s cry, or felt a summer’s breeze.” And as they listened, participants ...

1114. Peter’s Vision

Acts 10:9-23a

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

10:9–16 Now the scene shifts to Joppa and to the events immediately prior to the arrival of Cornelius’ men. About noon, Peter went to the housetop to pray (see notes)—a convenient place away from the activity of the house and often used in this way (cf. 2 Kings 23:12; Neh. 8:16; Jer. 19:13; 32:29; Zeph. 1:5). These roofs were flat and accessible by an exterior stairway. Normally Peter would have eaten before this. Jews did not start the day with a meal, but ate later in the morning (see b. Shabbath 10a). ...

1115. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 4:35-41

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

CELEBRATION THROUGH PRAISE Pastoral Invitation Pause for what one may call a "pregnant pause," even several moments after the congregation is silent and waiting for you to begin. Wait until the people are edgy, and even anxious, for you to begin. Then, slowly and deliberately say, "Peace, be still." Again, wait for several moments before continuing. Then add, "Are you ready to begin corporate worship?" If no response, ask again and again until you get a response. (Idea borrowed from my Lectionary Worship ...

1116. Path To A New Life

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

The city darkness is very different from the hillside darkness. Out on the hillside, where the shepherds work, the darkness gently settles upon the landscape. It is a quiet dusk that melds into deeper shadows and finally, after so long a stretch of time, becomes the dark in which the stars are the only light. But in the city, the darkness comes as if some giant curtain was suddenly pulled tight, blocking out all illumination. It was in that darkness that Ely slowly made his way home through the maze of ...

1117. The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

Suggestions: Use as an anthem or before the pastoral prayer. Characters: 8 readers - 4th through 7th graders Key: From 1 to 8 with number 1 the youngest All: When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 1: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, All: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4: "Blessed are those who mourn, All: for they will be comforted. 2: "Blessed are the meek, All: for they will inherit the ...

1118. The Doubting Sum

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

The Holy Trinity When the eleven disciples, minus Judas, came to the mountain previously chosen by Jesus to meet him, some doubted. We would like to speak concerning the sum of doubt. Doubt adds up to zero. It is not a negative number; it is nothing! When we think of the word doubt we associate words like: indecision, uncertainty, hopelessness and powerlessness. People with convictions act. The opposite of doubt is faith and only faith has power. Imagine the eleven, with the doubters included, hearing ...

1119. Father Knows Best?

Luke 6:17-26

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: This drama works for the topics of: the Beatitudes, understanding the Bible, or wisdom Cast: Dave: A man with questionable knowledge. Adam: Dave's Son Props: A Bible A chair A cup of coffee A kitchen table of some sort Setting: Family kitchen (LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE on Dad. He is sitting on a chair, drinking coffee and reading the Bible. Adam comes walking up…) Adam: Mornin’ Dad. Dad: (never looking up) Morning Adam. Adam: Whatcha doin’? Dad: Reading the Bible. Adam: Really? Don’t you ...

1120. Saul and the Witch of Endor

1 Samuel 28:1-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Saul and the Witch of Endor: 28:1–2 Achish’s confidence was so strong that when a large-scale battle between the Philistines and the Israelites was being planned he took it for granted that David would join his own forces. His slightly tentative you must understand is perhaps an apology that David’s forces will not be able to undertake an independent initiative in this battle. David’s deliberately ambiguous reply reflects his knowledge that in this kind of battle Achish would discover his true colors. ...

1121. Broadway

Matthew 7:13-14

Sermon

Robert Beringer

Many of our large cities across America have a street which is called "Broadway." Broadway in New York is the center of the theater district; Broadway in San Francisco is the center of the tenderloin; and Philadelphia has its "Broad Street" in center city. But I wonder how many people realize where that term, "Broadway," came from? Many might be very surprised that it came originally from the lips of Jesus Christ. For it was Jesus who put "Broadway" in contrast to the narrow roads that were familiar to the ...

1122. Who Holds the Keys to the Kingdom?

Luke 14:1-14

Sermon

Steven Burt

Not long ago I met with a student pastor whom I was supervising. He was serving a church in a nearby town. In our conversation we got to talking about who ought to be allowed to come up to the rail for Communion. It seems he had gotten into a disagreement with another pastor in that same town. The other pastor said that no children should be allowed to receive Communion. The pastor I supervised thought it was OK. I, being an astute supervisor, and knowing my supervisee was coming up for ordination ...

1123. News From The Vineyard

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

Some of you may know the story of Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, an organization originally begun with the goal of reaching men serving in the Navy. Trotman began to meet with a Navy man named Les Spencer, teaching him basic truths from the Bible. After a while, Spencer brought a friend from the ship to Trotman and said, "Dawson, I want you to teach him all you have taught me." Trotman refused. He said, "I am not going to teach him; you are going to teach him. If you cannot teach him what I ...

1124. Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Explosive, dramatic events occur throughout Acts 2 - tongues of fire, wafts of wind, dazzling displays of language and discernment, Peter's vivid testimony, the conversion of thousands, etc. These stunning occurrences leave us breathless - for where there had been only a handful of halting believers before, there is suddenly a whole new community of enthusiastic, faithful Christians. If we had never before read Acts, if we knew nothing of the early history of the Christian church, we might expect one of ...

1125. What Would Jesus Do? - or - How Would Jesus Do It?

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The worst thing you can do to your children is to “be cool” as a teen. You say, what? “Being cool” means you will be immortalized in pictures sporting the “coolest” fashions of your teenager years. And one day your children and grandchildren will groan in embarrassment at how “cool” you look in those pictures which, of course, will be the opposite of “cool” by the time they look at them. [Here is where you throw up on the screen pictures of members of your congregation looking ridiculous in what were the “ ...

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