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 1226 to 1250 of 5000 results

1226. No Turning Back

John 6:60-71

Sermon

King Duncan

... voted to affirm the congregation’s action. Then the pastor said, “Now, who is going to go and tell these people?” Naturally, nobody wanted to go. “Well,” he continued, “I will go if one of you will go with me. And I’ll do the speaking.” One ... for much of his ministry turn their back on him. He turned to the twelve who were left and said rather sadly, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” And, of course, it was Simon Peter who answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of ...

1227. When Is Enough...Enough?

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... money and if he was a good guy, that would be enough. But it wasn’t. Mark tells us that Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus knew this man was trying to live as his society told him he ought to live. And Jesus appreciated that. And Jesus wanted to give him the key to what he needed. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” “At this,” says the Gospel of Mark, “the man’s face fell. He ...

1228. An Extraordinary Wedding Gift

John 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... the story of the wedding at Cana ends. As the master of the banquet tasted the wine taken from the water jars, he says, “You have saved the best till now.” That is one of the great messages of the New Testament. For those who seek to live as God wants us to live, He always saves the best till last. Things work out better when we do what Christ says. There are some people in this room today who will testify that their latter years have been their best years. Even though they may not be able to do what ...

1229. Instructions on Worship

1 Timothy 2:1-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... our Savior (see the note on 1:1) emphasizes that God is the originator of the saving event (cf. Phil. 1:28; 1 Thess. 5:9) and that Paul and the church have already experienced it. But neither our salvation, nor that of an elitist few, satisfies God, for God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. The point of the text is clear: The gospel, by its very nature, as Paul will argue in verses 5–6, is universal in its scope, and any narrowing of that scope by a truncated theology ...

1230. The Story of Israel Now and Later

Romans 2:1-16

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... in Romans 2:6–11 contradict Paul’s gospel that justification before God at the final judgment depends solely on faith and not on works (so Rom. 1:16–17)? Not when one keeps in mind the overarching purpose of Romans 1:18–3:20, which is that Paul wants to show that acceptance before a righteous God is based on perfectly following his law, which, in fact, no one can do, not even Jews. Coming to grips with that reality, Paul hopes, will drive the sinner into the arms of God’s grace and mercy in Jesus ...

1231. Freedom from the Law through Christ, Enslavement to the Law through Adam

Romans 7:7-25, Romans 7:1-6

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... out in table 1. The reader may also notice that 7:14–17 parallels 7:18–20: The good law versus sinful Paul (7:14 // 7:18) Paul wants to do the good but does not do it (7:15–16 // 7:19) Sin drives Paul to do the bad (7:17 // 7:20) The following ... 25: The age to come has dawned – the good law of God (7:21a) This age is still in effect – the principle (power) of sin (7:23a) I want to do the good (7:21b) Another law is at work (7:23a) My inner being delights in God’s law (7:22) Sin within me wages ...

1232. Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... that his days are hebel. This term, which in its literal sense means breath, was typically used to refer to what is fleeting, futile, or enigmatic. In this context, Job likely intends the negative sense of futility as he speaks of the life he has come to despise. He just wants God to leave him alone (cf. 10:20). What is ironic is that Job has no awareness that at the end of the story he will be restored to live many years (42:17). 7:20 you who see everything we do. In addressing God in these words, Job ...

1233. Come and See

John 1:29-42

Sermon

James L. Killen

... talk about the new life that will come to those who learn to live in a personal relationship with Jesus. It is the life that we all yearn for in our heart of hearts. It is the life for which God created us. It is the life to which God wants to save us. When the first disciples were drawn to Jesus, they did not know half of what was in store for them. But they knew an exciting new possibility had overtaken them. They quickly began to refer to Jesus as the "Messiah," the bringer of a new possibility. They ...

1234. Nothing Is Impossible with God!

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... down the stairs on Christmas morning, my doubts seemed to be confirmed. There was no gift that matched the size and shape of the gift I wanted. Toward the end of our chaotic un-wrapping session, I noticed a box hidden under other gifts. It had my name on it. I opened it ... on your heart to do an extraordinary thing and you have given every excuse in the book why you are not able to do it. God wants you to do it and all you can give God back are your doubts and excuses. “I’m too old. I’m too young. I’m ...

1235. Talented People

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

David G. Rogne

... the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans? I thought you'd drop me, but you didn't. Yes, there were lots of things you didn't do. But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me. There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you when you returned from Vietnam. But you didn't. If God has situated you in a relationship where you have the opportunity to express love, the opportunity is a gift. Seize the moment. Do it now. This parable also speaks of accountability. The stewardship of ...

1236. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... case by affirming God’s power and responsibility to judge the wicked. God is the one who sees all that humans do and has the power to render justice accordingly. Job is leading up to his series of claims of innocence that occupy the rest of the chapter. He wants to make it clear from the beginning that God is in a position to know the truth of what Job claims. That fact, coupled with the assumption that God is able to render justice, makes Job’s experience of suffering even more acute. 31:1 I made a ...

1237. Daniel’s Training in Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... start with 597, the date of the first deportation, we can stretch the time to fifty-nine years. It is possible that the author of Daniel wanted to move the beginning of the exile back to an even earlier year so that the exile would extend to seventy years, or something closer to ... the problem for Daniel was that the meat and drink would have been offered to the Babylonian gods in sacrifice first. He wanted to eat vegetables and drink water to avoid this (Exod. 34:15; Deut. 32:38; Acts 15:29; 21:25; 1 Cor. ...

1238. What Does the Kingdom of God Have to Do With Anything Today?

John 3:1-17

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... It's there in the prophets." God doesn't rule over us like some eastern potentate who conquers us to make us his slaves. No, God wants to rule over us with love for our own good. We aren't who we were intended to be until we come under the one ... life. Think, Nicodemus; that time is coming and remember these words when that time comes." That's what the kingdom of God is all about. God wants to rule over us from his place of ultimate authority because he knows what is best for us. He made us in his own image. ...

1239. A Dove Descended

Luke 3:21-22

Sermon

King Duncan

... Houston replied, “God help the fish.” God accepts us as we are. He would prefer that we be like Jeremy, the 12-year-old boy who vowed his intent to make the people who were responsible for his baptism proud by trying to live his life the way Jesus wants. God would prefer that we would be like the 55-year-old man who is now serving Christ by volunteering at a food pantry, and on Christmas Day offering to help cook and serve Christmas dinner for others at a local health clinic. But God accepts us as we ...

1240. What to Give Up for Lent

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

... life does not come by bread alone. Where are you on this issue? Do you harbor any lingering notion that if you just had a little more money or just acquired a few more possessions you could really be happy? If so, you might want to think about giving up that idea for Lent. You might want to commit yourself to pray and study on why people do not live by bread alone. After his initial failure, the devil tried a new approach. In the twinkling of an eye, the devil took Jesus to a place where all the kingdoms ...

1241. No One Over 12 Inches Wide Need Apply

Luke 13:22-30

Sermon

King Duncan

... fulfilling life requires making hard choices. But listen to a paradox: the door is narrow, but it is wide enough for all who truly want to enter. Nobody has to be excluded. It makes no difference what your past has been. It makes no difference who you are ... as we are all prone to do sometimes. God will never force us against our will to change directions, but we need to know if we ever want to come home, the door is wide open. It was open for the prodigal son, it was open for the woman at the well who had ...

1242. The Art of Following

Matthew 4:12-17, Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

... ones. It means we’re going to have to start forgiving those who treat us badly and loving our enemies, even those who would undo us. It means that we’re going to have to be forgiving and self sacrificing. We’re going to have to give up what we want, what makes us happy, what makes us comfortable and satisfied, for the sake of others. It means we are going to have to invest ourselves in the cause of the poor and the powerless. If we follow him it means we have to start doing for others with no ...

1243. The House on The Rock

Lk 6:12-49 · Mt 5:1-12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... castles. Sand castles are not built to last. They are brief, dream-like structures that we build quickly and creatively, but knowing they will be swept away with the next high tide. It’s fun to build in the sand, but it’s not the kind of “house” we want to live in for the duration of our lives. Jesus never intended us to live “sand castle” lives. To be sure, our lives are filled with times when our dreams, our visions, our hopes are swept away by the next tide, or storm, or flood, or rain. But ...

1244. Do you need a Pharisectomy?

Matthew 9:27-34, Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 12:15-21, Matthew 12:22-37, Matthew 12:38-45, Matthew 12:46-50

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... ” Judaism for one reason or another) were up to. When the Pharisees couldn’t sway the crowd this way, they then demanded a “sign.” The crowd already had their signs –the healing of all of them. They most likely couldn’t care less why the Pharisees wanted another one. And Jesus answers with another metaphor –the only sign they’ll get is the Sign of Jonah.** In the story, the man’s voice was muted by a demon; his eyes blinded by the same. The metaphor of the “voice” is powerful in this ...

1245. The Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... “wrong” thing. They would breach perhaps the Sunday Sabbath law. We don’t know for sure what their reason was, but we are definitely led to believe, they had one. And they felt that their actions were right and pious. Or maybe they just didn’t want to get involved. They didn’t need to be robbed too. After all, they were also walking alone on that lonely Jericho road. But a Samaritan stops to help. And we need to understand the “shock-value” of this story. The Judaeans hated the Samaritans. In ...

1246. Stop the PANIC!

Luke 15:1-32 · Exodux 15:1-27--16:36 · Psalm 23

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will ...

1247. The Lame Truth

John 5:1-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... for real. It’s easier to stay on the porch saying, “What if it doesn’t work?” Or worse, “What if it does?” What will that then do to my easy, rocking-chair, porch of a life. My passive, half-doubting, half-believing place on the sidelines? Who doesn’t want to stay on the porch instead of running? We’re all a little lame when it comes to getting ourselves out there and engaging in the mission that Jesus calls us to do. We’d rather sit bark! But that’s not what we are called to do, and not ...

1248. It's Hard to Be an Atheist with Neighbors Like That

Matthew 9:35-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... a member of the Sand Springs Baptist Church in Henderson County learned of Greene’s troubles on the Internet, and felt compelled to help. Crye’s pastor, the Rev. Eric Graham, contacted Greene to find out more about his needs. Greene responded that he didn’t want the money. There was a chance the surgery would fail, he said. On top of that, there was a chance the retina could become detached again. Greene is not what you would call a positive thinker. Greene told Graham he had a more immediate need. He ...

1249. How Do We Forgive?

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

King Duncan

... men would have asked for wealth and fame. But you only asked for the love of your brother. Is it because you are old and dying?” The man said, “No, I’m not dying, but my brother is, and he’s worth $60 million.” (1) No wonder that man wanted his brother’s forgiveness. There’s a story about a little boy who was saying his prayers one night. As he went down the list of his family, asking God to bless each one of them, he omitted his brother’s name. His mother asked, “Why didn’t you pray ...

1250. Thanks, but...

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

Will Willimon

... full payment just by knowing that you are the church in Phillipi." It's so rare, in this life, to meet a truly free person, a person who can say, in all honesty, whether I live or I die, whether I succeed or fail, whether I am in riches or want, I am content; that to meet such a person, like Paul, is to be confused. We're not talking about stoic resignation, the throwing up of the hands, and "whatever will be, will be" drivel. Paul knows nothing of such fatalistic defeat. We're talking about the victory of ...

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