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 1251 to 1275 of 4962 results

1251. Why Are You Afraid? Have You No Faith?

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Harold H. Lentz

Faith and fear are enemies. You must choose one or the other, but you cannot have both. Some boys were playing on a beach with a large beach ball. By accident the ball was thrown too high and, driven by the wind, landed in the water. No thought was given to it for a few minutes until one of the boys noticed it was going farther and farther from shore. One of the boys decided to retrieve the ball. After entering the water he realized that it was farther from shore than he had thought. Grabbing hold of the ...

1252. Cold Water and Kindness

Matthew 10:1-42

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: Cups of cold water to be shared with all of the children. Lesson: And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you think that you are a kind person? (Let them answer.) Being kind is a wonderful thing because everyone likes kind people. Kind people are good to people they know and also to people they do not know. Some people think they are kind but they are ...

1253. One’s Proper Service

Isaiah 58:1-14

Illustration

Larry Powell

I read that a member of a United Methodist church in North Carolina was once convicted in court for disrupting church services because of his atrocious singing. It was in 1873 that William Linkhaw was hauled into county court in Lumberton, Robeson County, N.C., by fellow Methodists who charged that Linkhaw’s singing repeatedly created havoc during worship services. Not only was his voice offensive to the ear, but he was given to singing long after the rest of the congregation had stopped. Things had become ...

1254. Shoving One Another

Illustration

Joseph M. Stowell

Before our son’s freshman football game last Saturday, one of his coaches shouted at a player and abruptly dismissed him from the field. A coach on the sidelines looked squarely through the bars of the boy’s helmet, spoke sternly to him, and sent him to the locker room. We wondered what could have ever evoked such a strong response from the coaches. As soon as Matthew got home from the game, we asked him. He answered simply: "He shoved his teammate." What a profound principle: If you are in it to win, you ...

1255. Somebody Should Have Helped

Matthew 25:14-30

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

The worst nightmare of every mother happened to a Memphis woman a few years ago. A woman named Anita was stopped for a traffic light at the corner of Highland and Southern. Suddenly a stranger opened the passenger door of her car, grabbed her 2-month- old baby, and ran. Anita's instincts took over. She slammed that car into park, jumped out, and ran after the man. A terrified mother can move with lightning speed. When she got near the man he threw her baby into a ditch and kept on running. Miraculously, ...

1256. What Have You Done for Me?

John 12:20-36

Illustration

George Bass

When Count Nicholas Zinzendorf was a young man, he had an experience in an art gallery that changed his life forever. He was born an aristocrat and had always known wealth and luxury, and he was an extremely gifted individual. Zinzendorf had been reared and trained for a diplomatic career in the Court at Dresden. Beyond all of this, it has been said of him that he was a child of God. One day, on a trip to Paris, he stopped for a rest in Dusseldorf; during his stay in the city, he visited the art gallery. ...

1257. I Have More Remedies

Matthew 11:25-30

Illustration

James W. Moore

Have you heard about the farmer who went to a government bureaucrat specializing in animal health? The farmer sought help from the "expert" because ten of his chickens had suddenly died. The government expert instructed the farmer to give aspirin to all the surviving chickens. Two days later, however, the farmer returned. Twenty more chickens had died. What should he do now? The expert said quickly: Give all the rest castor oil. Two days later, the farmer returned a third time and reported 30 more dead ...

1258. It Might Have Been

Illustration

King Duncan

In the 1800s, poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote one of his most quoted poems in the English language. The poem was titled, "Maud Muller." You've never heard of it? Actually, not many people remember this sorrowful poem, but generations of people have quoted two famous lines from its final stanza. "Maud Muller" is about a young maiden who, while working the fields one day, sees a handsome young Judge riding by on horseback. She offers him a drink of cool water. Their encounter lasts only a few moments, but ...

1259. I Don't Have Time For a Banquet

Matthew 22:1-14

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: The society section of a newspaper Good morning, boys and girls. I brought with me the society section of our newspaper. I wanted to read about some of the important people in our town who are having parties. Would you like to get dressed up in a tuxedo or an evening dress and go to a fancy party? In New York I understand the fanciest group in town is limited to only 400 people. The reason the group is limited to 400 is that was all that could be fitted into Mrs. Astor's ballroom. Mrs. Astor was ...

1260. Having the Nerve

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

Pastor James Hewett shared the following story from when he was young and just starting out: When I was a young writer with a very uncertain income, I went into a quiet park to contemplate a serious problem. For four years I had been engaged but didn't dare to marry. There was no way of foreseeing how little I might earn in the next year; moreover, we had long cherished a plan of living and writing in Paris, Rome, Vienna, London—everywhere. But how could we go three thousand miles away from everything that ...

1261. Oh, How The Mighty Have Fallen! - Sermon Starter

Luke 2:39-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

I am holding in my hands a copy of one of the world’s most revolutionary documents. In it are found these immortal words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .” Of course, that document, the Declaration of Independence, is the charter of the American Revolution. Though we have not yet lived up to it, it has been the vision that inspires us. The only document I know that is more revolutionary is in our Bible. It is called the Magnificat and is found in Luke, chapter 1 ...

1262. We Have Nothing Here

Matthew 14:13-21

Illustration

David E. Leininger

Lord, we have nothing here but five loaves and two fish. That is the response of the ages when people feel overwhelmed by the world around them. It is the response of the parent worried about her child. The child has so many peers who exert so much pressure and is with those peers at school and at play far more than he is with the parent. So many influences; so many temptations to face... Parents hungry for answers ask "What are we to do? We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." It is the ...

1263. Tablets Like the First Ones

Deuteronomy 10:1-11

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

God's Response to Moses' Intercession: 10:1–5 The outcome of Moses’ intercession in Chapter 9 is made clear by the report of the renewed covenant in 10:1–5 and of the resumed journey in 10:6–11. The main focus of verses 1–5 is on the rewriting of the Ten Commandments and the storage of the two tablets in the ark as the tangible sign of a renewed covenant. Verse 5 is like calm after the storm of God’s anger is averted by Moses’ intercession. Having the commandments in the ark in the midst of the people was ...

1264. One Little Child

Mark 9:30-37

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

Call to Worship Leader: How do we welcome one little child in the name of Jesus? People: With hope, with enthusiasm, with respect, with the open arms of our heart, with an attitude of love. Leader: How do we welcome one little child in the name of Jesus? People: By calling the child into responsibility, by finding time to listen, by conveying that we value the child, by teaching what is right, by feeding the child's whole being. Collect Compassionate God, we come as a church who wants to convey to children ...

1265. Where Can I Go From Your Spirit?

Psalm 139:1-24

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

Music: Come, Gracious Spirit When Jesus preached his famous Sermon on the Mount, one of the things he said was, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Today, as we gather together to pray, we know firsthand the promise of Christ's words. For it is natural, at such a time as this, to turn to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Comforter, as Jesus called the Spirit. We pray that the Spirit at this time of Pentecost may fall fresh on us again, to surround and protect and comfort us in our time of ...

1266. The One Who Radiates God

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes The idea of God's presence being signified by a cloud (albeit a bright one!) has much Old Testament precedent (e.g., Exodus 24:15-18), and here provides a marvelous contrast with the sun-like radiance of Jesus. It is noteworthy that the disciples here cannot bear either the sight or the sound of the awesome "enclouded" God (v. 6) but the God whom Jesus radiates (versus reflects) they may behold directly (v. 8). Liturgical Color White Suggested Hymns All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name! How Good ...

1267. We Are One In Christ

Acts 10:23b-48

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Come! Let all who are one in the body of Christ gather for worship! People: Whether we are great or small, rich or poor, free or bondslave, Leader: We are each united, one with each other, through the love of Christ. People: This day Christians in every land will gather together for worship. Leader: And in the holy meal of Christ they will again declare God's love. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, we have feelings of wonder when we realize Christians around the ...

1268. "Simon Says"

Matthew 24:4-5

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: The game "Simon Says." Lesson: For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like to play games? (Let them answer.) Almost all of you like to play games and I know that you will like the one we are going to play this morning because it is one of my very favorites. The game is called "Simon Says" and it is played like this. I will say "Simon Says," touch your nose, and you will touch your nose. Anything that ...

1269. Joy over One Penitent Sinner

Luke 15:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

Call to Worship Pastor: God's greatest joy is in finding persons lost in sin who will accept his love and forgiveness. People: We have all experienced the thrill of finding things we have lost, so we know the joy that God feels. Pastor: God is happy for each one who repents, because that is one more who is saved from sin. People: We pray for God to give us that same concern for those lost in sin, that we may rejoice with him when they are found. Collect Most merciful Father, who celebrates with joy the ...

1270. We are One in Christ

Acts 10:9-23a

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Come! Let all who are one in the body of Christ gather for worship! People: Whether we are great or small, rich or poor, free or bondslave, Leader: We are each united, one with each other, through the love of Christ. People: This day Christians in every land will gather together for worship. Leader: And in the holy meal of Christ they will again declare God's love. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, we have feelings of wonder when we realize Christians around the ...

1271. Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Matthew 24:36-51

Illustration

Richard A. Wing

I read about a depressed songwriter who battled the successes of the past and a fear of the future. He was bankrupt. He had a cerebral hemorrhage that left him partially paralyzed. He worried that the creative spark that had made him rich was gone. He was depressed. The scriptural texts that were his friends and that his soul could hear were texts such as "Why have you forsaken me?" In the midst of his depression, a man came by who had compiled scriptures together in a semi-orderly fashion. He suggested ...

1272. One Potato

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

Exegetical Aim: The Spirit makes us one body in Christ. Props: A Mr. Potato Head. Take the different body parts and give them to some of the children. Keep the empty potato head for yourself. Lesson: How many of you have ever played with this? Do you know what it is? (response) How do you play with it? (response) I see, you place different body parts on it in order to make it look like a person. Let’s try it. Does anyone have a nose that we can place on the potato? Place the nose on the potato. Hey! That ...

1273. Have You Got a Prayer? – Sermon Opener

Luke 3:21-22

Illustration

Mark Trotter

In the season of Epiphany we look at those special events in Jesus' life where his presence was especially manifested with power. Jesus' baptism is one of those epiphanies. You heard Luke's version read this morning. The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form as a dove, and a voice came from heaven,"Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." In newer translations, which are thought to be more accurate, the adjective "beloved" is made a separate phrase to emphasize the intensity of the ...

1274. One Beggar Telling Another Where to Find Food

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Illustration

Steven Molin

Paul Tillich was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, the "father of existential theology" was he. And yet, when he was asked to define what a Christian is, he said "Oh, that's easy; a Christian is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find food." The Christian Church in the 21st century does not see itself as beggars telling other beggars where to find food. Rather, I fear that we see ourselves as being right. We have the right theology, so that makes the others wrong. We have ...

1275. On In and One Out

Illustration

Staff

Baseball's a funny game and hard to understand. So, to help you understand here's one office manager's explanation: You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's on the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When three men are out, the side that's out come in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. When both sides have been in and out nine times, including the not outs, that's the end of the ...

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Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 1251 to 1275 of 4962 results

1251. Why Are You Afraid? Have You No Faith?

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Harold H. Lentz

1252. Cold Water and Kindness

Matthew 10:1-42

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

1253. One’s Proper Service

Isaiah 58:1-14

Illustration

Larry Powell

1254. Shoving One Another

Illustration

Joseph M. Stowell

1255. Somebody Should Have Helped

Matthew 25:14-30

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

1256. What Have You Done for Me?

John 12:20-36

Illustration

George Bass

1257. I Have More Remedies

Matthew 11:25-30

Illustration

James W. Moore

1258. It Might Have Been

Illustration

King Duncan

1259. I Don't Have Time For a Banquet

Matthew 22:1-14

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

1260. Having the Nerve

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

1261. Oh, How The Mighty Have Fallen! - Sermon Starter

Luke 2:39-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

1262. We Have Nothing Here

Matthew 14:13-21

Illustration

David E. Leininger

1263. Tablets Like the First Ones

Deuteronomy 10:1-11

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

1264. One Little Child

Mark 9:30-37

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

1265. Where Can I Go From Your Spirit?

Psalm 139:1-24

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

1266. The One Who Radiates God

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

1267. We Are One In Christ

Acts 10:23b-48

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

1268. "Simon Says"

Matthew 24:4-5

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

1269. Joy over One Penitent Sinner

Luke 15:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

1270. We are One in Christ

Acts 10:9-23a

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

1271. Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Matthew 24:36-51

Illustration

Richard A. Wing

1272. One Potato

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

1273. Have You Got a Prayer? – Sermon Opener

Luke 3:21-22

Illustration

Mark Trotter

1274. One Beggar Telling Another Where to Find Food

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Illustration

Steven Molin

1275. On In and One Out

Illustration

Staff

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