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 1276 to 1300 of 1570 results

1276. Bless the Hungry

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Staff

... Antarctic, the time was spent talking about food elaborate feasts, gourmet delights, sumptuous menus. As they staggered along, suffering from dysentery, not knowing whether they would survive, every waking hour was occupied with thoughts of eating. Jesus, who also knew the ravages of food deprivation, said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS." We can understand Shackleton's obsession with food, which offers a glimpse of the passion Jesus intends for our quest for righteousness.

1277. Bulletin Bloopers

Humor Illustration

... church "offers opportunities for children, youth and adults to participate in eight vocal and handball choirs." I would like to hear one of those handball choirs. Grunting in four parts. That must be exciting. Or this one from the Augsburg Fortress bulletin series: "Many hunger for a slice of bread or a simple bowel of soup." Doesn't sound very appetizing to me. Or this one from the Sharon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Statesville, N.C.: "As we begin our Lenten discipline in the coming week a sin up sheet ...

1278. Skip a Day

Humor Illustration

... the man came back for his appointment. He had lost 20 pounds. The doctor asked, "You lost all this weight just by following my instructions?" The man said, "Yes, I'll tell you though, I thought I was going to drop dead on that third day." The doctor asked, "From hunger?" "No," the man said. "From skipping!"

1279. Surviving in the Mountains

Humor Illustration

... bank and immediately proved their resourcefulness. They drained a bit of gasoline out of the fuselage and started a fire. Later, when they got thirsty, they put a bit of snow in a twisted piece of metal and melted it to make drinking water. A few days later, dying of hunger, they ripped strips from the leather seats, dipped them in motor oil, and fried them up like bacon for a nourishing treat. The people up the street in the Hilton all admitted it was the most amazing thing they had ever seen.

1280. Mommy, I'm Hungry

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

Randy Hyde

It's been years, but I remember Fred Craddock telling of the time he attended a conference on hunger. Influential, knowledgeable speakers had been brought in from all over to talk on the subject. Near the end of the conference, Fred says, a young, willowy woman got up to speak. Her long straight hair fell down her back, almost to her waist. She carried a legal pad to the ...

1281. Crying at the Tomb

John 20:10-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... it relates to the rapid increases in the power of computers. He was featured recently on the cover of Time magazine with an article titled, “2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal.” Ray Kurzweil claims no religious affiliation; no belief in God. And yet Kurzweil hungers for immortality. One of the motivations for his life’s work is the dream of resurrecting his dead father. This is no joke. This is his dream. He hopes not only to avoid death himself, but also to reconnect someday with his dead father by ...

1282. Toss Your Cap Over the Wall

Mark 3:20-30

Sermon

King Duncan

... a way of motivating themselves to take a risk. The poet said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” And it is true. There are times when all of us long to toss our caps over the wall. There are times when we hunger in our own way for the heroic whether we want to change jobs, start our own business, go back to school, or whatever. There come those times in life when we feel the need to make a change. I know of one young man in particular who decided to make ...

1283. Have You Ever Tried to Discredit Someone?

Mark 3:20-5

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

... 's so out-of-character with this white-collar executive. He even talks about meeting Jesus in the poor whom he serves! And maybe he even begins to criticize the church for its self-serving attitude and low level of involvement in community issues - like homelessness, hunger, child abuse.... Both of them join a weekly prayer or Bible study group and they love to talk about how they see Jesus changing people's lives, and that's just a bit much! That's taking this "Jesus thing" too far! You see, our religious ...

1284. Holy Smokes! God Is Here

John 6:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

... long, would ram their nine-foot boats. When asked how they were able to endure that experience, Rickenbacker’s answer was quite succinct. He said simply, “We prayed.” For days they drifted helplessly under the scorching tropic sun. The heat, the hunger, the exhaustion, brought Rickenbacker and his young, inexperienced crew to the breaking point. But Eddie Rickenbacker continued to pray. Were his prayers answered? You decide. When he and his crew were almost at the end of their rope, a sea gull flew ...

1285. Only the Best

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... wine making. Then he fulfilled a dream by leasing land. There he planted, fertilized, and tenderly cared for his vines. After five years of maturity, Leigh had prime grapes to turn into wines. Leigh did not sell his wines for profit— but donations to World Hunger were not refused. Leigh took pride in his hobby. He used wine-tasting parties thrown by friends to educate others in the appreciation of wine. These are some of the steps he takes guests through. 1.Open the wine bottle to let it breathe. Allow ...

1286. Risk Takers

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... great faith). Does this mean we should not use our resources to help them because it might take away their so-named richness, which has been caused by being poor? This makes no sense at all. Face it. We have the resources to end poverty, to end world hunger. Instead, we hoard what we have instead of using it to bless others. The poor have nothing but God on whom to depend. They realize they have nothing of their own to give to God and, therefore, must depend on his mercy. When we see our own poverty ...

1287. Sit Up and Speak!

Luke 7:11-17

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

... 88 young males ages 18 to 35 and found eleven themes that impact their spirituality. Among the themes were relationships, male mentors, crises in their lives, life management issues, work, life-changing experiences, nature, sports, service, avocation, and worldly spiritual hungers. Practical advice for Christians for action to heed the command, "arise, young man," are listed in the book, Coming of Age, by Hill, Anderson, and Martinson. Young men are sitting up and speaking at a new mission church in Sioux ...

1288. Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

... it. I live in a beautiful log home in the lovely Black Hills. I own three automobiles, have closets stuffed full of clothes, have a good pension, and all the amenities of life one might want or think one needs. Am I following Jesus in a world of hunger and deprivation? Am I following Jesus when I deplete the earth's resources? Am I following Jesus if I am not washing my neighbors' feet in love, compassion, and generosity? I was taught in my confirmation instruction Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are you ...

1289. Stuff!

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

... what we might say to a television reporter while in the line at the 7-Eleven, really, in our heart of hearts, give our abundant harvest away? Take the so-called economic stimulus package some of us received a couple of years ago. Despite cries from the Hunger Network to consider tithing our windfall, how many of us actually did that? The most often used excuse I heard was that the government told us that we were to spend the money, not save it or invest it. How convenient that our government didn't tell ...

1290. The Great Divide

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

... the corner of my eye as I tried to make my way through the light before he could rap on my window and ask for money. I wonder what I'll do the next time I see someone with his or her cardboard sign. Will I help to satisfy his hunger with what falls from my table? I wonder. I still don't know this man's name but in my prayers each night I call him Lazarus. I find that I have tried to make two points; that's never a good idea in a sermon but that's the ...

1291. Advent 3

Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:1-20, Philippians 4:4-7

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... us hear your affirmation. Lover of the World — we pray for this planet and its children. Somehow, nastiness makes its way to hurt the earth and to scar children. Let good news and helpfulness overcome violence and mean-spiritedness. Protect children from poverty, hunger, sexual abuse, and soul-violence. Let the joy we sing about at Christmas actually pervade the goings and comings in the world. Maker and Shaker of our Humanity — we are keenly aware that life is not all “roses and light.” Our bodies ...

1292. 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

... — even silence has a sound as the stars and planets move about space. Our silence is full of sighs and hmmms as we consider how our time is spent. Sing to us of new ways to think; sing of sustainable lifestyles so we can banish poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Let us listen carefully and understand. Loving Spirit — we know so many people who need care, so we pray for them. We name them in the quiet places of our minds: (pause for silent prayers) Thank you for being present with us. Amen. Benediction ...

1293. Proper 10

Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10; 82:1-8, Amos 7:7-17, Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... your teachings, your kindness, and your constant love. Violence makes us afraid yet many people live in peril every day. War repels us yet we participate in terrorizing people around the planet in order to get what our nation wants or needs. Hunger and disease plague children and adults. Competition between religious systems stoke murderous actions. We find solace in the psalms: Remember your mercy toward us; relieve us of our worries and save us from our troubles. Feed the hungry and heal the sick ...

1294. Proper 12

Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 85:1-13; 138:1-8, Hosea 1:2-10, Luke 11:1-13, Colossians 2:6-19

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... remind us that human beings have always turned to one god or another when they are backed into a corner. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One. Community Confession Listening God — violence and hunger are apparent in every nation. Betrayals and dis-ease plague our homes. Apathy and fear breed in our faith family. Individually, we are hungry for something that is not satisfied with calories and flavors. Restore our vision of what is possible when ...

1295. Proper 13

Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... times when there is cooperation rather than confrontation; when food, plants, animals, and people are part of the whole planetary process. Yet people are dying in the name of freedom. Visit leaders with compassion and hospitality; work through them to alleviate hunger, disease, homelessness, and violent behaviors. God of Thoughts — like Qohelet and Hosea, some of us ask questions and answer them with stories to explain what is important to us. Help us not be arrogant or stubborn with our own experiences ...

1296. Mary's Song

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Sermon

King Duncan

... fact that everyone on earth is our brother and our sister, it becomes impossible to justify the oppression of one people by another. It becomes impossible to justify that some would live in absolute luxury while others go to bed each night with hunger pangs gnawing at their insides. Jesus came to turn the world right side up. Jesus also came to give dignity to those whom society does not value. The Christmas story shows those in government palaces in the worst possible light. Meanwhile members of society ...

1297. Reformation Day

Psalm 46:1-11, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 8:31-41, Romans 3:19-28

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... of being change agents in our cities; our culture seems to thrive on power-gathering, vulgarities, and media sound-bites; our voices seem so quiet. Still, we pray for the determination and insights to relieve oppression and poverty, homelessness and hunger. We want this global village to have contented people, abundant clear air, sparkling waters, and fertile land. We are frightened as we hear of planetary warming and desertification, of inadequate and impure food sources, of predatory money lending, and ...

1298. Show Me Your Credentials

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... hardship that he has undergone in his life lends credibility to his message and his authority. But as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger.... — 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 How odd! Paul believes that those very things that would seem to undermine his credibility are his most compelling credentials. He is proud of things that would put us to shame and make us shrink ...

1299. A New Point of View

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... that the "human point of view" has become the most important thing in our lives. "The human point of view," what others think of us, has become our god. The problem is that those humans can never give us what only God can give us. The pressure never relents. The hunger is never satisfied. There are never enough pats on the back or smiles of approval to silence the fear that that we will never be good enough. Do we honestly think that God is going to let us "brush him off" and let us leave him behind in the ...

1300. The Call of Holiness

Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... is for all of us. It is for ordinary people living an ordinary existence on this globe.[5] Holiness transcends race, ethnicity, sex, denomination, or any other barrier or excuse that keeps us far away from God. Holiness draws us toward Jesus with a hungering and thirsting after righteousness ... right living. It is sold out obedience to God. Even in human "jars of clay" we are called to be pure, clean, and holy. Holiness is seeking Jesus because I understand I need him. After Pentecost the disciples were ...

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