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 1651 to 1675 of 2173 results

1651. What If God Is Dependent Upon Our Praying?

2 Chronicles 7:1-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

It is from the Old Testament. It is that classic passage from II Chronicles, the 7th chapter. I’m going to read the first four verses and then the 8th through the 14th verses of that particular passage. “When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering of sacrifice, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priest could not enter the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw the fire ...

1652. How To Be Rich And Poor

James 1:1-18

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

One day, Herman and Clara were riding along in their shiny new car. Clara spoke up and said, "You know, Herman, if it weren't for my money, we probably wouldn't have this wonderful new car." Herman just sat there and didn't say a word. As they pulled into their driveway, Herman turned off the engine. They quietly admired their beautiful home and Clara said, "You know, Herman, if it weren't for my money, we probably wouldn't have this house." Herman just sat there and didn't say a word. That afternoon, a ...

1653. What If

1 Chronicles 7:1-5

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

I don't know when the question became so central in my thinking. It didn't emerge full-blown. At first it was at the edge of my consciousness, but now it's at the very center pressing for attention. It became even more clamoring, even more demanding, even more piercing during these past two weeks as we have shared with people behind the Iron Curtain; as we have shared with Christians who have to ask the question and who have to make a response. It's one of those what-if questions -- you know the kind I am ...

1654. The Work of An Evangelist

Colossians 1:1-14

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Do we need to remind ourselves of what the work of an evangelist is? An evangelist is one who shares in word, deed and sign the good news of Jesus Christ – the good news that redeems us from sin, makes us whole, and transforms us into participants in God’s Kingdom enterprise. I like the way Paul expresses the work of God in our lives – Col. 1:13-14: “God has rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the ...

1655. Come to Worship Him

Matthew 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. All: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." (based on Matthew 2:2, 5-6) Collect Lord of light, at this time of new beginnings we come to worship you. Father of glory, we cry ...

1656. Sharing the Pain of Others

Matthew 26:14-27:66

Sermon

Richard Gribble

“Rags, rags! Give me your tired, dirty, and old rag and I will give you a fresh, clean, and new one. Rags, rags.” That was the cry to which I awoke one bright sunny Friday morning. I sprang from my bed and peered out my second-story apartment window. There he was: the Ragman of our town. He was 6’4" if he was an inch, youthful in appearance and strong of build. I had heard so much about him but never actually seen him. I threw on some clothes, bounded down the stairs, and ran out the front door of my ...

1657. Yellow Lights

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Am I the only one here this morning addicted to classic cartoons? Say Donald Duck? Sylvester the Cat? Alvin the Chipmunk? Remember how one of them, let's say Donald Duck, would sometimes find himself confronting a moral dilemma (steal Pluto's stuff, eat Tweety Bird, drive Daisy crazy)? While considering this dilemma in the cartoon scenario, two figures would appear over the character's head: one red with horns and a tail, the other clothed in fluffy white with wings and a halo. Evil and good - a devil and ...

1658. Soul Deep Not Skin Deep

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In the Pacific Northwest (and elsewhere), it's now hunting season. But instead of gun-racks in the pick-ups, our most fearless, intrepid hunters drive around with old doors or ratty-looking sheets of plywood strapped to the hoods of their cars, or hanging out the tailgates of their pick-up trucks. These hunters are after one of the most vicious of quarry, one capable of both long slashing wounds and deep punctures. It can only be approached by cautiously creeping towards it on a broad protective plank - ...

1659. Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments

1 Peter 3:15

Sermon

James Merritt

What issue do Americans feel more strongly about, and have a stronger opinion about, than any other issue? James Patterson and Peter Kim, in their groundbreaking book, The Day America Told the Truth, discovered that Americans feel more strongly about abortion than any other issue, whether it be alcohol abuse, the death penalty, pornography, flag-burning, affirmative action, or communism. 75% of Americans see abortion as either right or wrong, with no gray area in between.1 Abortion has become a fact and a ...

1660. Let Me Tell You about the Birds and the Bees

Proverbs 5:15-23

Sermon

James Merritt

A little third grade boy named Johnny came in from school one day, walked up to his daddy and said, "Daddy, there's something I need to ask you." "What is it son?" "Daddy, where did I come from?" Well, the father very nervously reached over and picked up some diagrams and pictures, because he had been planning for just this moment. He spent the next forty-five minutes explaining the process of birth. With a smug look on his face, inwardly congratulating himself on his great job, he said, "Son, does that ...

1661. Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments

Proverbs 24:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

1662. The Surety of Security

Jude 1:1-2

Sermon

James Merritt

The summer after I graduated from high school, I worked in a carpet factory. I met a very interesting man who, at one time, was a professional boxer. We got to talking about boxing and he said, "Do you know the two biggest mistakes boxers make?" I said, "No, what?" He said, "Number one: telegraphing their punches; and number two: failing to keep their guard up." The theme of the book of Jude is "Keeping Your Guard Up." This is the third smallest book in the New Testament, but it illustrates the truth that ...

1663. Nothing Great Happens Without It

Luke 14: 25-35

Sermon

James Merritt

There's is an old fable about an Emperor who many years ago gathered together the wisest people in his kingdom and said, "I want you to assemble all of the great knowledge of our civilizations so that it will be available for future generations." They worked many years before returning with ten bound volumes. The Emperor glanced at the stack of books frowned and said, "Too long." The sages scurried back to work and did not return until they had edited the ten volumes down to one. However, when they handed ...

1664. Looking Out for Others

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Being able to synthesize in such a way that harmony can be the outcome is among the many things the Apostle Paul does well. The often-pesky church at Corinth desperately needed such a skill, written and practiced in charity. To follow his inspired advice comes as a gift to all of us, 2,000 years ago or today. The individualistic Christianity, largely the work of Protestants, has been and is both a bane and balm, for us. To do our own thing is commendable and perhaps essential but it can prove utterly ...

1665. In Solidarity with Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-18

Sermon

Richard Gribble

"Rags, rags! Give me your tired, dirty, and old rag and I will give you a new, clean, and fresh one. Rags, rags." That was the cry to which I awoke one bright sunny Friday morning. I sprang from my bed and peered out my second-story apartment window. There he was, the ragman of our town. He was 6'4" if he was an inch, youthful in appearance and strong of build. I had heard so much about him but never actually seen him. I threw on some clothes, bounded down the stairs and out the front door of my apartment ...

1666. Making Your Mark

Mt 23:1-12

Illustration

King Duncan

A legend during the classic time of Greece tells of a terrible thing happened in one of the temples. One night the statue of Zeus was mysteriously smashed and desecrated. A tremendous uproar arose among the inhabitants. They feared the vengeance of the gods. The town crier walked the city streets commanding the criminal to appear without delay before the Elders to receive his just punishment. The perpetrator naturally had no desire to give himself up. In fact, a week later another statue of a god was ...

1667. What's Your Drink?

Isaiah 43:16-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

What do we thirst for? What is our drink? Jesus offers his disciples deep drinks of "living waters." Draughts of the “Living Waters" must be our signature sip, our desired drink. Civilized behavior the world over demands that a proper host or hostess offers some sort of sustenance when welcoming visitors into their homes. Who among us doesn't feel compelled to quiz their guests, even before they get a chance to sit down, about what we might be able to get them? We might ask with enthusiasm when the coffee ...

1668. Do You Look Good On Wood?

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In a culture awash in self-hug spiritualities, it is time for disciples of Jesus to take up their crosses and follow him. The year ... 177 A.D. The place ... the arena at Lyons. The celebration ... fiesta time. The sport ... killing criminals, runaway slaves and Christians. A letter from the local church to a sister church in Turkey describes what happened: The governor had the blessed ones form a procession for the enjoyment of the crowd ... Maturus, then Sanctus, Blandina and Attalus were led to face the ...

1669. Jesus Is Contagious!

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Here’s a startling image for this wintry Sunday morning. You may have seen it already. Picture a man in a tacky, grey, “rat suit” - ears, fur, tail, the whole deal. The rat-suited man is writhing on a public sidewalk, pretending he is gasping for breath. Next to this “rat-man” is a hand-lettered placard declaring, “Cyanide is in cigarette smoke - the same as it is in rat poison.” This image is currently a public service announcement on PBS stations. But here’s the real kicker. The “tag line” that ...

1670. Easter 7

Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:1-12, John 17:6-19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 The church is living between Jesus' departure and the coming of the Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by Judas' suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of his baptism to his ascension and one who can witness to the resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two ...

1671. Proper 14

2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130:1-8, John 6:25, 41-51, Ephesians 4:25–5:2

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 130 First Lesson—King David mourns the murder of his rebellious son, Absalom. 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 Second Lesson—The apostle Paul mentions some daily specifics of morality that should reflect Christian faith. Ephesians 4:25–5:2 Gospel—The messianic claim of Jesus is expressed in the metaphor of heavenly manna. John 6:35, 41-51 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Await God’s presence and hope in God’s ...

1672. Proper 24

Job 38:17, (34-41), Psalm 104:1-35, Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c First Lesson—The majesty of creation puts the human critic in perspective. Job 38:17, (34-41) Second Lesson—The writer to the Hebrews uses a mysterious priest as a forerunner of Jesus, the eternal priest. Hebrews 5:1-10 Gospel—Jesus explains that true greatness must be measured by the readiness to suffer for the good. Mark 10:35-45 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Set your love on God who ...

1673. Easter 4

Psalm 23:1-6, John 10:11-18, Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 23:1 First Lesson—Peter in his preaching identifies Jesus, raised from the dead, as the rejected stone recovered to be the cornerstone of the church. Acts 4:5-12 Second Lesson—John writes of love made real in truth and in action. 1 John 3:16-24 Gospel—Jesus identifies himself as a good shepherd who gives his life for the salvation of his flock. John 10:11-18 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Approach God ...

1674. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, Psalm 19:1-14, John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 19:1-14 First Lesson—Moses discloses the covenant God makes with the former slaves brought out of Egypt. Exodus 20:1-17 Second Lesson—Paul affirms to the Corinthians the strength and wisdom of God over against the weakness and foolishness of humanity. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Gospel—Jesus cleanses the Temple by chasing out the commercial entrepreneurs. John 2:13-22 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: God calls us ...

1675. Easter 5

Psalm 148:1-14, John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 148 First Lesson—A mysterious vision opens Peter’s heart to include Gentiles in the church. Acts 11:1-18 Second Lesson—John describes a vision of the new heaven and earth: the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1-6 Gospel—Jesus says that the distinguishing feature of his disciples should be their love for one another. John 13:31-35 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Praise the name of the Eternal One, People: for ...

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