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 1701 to 1725 of 2415 results

1701. God Can Turn Your Trash Cans into Treasure Chests

Psalm 51:1-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... blessing. Moses was a murderer, he recycled his rage and hatred and became the greatest leader in Israel's history. Jacob was a thief and a rogue. He recycled his cunning, and became the father of the nation. David was an adulterer. He recycled his passion and became the greatest of the kings. Esther was a harem girl. But she recycled her sex appeal and saved the Jewish people from history's first Holocaust. Ruth was an idol worshipper. But she recycled her foreignness and she became a progenitor of Jesus ...

1702. Where Is Your Pebble?

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... thrust of his sermon was that sin has turned the world upside down, and the design of the gospel and the business of the ministry are to set the world right side up again. Well, the people of the town decided to have some fun with this passionate circuit rider and so the next day when he rode into town nearly everything looked ridiculous. Everything that could be turned upside down had been turned upside down: wagons, signs, gates, etc. (3) The people of the town got a laugh at the preacher’s expense, but ...

1703. How Firm a Foundation

Luke 6:39-49

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... a doctor and disregard his instructions. Wouldn't you fire a worker when they did the same? Someone who wouldn't listen and obey? Our Lord's commands are clear: Love God. Love one another. Treat others as you want to be treated. Be forgiving and have compassion for others. Don't settle for sand. Build on the rock — Jesus Christ. Paul's beach house was built on a good foundation. When the waters came and surrounded it, they did not destroy it. He had shored it up for support. In his distress, he had also ...

1704. Oh, Jerusalem

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... in working for God's kingdom as that robin was in making her nest. In addition to persistence we must never set ourselves apart, so that what happens in the world seems to happen to someone else. Jesus was filled with compassion for the people. That compassion is part of the tie that binds. "Blest be the tie that binds" — the words of the hymn remind us that we are one. But what binds us together? Shared experience and table fellowship. I have found over time that events involving food and the natural ...

1705. How Much of an Honor?

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... , and those who were just trying to hang on. He reminded people that these shepherds should still be seen in a royal light. Jesus, in talking about the good shepherd, tells us he is both shepherd and gate. He is the way. He loves the sheep and has compassion for them. He wants to gather them together and keep them safe from those who would take advantage of them. One of the things that makes Jesus the ideal shepherd is that he is portrayed as one of the sheep, the Lamb of God in the gospel of John ...

1706. Appointed and Sent!

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

... the smartest guy on the ship ... so why did he get to climb on board the Enterprise and run it? The answer: There is this skill set called leadership. Kirk was the distilled essence of the dynamic manager, a guy who knew how to delegate, had the passion to inspire, and looked good in what he wore to work. He never professed to have skills greater than his subordinates ... he established the vision, the tone. He was in charge of morale.4 The third opportunity and challenge is: "The harvest is plentiful ...

1707. Quitters

John 6:60-71

Sermon

King Duncan

... a reputation for being rather liberal in their theology, though that is not always the case. UCC pastors do tend to be advocates of a variety of social causes. And they tend to intellectualize their faith, which may seem to make them seem less passionate than pastors of some other denominations. Martin Copenhaver probably fits most of these stereotypes. So it surprised the congregation of one of his churches when on his final Sunday there, he decided to be more personal. Here is how he closed his message ...

1708. A Fool and His Money

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... this world but have no treasure in heaven." The fool and his money are parted — permanently. There are no pockets in a shroud, no UHauls behind a hearse. Please be careful here. Do not make the man worse than he was. He was not unlike most of us in his passions and motives. Notice, too, that what happened was not a punishment. The message of the parable is not that God does not like people who work hard and are successful. The parable is simply an observation of the way life is for all of us, rich or poor ...

1709. Religion and Politics

Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... is that some issues - justice issues, clearly political issues - must be discussed. If we fail to do it, God says our worship is worthless. William Sloane Coffin's Credo is a collection of some of the more remarkable writings of this passionate, prophetic pastor whose life was dedicated to issues of social justice and national morality. He writes, "The separation of church and state is a sound doctrine, but it points to an organizational separation. It is not designed to separate Christians from their ...

1710. Pax Christi Or Pox Christi?

Luke 12:49-56

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... . Several years ago, at our Presbyterian General Assembly meeting, the subject of debate was the place of gays and lesbians in the life of the church. The verbal sparring was vigorous and rancorous, as is often the case when two sides passionately defend diametrically opposite positions, and especially when each side is positive that their position is the one that reflects the mind of Christ. Finally, one of the youngest delegates in attendance spoke up and said, "You folks can keep fighting about ...

1711. The Most Dangerous Verse In the Bible

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... and factual errors here and there — minor ones, to be sure, but there nonetheless. As might be expected, traditionalists went ballistic and the result was huge controversy within the church, and major splits in the mainline denominations. Why all the passion? Because "All scripture is God-breathed ... inspired" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible says it; I believe it; that settles it. That is dangerous. There is another danger. People think that scripture — because it is "God-breathed" or "inspired" — is ...

1712. Advent 1

Psalm 25:1-10, Jeremiah 33;14-16, Luke 21:25-36, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... and divine protection for our own children and for all the children in our global village. Stop the terror that rattles houses and souls; halt the war that maims and kills. Lover of the World — come among your creatures, our brothers and sisters, with passion that counters greed. Come to your people with wisdom for a sustainable economy. Come to your people with wisdom to provide work that pays, health care that leads to wellness, and foods that nurture the body. Come among your creatures with love, which ...

1713. Advent 2

Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 3:1-20, Philippians 1:3-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... . Thank you for John the Baptist who calls us to open ourselves to your creating love. Thank you for Jesus the Christ who challenges us to imagine a godly way to be in the world as peace-makers, justice-workers, and mercy-carriers. Live in us as gratitude, passion, and joy. Lover of the World — can you see through the dark actions and thoughts of humankind? Do you weep at the terror and war that invades the psyche and destroys the body and mind? Do you grieve at the destruction of the earth’s land, air ...

1714. Advent 3

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

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... God is reconciling families and nations and resurrecting the God-image in all persons. Through every part of our human journey, God is with us; we are not alone. Hallelujah! Offertory Statement With joy, we share what we have — food, money, clothes, hope, and passion. Doxology While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (v. 6) All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will to all from highest heaven Begin and never cease! Begin and never cease! Prayer Of Thanksgiving Eternal God — we are ...

1715. Advent 4

Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 80:1-7, Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-45, Hebrews 10:5-10

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... for new leadership. And we realize that we are the shepherds and the magi; we are the citizens being counted and taxed. There are people around us who find signs that say, “Sorry, no room.” We pray for humankind. Create among us all a mind and passion for justice and kindness. Birthing Spirit — no matter how old we are, we long to beheld and rocked, loved, and touched. Within each of us is that child who seeks wholeness and strength. Within each of us is the hope that you labor us into the world ...

1716. Good Friday

Psalm 22:1-31, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, Hebrews 10:16-25

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... sanctuary is open. These hours are for persons who wish to “feel” the pain of injustice, guilt, shame, and betrayal surrounding Jesus’ death. People enter space/sanctuary, dimly lighted, with instrumental music playing quietly, live or recorded — the classical passions, sections from Jesus Christ Superstar, jazz masses, Tavener’s Ikos, and the nineteenth-century cross hymns. The cross may be draped in black; a single red or white rose might be placed on the communion table along with the chalice ...

1717. Blind Ambition

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

King Duncan

... his life as a ransom for many.” Author Max Lucado tells about some people in his church that he calls “The Society of the Second Mile.” In one place he describes one of those second‑mile servants. “By profession he is an architect,” says Lucado. “By passion, a servant. He arrives an hour or so prior to each worship service and makes his rounds through the men’s restrooms. He wipes the sinks, cleans the mirrors, checks the toilets, and picks up paper off the floor. No one asked him to do the ...

1718. No More Tears

John 11:17-37

Sermon

King Duncan

... is beside the tomb of Lazarus. A second is on Palm Sunday as Jesus approached Jerusalem. Jesus wept over the city because of the unbelief of its citizens (Luke 19:41). The third time was in Gethsemane. The writer of Hebrews describing Christ’ passion, says that Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death” (Heb. 5:7). Ironically, Jesus might have avoided crucifixion if he had not raised Lazarus. For some of the Jerusalem crowd, restoring ...

1719. Serving the King of Kings

John 18:28-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... military force is necessary to stop the advance of evil in the world. However, we can disagree with them and still admire their commitment to their principles. One woman confronted a Jehovah’s Witness spokesman who was defending his refusal to bear arms. With passion she said, “My son was shot and killed defending your freedom.” The spokesman said calmly, “I’m sorry about your son’s death. I can guarantee you, though, that it was not a Jehovah’s Witness who shot him.” Again, we may disagree ...

1720. Mark 10:35-45

Mark 10:35-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Christians — that is, to Mark’s audience, but not, apparently, to Jesus’ pre-crucifixion disciples. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, on the path of obedience to the sacrifice he knows is required. Coming immediately upon the heels of Jesus’ third passion prediction (10:32-34), the cost of this obedience and the radically new role of the Messiah makes it clear that the “cup” and the “baptism” Jesus obediently embraces is not a path of greatness and glory. Although the Zebedee brothers affirm ...

1721. Hope Again!

Zephaniah 3:1-20

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... he will listen and respond (2:3). Later Zephaniah writes that there will be a remnant of survivors from the judgment and calamity that will fall on them as a people. “Restoration” is a hopeful word! (2:7). The hope rises to an increasing surge of passionate care and love from God who will bring salvation and forgiveness to those who are faithful to him. There is almost a lilt, a rhythm, as the prophet writes, Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart ...

1722. Born at Bethlehem — Hope

Micah 5:1-4

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... catching the winsome contagion of his caring Spirit for others. Yielding to his Spirit calls for the response of one’s heart in meaningful service to others. As someone said, ‘Wherever the Spirit of the Lord controls the heart, there is a passion to serve.’ "2 God authored surrender and service at a specific time and place ... Bethlehem, Christmas night. Christ would grow into adulthood and model surrender and service to a motley group of disciples. He took off his robe, picked up a pitcher of ...

1723. From Tragedy to Salvation

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ...” (1 Corinthians 15:1-3 NIV). Working among the poor and neglected of London was a woman who inspired others because of her Christian faith and compassion. A newspaper man observed this Christian in action and asked what led her to work with the underprivileged. She related that as a young Jew, she had fled the German Gestapo in France during World War II. The Gestapo was closing in on her when she ...

1724. The Great Sacrifice of Love

Luke 9:18-27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... to not associate this work of art with the sacrifice of love it represents. In today's lesson from 1 Corinthians, Saint Paul describes the earliest account of the greatest act of sacrificial love the world has ever witnessed, the Paschal mystery - the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to our world in obedience to his Father's will, becoming human in all ways, save sin, and willingly gave his life so we would have the possibility of life eternal. Not only does Paul describe ...

1725. Raised to New Life Today

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... life, stands as a good illustration of Saint Paul's message to the Corinthians in today's lesson. In chapter 15 Paul tells the Corinthians of the centrality of the tradition that he was given, namely the significance of the Paschal mystery, the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Now, he goes further, expanding on his earlier ideas of resurrection as a central focus of our Christian faith. This fundamental message of Christian faith is a source of consolation to us. Christ's resurrection will give ...

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