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 201 to 225 of 376 results

201. Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... that we enjoy salvation. The Sword of the Spirit is an offensive means at the disposal of all Christians when confronting enemies. The word of God is also compared to a sword in Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. It cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword." God's presence is always vitally present in Christian life through access to God's word. The ability to discern the Spirit is closely tied to Paul's final directive, to "pray in the Spirit at all times." Prayer, too, is more an ...

202. Hebrews 13:1-8

Hebrews 13:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... reach over the walls and through the bars to those languishing in prison. Good intentions notwithstanding, the instinct for self-preservation told these struggling Christian enclaves to stay away from those in prison. Associating with those in jail would only bring down the keen eye and long arm of Roman law on the rest of them. Better to stay their distance and keep their peace. But the author of Hebrews insists that true phil¡a meant that every captive Christian was an imprisoned family member, and thus ...

203. Jeremiah 18:1-11

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of a prophetic word that comes to him: first as an instruction, "Come, go down to the potter's house" (v.2), and then as interpretation, "Can I not do with you ..." (vv.5-6). As a witness to his nation, Jeremiah is well-practiced at being a keen observer. The simple, long-standing profession of potter was not dismissed by the prophet as just a man throwing a pot. While Jeremiah waits to hear a word from the Lord, he observes the intimate relationship between the potter and his creations. When the clay "was ...

204. The Third Ear and the Imagination of Jesus

Mark 4:1-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... theater? From Nazareth, Sepphoris was a 15 minute horse-back ride, or an hour walk. Most likely Jesus spent two hours a day walking to and from Sepphoris. What did Jesus do on his daily commute? How did he spend his time commuting? He became a keen observer of the countryside. *He noted the way the fields grew and changed throughout the cycle of the seasons. *He followed the flights of the birds, the movements of the wild animals, the shepherding of the sheep. *He watched the wind blow and felt the coolness ...

205. Lent 4

1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23:1-6, John 9:1-41, Ephesians 5:8-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... to us. Bring healing of body, mind, and spirit with medical attention and prayer and human caring. Bless every ministry to the blind or seeing-impaired. May the spoken word as well as Braille publications communicate your word to those whose spiritual sight may be as keen as ours. Eternal God, we have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, in the Holy of Holies in heaven. We rejoice for the great multitude and our own loved ones who have ...

206. A New Hope

Jeremiah 18:1-10

Sermon

James Merritt

... pick at it, pull something away from it, discard it, throw it away and start over. Why does he do that? The potter spotted something that I couldn't see. There was some kind of impurity in that clay that might be invisible to the naked eye, but by the keenly trained eye of a skillful potter he sees it. Maybe it was just a small stone or a wrinkle in the pattern or a discoloration of part of the clay, but the potter spots it and removes it. That is exactly what "The Dark Side" can do to us. It ...

207. Our Task: Acceptance and Challenge

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... more helpful here than a delight-giver, be that person a biological parent or aunt or uncle or Sunday school teacher or whomever. Let me tell you how the term "delight" came to be so meaningful in my thinking at this point. I learned it from a motivational speaker, Sam Keen, and what he said to his own father as his father lay dying. Sam had flown out to be with his father at this time, and one afternoon just the two of them were together in the hospital room. Sam said, "I don't know how you feel about ...

208. Home at Last

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... had become the world's new superpower during the Babylonian captivity of God's people. King Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and released Nehemiah and the captives to return to Jerusalem and their promised land. Cyrus, a benevolent ruler with a keen sense of justice, authored history's first declaration of human rights.4 The prophetic message for all times is one of justice and advocacy for the powerless, and accountability for the powerful. As people of faith, we are called to shine a light ...

209. Living the Vision

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... their "chosen people" status again? The truth is that Habakkuk takes this discussion to a new level, a very human level. You see, Habakkuk was very aware of the behavior of the people and that behavior was a major contributor to their problems. He was also keenly aware that the wickedness of the outside world was a major contributor to the problem. Therefore, he asks a thoughtful question of God, "Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble?" (1:3). Habakkuk is once again being one of us. His ...

210. Thanks for Receiving Thanksgiving

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... do not want to be seen as depending on anyone or anything. The truth is that saying, "Thank you," or better yet, to admit that gratitude is a good thing, is an action that has its roots in grace. When we are truly grateful, we become keenly aware that we are totally dependent on God and upon one another. When we are really grateful, we recognize that God has given us firstfruits whether we deserve them or not. Thanksgiving, on our part, in our time, should reflect the knowledge that we have already received ...

211. A Squirrely Holiday

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... that has a single-minded purpose. In our Thanksgiving Day gospel text, Jesus reminds his listeners that they too must get their priorities straight. As Jesus spoke to the poor, to the simple day laborers who eked out a living on a daily denarius, he was keenly aware of the realities they faced. They needed to work, and work hard, just to keep food on the table, and a roof over their heads. Jesus’ words don’t belittle the hard-scrabble existence of the people. Instead Jesus reminds them of how divinely ...

212. Luther on Signs of Christ's Coming

Luke 21:5-38

Illustration

Martin Luther

... , buying, selling, marrying and giving in marriage, that every one must see and say either ruin or a change must come. It is hard to see how a change can come. Day after day dawns and the same conditions remain. There was never such keenness, understanding and judgment among Christians in bodily and temporal things as now - I forbear to speak of the new inventions, printing, fire-arms, and other implements of war...This compels me to believe that Christ will soon come to judgment...it must soon break ...

213. Spiderman: Saved To Serve

Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... comic Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962). Peter Parker, a Senior at MidtownHigh School, receives his powers when he was bitten by a radioactive spider in a science demonstration. This bite endowed him with the proportional strength and agility of a spider along with a keen "spider sense". After discovering these powers Peter hires an agent and tries to make some money in television. One night he had the chance to catch a burglar fleeing from the T.V. studio, but he refused because he didn't think he should ...

214. Spiderman: Saved To Serve

Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... in the comic Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962). Peter Parker, a Senior at Midtown High School, receives his powers when bitten by a radioactive spider in a science demonstration. This bite endowed him with the proportional strength and agility of a spider along with a keen "spider sense". After discovering these powers Peter hires an agent and tries to make some money in television. One night he had the chance to catch a burglar fleeing from the T.V. studio, but he refused because he didn't think he should ...

215. Radical Love in the Neighborhood (Series: Radical Love in a Risky World)

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... are the loneliest people in the world. Compassion is a heart that cares. Compassion is not a political announcement; it’s a personal concern. Compassion is not a public debate; it’s a soul that feels. Thomas Merton said, “Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.” When Jesus saw the multitudes he had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves with compassion” (Colossians 3:12). Desmund Tutu says, “If you are going ...

216. Being and Doing as the People of God

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... in their eyes – they strain at life. They lack joy. They have not discovered the way to be and do as Christians. Let me illustrate. There were five men in the little group that gathered that evening, a well-trained psychologist with a keen mind and a precise tongue; a cynical, self-styled Atheist who had been ordained an Episcopal clergyman but had given up his ordination, and three ministers. The death of God theologians had been causing quite a stir. Theology was making the headlines, and theological ...

217. Being the Lord's Instrument

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... , Mabel, joined about two years ago. They’ve been active Methodist Christians for years. About six months ago, Fred began to talk to me about God’s call upon his life. He was not clear about it in terms of specificity, but he felt it so keenly that he was thinking about early retirement, and the possibility of giving his life totally in ministry. Well, Fred has done that. Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee has appointed Fred to be a staff member of our church - without pay, mind you - but a full staff ...

218. Doing Our Best

Romans 12: 1-13

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... you already do that, I know. I am aware that worship attendance in this congregation is higher now than it has ever been in the history of this church. I am also aware that in the last eight weeks, worship attendance has grown by 34% over last year. I am keenly aware there is a hunger in America to be present with one another. A great awakening is going on right now. Don't you want to be a part of it? I do. Let the Church be the Church. Let us be there for one another. III. LET US OFFER ...

219. Building a Lasting Legacy

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... so the rest of us could believe. My dear friends, today I thank you. How could anybody want to be any place else than to see these choirs singing. It is an absolute, thorough joy to fill this office, to be your pastor. I hope you know. I am keenly aware today that some people are feeling bombarded by this whole emphasis. Either you were not around four years ago when it was first projected and planned or you have forgotten. Over the last five weeks you have begun to wonder what is all this about, when is ...

220. The Compassionate Christ

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... and said, “It's O.K., you can never force the heart." Jesus said in Luke 6:36, “Be compassionate as your father is compassionate." Compassion is more than political slogans and passionate sermons. Compassion is justice and mercy for all. Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things. Compassion is the willingness to act on the need at hand. Compassion is the conviction to do what you can with what you've got. Compassion is a decision to touch the untouchable, love the unlovable ...

221. Giving Our Gratitude

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... you. But, let me ask an honest question. In the light of eternity, is one hour a week to worship God too much of an imposition? The example you set for your children will make a lasting difference. When George Barna asked Americans their most keenly felt spiritual needs, they replied: Increase in our commitment to the Faith, Increase in our knowledge of the Bible. We are dedicated to doing everything in our power to give you multiple opportunities to worship God and grow in your discipleship. Will you seize ...

222. Mistaken Identity

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... and set up statues of gods they thought might be resident there. They even gave the place a spiritual name. They called it the "Gates of Hades." Here, they believed, was the doorway between the realm of the living and the abode of the dead. Those with keen faculties would be able to hear the whispers of the departed and the voice of the underworld gods. It was considered to be a very holy place. But appearances can be deceiving, so Jesus comes with his disciples to test their perceptions. "Who do people say ...

223. Unwanted Freedom

John 8:31-36

Sermon

Chris Ewing

... household of a good master, he was never fully a part of that household, but a kind of onlooker to the lives of those who had choices. So when Jesus spoke of freedom as opposed to slavery, his audience understood viscerally what he meant, and keenly appreciated the distinction between the slave and the son of the household. The latter had choices. The former did not. And many of those who heard Jesus compare them to slaves were offended. "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone ...

224. Headed in the Right Direction

Romans 15:4-13

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... whom a present experience of the living God is missing. Typically, we don't have to look for people who can even quote the scriptures extensively but who do not seem to be affected, let alone transformed, by them. In Paul's words (15:4), they are keenly aware of what was written in former days but seem to regard it as historical artifact rather than personal instruction. Pretty much the same can be said for too much emphasis on the future. The old saying is true, "Life is what happens while you are making ...

225. The World According to Paul

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... Club has been around for generations, but did you know that book clubs originated in the seventeenth century?1 I certainly didn't. Some readers feel that novels are a waste of time when compared with nonfiction. However, our finest novelists have a keen insight into human nature and deal with theological topics and "Christ events" regularly in their writings. Most good drama has a "Christ figure," a salvific protagonist who illuminates humanity's predicaments. We can usually identify with one or more of the ...

Showing results