Sermon Resources on Spiritual Dryness

liturgy

Summertime Prayer

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:12, Psalm 1:

You make everything beautiful in its season, Creator. You are faithful, and summer, with warm air and green fields, has returned to bless our land. We thank you for the change of seasons, the melting ...

liturgy

God, we are thirsty for life, though we seek

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-2, Exodus 17:3-6, Isaiah 41:17-18, John 4:13-14, John 6:35, Psalm 63:1-5

God, we are thirsty for life, though we seek it in dry and barren places. We are hungry for grace, yet we work for that which does not satisfy our hearts. So we turn to you now, for you alone give us ...

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Drinking from Cups that Hold No Water

Author

Lisa Sharon Harper

Keywords

Scripture

John 4:13–14, Jeremiah 2:13, Exodus 17:1–6, Isaiah 55:1–2, Revelation 22:17, Psalm 63:1

Humanity is thirsty for God, but we drink from cups that can hold no water. We draw well water and find that we are thirstier after we drink our fill. It is the water of self-hatred and rejection. It ...

Quote

Author

Rainer Maria Rilke

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-3, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Exodus 3:1-6, John 7:37-38, Luke 24:13-32, Psalm 63:1-3

But you take pleasure in the faces Of those who know they thirst.

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Joy’s Trick

Author

Richard Wilbur

Keywords

Scripture

Jeremiah 2:13, Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 4:13-14, Psalm 16:11, Revelation 7:16-17

Joy’s trick is to supply Dry lips with what can cool and slake, Leaving them dumbstruck also with an ache Nothing can satisfy.

liturgy

We praise the one who extends

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 42:1

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: We praise the One who extends the invitation: People: Come, all you who are th...

liturgy

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1, Exodus 17:1-7, Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:7-14 , Revelation 22:17, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: We praise the One who extends the invitation: People: Come, all you who are thi...

Quote

Author

Ashley Hales

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 34:8, Jeremiah 31:25, Matthew 4:4, Revelation 7:16-17, Isaiah 55:1, Psalm 107:9, John 6:35

Healing begins at the place of hunger.

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Now What?

Author

Gary A. Haugen

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 25:29-34, Isaiah 55:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Luke 14:16-24, Philippians 3:7-14, Psalm 16:11

Indeed, there comes a time in the life of every believer and of every church where a voice inside us simply asks, Now what? After we have been introduced to Jesus and have found peace with God through...

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Seeking a Spiritual Home in the Bible

Author

Kathleen Norris

Keywords

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 15:4, Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Peter 1:19-21, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 24:35

Many people these days feel an absence in their lives, expressed as an acute desire for “something more,” a spiritual home, a community of faith. But when they try to read the Bible they end up throwi...

liturgy

Listen! You who are thirsty, come to the waters!

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Exodus 16:4-5, Jeremiah 15:16, John 6:35, Matthew 4:4, Revelation 3:20, Isaiah 55:

Leader: Listen! You who are thirsty, come to the waters! You that have no money, come, take, and eat! All: We have spent our money on that which is not bread, and labored for that whic...

Quote

Author

Bernard of Clairvaux

Keywords

Scripture

1 Peter 2:2-3, Revelation 22:17, 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, Psalm 63:, Isaiah 55:1

We taste Thee, O Thou Living bread, And long to feast upon Thee still: We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

liturgy

O Holy Love, food of our souls

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-3, Exodus 16:13-15, Proverbs 9:1-6, John 6:35, Revelation 22:17, Psalm 63:1-5

Leader: O Holy Love, food of our souls, living spring of the water of life, we worship you. All: Our souls thirst for your presence; and we hunger for your grace. O Christ, Bread of Life, sown...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Revelation 7:9-17

Author

Cody Sandahl

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:, Isaiah 55:1, John 6:35, John 7:37-38, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 19:13

A Letter from Exile To understand this section of Revelation, we have to remember that it was written by someone in exile to communities who were suffering for their faith. When we read Revelation 2-...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Isaiah 55:1-9

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-9

Introduction Even after we have sinned, God offers restoration freely. Israel had fallen into sin, but God calls them back to the living water in Isaiah 55. He is always available for the seeking. E...

liturgy

God, we do not live by bread alone

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, Isaiah 55:10-11, 1 Kings 19:5-8, Matthew 4:4, John 6:35, Psalm 19:7-10

God, we do not live by bread alone, but by the Word that comes from you. We are hungry for your Word. We are thirsty for your peace. Speak to us, nourish our souls, and revive us with your love. Grant...

liturgy

O God, you are my God. I seek you

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 63:, Isaiah 55:1-2, Exodus 33:18-19, Jeremiah 31:3, Matthew 5:6 , John 4:13-14 , Romans 8:38-39

Leader: O God, you are my God. I seek you. My soul thirsts for you. All: My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land without water. So I gaze at your glory, your presence in every mome...

illustration

An Atheist Pines for Eternity

Author

Theodore Dalrymple

Keywords

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:1-3, Job 14:13-14, John 4:13-14, Romans 1:20-21, Psalm 42:1-2

In an article entitled, What the New Atheists Don’t See , the British author Theodore Dalrymple shares his honest struggles with atheism. The subtitle of his article is fascinating, “To regret re...

illustration

The Frustrating Unpredictability of Faith

Author

Don Everts and Doug Schaupp

Keywords

Scripture

Galatians 6:9, John 3:8, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Isaiah 55:10-11, John 6:44

Writing about ministering to postmodern skeptics, Don Everts and Doug Schaupp share a helpful insight into the mystery of God's movement: The first lesson they have taught us about the path to f...

illustration

The Changing Landscape of Ministry

Author

Tod E. Bolsinger

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 126:5-6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Timothy 4:5, Romans 12:2, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 55:10-11, Galatians 6:9

In this short excerpt, professor and pastor Tod Bolsinger describes how the changing world of ministry (in the West) has led some pastors to simply give up trying: About twelve years ago, I heard a ...

lectionary

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Author

Cody Sandahl

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:, Isaiah 55:1, John 6:35, John 7:37-38, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 19:13

Preaching Commentary A Letter from Exile To understand this section of Revelation, we have to remember that it was written by someone in exile to communities who were suffering for their faith. Whe...

liturgy

Life-Giving God, we have spent our lives

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:1-3, Exodus 16:2-15, Proverbs 3:5-8, John 6:35, Luke 15:17-24, Psalm 34:8

Life-Giving God, we have spent our lives on that which does not feed our souls, and labored for that which is not life. We have starved ourselves and others of your love. We open ourselves to yo...

liturgy

We’ve come to worship God who makes streams flow

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-2, Isaiah 55:1-5, John 4:13-15, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6, Exodus 17:1-7, Numbers 20:1-14

Leader: We’ve come to worship God who makes streams flow from rock, who turns the parched earth into springs of water, who sends the rain from heaven, who makes streams flow from rock, who turns ...

illustration

Creating Christian Consumers

Author

Jay Y. Kim

Keywords

Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:22-25, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Isaiah 55:8-8, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I’ve served on staff at a few different churches throughout Silicon Valley for the last decade and a half, including a medium-sized church, a young church plant, and a multisite megachurch. At each, w...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Matthew 14:13-21

Author

Jacob Traeger

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 13:55, Matthew 14:2, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 17:1-13, Isaiah 55:1, John 6:1-15, Matthew 13:31, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Matthew 26:26, Matthew 8:null, Galatians 6:2

Context The feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew occurs within a section where questions of Jesus’ identity are heightened. Two incorrect answers of who Jesus truly is are given in 13:55 (“isn’t this the...

liturgy

Based on Isaiah 55

Author

Ellen R. Dawson

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 55:null

“Come,” says the Lord. “All you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” “Come. Here there is bread and wine for your soul.” “Come,” says the Lord, “come be my people, and I will be your God.” We a...

lectionary

10th Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Jacob Traeger

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 13:55, Matthew 14:2, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 17:1-13, Isaiah 55:1, John 6:1-15, Matthew 13:31, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Matthew 26:26, Matthew 8:null, Galatians 6:2

Preaching Commentary Context The feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew occurs within a section where questions of Jesus’ identity are heightened. Two incorrect answers of who Jesus truly is are given in...

illustration

Communicating the Unsearchable Riches of Christ (is Difficult)

Author

A. T. Pierson

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 3:8-9, Romans 11:33-36, Luke 7:36-50, Colossians 1:19-20, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Luke 15:11-32, Isaiah 55:8-9

Famed pastor and educator A. T. Pierson (1837–1911) lamented his own human inadequacies in communicating to his congregation the depth and levels of the “unsearchable riches of Christ:” “Unsearchabl...

illustration

Francis Collins’ Search for the Divine

Author

Francis S. Collins

Keywords

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:1-3 , Exodus 33:18-23, Romans 8:22-23 , John 4:13-14 , Psalm 42:1-2

While the search for the divine has been somewhat crowded out in modern times by our busy and overstimulated lives, it is still one of the most universal of human strivings. C. S. Lewis describes this...

liturgy

God of healing, we look for you in all

Author

Austin D. Hill

Keywords

Scripture

John 9:1-7, Mark 8:22-25, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Psalm 146:8, Isaiah 55:8-9, Luke 24:13-32, Acts 9:1-19

God of healing, we look for you in all the wrong places. We assume we have figured out how you are at work. Because of this, we miss out on seeing your glory, and we fail to join with you as partners ...

Sermon Resources on spiritual dryness

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scripture guide

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lectionary

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scripture guide

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