Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 2501 to 2525 of 4456 results

2501. 2 Corinthians 1: 11-13

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Throughout his Corinthian correspondence, Paul has guided this quarrelsome community towards a truer, more genuinely Christ-like life of faith. All the apostle’s admonitions and advice are aimed at a singular goal: that of transforming bickering believers into Spirit-filled followers. Instead of arguing among themselves, Paul sought to set their sights on a higher horizon—to the crucified Christ and the redeemed life. In his final words to this community, Paul sums up what living this kind of redeemed life ...

2502. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2503. Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Psalm 102:6-7

Sermon

James Merritt

There is an interesting place called Thorofare Ranger Station in the Southeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. To get to the station, which is no more than a cabin, a barn, and a corral, Lloyd Kortge, who works as a ranger in Yellowstone National Park, drives about fifteen miles from his home. Then he saddles up on horseback; he then travels 32 miles back into the wilderness, which is for him the shortest route to get to the station. Now what is so interesting about this particular place in ...

2504. The Supreme Test

Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

I like the story that is told about an old dog and a boy. The old dog was named Belker. It had cancer and a veterinarian was preparing to put him to sleep. The owners had brought their four-year-old son Shane to observe the procedure and to say good-bye to Belker. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped away peacefully. Shane seemed to be at peace about the matter. His parents said that it would be nice if dogs lived about as long as humans do. They wondered why animal lives are so much shorter. Little Shane ...

2505. Bountiful Faith: Two All Beef Patties, Special Sauce, Lettuce, Cheese, Pickles...Etc

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Have Faith… Strong in faith: "Just a little dab'll do ya." Ministry by faith: "Does she or doesn't she?" Saints by faith: "Good to the last drop." In a day when everything changes, some things never change. And in it all and through it all, a bountiful God of grace gives us a bountiful heart, a bountiful faith… 1. God calls us to live boldly and to give bountifully. Our theme verse for this campaign includes the phrase "Live courageously," but at least one translation says, "Live boldly." I like that! To ...

2506. Terminator 3

Acts 9:1-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The power of Christ can turn "Terminators" into "Transformers." A few years ago the big rage among the 5- to 10-year-old set were little plastic toys known as "transformers." These ingenious little gizmos looked like any average robot-like alien creature. But with a tutored pull, twist, flip and click, small fingers could transform them into a car or tank or flying-killer-attack-weapon. Wheels and wings and guns were cleverly hidden inside the robot bodies of these toys giving them their dual identity. ...

2507. Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44-48

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Luke's book of Acts has spent a long time building up to the astonishing events related in this week's text. Beginning with Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, progressing through the conversion of a Gentile soldier, Paul's conversion, and Cornelius' and Peter's dreams, Luke's recitation of events has gradually widened the circle of believers. In this week's installment the circle is completed with the consummation of the mission to the Gentiles. As usual the Holy Spirit's timing is impeccable. ...

2508. Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44-48

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2509. John 11:1-45

John 11:1-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In closing out the section of his Gospel scholars refer to as "The Book of Signs" (1:19-12:50), John records the wondrous Bethany episode - the raising of Lazarus. John alone tells this story. It is a miracle that is both a sign of Jesus' true identity and power and a portent of his own personal encounter with death once he reaches Jerusalem. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is his first step towards that cross which awaits him. As a hinge-event in Jesus' history, raising Lazarus reveals to Jesus' followers his ...

2510. 1 Peter 1:17-23

1 Peter 1:17-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Hope, joy, optimism and exuberance characterize the epistle of 1 Peter. Writing to those Jew and Gentile Christians who made their homes in the extreme northern reaches of Asia Minor, this Petrine author seeks to blow gentle breezes of love and joy into the midst of the far-flung faithful. Yet all these good tidings are celebrations of an eschatological future, not a humanly conceived time. Thus 1 Peter also spends as much time discussing suffering - both Christ's and his followers - as it does rejoicing. ...

2511. An Unnerving Experience

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

King Duncan

A woman from a military family tells a humorous story. Her father was stationed at the naval base in New London, Connecticut. Then he received orders that he was to be transferred to Hawaii. The family excitedly prepared for the move. Since dogs and cats have to be quarantined for 120 days upon their arrival in the Hawaiian Islands, they sent their family cat ahead of them. Then the father’s orders were canceled. The family didn’t realize their circumstances were of particular interest to anyone else until ...

2512. 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 ...

2513. Easter 2

Psalm 133:1-3, John 20:19-31, Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:1–2:2

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 133:1 First Lesson—The early Christian community shares all they have so that none are in need. Acts 4:32-35 Second Lesson—John emphasizes that continuing forgiveness is needed and offered to sustain our relationship with God. 1 John 1:1–2:2 Gospel—A second appearance of the Risen Christ is needed to convince Thomas that Jesus is indeed alive from the dead. John 20:19-31 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: ...

2514. Proper 21

Psalm 91:1-16, Jeremiah 32:1-44, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 First Lesson—A real estate deal is consummated as a sign of hope for the future in a time when Jerusalem was under siege. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Second Lesson—Paul commends the genuinely good life with contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Gospel—Jesus tells another provocative parable about the eternal hazard of greed. Luke 16:19-31 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: As long as you live, praise the ...

2515. Easter 6

Psalm 66:1-20, John 14:15-21, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:8-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 66:8-20 First Lesson - Paul's preaching identifies God with the gospel of Christ's resurrection, sparking both curiosity and ridicule. Acts 17:22-31 Second Lesson - Baptism saves us from sins in the present life for the life of the Spirit in heaven with the resurrected and ascended Christ. 1 Peter 3:13-22 Gospel - The Spirit of truth will counsel disciples after the resurrection of Jesus so that they are not alone but inspired to loving obedience of the continuing commands of the ...

2516. James 2:1-10

James 2:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Of all the earliest Christian communities, the church of James, the Jerusalem church, was the largest and most influential. In part this was due to geography. Jerusalem was the largest urban center, the undisputed center of life and faith for Jews, and the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and the gifting of the Holy Spirit. The Jerusalem Church was largely composed of Jewish converts. This religious-ethnic background gave the faith community yet another advantage. Judaism had long established ...

2517. How Great Is Your Faith

Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 15:1-20

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

This morning I want to start by telling you about Edith. Edith was one of the poorest African American women in Harlem. As a single parent, she was trying to raise four children while holding down one part-time and one full-time job, where between the two, she earned just enough for the bare necessities of life. She was poor, but she wasn't a quitter. She kept close tabs on her three sons and daughter. Constantly worried about their safety or getting mixed up with the wrong crowd, she kept them glued to ...

2518. Resurrected Place (Series: Living on the Resurrection Side of Life)

John 14:1-4

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Swiss psychiatrist Paul Tournier opens one of his most popular books with these words. “Basically we are always looking for a place–for somewhere to be.” I think the good doctor is right. From the first breath of birth to the final breath of death we are in need of a place, a place to be. Maybe that’s why John 14 is such a beloved passage of the Bible. “Let not your hearts be troubled. In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is providing a place for you, a ...

2519. Follow Your Failures (Series: An Invitation to Christian Discipleship)

John 21:1-14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Some people say life is like an ice cream cone. The moment you think you have it licked, it drips on you! Regrets? I have had a few, how about you? Mistakes? I have made my share, how about you? When it comes to faults and failures, how can we find our way through? That is what I want us to think about today on our way to Holy Communion. I. Failure is Certain We catch up with Simon Peter today, back in Galilee. He is fishing and catching nothing. The same Peter who saw the empty tomb first-hand and ...

2520. Can the Rich Be Saved?

Mark 10:17-27

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

It’s been said of Jesus that whenever he met a person, it was as if that person were an island around which Jesus sailed until he found where the real problem was, and there he landed. He did that with the woman at the well and landed on the questions of marriage. He said to her, “Go call your husband.” In a luncheon conversation He landed on the question of integrity with Zaccheus and before lunch was over Zaccheus said, “If I have stolen anything from anybody, I will repay it four-fold.” Here in the ...

2521. When the Church Becomes a Culture of Complainers and Crusaders, What To Do?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

On Wednesday morning of this past week, nobody was completely happy in this country. No matter who you voted for – whether “witches,” “wing-nuts” or “Taliban Dan;” no matter what kind of issues dotted your local ballots; there is no way everything went “your way.” Besides, if we half believed all the rancid rhetoric that has flooded the airwaves this past month, a large billet of unrepentant villains and a huge ballot of disasters have been given voter approval. Or maybe not. Not that there aren’t ...

2522. Those Kissing Christians

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

How many of you remember your “first kiss?” Wow. Now I need some “first kiss” stories. [This would make a great EPIC [Experiential, Participatory, Image-rich, Connective] moment. Take a mike into the congregation and ask for details.) I hate to burst your bubble so early in the sermon. But all those “first kisses” you remember . . .whether it was a stolen smooch in the schoolyard, or a braces-locking embrace and teenage embarrassment: whatever you call your “first kiss” . . . was not. Your “first kiss” was ...

2523. Who Is Isaiah’s Servant?

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Sermon

Ken Lentz

A man had three small children, all three old enough to enjoy the activities of Halloween. A coworker at the office of the father volunteered to visit his home on trick or treat night and bring sweets for the kids. The father's colleague appeared at the door dressed up as "the little green man," with an ugly green face and long, knotted, twisted hands protruding from a long coat that effectively disguised the identity of Daddy's friend. At the appearance of the mysterious stranger in the entryway of the ...

2524. A Death on a Long Friday

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

Ken Lentz

After dying in a car crash, three friends went to heaven for orientation. They were given the privilege of spiritually attending their funerals. They were each asked, "What would you like your friends and family members to say about you?" The physician answered, "I hope they will say that I was one of the great physicians of my time and a loving family man." The second deceased person, a schoolteacher, replied, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful wife and teacher." The third auto victim thought ...

2525. What Is Our City?

Acts 4:32-35

Sermon

Ken Lentz

In the text from Acts 4, we get a glimpse of life in the Christian community after the resurrection event. The text offers some answers to the question of T. S. Eliot: When the Stranger says: "What is the meaning of this city? Do you huddle close together because you love each other? What will you answer? "We all dwell together To make money from each other"? or "This is a community"?1 What makes the church community different from other communities? In the first place, we read that "... the apostles gave ...

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