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 2576 to 2600 of 3285 results

2576. Worship and Proper Attire

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... that way all the time? Point out that in the early church era (and still today), many preachers are bivocational. Even Paul probably preached dressed as a tentmaker, a prisoner, and a castaway. If the outward appearance of the messenger limits the listener’s ability to hear the Word (or your confidence in delivering it), perhaps outward appearances are as much a stumbling block in your church as they were at Corinth. Behavior in church that undermines or dishonors God-given roles and order in the home is ...

2577. The Priority of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... the minds of his audience. 13:2 gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries . . . faith that can move mountains. Paul moves from the least of the gifts to the greatest. In spite of receiving even the greatest of the Spirit’s gifts (the ability to hear God’s voice, understand his revelations,[4] communicate his truths, and evidence a level of faith that evokes God’s power), a believer would be nothing (outhen) without love. Paul does not say the person’s gifts become less helpful or beneficial ...

2578. The Focus of Christian Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... surpass what any one player could accomplish. Then, a single player gets an idea in his head. Perhaps he wants to be noticed, or he wants the king to hear him above all others. Maybe he wants the other players to respect his overlooked abilities, or he wants to feel fully free and unshackled in his playing. Whatever the reason, he goes off the page and begins to dance around wildly, knocking over others’ music stands, playing different rhythms, and making a horrendous noise. Soon the entire orchestra is ...

2579. Resurrection and Transformation (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... the Spirit fully until the last day and ever thereafter. Contrasting Concept: In contrast to resurrection, earthly pleasure is an “all now, but never again” reality. We pursue what seems to be a great reward here on earth, but immediately after we receive it, its ability to please us is diminished, and we hunger for even more. The more we taste, the less it satisfies, and the process ends in deadness of our senses now and death to our spirit forever. The deadness in our senses (see Eph. 4:17–19 ...

2580. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1-3

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J. Scott Duvall

... . 1:3 Blessed is the one . . . , and blessed are those. This is the first of seven beatitudes in the book of Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). In this case, we have a double blessing: (1) on the one who has the ability and courage to read aloud the book of Revelation to the gathered church, and (2) on those who gather to listen to its message and obey what they hear. In the first century, most people (as high as 85 percent of the general populace) were illiterate. Also, we tend to ...

2581. John’s Introductory Vision The Risen and Glorified Christ

Revelation 1:9-20

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... church is called to proclaim him as the divine-human being that he is. The symbolic language used here should not be taken literally (i.e., the risen Lord has a sword sticking out of his mouth). Rather, this vision communicates Jesus’s character and ability. We distort the message of Revelation when we force a literalistic interpretation on picture language (e.g., Jesus as the Lamb of God). 2. We are in the best position to hear from God when we are regularly experiencing Spirit-led worship. John receives ...

2582. Message to Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... that Jesus has conquered death and will one day raise his people from the dead. All too often our hope is tied to an immediate removal from tribulation or persecution when the Lord does not always promise such. Our hope rests firmly on his ability to give us life if our faithfulness leads to our untimely death. Knowing that biblical hope extends beyond the grave can encourage greater faithfulness and bring deeper comfort. Although this may sound contradictory to what has just been said, it’s important not ...

2583. Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

Revelation 5:1-14

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... because he has “triumphed” (nika?), the same word used throughout Revelation for “overcome” or “conquer” or “be victorious” (see 2:7 and the sidebar “‘Overcome’ in Revelation” in that unit above). His worthiness results from his sacrifice on the cross; his ability to carry out God’s plan flows from his victorious death and resurrection. 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the ...

2584. Faithful Witnesses Who Proclaim God’s Word

Revelation 11:1-14

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... his people to minister and speak prophetically to a rebellious world. The trend in North American churches at present is to be as accommodating as possible in hopes of reaching more people. The inherent danger is that the church will lose its ability to speak prophetically. Love without truth ceases to be love, and speaking prophetically means the church is called to speak God’s light into darkness. This text not only challenges us to be courageous in our prophetic witness but also affords an opportunity ...

2585. The Conclusion

Revelation 22:7-21

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... Matt. 24:33, 42–44; 25:13). He then explains that being prepared consists of doing what God has said to do: persevering (Matt. 24:13), preaching the gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14), serving faithfully (Matt. 24:45–47), making good use of our abilities, gifts, and resources (Matt. 25:14–30), and caring for other believers (Matt. 25:31–46). The rest of the New Testament also stresses authentic spiritual living as the proper preparation for Christ’s return (e.g., Rom. 13:12; 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 3 ...

2586. The Census of the Twelve Tribes

Num 1:1–2:54

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... for a large number of people to survive in the Sinai Desert, rationalists who do not believe in miracles naturally dismiss these numbers as impossible. Those who are theologically conservative cannot accept as an argument the denial of God’s ability to perform miracles. Indeed, the Bible itself is well aware that for Israel to survive in the desert, it required various miracles involving manna, quail, and water. But many conservative scholars also have reservations about these large numbers. Some who ...

2587. Impurity, Repentance, and Jealousy

Num 5:1-31

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... God.6See further discussions at Leviticus 11–15. Although the laws of ceremonial purity have been abolished in Christ, some principles of the clean/unclean laws are still applicable. Christians should still disassociate themselves from anything morally defiling that hinders our ability to approach God. 2. Repentance is a remendy for guilt. What are we to do when we profane that which is holy? The text gives us good general guidance (5:5–10). The process involves (1) confession, (2) restitution, and (3 ...

2588. The Aaronic Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... is his bestowal of grace and peace. Teaching the Text 1. God blesses (“May the Lord bless you”). Blessing encompasses all the other elements in this prayer. It has been God’s purpose from the beginning to bless human beings. He “blessed” them at creation with ability to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28). God blessed his people with wealth (Gen. 24:35; Prov. 10:22), with the land (Ps. 37:22), with a good harvest (Pss. 65:10; 67:6), with food (Ps. 132:15), with deliverance from danger (Ps. 3:8 ...

2589. Racism and Envy

Numbers 12:1-16

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (v. 2). Miriam and Aaron have leadership roles already. Micah 6:4 lists Aaron and Miriam as the leaders who along with Moses lead Israel from Egypt. Miriam becomes a prophet and uses her musical abilities to lead women in singing and dancing to celebrate God’s deliverance of Israel from Pharaoh’s army (Exod. 15:19–21). Miriam is the most important female spiritual leader among all the Israelites of her day. Aaron also has a key leadership role as ...

2590. Failure to Enter the Land

Num 13:1–14:9

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... Caleb’s viewpoint in support of Moses and Aaron. To both Caleb and Joshua, the issue is not the greatness of the enemies but rather the greatness of God. The name Joshua (Yehoshua, “Yahweh saves”) given him by Moses (13:16) reflects faith in God’s ability to save. Joshua and Caleb affirm, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land . . . and will give it to us” (Num. 14:8–9). God has promised Israel the land. God will carry through with his promises unless the people ...

2591. Priesthood Confirmed and Its Mediation Duties Specified

Num 17:1–8:7

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... ’s staff shows that he has been called to serve in that setting. Although it is rare for God to confirm someone’s call to ministry through such an overt miracle, he can do so in other ways: affirmation by others that one has the gifts and abilities to serve God in ministry, an inward conviction that one is being led by God’s Spirit into ministry, and/or ministry opportunities that God puts in one’s path. The story of Korah shows that one can easily be self-deceived in thinking that one is called ...

2592. Portions for the Priests and the Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... the gospel are a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). 2. God is his servant’s inheritance. The priests and the Levites do not receive an inheritance of land in the promised land. Rather, God himself—including the ability to serve God in the tabernacle in the presence of God—is to be the priests’ inheritance (v. 20). The Levites share in the Aaronites’ inheritance in God (v. 24), and the offerings provide rations for both Aaronites and other Levites to eat ...

2593. Joshua Appointed as Moses’s Successor

Numbers 27:12-23

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... of all flesh” (ESV). This expression is used in Numbers 16:22 to acknowledge that God the creator has the right to discern between human spirits so as to give or take life from his creatures as he sees fit. Here it acknowledges God’s ability to discern between spirits to appoint a leader with the right spirit. 27:17 to go out and come in before them . . . lead them out and bring them in. This task applies metaphorically to all leaders—the young Solomon uses similar language of his leadership ...

2594. David the Conqueror

2 Sam 5:6-25

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Through his obedient servant David, the Lord reverses Israel’s humiliation and begins to establish David’s kingdom for the benefit of his covenant people. In the process he renews his mighty deeds as he intervenes for Israel in battle and again demonstrates his ability to overwhelm Israel’s enemies. Surely all of this resonates with the exiles. The Lord has promised to give them a new Davidic ruler, who will lead them to unprecedented heights and establish a secure kingdom (Isa. 9:1–7; 11:10–16 ...

2595. A Prodigal Son Comes Home in Body, but Not in Spirit

2 Sam 14:1–15:12

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Absalom’s acquisition of a chariot and horses gives him a royal aura (see 1 Sam. 8:11; 1 Kings 1:5). 15:3 but there is no representative of the king to hear you. David’s paralysis undoubtedly colors Absalom’s view of his father’s ability to reign. He apparently views David as a dismal failure in carrying out his royal responsibility to promote justice in the land. Absalom may be exaggerating or even misrepresenting the real situation (cf. 2 Sam. 8:15). After all, the woman of Tekoa has received a ...

2596. David Brings a Plague upon Israel

2 Samuel 24:1-25

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... will believe Satan’s lies and self-destruct. 24:10 I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Most readers assume that David’s military census is wrong because it is motivated by pride and/or reflects David’s lack of faith in God’s ability to protect the people. However, the matter may not be quite this simple. A military census is permissible when ordered by the Lord (Num. 1:1–3) and when accompanied by a “ransom” payment given as a precautionary measure in the event that purity laws are ...

2597. The Ark Does Some Damage

1 Samuel 5:1-12

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... is viewed as Baal’s father. Though Dagon seems to win the conflict (16:23–24), in the end Samson brings Dagon’s temple to the ground (16:30). The polemic against both of these gods continues in 1 Samuel. As noted above, Hannah celebrates the Lord’s ability to give fertility (1 Sam. 2:1–10) in terms that echo the Baal myths. Now chapter 5 tells how the ark of God humiliates Dagon in the latter’s very own temple and then continues to assault him and his people as long as it remains in Philistine ...

2598. Repentance and Victory

1 Samuel 7:2-17

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... as he defeats the Canaanite armies (Judg. 5:4–5). The Gideon account, along with its sequel about Abimelek, contains a strong anti-Baal polemic, showing how Baal is unable to fully avenge Gideon’s (Jerubbaal’s) attack on his altar. Hannah celebrates the Lord’s ability to give fertility (1 Sam. 2:1–10) in terms that echo the Baal myths. This polemic against Baal culminates in 1 Samuel 7, which records how the Lord thunders in battle against his enemies. The Lord’s self-revelation in the storm is ...

2599. Israel Demands a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... for the people’s demand emerges here. They want a king to lead them in battle as a replacement for the ark, which, from their perspective, has been ineffective. The military threat posed by Nahash causes the people to panic (12:12). Yet the Lord has recently demonstrated his ability to defeat their enemies (7:10). In fact, from the very beginning of Israel’s history, the Lord has led them to victory in battle (Exod. 14:14, 25; Deut. 1:30; 3:22; 20:4; Josh. 10:14, 42; 23:3). 8:22 Everyone go back to ...

2600. Saul Forfeits a Dynasty

1 Samuel 13:1-15

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... to chapter 10. See above, under “The Text in Context.” 13:5 chariots . . . charioteers. The mention of the Philistines’ numerous chariots and charioteers recalls the Red Sea crossing, when the Lord destroyed Pharaoh’s many chariots and charioteers and demonstrated his ability to deliver his people (Exod. 14:9, 17–18, 23, 26, 28; 15:19; Josh. 24:6). as numerous as the sand on the seashore. The description of the Philistine army is reminiscent of the Canaanite coalition that attacked Joshua (Josh ...

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