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 2626 to 2650 of 2652 results

2626. God’s Reputation and the Destruction of Jerusalem

Psalm 79:1-13

Teach the Text

Craig C. Broyles

... significance of God’s name or self-revelation by imploring him to manifest three character qualities: mercy, loyalty, and justice. First, for your name’s sake God is to help and deliver us and forgive “our sins.” Above all, God has associated his name with compassion toward sinners (cf. esp. Exod. 33:18–19; 34:5–7). Second, God is implored to act on behalf of his servants (Hb. ʿabādîm). Their relationship with God is twofold: they are servants of the king, who resides in his “palace,” and ...

2627.

Psalm 116:1-19

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... Introduction). The personal nature of this encounter is underscored by my voice and his ear. The hymnic praise exemplified in this individual’s deliverance from the imprisoning cords of death (cf. 18:4–5) echoes a confession beloved in the OT: The LORD is gracious and . . . full of compassion (e.g., 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Exod. 34:6; Neh. 9:17). A unique feature of this thanksgiving psalm is the turn to encourage one’s own self: Be at rest once more, O my soul (cf. 42:5, 11; 43:5; 103:1–2). The report ...

2628. “The Words of the Lord Are Flawless, Like Silver Purified in a Crucible”

Psalm 12:1-8

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... Deut. 24:15; Prov. 21:13). The Septuagint translation (stenagmos) is used by Paul in Romans 8:26 to refer to those “groans” or “sighs” in prayer that are too deep for words. When God hears the groans of the oppressed, he is moved to compassion and action, and Paul’s words suggest the same response as the Spirit intercedes for us with “wordless groans.” I will now arise . . . I will protect them. The Lord has controlled the situation all along and now at last takes action against this distorted ...

2629. Gifts You Can’t Return

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Mary Austin

... and friends. In a similar way, Jesus was building a wall of care around his disciples as he prepared to leave their presence. They would have to live in the world in a different way, without his daily guidance, without his wise and fiery presence, without the compassion of his touch. As Jesus talked to God about his disciples, he conveyed that he found them to be a gift from God. “You gave them to me,” Jesus said. When we read the gospels, we know that the disciples are, at different times, clueless ...

2630. Gathered Around Jesus

Mark 6:30-34; 53-56

Sermon

David Coffin

... rejected in Nazareth. He did send his disciples on a mission to preach repentance and pray. There was the bad news of John the Baptist’s execution after doing faithful ministry. Now there were crowds who followed Jesus and his disciples. Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd Mark 6:34 (RSV). What happens when people experience a sudden change of events that leaves them feeling isolated, lonely, and with fewer resources? Families who had given much time, money, and ...

2631. Yada, Yada, Yada!

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... , more and more people immediately knew him, the same way Nathaniel did the day he met him with an awareness and perception that could not be explained. And Jesus too knew them. They were like “sheep without a shepherd,” lost without a compass. In knowing him, they could find themselves, healing, direction, and identity in God to stabilize their lives and give them purpose and meaning. Today too, the world is filled with spiritual starvation. We know this. We have statistics to show how many people ...

2632. More Than Gimmicks

John 6:24-35

Sermon

David Coffin

... you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (RSV). What does this mean for our church today? People do come to church to see and experience Jesus’ care and compassion. In the opening illustration, many college students did return their coupons for the dollar bills. They were also welcomed by church people of all ages. The students were asked to share their concerns, problems, and worries. The students were invited to church members ...

2633. Living Bread

John 6:51-58

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... will stay alive must continue to reproduce! Without the ability to reproduce, a living being will wither away. Abiding with Jesus ensures a church’s reproductive power! Imagine a community teeming with life-giving, spiritual followers of Jesus, sharing in covenant, compassion, and love, perpetuating that love and energy generation after generation! This is the kind of “yeast” that Jesus can provide. This is the kind of church body that Jesus life-giving Spirit wants to fill. Abide in him? Allow his ...

2634. Comma

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Sermon

Scott Bryte & Kimberly Miller van Driel

... than we could ever imagine. We still wait for that time when suffering, loss, doubt, pain, sorrow, and separation will be no more. Advent is a reminder of that waiting. It is a reminder that Jesus is always calling us forward. Jesus is calling us to grow in faith, and compassion and love. Jesus stands in the future with open arms. All of Christian life is waiting. All of Christian life is moving toward Jesus. All of Christian life is Advent. Amen.

2635. Life in the Future

Philippians 1:3-11

Sermon

Scott Bryte & Kimberly Miller van Driel

... way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that ...

2636. A Responsive Prayer for Advent 1

Luke 21:26-36 · 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 · Psalm 25 · Jeremiah 33:14-16

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... , insight and understanding to all governments around the world and bless our queen, prime minister, the members of parliament, as well as provincial and municipal governments or other appropriate government leaders, that they may govern with peace and justice, humility and compassion. The days are surely coming, says the LORD: C: Hear us and come, Jesus, our righteous branch. P: Christ our great physician, grant healing and health to all who are sick and in need of surgery, befriend the shut-in and ...

2637. A Responsive Prayer for Advent 2

Luke 1:68-79; 3:1-6 · Philippians 1:3-11 · Malachi 3:1-4

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... bear our crosses faithfully, and make our rough ways of anger and aggressiveness smooth with your gentleness and peace. God of Advent: C: Have mercy on us and come. P: God of the poor and suffering millions; help us to be your people of compassion and justice in the world. We pray especially for the most vulnerable children, youth and young adults who are forced into the evils of sexual and military slavery. Deliver them from this evil, heal their minds, bodies, and spirits, and bring the perpetrators of ...

2638. For the Love of Children

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... our communities or come into our churches. We are called to cherish them, call them, bless them, and protect their faith not only in Jesus but in humankind. For Jesus has harsh words indeed for those who do not. We are not simply called to compassion, a loving nature, and a caring spirit. But we are called as disciples to take up the cross! To bear responsibility and accountability for our congregations, our community members, and our neighbors and to defend the weak, protect the innocent, give voice to the ...

2639. The Possibility Mindset

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... goal. But I want you to hear something else. After the man’s reply that he had kept all of the commandments, the writer Mark says, “Jesus, looked at him, and loved him,” …..and then he replied as he did. Jesus is not annoyed. He feels compassion for this man, who is so trapped within his achievement and acquisition mindset that he cannot see the truth –that God’s gift for him is free. All he needs is faith. For God desires not our perfection but our relationship. Our attention. Our loyalty. Our ...

2640. Steadfast Change

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

Thomas C. Willadsen

... . When there’s an earth tremor in Japan, we know about it. And we know about what our nation’s drones are doing in distant lands. Famines in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa are so frequent that folks in the first world have developed “compassion fatigue.” I doubt that wars and famines are more common today than in Jesus’ time, but we certainly hear about them more readily. Jesus said, “These are the birth pangs,” to which his disciples must have asked, “Well, Jesus, when is the baby coming ...

2641. The Greatest Gift

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... ! Make no mistake. Jesus’ greatest gift in his young life came not from his fellow Jewish people, not from the rulers of his land, and not from his own citizens, but from a group of foreigners from another country –whose compassion, wisdom, honor, and heart would supersede anything legal, political, provincial, or traditional surrounding Jesus’ birth. That’s what it means to live in “true community” with one another. Community is not about region, background, association, or heritage. It’s not ...

2642. Whose Fault Is It?

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... the Buddha, ‘I will teach you the way of enlightenment and you will never fall into the pit again.’ But the man could not get out of the pit, so the Buddha went on to bring enlightenment to others. “Along came Confucius, and he too was moved with compassion by the plight of the man in the pit. ‘If you will listen to my teachings,’ said Confucius, ‘you will understand how society is formed, and what can be done to prevent anyone from falling into the pit.’ Then he, too, went on, for the man did ...

2643. Terms Of Endearment

John 12:1-8

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... against consumerism. We need to give generously to churches and organizations which alleviate poverty and bring medical supplies to remote places. We need to help counter the craziness of society with acts of justice, mercy, and grace. We need to express compassion. We need to evangelize, to witness about the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of social justice. We need to fight against racism, elitism, cronyism, segregation, and Apartheid in whatever forms they raise their ugly heads. But all of these ...

2644. Fox in the Henhouse

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... will not listen to him and will not listen to his warnings about Herod and those would seek to threaten not just their livelihood and positions but their faith and the autonomy of the Jewish people, their culture, their understanding of halakhah, and their moral compass. Now “their house is left to them” to defend on their own (35). The pain in Jesus’ spirit feels palpable. He cannot save them, as they do not believe they need to be saved. When they look at Herod their compatriot, they cannot see the ...

2645. As a Fire Exists by Burning

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

... to spread that good news to the whole world. Spread it first in our families, then in our communities, then our regions, and beyond. Maybe even to West Virginia. We do so through words, yes, telling our stories, but through acts also ― acts of kindness, of generosity, of compassion, and care. We do so through hospitality, how we offer it to others, and how we receive it when it is offered to us. May God grant us all the grace to make a faithful witness to the grace and love of Jesus in all that we do ...

2646. For a Special Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31, Luke 10:38-42

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

Dial 0 [Tell of how it was that they exuded the tenderness, the love, the compassion, the warmth which that operator exhibited.] A prominent speaker in the United Kingdom once told of how, when he was six years old, his mother explained that if he ever needed help, he should dial zero for Operator and ask for information. One day, when the boy’s mother was ...

2647. No Excuse

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

... your excuse. The fact is, you would rather let her suffer when you could just as easily have helped her. And, once again, his opponents were put to shame and the crowd sang his praises. The leaders of the synagogue who were called to show mercy, compassion, and love were better at making excuses than they were at hearing and heeding God’s call. I’m glad that happened two thousand years ago, aren’t you? If it had happened today, it might have been really uncomfortable. But then, it still is happening ...

2648. God Is Like...Fire

Malachi 3:1-4 · Luke 3:1-6, 9,16-17

Sermon

Kenneth L. Gibble

... we will see their loneliness, fear, and suffering, and some of it, God knows, we carry in our own hearts. My friends, let us say “yes” to the fire. Let us accept the judgment so God may refine us, purify us, and make us strong to love justice and practice compassion. Then all the many kinds of getting ready for the Lord’s coming will have a purpose. The longing in our hearts for his coming will find an answer. It will be an answer of grace, of beauty and we will see in the child’s face God’s love ...

2649. God Is Like...

Isaiah 40:18-31 · John 1:1-14

Sermon

Kenneth L. Gibble

... , steadfast, unshaken. You are the Truth of faith’s firm foundation. O Healer of all brokenness, all ills of body, mind and heart. Your love and grace penetrate our pain, tenderly invites us to see the suffering of others, to extend a hand of kindness and compassion. Names, images, metaphors for God. Some of them may be helpful for you, some of them not, but all of them inadequate to express all that God is. So then, is God completely hidden from us? Are we, as Isaiah puts it, mere grasshoppers, so far ...

2650. The Unknowing Evangelist

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... so much kinder, less judgmental, and more compassionate than the Christians I know. Gandhi himself is famous for saying, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.” In his mind, most Christians he met had failed to act with the compassion, love, mutual respect, and understanding that Jesus taught and modeled. Often Christians can get so caught up with doctrine, rules for behavior, religiosity, and selfish motives, divisions, and judgments that they can end up as Christians in theory but not in ...

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