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 2676 to 2700 of 3285 results

2676. Paul in Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

When Paul himself arrives at Ephesus, he confronts a group of disciples who have not received the Holy Spirit (19:1–7). Paul then places his hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit, which is confirmed by their ability to speak in tongues and to prophesy (19:6). In this brief account, Luke provides a significant discussion of the role of Paul, the identity of these Gentile believers, and the message Paul preaches. First, the significance of Paul is revealed when this account is read in light of ...

2677. The Trial Before Festus

Acts 25:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . Josephus credits him with maintaining peace in Judea by controlling the activities of revolutionaries (Jewish Antiquities 20.185–88). The political situation quickly deteriorated after Festus was replaced with others far less sensitive to Jewish law and custom. His ability to control his subjects is reflected in this brief account of his interaction with Jewish leadership (25:1–5), where he refuses to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem as suggested by the Jewish leaders who plan to kill him during ...

2678. No One Is Righteous

Romans 3:9-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... biblical evidence. Paul concludes in 3:20 with an allusion to Psalm 143:2 and perhaps Genesis 6:12, asserting that final justification by God does not take place on the basis of obedience to the works prescribed by the law. No “flesh” (NIV “no one”) has the ability to obey the law. In 8:3–4 Paul will argue (as he did in 2:13–14 and in 2:25–29) that the Spirit provides for the Christian believer the power to fulfill the law. The law may have indeed provided various mechanisms for the atonement ...

2679. An Illustration From Marriage

Romans 7:1-6

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reality of the resurrection). This new reality is conditioned by the revelation of God’s righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the presence of the Holy Spirit, by the fulfillment of the promises that in the new covenant God’s Spirit will give to God’s people the desire and the ability to keep the statutes of the law (Jer. 31:31–34; Ezek. 36:26–27). Paul explains 7:5–6 in the next two sections: the old life in the flesh (7:5) is explained in 7:7–25, and the new life in the Spirit (7:6) is ...

2680. Epistolary Introduction

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... one of the strongest statements within Paul’s letters of his conviction that his converts would be enabled to persevere in their faith until the time of our Lord’s return. Paul does not base his confidence on the strength of his converts’ faith or on his own ability to pastorally maintain them in the faith, but rather on the sustaining and atoning power of Christ and the faithfulness of God, both of which are constantly available to those who have been called into fellowship with the Son (1:8–9).

2681. A Report of Factions within the Community

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ., guidance about how one should live the Christian life after conversion—the term is used in a way that seems particularly analogous to the Old Testament concept of wisdom) and (2) comparisons that were being made between teachers with respect to their ability to impart such wisdom. Three and perhaps four groups are mentioned (1:12). The first group has identified itself with Paul (though Paul does not reciprocate and identify himself with them, or distinguish them from the other parties). The second has ...

2682. The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... voluntary and carefully planned decision to take up a self-supporting career, that stands behind Paul’s attempt to “discharg[e] the trust committed to [him]” (9:17; see also 1 Cor. 4:1–2). And the reward he receives for such service is precisely the ability to make good on the terms of his boast, to preach the gospel free of charge. But given independence from all, Paul has freely subjugated himself again, not to their support but to their way of life, in order to win them to faith. Though no longer ...

2683. Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In this case, as Paul urges his “dear friends” to recognize, the way of escape lies in a flight from the site of idolatry (10:14). He appeals without qualification to their ability to reason and form judgments based on what they know, for Christians are “sensible people.” Yet some of the Corinthians have failed to take into account all that needs to be considered before coming to a decision about how to respond when invited to a pagan temple. Paul has sketched ...

2684. Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... meaning). Similarly, to have “the gift of prophecy” (which conveys insight into the mysteries of God’s activity [1 Cor. 2:7] and knowledge about God himself [1 Cor. 8:4]) or a “faith that can move mountains” (Mark 11:23) is of no value unless these abilities are motivated by love as they are used within the body of Christ (13:2). So also the offering of “all I possess” in sacrificial service to “the poor” or the offering of “my body to the flames” in the sacrifice of martyrdom is of no ...

2685. An Appeal for Complete Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 6:3-13, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s ministry (7:2). Furthermore, in making an attempt at reconciliation that urges a change in the associations of some within the church, it has not been Paul’s intent to condemn. Instead, as one devoted to their service, Paul has sought to convey his confidence and pride in their ability to conform themselves to his apostolic counsel.

2686. A New Basis for Appeal

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :11–13). Moreover, Titus himself had been uplifted and had become enthusiastic in his “affection” for the congregation (7:14–15). Such an unexpectedly rich outcome from a letter sent with such hesitation was indeed an occasion for gladness and for an expression of renewed confidence in the church’s ability to pay heed to future apostolic ap-peals.

2687. Paul's Vision and His Thorn

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

A final issue, closely related to the third, apparently pertained to the ability to recount previous personal experiences of revelatory visions (12:1–13). Once again, though there is really nothing to be gained by an attempt to supplement the record of divine support that he has already presented, Paul consents, as before, to “go on boasting” in an attempt to win the ...

2688. An Allegorical Appeal

Galatians 4:21-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the prophetic utterance of Isaiah (Isa. 54:1) appears to make Paul guilty of some specious scriptural interpretation. This may be an instance when our lack of specific acquaintance with all the dynamics of the Galatian situation hinders our ability to understand. (Possibly Paul’s approach discredits interpretations offered by the opponents?) The “allegory” (4:24; NIV “figuratively”) stresses the main points of Paul’s previous arguments and thus stands as a good, if somewhat ironic, summation of ...

2689. Prayer for Enlightenment

Ephesians 1:15-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The immense significance of this threefold work of God on behalf of humanity makes it imperative that people understand it. For the more they do so, the greater their ability will be to live and grow in their new relationship with God and each other. Therefore (“for this reason”), Paul prays for his readers, whose faith he has heard about, that they may increase in understanding. Their two-dimensional faith encapsulates the sort of life the epistle promotes. It consists ...

2690. Holy War: Fighting Right the Right Fight

Ephesians 6:10-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... they were mere pawns. His struggle was not against other human beings. Prayer constitutes the rule of engagement for this war (6:18–20), one lone tactic. What Paul evidently has in mind is diligent, persistent prayer for perseverance, for enduring strength, for the ability to stand firm no matter what comes. He asks believers to pray this way not just for themselves but also for all the saints, including Paul. Holy warfare is not a quest for individualized spirituality; it is a community matter. Of course ...

2691. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 12). “Labor” implies hard and exhausting work. Love seeks the welfare of others and labors hard for their benefit. Paul and his associates also recall the Thessalonians’ “endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Endurance, one of the most highly valued virtues in the church, is the ability to stand firm and persevere in the face of suffering or temptation (Luke 21:19; Rom. 5:3–4; 2 Cor. 1:6; 6:4; Col. 1:11; 2 Thess. 1:4; 1 Tim. 6:11; Titus 2:2; Heb. 12:1; James 1:3–4; Rev. 2:2–3 ...

2692. Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and pain by which the one who suffers is dishonored” (Rhetoric 2.2.5–6). Despite this socially weakened position, Paul says, “But with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel” (2:2b). The Cynics highly prized the ability to speak with boldness in spite of opposition and criticism, but the source of Paul’s boldness was God. Paul adds (2:2c) that when preaching in Thessalonica he and his companions faced continued opposition, yet they still preached the gospel. The gospel proclamation ...

2693. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... “consider worthy” (Luke 7:7; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 3:3; 10:29) and appears in texts that speak of those who are evaluated and found worthy of some kind of honor. In the end it is God who will make them worthy of the call, giving them the ability to do his will (1 Thess. 5:23–24), but the apostles have also exhorted them to live a life worthy of God, who called them (1 Thess. 2:12; cf. Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10). Paul anticipates that God will evaluate their conduct in light ...

2694. Leadership

1 Timothy 3:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... deacons do, so he does not describe their tasks. Some think he means assistant overseers or overseers in training. Some think he means officers who care for the material needs of the congregation—see Acts 6:1–6, where the Jerusalem elders’ ability to attend to “prayer and the ministry [Greek diakonia] of the word” is protected by assigning others to “wait on tables” (diakoneō) for the church’s widows. Even there, though, there must be some flexibility of thought, since one of those “table ...

2695. Instructions to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... The last four lines outline four ways his ministry continues because of his resurrection. 4:1–5 · False religion: Paul senses a dark, demonic conspiracy against the church. Satanic forces are frustrating the calling to live and teach the mystery of godliness. Distrust of the gospel’s ability to teach inner control has led to a desire to be governed by the law (1 Tim. 1:3–10). A denial of the one God’s love for all people has led to prayer for only local concerns (2:1–7). A refusal to be informed ...

2696. Widows, Elders, and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in administration is vital to the life of God’s household, and Paul’s placing this section next to the widows’ passage suggests that some of the difficulties in Ephesus were a result of a breakdown in administration. However, even more necessary is the ability to teach. Thus, special priority (“double honor”) is put on “those whose work is preaching and teaching” (5:17). Paul quotes both the Old Testament (Deut. 25:4) and Jesus himself (Luke 10:7) to underline the importance of the church’s ...

2697. False Teaching

2 Timothy 2:14-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... see Matt. 5:8) is experienced in the fellowship of “those who call on the Lord.”However, verse 23 suggests Paul’s greater concern is that Timothy might overcompensate for his youthful timidity by responding to his opponents with an immature harshness. Secure in his ability to teach, Timothy is to show kindness to all, friend and foe alike. He is to resist the temptation to be quarrelsome with or resentful of his opponents. The effect of a mature and measured response will be to give God room to grant ...

2698. Jesus Christ Superior to Aaron

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Priest who is both fully willing to help (as his suffering for sinners demonstrates) and fully able, for he combines perfect understanding of and sympathy with the struggling believer’s lot in this world of sin (“in every way” [4:15]) with his unlimited ability to help. He knows how to deliver the godly from temptation, having been victorious himself in every moment of his sorely tested life. That he is now seated on a heavenly throne signifies both that his sacrifice for sin has been accepted by God ...

2699. Faith Defined and Exemplified

Hebrews 11:1-40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... be called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that is, not of the dead but of the living who wait in hope (Matt. 22:31–32). The supreme illustration of Abraham’s faith as an invincible confidence in the promise of God and in God’s ability to fulfill it in defiance of appearances is his obedience in offering Isaac as a sacrifice (11:17–18). That such indeed was Abraham’s reasoning appears to be suggested in Genesis 22:5. One generation after another dies in the certainty that God’s promise will ...

2700. True Christian Faith seen In Its Works

James 2:14-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... this objection has been understood in a great number of ways, but the simplest interpretation is to assume that the objector is arguing for the principle “different people, different gifts”: Why cannot one believer be especially gifted with faith while another has the ability to perform good deeds? James answers this objection with a challenge (2:18b–19, author’s translation): “Give me evidence, apart from deeds, that you have faith. You can’t do it, can you? But I can point to my deeds as the ...

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