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

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2676. Soul Testing Kits

John 15:1-8

Sermon

Mary Austin

... too big. The house where we finally get the garden just the way we want it. The house where we remember the magic of childhood — or its terrors. The house of the unhappy marriage. The house where we face illness. The house we can’t afford but buy to impress someone. The house where we never feel safe. Jesus was talking about another kind of home in this passage, when he said, “abide in me.” Live in me, he said, and he wants us to know that our true home is in him. This passage comes right after the ...

2677.

Psalm 80:1-19

Teach the Text

Craig C. Broyles

... of praise (v. 18) tacitly suggest an awareness of the people’s past failure. The people still desire to cling to the one who has afflicted them (vv. 4–6). Overall, the focus of the psalm’s argument against God’s intense, persisting anger lies in its impressing upon God the investment he has made in the people. This is noted by the imagery, by references to their past history together, and by the mere fact that in the clear majority of cases Yahweh is the subject of the verbs. Even where he is not ...

2678.

Psalm 114:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... , thus making us—the audience—dramatically present.) In effect, they are asked to testify to the “land” (NIV “earth,” v. 7) that there is good reason to respond to God’s appearing as they have. These stylistic features reflect poetic license to impress generations far removed from the original events with the impact of God’s interventions into history and nature. Thus, the key dramatic function of verses 1–6 is to create suspense in the listeners as to the identity of “his” in verse 2 ...

2679. “I Will Sing the Lord’s Praise, for He Has Been Good to Me”

Psalm 13:1-6

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... has been stilled, is trust. Looking at the text, Psalm 13 exhibits a lexical outline. 1. The lament (13:1–2) frames the “house of mourning” by four columns of the agonizing question “how long” (‘ad-’anah). The fourfold repetition gives the impression of the protracted suffering David endured3—it was painfully drawn out—and covers a wide span of the psalmist’s relationships, the first two regarding the Lord (“How long will you forget me?” “How long will you hide your face from me ...

2680. Denunciation of the Intruding Teachers

Jude 1:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... building up others. Thus they are like Balaam or like the shepherds of Ezekiel 34:2. Four images create a vivid warning about them: (1) waterless clouds and (2) fruitless autumn trees indicate they promise much but do not deliver; (3) waves seem impressive, but these stir up “shame”; and (4) stars (believed by ancients to be angelic powers) that are wandering rather than in their proper courses (which parallels the clouds being “blown along”) are doomed. Such stars will be destroyed, as was the case ...

2681. To Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:1-7

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... no indication who this son is. It gives no hint about a fulfillment in some contemporary figure. We may call it a messianic vision, but we need to remember that the OT does not use the word messiah for a future redeemer, nor does the promise give the impression of a figure not due to come for centuries. While the beginning of Jesus’ ministry recalls verses 1–2 (Matt. 4:13–16), the NT does not refer verses 6–7 to Jesus, and a reign of shalom and justice does not seem yet to have been implemented ...

2682. Daniel Interprets the Dream

Daniel 2:24-49

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... took over Babylonia in 539 B.C. Perhaps we are to understand the above passages to say that the Medians, who were a prominent part of the Persian army, had a part in the conquest of Babylon. However, the texts from Isaiah and Jeremiah give the impression that Media would act alone. Indeed, the book of Daniel seems to project a Babylonian kingdom followed by a Median kingdom, for “Darius the Mede took over the kingdom” of Babylonia (5:31). Following Darius the Mede was Cyrus the Persian (6:28). And of ...

2683. The Interpretation of the Vision

Daniel 8:15-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... will die, “but not by human power” (8:25). This last phrase calls to mind the stone cut out of the mountain, “but not by human hands” (2:34, 45). When reading these verses along with Daniel 7 and 12, we get the impression that the author had something much more dramatic and glorious in mind. He expected Michael to appear in the clouds and to slay Epiphanes directly in battle. Moreover, he also anticipated a resurrection of the dead accompanied by rewards and punishments. Finally, he envisioned ...

2684. The Seventy “Sevens”

Daniel 9:20-27

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... noteworthy that even though he is a righteous prophet, he does not stand arrogantly aloof over his people; rather, he humbly confesses his sins along with theirs (Dan. 9:20). We must remember Jesus’s warning not to be self-righteous when we pray: we cannot impress God with our good deeds, as the Pharisee attempted to do, but must cry out with the tax collector, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:9–14). The phrase “in the earlier vision” (9:21) could be rendered, “in the vision at the ...

2685. Which Kingdom Do We Serve?

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon

David Coffin

... about the exact name of this girl. Josephus names her “Salome” and some biblical commentators believe she was named after her mother. She was a product of her mother’s first marriage. Her age has been estimated from about twelve to nineteen years old. Her dance impressed Herod so much that he pledged to grant her a promise of her choice. Whether her dance was erotic in nature remains contested but it is not out of the question. Herod had probably had a lot of alcohol to drink and was not making the ...

2686. Wait. Trust Me.

Exodus 20:12 · Ephesians 6:1-12 · Proverbs 22:6

Illustration

Paul Batura

... with Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by Griffith) and by extension, Opie, Griffith’s son. Deputy Barney Fife is suspicious of Browne, but Andy gives the traveler benefit of the doubt. Soon, though, things begin to change. Opie becomes enamored with the man, impressed how he can eat well and live such a carefree existence without a job. His young and impressionable mind is spinning. Of course, Opie’s innocence and lack of discernment prevent him from seeing through the facade and the man’s dishonesty ...

2687. Belonging at the Table

John 6:51-58

Sermon

David Coffin

... body and blood of our Lord is given for each of us whose faith is in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ. This is a basic Christian message which the church can share today. In times when people are often measured by their looks, first impressions, how their employment resume appears, they still belong to the table which shares the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the gospel of the Christian church! Today the communion meal is part of ingesting a real symbol and for many churches, a ...

2688. A Portion of Thyself

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... question of all. “Do you care?” Do you really care about others? Is compassion a way of life for you? Helmut Thielicke tells of a time he was hospitalized in great pain. The nurses were wonderful and took great care of him. One nurse, in particular, impressed him. She worked the night shift. Every evening she was there: prompt, pleasant, and efficient. She seemed to care deeply about her patients. She always had a bright smile for them. In fact, in the sleepless hours of the night, she often sat next to ...

2689. The Great Reveal

Luke 4:14-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... would repeat itself when his own disciple Judas would be the one to betray him.It wasn’t strangers whom Jesus most needed to fear –but those in his own “backyard.” But now, hear this too. It wasn’t because of this passage! Unfortunately, we can get that impression if we don’t read the entire story in one whole piece! Let me read you the rest for a moment, because we’ll be talking about it next week! [22] All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips ...

2690. When the Small is Great, and the Great is Small

Mark 12:38-44

Sermon

Will Willimon

... small, insignificant, of little account in the world's scheme of things. As a widow, she was vulnerable, invisible to the eyes of the law. No one saw her or her act of generosity, no one but Jesus. Jesus is unimpressed by the meant-to-be-impressive acts of the Scribes. He castigates these pretentious religious leaders in harsh terms. Then Jesus turns toward the poor widow and her act of generosity. In Jesus' eyes, her pennies are the most significant gifts to the temple that day. When we look at our lives ...

2691. From Haunted to Healed

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... him! Think about that for a moment! While even the disciples doubt who Jesus is at one time or another and while the Pharisees can’t see who he is for the life of them –the demon knows who Jesus is immediately! And fears his power! Now that’s impressive! Knowing that Jesus will no longer allow them to torture and destroy the spirit of the man before him, they beg Jesus to enter a nearby herd of pigs. They do and immediately destroy the herd, causing them to leap off a cliff and into the depths of the ...

2692. Good News / Bad News

Luke 12:49-56

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

... re-invigorate, refresh, and renew the ministry that was taking place in the churches of our conference. Shortly after the first meeting of the taskforce, I met Max for one of our bi-monthly lunches and asked him how things went at the meeting. I asked what his impression was of the new bishop. He laid his sandwich down and leaned back in his chair, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and said, “Well, Dean, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that this new bishop wants to breathe a breath of ...

2693. Last Things First

Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... broken world, now as well as at the end. As a matter of fact, we do damage to the church (but not to Jesus) when we’re constantly talking about the end of the world, then making excuses when it doesn’t happen, then doing it again. We give the impression we Christians are nothing but a scattering of Chicken Littles instead of a flock under the care of the Good Shepherd. Since it will be obvious when God wraps up history for real, let us be just as obvious in our loving care for the world at large. That ...

2694. What’s In a Word?

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... ordinary neighborhood. If your house is stretched to its limit with family and friends, if people are sleeping wall to wall in your apartment, and if you’re the reason someone’s sleeping on the couch because you’re in the guestroom, take heart! You’re following in some very impressive footsteps and this may be the most Christmasy Christmas you’ve ever celebrated. Amen!

2695. God Is Like...a Friend

2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Sermon

Kenneth L. Gibble

... in his life, he began his prayers with the words “Infinite Friend.” About the time I graduated from college, I attended a weekend for young adults at our church camp. The leader for the weekend was a young pastor who prayed in a way that left an impression on me. Most of the prayers I had heard in worship and other places seemed like they were being lifted up to the sky to the throne of a distant, remote deity. But the prayers I heard on this weekend were different. Our leader prayed in conversational ...

2696. When the Answers Don't Fit the Questions

Job 42:1-6, 10-17

Sermon

Will Willimon

... Job was raising perhaps the biggest, deepest questions anyone asks. Is God good? If God is good, why is there suffering? Why doesn't God do something? How Job's questions challenged my sophomoric religion, my little pat religious slogans! I had gotten the impression that the purpose of religion is to stifle questions. Religious people aren't supposed to doubt, to rage, to shake the fist and scream to the darkness. Religious people always have the answers, the correct biblical verse on the tip of the tongue ...

2697. The Spirit Blows Where It Will

John 3:1-10

Sermon

Will Willimon

... over the congregation, then words die and the silence resumes. Just words. Just preaching. Just mystery. I don't understand it. Late one night there was this church official who came to Jesus. His name was Nick. Nicodemus. “Teacher, we've seen you do some impressive things, like turning that lime punch into Mogen David last Saturday during the wedding (in violation of church rules about alcohol in the Fellowship Hall, I must say). Teacher, how do you get into the Kingdom of God? What do you have to do to ...

2698. Words and Deeds

Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon

Will Willimon

... the way we worship on Sunday morning. You will note that when we Christians come together on Sunday, what do we do? Most or our worship is sitting and listening. I talk; you listen. The choir sings; you listen. Do we thereby give people the wrong impression about the Christian faith - that the Christian faith is passive rather than active? No, the story or the two sons is meant to demonstrate that the Christian faith is only known in its performance. The world out there is quite right in judging our words ...

2699. Choice, Chance, or the Hand of God?

Genesis 50:15-21

Sermon

Will Willimon

... -up charges of conduct unbecoming a slave. Joseph languished in jail for many years, interpreting dreams and, no doubt, endearing himself to everyone whom he met. Finally, Joseph got out of jail by interpreting a dream of the Pharaoh who was so impressed with Joseph that he put him in charge of the entire Egyptian welfare program during the big famine -- a famine which Joseph predicted through advanced dream interpretation. And who should show up in Egypt looking for food? -- Joseph's brothers. They didn ...

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