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 5000 results

2676. When You Know How It Ends

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

King Duncan

If you are a big sports fan then you know how frustrating it is when your favorite team is playing in a different time zone. You can’t watch the game on live TV because it either takes place during your workday, or way past your bedtime. A pastor in Hawaii shares how he deals with this issue. Depending on where you live in the continental U.S., Hawaii is three to six hours behind. If it’s 10 p.m. in New York, the time is 5 p.m. in Hawaii. Because of this time difference, the Monday Night Football game is ...

2677. Pulling Our Punches

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature Robert Allan Zimmerman — more popularly known as Bob Dylan — has written many memorable lyrics. He has a good ear for the rhythms of speech, poetry, and the Bible. In his song “The Times They Are A-Changin’” Dylan listed a number of factors that should prove to those who stand in the way of truth that “Your order is rapidly fadin’.” He concluded with words that echo Jesus — “For the first one now will later be last, for the times, they are a-changin’.” In the gospels it ...

2678. Shake It Up

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Shaken not stirred.” When James Bond orders his signature martini, this is always what he says. The phrase signals a long-running amusement for serial Bond fans. Why? Bartenders and drink afficionados know that no one makes a martini by shaking it. The drink is always stirred.[1] But then Bond never does anything “by the book.” And never gently. The famous 007 has his personal preferences. But more than that, his presence packs a wallop. When he is engaged in a mission, he’s all in and streamlined like a ...

2679. The Holy Spirit Brings Everyone To The Party

Acts 8:14-17

Sermon

Mary Austin

On this Sunday after Epiphany, we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes to him that day. The reading for today looks at the same gift — the coming of the Holy Spirit — to a community of believers. Listen for God speaking: Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had ...

2680. Look What Happened On The Cross!

Hebrews 10:16-25

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

Americans (human beings) are very divided. Some of our divisions have to do with who we are. Black-white tensions caused by the police killings of Black men have made the divisions clearer. A 2016 Pew Research poll found that while 61% of African-Americans find Black-white relations poor, only 46% of whites have such an assessment. The election of Donald Trump verified the polls’ findings regarding negative American attitudes toward immigrants. We are badly divided by social class, regardless of ethnicity ...

2681. Glimpses of Eternity

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Will Willimon

''Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah'...and they were afraid. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" At the beginning of Remembrance of Things Past, Marcel Proust remembers his childhood, not through conscious effort, but through revelation. As an adult, one day he casually bites into a madeleine, the little French cookie. And out of nowhere, the taste, the ...

2682. Mary's Complaint

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

David E. Leininger

I suppose you have had the chance to watch at least a little television during these busy days before Christmas. Have you noticed that the news programs are carrying more stories about unfortunate people these days... people who have lost their homes, people who are facing debilitating disease, people who seem to have had their whole world fall in on them? Have you noticed that? I understand why: somehow the plight of desperate folks seems all the more desperate in the midst of what should be a season of ...

2683. That Mountaintop Moment

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

Lori Wagner

We as human beings since the beginning of our time on earth have loved looking up at the stars and imagining what it must be like to reach those distant heavens. Those who have traveled outside of the earth’s orbit have had the opportunity to star gaze in a very different fashion. Unlike the fascinating, familiar feeling we all get when viewing the heavenly constellations that we see from our earthly habitat, astronauts have unanimously experienced a stunning, somewhat eerie phenomenon as they viewed ...

2684. You're In the Army Now

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

Will Willimon

“Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” What did you do this summer? I don't know if they still ask school children to write essays on that subject at this time of the year. I'm sure that George Williams never asked for an essay on, “My Most Memorable Summer” in his English classes here. However, if they did, I would be happy to tell you about my worst summer. It was after my Junior Year of college when I spent an ...

2685. Close Up Parents: Be Cheerleaders, Not Jeer leaders

Colossians 3:21

Sermon

James Merritt

I am wondering right now how many frustrated people are in this building, or maybe watching by television, whose memories hearken back to parents that you could never totally please. Most every one of us in this room knows someone that is driven to succeed to the nth degree, because they are haunted by the ghost of unrealistic expectations that one or both parents placed on them. There are others in this room who live in perpetual sadness because of a parent that never showed them the affection and the ...

2686. This Is Eternal Life (Easter Message)

John 17:1-5

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

There is an old story about Noah Webster, who wrote the famous dictionary that bears his name. As you can imagine, he was a stickler for the precise use of language. He was also something of a womanizer. One day he was in the pantry kissing the maid when Mrs. Webster walked in on them. Mrs. Webster said, "Why, Noah, I'm surprised." Noah said, "No, my dear. We're surprised. You're amazed." (Mark Trotter, "Do You Amaze Anybody?", May 22, 1988) Noah was trying to divert attention from himself with an esoteric ...

2687. Responding Instead Of Reacting

Jeremiah 28:1-17

Sermon

Dr. B. Bruce Humphrey

Will Rodgers had a reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge had a reputation that he never laughed at anything. Finally, Will Rodgers was invited to the White House. People wondered what would happen. Both men's reputations were at stake. It is said that Will Rodgers came through the reception line and was introduced to the President. "President Coolidge, this is Will Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers, this is President Calvin Coolidge." Will Rodgers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry, I ...

2688. A God Who Suffers with Us

John 9:1-41

Sermon

Lee Griess

Sometimes you have to wonder. Sometimes all you can do is shake your head about the things people say and the things people think and the things they reveal to us about them. A friend of mine has multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that gradually weakens and paralyzes the body. She tells me the things people say to her, the advice she gets, and you wouldn't believe it. Here a short sampling: "You must really like being sick; you bring so much of it on yourself." That comment came to her from a close ...

2689. Righteous, Dude!

Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

John Jamison

The first thing I need to say is to point out that the story today picks up right where we left off last time. Jesus was sitting somewhere near the Sea of Galilee teaching a large crowd of people who had come to hear him. Along with the usual people who lived and worked in the villages and towns around the sea, there was a group of Pharisees and Sadducees who had been sent up from Jerusalem to check this Jesus out and determine if he was going to become a problem. So far, they had taken a lot of notes. ...

2690. Even Our Business Belongs to God!

Jeremiah 32:1-44

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

The weekend is shot (almost). Tomorrow it is back to the “real” world, back to the grind, at least for most of us. Where will God be in all that? Be honest with me: Do you feel God’s Presence on the job, as you go through the usual Monday routine? Is God directing you as you attend to your e-mail, run through your voice mail, review the reports, or check your assignment? Let us be frank with each other. The businesses which employ most of us are part of the “secular” realm, not of the “sacred” realm that ...

2691. What To Do With A Self-willed Child

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

Rearing children is never easy. My worst nightmare is having to go back and do it again. Grandchildren are super. We love to have them visit. We can spoil them rotten, and in two or three days they go home! I spend a considerable part of my week listening to parents worry about their children. Either they are lazy, or they are into heaven knows what. They are stupid, or too smart for their own good. They have no initiative and are couch potatoes, or you never know what they are going to do next. They are ...

2692. Raised Voices

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Drama

Pamela Urfer

Cast: Two women, HANNAH and REBECCA Length: 8 minutes REBECCA is seated on her stool when HANNAH rushes in, very excited, and takes the stool next to her. REBECCA: Hannah! Hannah! Have you heard the news? HANNAH: What news? REBECCA: Then you haven't heard. We're to get packed and ready. We're leaving. Immediately. HANNAH: Leaving? Leaving for where? Why should we be leaving? REBECCA: Leaving for the Promised Land, silly! Of course you knew this. You're just teasing me. HANNAH: I don't know anything about ...

2693. Heaven's Wait

Joshua 24:1-27

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

Some things in life are inevitable. It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, or what you do. It makes no difference how powerful, how popular, or how prominent you've grown. One's accumulated wealth or wisdom is of little, if any, significance. Regardless of effort or endeavor, there are truths so tightly woven into the fabric of human existence that they become unalterable and absolute -- sureties which each and every one of us will encounter sooner or later. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, may ...

2694. The Downside Of The Practice -- Performance Equation

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.... -- Romans 8:28 I'm glad I'm a man. As my son was being born 22 years ago, two thoughts came to mind. First, "What a miracle!" Second, "Thank You, Jesus, for making me a man because I could never do that!" It's like Joan Rivers said, "If a man wants to know what it's like to give birth, all he has to do is take his upper lip and pull it over his head." I'm also aware of sexism in society and church. But as a beneficiary of sexism ...

2695. On The Job Training

Matthew 10:1-42

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: There is no peace on earth between the world system and God. They are in constant conflict and taking a stand for the Prince of Peace is often risky. A man's enemies are sometimes masquerading as his friends. Summary: Ed is told by his supervisor that he is being fired from his job because he will not participate in the training provided by the company. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: A work place Props: None Costumes: Business attire Time: The present Cast ED JOE -- Ed's supervisor ED: (ENTERS AND ...

2696. Lent 3

John 4:1-26, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:27-38, John 4:39-42, Isaiah 42:18-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3-7 (RC) The people of Israel cry out against Moses and God for bringing them out into the wilderness, where there is no water. Moses, fearing for his life, takes the problem to the Lord. God commands Moses to take the staff with which he struck the Nile, when the sea parted before them, and strike a rock. Water would flow forth. This place is called both Massah and Meribah. Massah means "test" and Meribah renders "to find fault." The disobedient ...

2697. Matthew

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

Comment: Somewhere in my reading, I came across the notion that "executive diseases" like ulcers and headaches were common in Jesus' time among the bureaucrats. With a lead like that, a dimension was added to a story sermon. Again, the pastor and a lay person speaking from the other side of the sanctuary (at a lectern, perhaps) could conduct the following verbal "correspondence." Or, maybe the pastor could stay out of this completely and turn it over to the laity. Matthew 9:9-13 Jerusalem, March 18, 13th ...

2698. Wisdom In A Proverb

Sermon

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow

What is a proverb? It is a short, popular saying, usually of unknown or ancient origin, that expresses some commonplace truth or useful thought. What is a proverb? It is a pithy saying characterized by "its shortness, its sense, its salt." What is a proverb? It is an adage, easily remembered, that forms either an observation or a judgment. What is a proverb? It is a maxim that expresses simply and concretely a truth based on common sense and human experience. Many of our grandmothers had more proverbs up ...

2699. The Rich Young Ruler

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Brett Blair

The rich young ruler falls into that unique category of Bible characters that have been maligned by generations of commentators. We might compare him to the elder brother in the story of the prodigal son. It seems like both of these young men have always gotten bad press and therefore a bad reputation. We have been impressed with the f ct that the rich young ruler was seemingly so near to the Kingdom, but alas his love of money kept him out. We see him as a moral coward, a man who lacked commitment. And ...

2700. New (Testament) Math

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

Johnny Dean

A couple of years ago, The Mattel Corporation marketed a new version of their immensely popular (and now somewhat controversial) Barbie Doll. This particular model could "talk." And one of the phrases in her vocabulary was, "Math is hard." I can’t argue with that. Anything beyond simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division has always given me difficulty. I can balance my checkbook, but don’t ask me to figure out algebraic equations (as my daughter can tell you). But several national women’s ...

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