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 2751 to 2775 of 3285 results

2751. Bildad's Second Speech to Job

Job 18:1-21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... Put an end to words!” This is not a request for a time table, but a demand for Job’s immediate silence and submission! Bildad’s assessment of Job is not just that he is unreasonable, but that he lacks the basic perceptive ability that is the hallmark of wisdom. Continuing in the jussive mood, he demands that Job be sensible, “perceive,” or “understand” (the meaning of the Heb. verb byn) before they continue the discussion. This explains Job’s refusal to capitulate to the friends’ arguments ...

2752. Job's Second Reply to Zophar

Job 21:1-34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... their evil. Moreover, they have decided that God is not a factor they need to consider in life—he offers no restraint for evil and no incentive for righteous action. As a result, they have written God out of the equation and rely only on their own ability to wrest the good out of life by their own power. Job, on the other hand, sees the same facts of life but offers a different conclusion. The counsel of the wicked (forget God, self-power rules) is not trustworthy and Job stays aloof, keeping his distance ...

2753. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... ended” (v. 40c). Because these awkward assertions occur at the beginning and end, however, it seems they form a sort of inclusio around the chapter. This unexpected outburst at the end emphasizes the emotion behind Job’s desire to see God—emotion that escapes his ability to carefully control it and present it in an orderly fashion. 31:35 Oh, that I had some one to hear me! Job’s desire for a hearing is palpable. He employs the idiomatic expression mi yitten that expresses a deeply held desire that ...

2754. Job's Final Concession

Job 42:1-6

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... stronger: “conceal; hide.” The recollection of the divine question links Job’s second response to the first so that the two are not separate but unified. I spoke of things I did not understand. Job acknowledges that a lack of understanding hampered his ability to speak of God and his relation to the world before the theophany. The implication is that the appearance of God in chapters 38–41 has supplied the knowledge necessary for a new and deeper understanding. Yet Job’s new appreciation of God ...

2755. Blessed Are Those Who Meditate on the Lord’s Instruction

Psalm 1:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... dry season of the Middle East because it is planted (lit. “transplanted”) by streams (lit. “[irrigation] channels”) of water. This word choice implies that the tree is able to transcend natural circumstances, but not because of its natural or inherent abilities. The phrase, which yields its fruit in season (lit. “in its time”), is a simple image illustrating a profound truth: while believers may be able to sustain spiritual life through times of adversity, they may be productive only at certain ...

2756. The Escape to Egypt

Matthew 2:13-18

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... dream (vv. 19, 22). In the ancient world people attached great importance to dreams. The dream was viewed as a form of communication with the unseen world, and every primitive culture had its professionals who would interpret dreams (cf. Dan. 2:2). In Hebrew tradition the ability to interpret dreams comes from God (Gen. 40:8). The angel who appears to Joseph in a dream warns him that Herod will search for the child to kill him. Joseph is to take the child and his mother (note the order; even in infancy, the ...

2757. The Lord’s Majesty and the Crowning of Humanity

Psalm 8:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... to do with “silencing the foe” is not self-evident. The rest of the psalm may provide the clue. In verses 3–8 we shall see celebrated that although humans initially appear insignificant, they have a position of power—not by virtue of their innate abilities but by virtue of God’s ordaining it. How then are the lips of mere infants connected with strength? Their cries are heard by their parents. So, strength resides in the cry of one who has privileged access to one who embodies strength. The same ...

2758. The Lord’s Refined Words and Humans with Double Tongues

Psalm 12:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... : “Each speaks vanity with his neighbor; with smooth lips they speak with a double mind” (i.e., deceitfully), and they “speak of great things” (vv. 2, 3b). Verse 4 cites their arrogant speech, which asserts their self-proclaimed independence and ability to determine their own destiny. Their grand advertisements and promises may thus have drawn some of the faithful to defect from Yahweh. Another reason surfaces in the following oracle, which points to the oppression of the weak, no doubt resulting ...

2759. Walking in Integrity and Loving the Lord’s House

Psalm 26:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... wholeness. This assertion is not intended as grounds for boasting because it is followed immediately with “redeem me and be merciful to me” (v. 11). “Without wavering” (v. 1) is also misleading for it implies the speaker points solely to his own abilities. A more literal translation, “in the LORD have I trusted; I do not slip,” helps us to see the ambiguity, perhaps intentional, that his steadfastness is as much attributable to Yahweh as to his own trust. The word order also shows that ...

2760. Oaths

Matthew 5:33-37

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... Matthew is not so much the taking of a vow as it is the necessity of speaking the truth at all times. Jesus inevitably penetrates behind all legislation to the essential principles it intends to express. To codify his teaching is to destroy it. His “rules” reach far beyond any ability of external regulation to satisfy. They call for nothing short of complete inward surrender to God’s purpose and nature.

2761. Images of War, the Hunt, False Accusation, and Wild Beasts

Psalm 35:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... . “peace,” contrast v. 20) of his servant. The third and final cycle closes with a vow of praise that draws attention to God’s righteousness, a divine attribute that was upheld earlier in support of a petition (v. 24). This denotes no mere static quality but a dynamic character and ability that “puts things right.”

2762. The God Who Blesses Israel’s Harvests and His International Praise

Psalm 67:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... material, the editor’s choice to join these differing concepts needs explanation.) The answer may be found in the parallel psalms of Yahweh’s kingship. Here creation order and international justice are two arenas of the same action of God, namely his ability to order things harmoniously (see esp. 96:10). Additional Note 67:6 The land will yield: The oddity of the Hb. perfect in a psalm dominated by jussives and imperfects has raised considerable debate among commentators. Its presence may be explained ...

2763. It Is God Who Brings Down and Exalts

Psalm 75:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of the earth firm (both introduced by it is I, Hb. ʾanî and ʾānōkî) may seem strange, but these Hebrew terms and motifs are likewise juxtaposed in these psalms (96:10, 13; 98:9; 99:4; cf. 93:1). There we see that the divine king’s ability to preserve order in nature gives evidence that he will ensure order in society. Also in these same contexts, the earth and all its people (98:7, both psalms use yōšebê) quake (they “tremble” in 96:9 and “tremble” and “shake” in 99:1). In particular ...

2764. The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15:21-28

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... that get to eat whatever falls on the floor. What remarkable faith, Jesus responds. You will receive what you ask for. From that very hour, the demon-possessed daughter was healed. The persistence of the woman and her strong confidence in Jesus’ ability to cure her daughter result in a miraculous healing. “Indomitable persistence springing from an unconquerable hope,” Barclay calls it (vol. 2, p. 124). 15:29–31 In Matthew’s account the scene shifts immediately from the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon ...

2765. Surrendering to God’s Inescapable, All-Searching Presence

Psalm 139:1-24

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... activities one may engage in. God’s knowledge goes beyond mere activity to my thoughts and my ways. One’s speech is also singled out as an area of divine interest. God’s comprehension is comprehensive, both around and over us (v. 5). And so our ability to comprehend is limited, such knowledge is beyond us (v. 6). It is difficult to know whether God’s actions in verse 5 are comforting or oppressive (e.g., Hb. ṣwr, hem . . . in, is often used in the OT for “besieging,” and God’s hand upon ...

2766. A Mother's Request

Matthew 20:20-28

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... any sense of inappropriateness on the part of the two. Jesus speaks to all of them in pointing out that, although pagan rulers lord it over their subjects, this is not the way it is to be among his followers. The secret of greatness is not the ability to tyrannize others but the willingness to become their servant. Whoever would become first must become “the willing slave of all” (NEB). The great example of servant leadership is Jesus himself. He is the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to ...

2767. The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... . Barclay says it must be a love that dominates our emotions, directs our thoughts, and is the dynamic of all our actions (vol. 2, p. 278). Love of God is foremost (prōtos in v. 38 indicates rank) in that it is the supreme obligation. From it stems the ability and desire to love those who are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–27). There is a second commandment that is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus draws this from Leviticus 19:18. Jesus may have been the first to combine these two ...

2768. The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... together and placed them in charge of his money. To one he gave five talents of money (over five thousand dollars, cf. NIV text note), to another two talents, and to the third one talent. The three servants received different amounts based upon the particular ability of each. This parable has led to the use of the word talent in English in the sense of a natural or supernatural gift. The servant entrusted with five talents doubled the amount by wise investment. So also did the servant who received two ...

2769. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 2:1-23

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... above. Indeed, it seems from verse 9, where he accuses them of lying, that he does know the dream and is merely testing them. It would be easy for them to make up an interpretation if he recounts the dream, but if they really have supernatural abilities, they should be able to communicate both the dream and its meaning. Furthermore, if they succeed in doing so, he can be certain that the interpretation comes from the gods as well. Nevertheless, it is still possible that he could not recall the dream itself ...

2770. Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream of a Tree

Daniel 4:1-18

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... in my kingdom can interpret it for me” (4:18). That the spirit of the holy gods is in Daniel is found twice before and once after the dream (4:8, 9 and 4:18). Before recounting the dream, the king expresses faith in Daniel’s ability to interpret: “no mystery is too difficult for you” (4:9); afterward he says that “none of the” others “can interpret” the dream, “but you can” (4:18). Finally, there is the request for the interpretation itself: “Here is my dream; interpret it for me” (4 ...

2771. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... (Herodotus, Hist. 1.185; Collins, Daniel, p. 248 n. 66). The queen at length tells of a man of remarkable qualities. He has the spirit of the holy gods and possesses their insight and intelligence and wisdom (5:11; see 2:48; 4:9). Most important is his ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems (5:12). She entreats the king to summon Daniel (5:12), and the king does so (5:13). He asks whether Daniel is one of the exiles (5:13; see 2:25), something the queen did not mention ...

2772. Daniel in the Den of Lions

Daniel 6:1-28

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... qualities (6:3). A translation closer to the Aramaic would be “an excellent spirit was in him.” This reminds us of earlier statements. Daniel “was found to have a keen mind [Aram. “excellent spirit”] and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems” (5:12). In Daniel was “the spirit of the holy gods” (4:8, 9, 18; 5:11). Apparently, Daniel’s colleagues are jealous of his success. They try to find grounds for charges ...

2773. Daniel’s Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:1--11:1

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... in his mouth (Jer. 1:9). Since prophets speak for God, it is significant that he commissions these prophets with actions involving the lips. With Daniel it is otherwise, for he has been in God’s service for years; the touch serves to revive his ability to talk. He is touched and strengthened again in verse 18. 10:16–19 Able to speak once more, Daniel explains his state of dumbfoundedness. He is overcome with anguish because of the vision (10:16). The idiom “I am overcome with anguish” is literally ...

2774. The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:2-35

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... of Antiochus III, because the latter was the father of the wicked Antiochus IV. Perhaps the author means they were seeking fulfillment of the vision of the end and the coming of the kingdom of God. If so, they were mistaken about the timing and their ability to bring it about. Later, Daniel uses a word from the same root (kshl) to describe those who will stumble (NIV “fall”) in the time of Antiochus IV (11:33–34). At that time they “will receive a little help” (11:34). This probably refers to ...

2775. The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... of this figure of speech is reflected in the reaction of the disciples (v. 26), who are surprised to be told that such wealthy and good people as the man in the story will not enter the kingdom of God. Jesus’ reply, that only God can give people the ability to part with their possessions for the sake of the kingdom of God (v. 27), reinforces what he has said about how difficult it is for the rich to answer his call. The man is called, however, not to poverty for its own sake, but to discipleship (v. 21 ...

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