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 4340 results

2751. Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... in both place and time. The second level of narration recalls that Jesus is also speaking to a specific gathered audience of scribes and Pharisees, tax collectors and sinners. Finally, on the third level of narration, there is the interior dialogue of the characters who inhabit the parables themselves i.e., the shepherd, the woman, the father and his sons. The depth and complexity of this type of narrative accounts for the enduring interest of these parables that has kept them so well-known and beloved for ...

2752. 1 John 4:7-12

1 John 4:7-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to the voice of the Spirit, even when it calls him onto a deserted highway in the middle of a barren land. Yet Philip's "pruning" has just begun. Down the wilderness highway, traveling directly into Philip's path, came a most unlikely character, an Ethiopian eunuch who was also a powerful and influential individual. When Philip is directed to approach him, he meets this situation with enthusiasm, "running" to catch the eunuch in his chariot. The events that follow give Philip a chance to incarnate Christ ...

2753. John 18:33-37

John 18:33-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of his death approaches. John's penchant for irony lies behind his recording here of Pilate's final words. The official invested with the most civil authority and power is shown to be the least certain, the most floundering and confused of all the characters when he utters, "What is the truth?" Under pressure from the surrounding factions and forces, Pilate will ultimately acquiesce in the mob's majority vote, despite the fact that in verse 38 he honestly declares, "I find no case against him." Pilate fails ...

2754. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... a definition of love but a description of the ways of love. Verses 4, 5 and 6 create a kind of negative confession, a popular ancient confessional form. Note again that while we, and the Corinthians, naturally assume that the attributes Paul lists describe the character of Christ, the list is just as applicable to God. A Jewish audience subscribing to the affirmation that "God is love" could find Paul's list perfectly proper. The final style change in this unit takes place at verse 8. Paul now abandons the ...

2755. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... conviction that such a separate appearance had taken place. The further reference to "the twelve" served to distinguish them from the rest of the faithful as well. At verse 6 the style of the text changes to a distinctly Pauline character, indicating that the catalogue of information on the remaining "appearances" is supplied by Paul himself. These additions to the traditional confession create an impressive line-up of post-resurrection witnesses. It seems that although Paul knows that the gospel has been ...

2756. John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... image after image (John is also called the "I-Am" Gospel), appealing to a visual culture where the perceptual is more galvanizing and mobilizing than the conceptual. Third, it revels in a pervasive irony and reveals a double vision (what the biblical characters see, and what we know must be seen) which speaks to postmodernity's affinity for irony and play. Lastly, it draws from both ancient and contemporary Jewish Scriptures and proves Judaism's extensive drinking at Hellenistic wells. John Ashton's superb ...

2757. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of this quarter's Gospel readings are from Luke - a fact that makes focusing on any of the other weekly texts quite difficult, for Luke is one of history's most masterful storytellers. Thoroughly steeped in Jewish Scripture, Luke's descriptions are so vital, his characters so pungent, his scenes so artfully set, that our whole being is drawn into the flair and fascination of these stories. It is no surprise that Luke's Gospel is most commonly read at Christmas, or that our most beloved parables are found in ...

2758. Colossians 3:1-11

Colossians 3:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... holds that there are as many commandments and prohibitions in the law as the body has members. The vices or negatives sketch out to the reader what a Christian is not. First, individual traits (v.5), typically identified as "pagan" in character, are listed: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed. The writer follows these with five more negatives (verse 8) that are evils that emerge when humans live in community with one another: anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language. The double ...

2759. Hebrews 13:1-8

Hebrews 13:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... and hospitality to brothers and sisters from strange lands and unknown towns helped establish at the outset a strong network of connective tissue among Christians across the entire region. By successfully establishing a loving openness as a dominant character trait, Christianity escaped the pitfall of becoming just another isolated, idiosyncratic faith community of the first century. Having established love of self, sibling and stranger, the writer now presents one last test of true phil¡a. Christian love ...

2760. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... and a characterization that would not readily be boasted by an anonymous writer composing when Paul was a martyred, much venerated church father. Paul himself had no qualms about exposing the sins of his pre-Christian life or even the severe shortcomings of his character while a leader in the faith. As in this instance, Paul used his own lowliness to lift Christ ever higher, trying to make others understand how this act of grace had been truly miraculous. This section ends in verse 17 with what was surely ...

2761. Colossians 1:11-20

Colossians 1:11-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... surprising that now the ebullient behavior urged in verses 1 and 2 is channeled into a more dignified and humbling response. The delivered are called upon to "bow down" and to "kneel before our Maker" - clearly distinguishing the previous free-form, free-for-all character of a simple outpouring of praise from the more formal worship of God's supreme divinity. Verse 7 serves as a hinge between the first part of Psalm 95, which focuses on praise and worship, and its second half (verses 8-11) which contains ...

2762. James 5:7-10

James 5:7-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , the return of the redeemed means nothing less than total transformation. All of God's promises for the people are fulfilled. The wilderness is made unbelievably fertile, bursting with the glory of new life. A land formerly known for its harsh, unforgiving character is transformed into a lush, beautiful paradise. The people will be equally transformed, for the wholeness that fills the land will fill the people as well. Deformities of the spirit (vv.3-4) and the body (vv.5-6) will be completely conquered ...

2763. Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to get to the baby, they now furtively slip away to their own lands, as though they too were fugitives from Herod's wrath. Verse 13 begins with these Magi disappearing into the night as mysteriously as they had come. Now one of Matthew's favorite characters makes yet another appearance. An "angel of the Lord" once again visits Joseph with a message. Consider Joseph's possible frame of mind. His wife has just given birth to a son, a child whose conception was so unusual that Joseph's first experience with an ...

2764. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to threaten others into paying them with the best part of their offering (v.16). They used their positions of power to twist the moral standards of sexual behavior in order to serve their own desires (v.22). It seems the text's summation of the character of Eli's sons, they "were scoundrels" (v.12), was perfectly correct. An unnamed "man of God" (v.27) comes to Eli and delivers the first of God's pronouncements against that prophet's wicked sons, the promise that Eli's house will fall. The horrendous ...

2765. John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... would not be linked with that of a Galilean wonderworker. In case Jesus turned out to be a public relations disaster, this secret visit assured Nicodemus that his reputation would remain intact. Others, who find the Nicodemus figure a generally favorable character, conclude something quite the reverse. Nicodemus is in darkness until he reaches Jesus, the one who is the light, who "shines in the darkness" (1:5). This Pharisee purposively comes to this light when he seeks out Jesus. Likewise, Nicodemus' first ...

2766. John 18:33-38

John 18:33-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... confessing kingship. Jesus merely repeats Pilate's own accusation back to him. The emphatic "you" demonstrates the claim is Pilate's "You say that I am a king." Jesus' final words to Pilate in this first interview once again demarcate the otherworldly character of his job description. He "... came into the world, to testify to the truth ..." is a job description that thwarts Pilate's attempt to find evidence of treason against Jesus. Pilate wants to talk about Jesus' claim to "kingship." Jesus instead talks ...

2767. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the younger son plays a central role in this parable. But others have noted that an equally precise title for this tale might be "The Waiting Father," or "Joy and Repentance," or even "The Parable of the Elder Brother." Each one of these other characters and themes is present with equal force and focus. In fact, the multiple depths and dimensions of this parable have prompted some scholars to divide it into two separate stories. They would tell the story of the younger son and his experiences as developed ...

2768. 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14) 15-21a

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14) 15-21a

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... possession of Naboth's vineyard (21:16). Walsh notes that the parallel scenes share several common features. A and A' are both set in the vineyard. B and B' both consist of dialogue following a single narrative line. The scenes also feature common characters: C and C' feature Jezebel, the elders, conspirators and Naboth. (For a fascinating discussion of the parallelism in 1 Kings and in 1 Kings 21, see Jerome T. Walsh, Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry 1 Kings [Collegeville, Minn.: The ...

2769. Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... they are in relationship with God through Christ are believers able to bear the fruits of faith. The fruits of faith Paul lifts up that will reveal to the world a Christian with "true knowledge" include strength, endurance, patience, joy and thankfulness. Human character is too frail to produce these fruits on its own. Theological virtues grow directly out of God's "glorious power" (v.11). There is much discussion over how the final verses of today's text should be understood. Some scholars view verses 12 ...

2770. Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the First Testament. In verse 32 he begins offering a shorthand list of individuals and their accomplishments. Military heroes, strong men, kings and prophets are perhaps not surprising choices for showcasing, although among those highlighted, there were notable character flaws as well as enduring faith think of Barak's hesitancy; Samson's entanglement with Delilah; Jephthah's horrible, boastful promise; David's moral failure. Following this glass-case exhibit of national victories faith had won for Israel ...

2771. Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... and policed by the Roman Empire, travel in the first century was more common and pervasive than we may think. Yet Christians were certainly a minority. Commercial roadside accommodations were both outlandishly expensive and catering to the primarily pagan character of their clientele morally disreputable. Thus travelers were especially in need of welcoming hospitality. Of course a spirit of hospitality was a long-held moral tradition which the author recalls by mentioning that through the practice of common ...

2772. Jeremiah 18:1-11

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... molding it, coaxing it to take on new form, new life, is clearly a hands-on kind of constancy. But the clay's malleability, its purity, its texture, may very well cause the potter to change creative direction midway through the shaping process. The clay's character may necessitate that the potter completely destroy his first attempts to mold it and to instead rework it into a new form. Verses 5-6 record the "word of the LORD" that comes to the prophet as he watches the potter work. The relationship between ...

2773. Luke 17:11-19

Luke 17:11-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , Luke uses masterful touches throughout this tale. In verse 15, the reader is impressed by the faith of the one returning leper and is moved by this man's prostration before Jesus as he praises God. Only after Luke has established the laudable character of this one leper does he drop the other shoe: "And he was a Samaritan." Jesus' own words continue to heighten the outsider nature of this one who returned. Instead of directly addressing the prostrate form before him, Jesus first wonders aloud to ...

2774. Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... A widow seeks justice from a judge who had "neither feared God nor had respect for people" (v. 2). His self-analysis as a person who had no "respect for people" could either be a reference to his impartiality as a judge or to his hardhearted character. It was his misfortune to be hounded by this widow, whose message was always the same: "Grant me justice against my opponent" (v. 3). The judge, not inclined on humanitarian grounds to assist this woman, finally does so as a matter of personal convenience. "I ...

2775. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... 's text also clearly defines this lawless one as an individual - not some amorphous, anti-Christian force or sentiment that will permeate our world. The personal nature of the descriptive actions in verse 4 gives this singular leader a character all his own. As an individual, this "lawless one" is also quite specifically an eschatological figure - and therefore is not present until those final "end times" themselves have dawned. "Rebelliousness" and "lawlessness" may confront the church and challenge the ...

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