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 2951 to 2975 of 3082 results

2951. Love, for the Day Is Near

Romans 13:8-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

Love is the Sum of the Law Paul now returns expressly to the theme of love which dominates chapters 12–13, although more noticeably at some points (12:9–21; 13:8–10) than others (12:1–8; 13:1–7, 11–14). The idea of owing taxes (Gk. opheilē) in verse 7 reminds him that there is one debt (Gk. opheilō, v. 8) which can never be paid. The debt of love always remains outstanding. It is the only mortgage which can never be burned. In returning to the personal ethics of agapē in verses 8–10 Paul recalls that good ...

2952. Final Greetings

1 Corinthians 16:19-24

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

Paul passes closing greetings in verses 19–20. Then, the last lines open with Paul’s autograph before issuing a quick series of energetic final declarations. These verses could be viewed as six or more separate but related statements, since Paul does not string the statements together with a series of conjunctions. Such a serial closing is not in strict keeping with the normal conventions of ancient letter writing, although Paul’s letters generally demonstrate a penchant for ending with a set of brief ...

2953. The Sabbath Year

Leviticus 25:1-7

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Sabbath and Jubilee: This chapter turns to the Sabbath principle as it applies to a variety of issues in ancient society like land, property, and slaves. The theological perspective operates out of a creation context, with ancient Israelites functioning as stewards of property and wealth, rather than as owners. God the creator holds that role. The chapter argues that viewing possessions as divine gifts to a community provides a better starting point than promoting the individual right to succeed. The ...

2954. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

Numbers 12:1-16

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Rebellion at the Center: Conflict continues in chapter 12. Chapter 11 started with problems on the outskirts of the camp, which spread to the whole people. Now problems surface at the heart of the leadership, with Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. Commentators have wondered which pieces of ancient Israel’s history generated such stories to comprise Numbers traditions. Chapters 11 and 12 seem to have come from earlier materials that the Priestly tradents have used. Various attempts have been made to associate ...

2955. Stages in Israel's Journey

Numbers 33:1-56

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Wilderness Itinerary: Before moving further in final preparations for entering the land, the narrative stops to review where Israel has been on the journey. The preceding chapters have looked to the past for guidance. Chapters 28–29 considered again the offerings instituted at Sinai. Chapter 31 responded to the incident in Numbers 25, and chapter 32 recalled the account found in Numbers 13–14. Here, then, chapter 33 expands the memory of events at Kadesh-Barnea in reviewing the journey from Egypt to ...

2956. The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 Samuel 4:2-11

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Ark - Lost and Regained: Having introduced the problems of leadership in Israel, only partially resolved by Samuel’s new role, the narrative moves on to prepare the reader to hear the story of Israel’s kingship. The underlying theme of the nature of power continues: can God’s power be manipulated by manipulation of the sacred ark, which represents God’s presence in Israel? The answer to this question is clear, but it is not explicitly stated. It is likely that the writers make use of a source detailing ...

2957. Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

1 Samuel 7:2-17

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Samuel’s Ministry: In some senses this chapter is interim, signifying the passing of time until the writers come to the next main focus, the beginning of kingship. In chapter 7 we have Samuel’s ministry and his credentials as an appropriate kingmaker established, but we also have the power of God presented in such a way as to indicate the writers’ view that human kingship was unnecessary. 7:2–13a Twenty years pass from the ark’s lodging at Kiriath Jearim to the events at Mizpah, which result from the ...

2958. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

A Foolish Curse: Although there is nothing contradictory between this section and the preceding verses, it does not follow smoothly. It may be that the writers gathered a range of stories concerning Saul and Jonathan to illustrate their contrasting characters and behavior, and then verses 47–52 may correct any imbalance in the earlier stories. The rest of chapter 14 to verse 46 describes two only partially interrelated accounts, a reflection on the sort of demands God makes and how God’s actions should be ...

2959. David Destroys the Amalekites

1 Samuel 30:1-31

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Victory and Defeat: 30:1–5 Although a small group could have traveled more quickly, it took David’s army of about six hundred men three days to travel the fifty or so miles back to Ziklag. They almost certainly would have been away for at least a week, leaving plenty of time for the Amalekites to take advantage of their absence. David’s previous activities against groups including the Amalekites (27:8) must have been noted, but his policy of destruction meant that there was no evidence against him. This ...

2960. David's Mighty Men

2 Samuel 23:8-39

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Honors List: Given the extent to which David’s fortunes were influenced by his supportive soldiers, it was appropriate to include a military honors list. It is possible that the information about these names came from the same kind of military records as did 21:15–22. The list appears to come largely from the first part of David’s reign; a more extensive list in 1 Chronicles 11 and 12 probably covers a wider time period. “The Thirty” seems to have been the name of the finest troop of David’s soldiers, ...

2961. Delivering the Helpless from Social Oppression: Part II

Psalm 10:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

For an introduction to Psalm 10 see the introductory comments on Psalm 9. 10:1–11 At this point the psalm makes a sudden turn to lament: Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? So dramatic is the shift we might think this was a separate psalm, except that it contains so many echoes from Psalm 9 (where the Hb. text uses the same word I have modified the NIV’s translation accordingly): Psalm 9 /Psalm 10 The LORD is . . . a stronghold in times of trouble (9:9) / Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble (10:1 ...

2962. Holding to the Lord’s Paths Amidst Threatening Stalkers

Psalm 17:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

This prayer psalm of the individual concerns Yahweh’s judgment and enemies like a pride of lions who threaten the speaker. It opens with a prayer to have a hearing with God and for him to pass his final judgment or verdict (vv. 1–2). It then declares the speaker’s innocence by confessing that Yahweh has already “examined” him (contra NIV; vv. 3–5). The next section prays for refuge (vv. 6–8), and the following lament makes the reason plain: the wicked hunt him down (vv. 9–12). The final section prays for ...

2963. Treasures In Heaven

Matthew 6:19-24

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

6:19–21 The natural human tendency is to store up material possessions here on earth. Jesus advises laying up treasures in heaven, where the uncertainties of life cannot affect them. Where people put their treasure reveals where their hearts really are. Unless “moth and eating” (the NIV follows Tyndale’s translation of brōsis as rust, which lacks support from the LXX) is a grammatical expression meaning “eaten by moths,” we have three ways in which earthly possessions are destroyed. In the ancient East ...

2964. Our Mighty Fortress

Psalm 46:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

God as our fortress (vv. 7, 11)—as a “Mighty Fortress” (thanks to Martin Luther)—has been an image comforting believers living in turmoil through the centuries. Psalm 46 is one of the Songs of Zion (also Pss. 48, 76, 84, 87, 132). Psalms 46, 48, and 76 follow the same pattern: (a) a confession that “God is . . . in Zion,” (b) a report that God has stilled Zion’s attackers, and (c) imperatives to acknowledge God as sovereign protector—not the usual hymnic imperatives to join in verbal praise (46:8, 10; 48: ...

2965. God's Chosen Servant

Matthew 12:15-21

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Opposition Mounts: In chapter 12 Matthew relates a number of incidents that reveal the basis for Pharisaic opposition to Jesus and his ministry. Jesus vindicates his disciples’ plucking grain on the Sabbath (vv. 1–8), restores a paralyzed hand on the Sabbath (vv. 9–14), moves away when he hears of a plot against him (vv. 15–21), refutes the Pharisees’ claim that he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub (vv. 22–32), calls his antagonists “snakes” who will be held accountable on the day of judgment (vv ...

2966.

Psalm 77:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Has God Forgotten to Be Merciful? Nothing like the silence of God in the face of distress brings the sinking feeling of despair. The Bible does not offer a prepackaged answer to this problem, but—remarkably—the divine word is a humane word, and so comes alongside to help. It offers not only God’s words to us but also words that we may bring to God—even when he does not seem to be listening. Psalm 77 gives no hint as to what may have been its immediate occasion. It simply refers to distress (v. 2). It soon ...

2967. The Parable Of the Weeds Explained

Matthew 13:36-43

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Parables of Jesus: In chapter 13 we come for the first time to Jesus’ favorite method of teaching, the parable. The seven parables recorded in this chapter form Jesus’ third discourse as arranged by Matthew, There are in the first three Gospels about sixty separate parables. In the LXX the Greek parabolē almost always translates the Hebrew māšāl, which denotes a wide variety of picturesque forms of expression, including the proverb, metaphor, allegory, illustrative story, fable, riddle, simile, and parable ...

2968. From the Darkness of the Grave

Psalm 88:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

From the Darkness of the Grave 88:1–18 Premature death is the subject of this prayer psalm of the individual. Like other psalms of sickness (Pss. 38; 41), it complains of social alienation (vv. 8, 18). As a psalm of the individual, the primary tradition on which it is based is that Yahweh should answer with deliverance when called upon, as summarized in the opening address, the God who saves me. Though the distress is extreme and prolonged—all day long the terrors of death surround me (vv. 16–17)—it has ...

2969. The Divine King Is Mightier than the Chaotic Waters

Psalm 93:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

This psalm of Yahweh’s kingship (see the Introduction) speaks in a foreign language. What the “lifting up” of the seas and their pounding waves have to do with Yahweh’s reign is not self-evident to the modern reader. Nor is it clear how we get from the seas to Yahweh’s house by the psalm’s close. Here we must enter the thought world of the ancient Near East and of temple symbolism. Present in this psalm are the three motifs characteristic of divine kingship in the ancient Near East (see the Introduction ...

2970. An Invitatory to Enter the Temple’s Gates with Praise

Psalm 100:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

An unusual feature of this hymn is that the first four verses are mostly imperative calls to praise (seven of them in vv. 1–4) and only the closing fifth verse provides the formal basis for this praise (with “for,” which normally begins a hymn’s introductory summary). This may imply we have only a fragment of a psalm or that Psalm 100 is complete but merely a portion of a larger liturgy. The congregation is summoned to worship and specifically to come before him and enter his temple (the Hb. verb bōʾû is ...

2971. Peters Confession to Christ

Matthew 16:13-20

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

16:13–14 We come now to a critical juncture in the ministry of Jesus. He has withdrawn with his disciples to the northern region of Caesarea Philippi. There he questions them regarding people’s understanding of who he is; then he directs the question to the disciples themselves. Peter, answering for the disciples, declares him to be “the Christ” (or Messiah), “the Son of the living God.” It is upon this basic truth that Jesus will build his church. Now that the true identity of Jesus is clear, he will ...

2972. A Tale of Two Oaths: David’s for the Lord’s Dwelling and the Lord’s for David’s Dynasty in Zion

Psalm 132:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

A Tale of Two Oaths: David’s for the Lord’s Dwelling and the Lord’s for David’s Dynasty in Zion 132:1–18 Most commentators believe this psalm was a liturgical composition used at the preexilic Jerusalem temple. It appears to presuppose the existence of the Davidic dynasty (esp. v. 17), the Solomonic temple (vv. 13–14), and the ark of the covenant (vv. 7–9). On the other hand, the psalm’s presence in the Psalms of Ascent, an otherwise postexilic collection, may imply that at least the final form of the ...

2973. Alone and Persecuted

Psalm 142:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

This prayer psalm is for those who are alone: “no one is concerned for me” (v. 4; note also the superscription “When he was in the cave”). “The righteous will gather about me” (v. 7) is described as a future event, only after the psalm has been answered. This psalm, therefore, does not seem suited to public performance. Devoid of supportive social relationships, the speaker directs his “voice . . . before him,” that is, to Yahweh. He is the special protector of those who are alone, the alien, the ...

2974. Jesus Again Predicts His Death

Matthew 20:17-19

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

The Last Who Are First: It is important to note the close tie between chapter 20 and the verse that precedes it. The saying about the first who will be last and the last who will be first (19:30) is repeated at the end of the first section of chapter 20 (v. 16). This Semitic device is called inclusio, and because the order is inverted it is also an example of chiasmus (for other examples compare 7:16 with 7:20, and 24:42 with 25:13). Chapter 20 also begins with the Greek conjunction gar, which emphasizes ...

2975. The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22:34-40

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

The Great Commandment: The parable of the wedding feast (vv. 1–14) is regularly considered to be an allegorical revision of an earlier more straightforward parable told by Jesus. Fenton lists as allegorical elements that strike the reader as strange and unnatural the killing of those who brought the invitation (v. 6), the destruction of the guests (v. 7), and the burning of a city while a meal is waiting to be served (v. 7). These are “no doubt additions, made by the Church or the Evangelist” (p. 347). ...

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