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 276 to 300 of 513 results

276. Proper 4

Genesis 6:11-22, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31)

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... feelings, our ideas and our values, our goals and our behavior. We are grateful for the learning experiences that have strengthened our faith, memories that draw us to your house and to other places hallowed by awareness of your presence, occasions of sympathy and understanding too intimate to explain. We celebrate every home marked with signs of your faithful love, not only with art and symbol, but also with hospitality and human caring. Your truth is our foundation rock; your unfailing love, our shelter ...

277. What Is 40 Days Of Purpose?

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Sermon

James Merritt

... family there are family responsibilities. In fact, did you know there are over 50 commands in the Bible, that you cannot obey if you are not tied into a local church family? I Peter 3:8 says, "You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender minds and humble hearts." (I Peter 3:8, LB) Now there is a word for this purpose. The word for learning to love other believers is called fellowship. Fellowship may be one of the most misunderstood terms in all ...

278. Traditions of Men

Mark 7:1-23

Illustration

James Cox

... up a creed. He was at no pains to record his own thoughts in unalterable writing, nor did he impart to his disciples a common set of articles of faith, logically and unmistakably linked together, which they were to hold and to teach. He would have little sympathy for the modern attempts to standardize the theology of men. He did not put his thoughts into articles of faith, which men must sign he put them into actions, which men must do. His great word was not "This say," but "This do." He has not commanded ...

279. If You Really Want to Be Number One

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

King Duncan

... was once a man by the name of Henry Dunant. Dunant is best remembered as the man who laid the foundation for the Red Cross. His humanitarian concerns earned him wide‑spread acclaim. Then at the height of his fame he went bankrupt. Because of this, public sympathy turned against him. He lived for years in the slums of a large European city wearing ragged clothing and broken shoes, yet this did not stop him from giving of himself to aid those in need. Years later he was discovered by an alert journalist. He ...

280. The Two Prodigals

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... deserve our respect and maybe even our admiration. Some family units owe nearly their entire success to such people. This may be less true today than in yesteryear, but it is still true to some extent. We have known those who earned our sympathy. They tried their best to measure up but just could not do it. Their faltering was more noticeable because, after all, they were supposed to succeed for themselves and others. When the young wastrel returned, it was reported to the older son. How appropriate ...

281. Compassion Can Do More Than You May Think

Luke 7:11-17

Sermon

David R. Cartwright

... returned to his mother. The mother does not even have to ask Jesus for her son's life. It all takes place simply because, "When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her" (Luke 7:13). The word for compassion Luke uses is the strongest word for sympathy in the Bible. In English, compassion literally means "with passion." Empathy is perhaps the word that comes closest today. However we speak of it and regardless of the words we use, it's a very strong and powerful word. So much so, that in this story it can ...

282. The 300th American

Mark 10:17-31

Illustration

... who need help to make ends meet. Are we doing everything we can to offer support where it is necessary? What are our obligations to our own nation's poor and to the world's? Are we living up to these obligations? These are daunting questions and we can feel sympathy for the young rich ruler in Mark's Gospel, but we should remember that each of us has the power to make the world a better place, and multiplied by 300 million, that should be a powerful change indeed.

283. Caring Service and Its Impact

Mark 10:35-45

Illustration

Roger Dow

A room-service waiter at a Marriott hotel learned that the sister of a guest had just died. The waiter, named Charles, bought a sympathy card, had hotel staff members sign it, and gave it to the distraught guest with a piece of hot apple pie. That guest later wrote to the president of Marriott Hotels, "Mr. Marriott," the letter said, "I'll never meet you. And I don't need to meet you. Because ...

284. The Hard Task of Truth-telling

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... not claim to be vocally impaired, if not totally tongue-tied? Notice how unimpressed God seems to be with Jeremiah's logical objections. No lightning bolts or angry thunder are emitted from heaven, no "how dare you defy me!" No divine anger, but not much sympathy, either. Only the assurance of God's providence is given. "I will put the words into your mouth." It would be easier, perhaps, if God would promise success rather than just presence. Something like, "Don't worry, they'll love you. It'll be great ...

285. Have We Been "Slicked"?

Jeremiah 2:4-13

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... nearly always got the better end of the bargain he offered. He just had a way of talking people into things. You kind of figured that folks would know better after a while, but they just kept dealing. Fall for the smooth talk once and people might have sympathy, but after that the local folks would just shake their heads and say, "You got slicked!" We all get "slicked" from time to time. It happens when we give up something valuable in exchange for what is cheap, like tossing away $1 worth of nickels to get ...

286. My Childhood Promise

Matt 6:25-34; Luke 17:11-19; Eph 5:4

Illustration

Charles Swindoll

... I did too. All the class joined in. She stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that ever emerged from a soul plunged in pain. At that time in my young life, I fell strangely in love with Thanksgiving. Lost in sympathy and a boy's pity for his teacher, I walked home very slowly that afternoon. Although only a child, I had profound feelings of gratitude for my country . . . my friends . . . my school . . . my church . . . my family. I swore before God that I would fight to ...

287. The Power of Purpose

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... could be relieved of the burdens and responsibilities of supporting their family; or if they could find another more meaningful way to do it. For some, going to work is a bitter task; leaving work is like dropping a heavy load off their shoulders. I have great sympathy for such people. I’m sorry that I can’t identify with them more than I can, because I don’t know anyone who finds more meaning in what they’re doing than I. There’s another category of people, and another kind of response to work ...

288. Altar Your Service

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... hand, and offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing. As dawn approached, the patient died. The young man gently placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding. Then he went to notify the nurse. The nurse began to offer words of sympathy to the young man, but he interrupted her. "Who was that man?" he asked. The puzzled nurse replied, "I thought he was your father." "No," the young man replied. "I never saw him before in my life." Horrified, the nurse asked, "Then why didn't you say ...

289. What's In A Name?

John 15:9-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Bits and Pieces: a British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following: "One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable." "One who understands our silence." "A volume of sympathy bound in cloth." "A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down." The winning definition: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out." (2) We all need friends, don't we? We need people we ...

290. Who's Working In You?

Philippians 2:1-13

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... have only been three, but I think she understood the nature of today's passage of scripture. Let's look at it. Philippians 2:1-13 [1] If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, [2] make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not to ...

291. Dare To DV8

Romans 12:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... observation about finding fulfillment. In his career as a writer and journalist he has interviewed a wide range of people. He divides these people into two groups: stars and servants. For the stars, super star athletes, famous authors, TV personalities, he has only sympathy. These "idols," he says, "are as miserable a group of people as I have ever met." According to the standards of this age these people have it made. They're famous, they have their pictures in magazines, they live in big, expensive homes ...

292. When You Have To Face Your Own Personal Goliath

1 Samuel 17:1-58

Sermon

James W. Moore

... would stoop to send out a small young inexperienced shepherd boy with no armor, no sword, no spear to do battle with him… the most feared warrior of that time. The more Goliath thought about it, the more livid he became… and he felt no sympathy at all for this young opponent. Brashly, the giant moved forward to make quick work of young David. But David had a surprise for Goliath. With his dependable sling-shot… young David struck the giant at his only vulnerable place… - Right between the eyes, - On ...

293. Ministering Angels

Exodus 23:20-33

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... in. The blinds were closed. I could vaguely distinguish the form of a woman lying fully clothed on the bed. Her eyes were closed and her face expressed no emotion. I leaned over and took her hand, but she made no movement. I mumbled a few words of sympathy and sat down beside the bed. “I remained there without a word, immobile as she, and the phrase kept tumbling over in my mind, ‘I am here to bring you peace,’ but I could not speak a word. “The time passed painfully, interminably, and each time I ...

294. The Power of Death Reversed

Luke 7:11-17

Illustration

Ron Luchies

... separation. During his last sickness, he offered his doctor a million dollars to prolong his life. But, of course, that was impossible. Death has very real power. Money and prestige and position aren't going to change that. Visits and phone calls and sympathy cards aren't going to change that. Preachers and churches and expensive funerals aren't going to change that. Jesus enters into the situation with strange words and even stranger actions, words and actions that at first glance seem totally out of place ...

295. The Beginning of the Story

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... courage? Take Jesus seriously. “I have said this to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33, RSV) That’s good news, isn’t it? Are you bereaved, hoping for sympathy and comfort? It’s yours. Jesus gives it. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14: 27, RSV) That’s good news, isn ...

296. Doing Our Best

Romans 12: 1-13

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... . When Richard Nixon was struggling with his resignation, he received a letter from Harold McMillan, the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The note, in part, went something like this: I feel impelled, in view of our long established friendship, to send you a message of sympathy and good will. I trust that these clouds will someday roll away. Later on, it was Richard Nixon who said, “What you learn when you fail is that you hear from your friends." Who has been there for you when you were hurting? When have ...

297. Does Prayer Make Any Difference

Matthew 26:36-46

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... always blue Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through. God has not promised sun without rain Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day Rest for the labor, light for the way Grace for the trials, help from above Unfailing sympathy, undying love. You see, it is no accident that on the cross on Good Friday, Jesus finally says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” I leave you today with a phrase that has shaped my life. My mother gave it to me a long ...

298. Finding Our Place In All Creation

Job 38:1-18

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... That's what the Book of Job is all about. Suffering stuns us. II. SOMETIMES FRIENDS CONFUSE US. Job had some friends who showed up to console him. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were their names. When they heard of Job's troubles they decided they would come and extend their sympathy. One thing they did right. The second Chapter of Job tells us that they came and for seven days and seven nights they sat with him and didn't say a word. They were just present. If you would like to know how to really be helpful to ...

299. A Whole New Set of Values

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

Barbara Brown Taylor once said that if a man in the church loses his job, the pastor may well call this person to offer sympathy and prayer. But suppose that a pastor one day got wind of the fact that a certain member of his congregation had gotten a big promotion at work along with significantly more pay. And suppose the pastor then called this person and said, "Charlie, I've heard your news and ...

300. A God Who Suffers with Us

John 9:1-41

Sermon

Lee Griess

... The questions kept coming; the pain was still there. Just then Jim remembered the words of the hospital chaplain, "Sometimes we just don't know what part we have in God's plans. Perhaps Joshua's part was already done." The hairdresser expressed her sympathy and Jim found himself relating the events. Somehow it helped to tell the story. Perhaps if he did it enough, some sense would come of it. As Jim mentioned the organ donations, the hairdresser stopped, motionless. After a few moments she spoke, her voice ...

Showing results