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 2976 to 3000 of 3082 results

2976. The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

4:30–34 This parable concludes the list, and it has the most elaborate introduction (4:30). In addition, there is the concluding statement (4:33–34) about the parables. But let us look at the parable itself before we turn to this statement. The point of the parable is the contrast between the insignificant mustard seed and the fully grown plant that it produces, not the process involved. So, the lesson is not that the kingdom of God comes by quiet, prolonged growth, but rather that, though many might think ...

2977. Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Mark 10:46-52

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

10:46–52 If we omit the story of the cursing of the fig tree (11:12–14, 20–25), which is not really a miracle story like the others in Mark, this incident in 10:46–52 is the last miracle story in Mark’s account. This makes it something of a climactic miracle story and therefore worth careful attention. It also forms the conclusion to the long section (8:27–10:52) in which Jesus teaches about his coming sufferings and about the path of discipleship, and Mark uses it as an important vehicle for telling us ...

2978. Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

14:32–42 This is another of the most well-known scenes from the Gospels, the subject of paintings and of countless sermons and meditations. The tradition that Jesus prayed fervently before his arrest is preserved in variant forms in John 17:1–18 and Hebrews 5:7, as well as in the parallels to the present account, Matthew 26:36–46 and Luke 22:40–46. As a final preparation before the rush of violent events to follow, Jesus withdraws to a quiet area just outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem for prayer. The ...

2979. The Burial of Jesus

Mark 15:42-47

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

15:42–47 In Roman practice, a person executed for treason (the charge placed against Jesus) was not ordinarily given a burial but was left on the cross to be devoured by scavengers. Only by special permission of the Roman magistrate could such a criminal be given an ordinary burial, and even then public mourning was forbidden. By contrast, Jewish custom required that even criminals be given burials, on the day of their death if at all possible. To fail to observe this custom was to defile the land, and so ...

2980. The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold: One of the problems in comparing the Synoptic Gospels is accounting for the distinctive features of the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke. On the one hand, Matthew mentions an angelic announcement to Joseph (1:20), the Magi (2:1), a star (2:2), the flight to Egypt (2:13–14), and the slaughter of the infants (2:16). Luke’s account contains none of these items. Moreover, only Matthew cites Isa. 7:14 (see 1:23), Mic. 5:2 (see 2:6), Hos. 11:1 (see 2:15), ...

2981. Zechariah's Song

Luke 1:67-80

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

1:67–79 In singing the Benedictus (vv. 68–79) Zechariah utters at last a blessing which he had been expected to pronounce some nine months earlier (see commentary on vv. 21–22). Virtually every line of this song is derived from the OT (see notes below). The main thrust of the song is summarized in v. 68: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (RSV). The key word in this verse is the verb “to visit” (NIV: has come). In the LXX this word often occurs in reference to “ ...

2982. The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

The Parable of the Sower: This section is comprised of three parts: (1) the Parable of the Sower (vv. 4–15), (2) the Parable of the Lamp (vv. 16–18), and (3) Jesus’ definition of his true family (vv. 19–21). What unites these three parts is the theme of hearing and obeying the Word of God (see vv. 8, 15, 18, 21). Luke has obtained these materials from Mark. A comparison of the parallel passages in Matt. 13:3–50 and Mark 4:2–34 highlights the different emphases that the three Synoptic evangelists are able ...

2983. Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

Luke 19:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

19:1–10 In the preceding episode we saw the healing touch of Jesus restoring the sight and faith of a religious outcast of Israel. In the episode at hand we have another example of the restoration of one who was an outcast, not because of physical problems thought to be caused by sin, but because of his occupation. While passing through Jericho, Jesus encounters a chief tax collector (see note below) named Zacchaeus, a man who was wealthy. His desire to see Jesus was such he climbed a nearby sycamore-fig ...

2984. The Last Supper

Luke 22:7-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

22:7–14 With the sinister conspiracy between Judas and the religious authorities in the background, Jesus and his disciples begin making preparations for the Passover meal. Luke notes that Jesus sent Peter and John (Mark 14:13 says only “two of his disciples”) into Jerusalem to meet a man carrying a jar of water (which was a task women usually performed), to whom they will convey the word of the Teacher. The owner of the house, the disciples are told, will show them a large upper room, all furnished. There ...

2985. To the Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

2:18 The next major city to the east of Pergamum on the Roman highway through Asia was Thyatira. Known throughout the ancient world as a city of merchants and trade guilds, its local gods were dedicated to the city’s economic well-being. Unlike Pergamum, which was a center of civil religion in Asia, the idolatry in Thyatira was materialism, whose power is measured by society’s robust commerce. Perhaps this explains the extensive use of “tools of trade” as symbols for Christ’s lordship over humanity’s ...

2986. The Harvest of the Earth

Revelation 14:14-20

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

14:14 Caird argues that this section of John’s vision functions ironically, so that traditional, apocalyptic images of divine retribution are imaginatively transformed into a portrait of God’s salvation of the church’s martyrs (cf. Revelation, pp. 189–95). While one may disagree with aspects of Caird’s treatment, he has correctly called our attention to the language of salvation embedded in John’s description of “the great winepress of God’s wrath.” In this sense, John’s vision continues the angelic ...

2987. Balaam's Final Oracle

Numbers 24:20-25

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Balaam's Oracles 24:20–25: Balaam has now made explicit the prophecy that Israel will defeat Balak’s Moab. The prophet’s final words also speak of the fall of Moab’s neighbors, as he has already spoken of Edom. The Amalekites, a group of nomadic tribes, were early opponents of Israel (Exod. 17:8–16), first among the nations, but they will fall. The Amalekite king Agag was mentioned in verse 7. The Kenites will also fall from their seemingly secure place. The word for nest (qen) is a play on qeni, Kenite. ...

2988. Saul's Family

1 Samuel 14:49-52

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 ...

2989. Saul's Jealousy of David

1 Samuel 18:1-30

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David's Fame Continues to Grow: 18:1–5 David’s victory over the Philistine champion brought several major changes in his life. He ceased being a shepherd at his father’s home in Bethlehem and joined Saul’s service, becoming the squire who is described in 16:21. His service was appreciated by all, his military prowess indicating that his dramatic victory over Goliath had not been a fluke. Saul was so impressed that he gave David significant promotion within the armed forces, an action that officers and men ...

2990. Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-31

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

20:24-29 In John, the unbelief of the disciples as a group is not mentioned explicitly, only their fear of the Jewish authorities. The unbelief is attributed instead to one disciple, Thomas, in particular (vv. 24–25). The appearance to him in verses 26–29 is really an extension of the appearance to the gathered disciples in verses 19–23, even though it takes place a week later. Verses 24–25 link the two incidents together, so that in effect what is said to the disciples in verses 19–23 is said to Thomas as ...

2991. The Call of Abram

Genesis 12:1-9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

This section begins the Abraham narrative (11:27–25:18), which details Abraham’s life from the time he receives God’s call to the time of his death. (See the Introduction for a survey of the Abraham narrative as a unit.) The Abraham narrative opens with a travelog and the family history, or toledoth, of Terah, which begins here, and continues through 25:18. Members of this family set out from their home in Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan (11:31). They stop at Haran, where they decide to settle. Later ...

2992. Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

Deuteronomy 3:21-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

3:21–22 To close his opening historical survey, Moses looks forward to the future as entrusted into the hands of his successor, Joshua. The lessons of the past were especially for him, and the most important lesson of all was that God’s victories were infinitely repeatable. If God could defeat two kings, God could defeat many more. Yahweh was a God who was not coincidentally lucky, but consistently victorious. These words, placed here, are picked up again in 31:1–8, when Moses actually commissions Joshua. ...

2993. Detestable Practices

Deuteronomy 18:9-13

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Leadership in Israel: Priests and Prophets: After the two sections on “secular” leadership (the judge and the king 16:18–17:20), we now have in Chapter 18 two sections on the “spiritual” leadership provided by the priest and the prophet. The Prophet: The prophet comes last in the listing of Israel’s different leadership roles. Almost certainly this is deliberate and significant, like the putting of the judge before the king. Maintaining justice was a higher priority than having a dynastic monarchy. Judge ...

2994. The Prophet

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

The Prophet: The prophet comes last in the listing of Israel’s different leadership roles. Almost certainly this is deliberate and significant, like the putting of the judge before the king. Maintaining justice was a higher priority than having a dynastic monarchy. Judge and king must both submit to the law of God, just as the priest must faithfully teach it. But what if those entrusted with such forms of leadership were themselves to go astray? Then the last word was God’s. And God would put that word in ...

2995. A Rebellious Son

Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Rectifying Public and Private Wrongs: Each of the five sections of this chapter deals with a situation of human distress or misconduct and seeks either to rectify the wrong or to mitigate its worst effects. We have seen already that this is a characteristic feature of Deuteronomy—part of its “pastoral strategy.” Another feature is that the first and fifth of the laws both require actions that involve removing pollution from the sight of God and from the land. 21:18–21 The fate of the rebellious son. If a ...

2996. Curses from Mount Ebal

Deuteronomy 27:9-26

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Covenant Renewal and Covenant Curse: Structurally, we are moving into the second half of the “inner frame.” Chapter 27 balances chapter 11, thus functioning as a framework for the detailed legislation in chapters 12–25. This is clear not only from the reference in both chapters to the ceremony at Mt. Ebal but also from the emphasis in both on covenant choice and commitment. 27:9–10 These verses reaffirm the basic covenant relationship and its basic obligation and do so in the now familiar order: Israel’s ...

2997. Solomon's Wisdom

1 Kings 4:29-34

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Solomon and the Nations: The previous section, 4:1–20, was clearly defined by its beginning and ending (“all Israel . . . Judah and Israel”). It was a passage about Solomon’s rule over Israel. With 4:21 we begin a new section concerning Solomon’s rule over other kingdoms and his impact on the world more generally. It is revealed that Israel’s peace and prosperity are related to Solomon’s dominion over the surrounding kingdoms (they contribute to the prosperity and represent no threat to the peace, vv. 21– ...

2998. Ahaziah King of Israel

1 Kings 22:51-53

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah: Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah, already characters in Ahab’s story (1 Kgs. 22:2 etc.; 22:40), now find a place of their own. Our expectations differ with respect to each. Jehoshaphat is a Davidic king, so we anticipate no major disasters in his reign (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:36), particularly since he is evidently pious (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:5). Ahaziah, on the other hand, is an Israelite and a son of Ahab. We anticipate wickedness, and disaster of the sort that has fallen upon all the successors of ...

2999. Jerusalem's Deliverance Foretold

2 Kings 19:1-13

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The Assyrian Assault on Judah: The second David has arrived. He has reformed Judean worship according to Mosaic law, casting off foreign influence and domination. We wait to see what will happen when the king of Assyria tries to take the kind of vengeance on Judah that he has just inflicted upon Israel. 18:13–16 The beginning of the Assyrian assault is reported in verses 13–16, as a new king (Sennacherib) attacks all the fortified cities and captures them. This is not a very promising beginning. It seems ...

3000. Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 19:14-19

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

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