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 3026 to 3050 of 4456 results

3026. The Woman, the Son, and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: God protects Jesus Christ and the messianic community against satanic attack. Understanding the Text As well as being the start of a new major section, Revelation 12 stands as the theological heart of the book because it shows why the church faces spiritual hostility in this world and how God provides the victory. Revelation 12:1–14:20 forms a grand interlude detailing the cosmic conflict between God and the forces of evil, as well as God’s vindication of his people and judgment of the ...

3027. The “Nine Lives” of David

1 Samuel 19:1-24

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: Whether by divine providence or direct intervention, God is capable of protecting his chosen servants from those who seek to destroy them. Understanding the Text In chapter 18 Saul used different methods to try to kill David on three separate occasions (18:10–11, 17, 25). The pattern continues in chapter 19: (1) Saul orders Jonathan to kill David (19:1), (2) he again throws a spear at David (19:10; cf. 18:10–11), (3) he orders his henchmen to arrest David and bring him to the royal palace for ...

3028. “Create in Me a Pure Heart, O God, and Renew a Steadfast Spirit within Me”

Psalm 51:1-19

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: God delights in the spiritual transaction of repentance that begins in the human heart. Understanding the Text Bernhard W. Anderson calls Psalm 51 “one of the pearls of the Psalter.”1Among the seven penitential psalms,2this one, in Weiser’s estimation, is the most important because it “demonstrates the essence of true penitence.”3This psalm falls generally under the classification of the individual lament, and more specifically, to use Kraus’s subcategory, “Songs of the Sick and Anguished.”4As a ...

3029. “Human Help Is Worthless”

Psalm 60:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: When life’s defeats have no explanation, we must affirm victory by God’s help, for all human help, without God, is worthless. Understanding the Text Psalm 60, judging from the first-person plural pronouns (“us,” “our,” “we”), is a community lament, prayed by the congregation after Israel’s daunting defeat in battle, perhaps by the Edomites (60:8b). In the psalms of lament, the complaint can take one of three directions, or any combination: against God, against oneself, and against one’s enemies. ...

3030. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

So far in chapters 9–11 Paul has advanced his argument with care and deliberation. He has shown that from all peoples on earth God separated one people to receive his promise by faith. When the chosen people refused to believe and held fast to righteousness by law, God extended the promise to the Gentiles who received it by faith. But Israel’s rejection of God did not force God to a countermove of rejecting Israel. “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” says Paul (v. 29). From unbelieving Israel God ...

3031. 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 ...

3032. Job's Second Reply to Zophar

Job 21:1-34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

The Inexplicable Prosperity of the Wicked In chapter 21, Job responds to Zophar’s accusations by thoroughly deconstructing the foundation on which they rest. Zophar has claimed that the wicked perish both in an ultimate sense and in their relentless quest for that which does not satisfy—the gnawing greed that consumes the wicked from the inside out. Job assesses Zophar’s claims as so much “nonsense” and “falsehood” (v. 34) when held up to the mirror of real life as Job both knows and describes it. Far from ...

3033. How Beautiful Your Feet

Song of Songs 7:1-13

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

Admiration and Desire: The section begins with the man admiring the woman in the beginning of another descriptive motif (6:4–9) that does not go below the neck. This description is followed by another “who is this?” verse (6:10; see 3:6; 8:5). The following verse (6:11) does not answer the question: rather, an unidentified speaker (NIV “Lover”) tells of going to the nut orchard. Both the speaker and the sense of 6:12 is unclear. The next verse (6:13) contains an exchange about the Shulammite (apparently ...

3034. And They Lived Happily Ever After... or Did They?

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Rick McCracken-Bennett

This is a story I tell from time to time at weddings. It's based on a Moroccan folktale.[1] Once upon a time there was a much beloved king who was so rich that he measured his wealth in bushel baskets. Sadly, his wealth did not prevent him from contracting a fatal illness and in time the man lay on his deathbed. He called his only son to his side and said, "Son, you are all I have left. Your mother is gone, you have no brothers or sisters, and so in a short time you will become king. Besides my hope that ...

3035. Sheepish Shalom

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

Over 500 hundred years ago, a young man named Francis was living the good life. He was rich, handsome, pampered, popular. And though nominally a Christian, Jesus was a stranger to him. One day, Francis was forced to interact with a loathsome leper. In a moment of dreaded touch, the leper was transformed, literally becoming before his eyes the very image of Christ. And Francis was changed. From that day forward, he felt called to discover the Christ in each person and creature around him, no matter how poor ...

3036. Speaking from the Heart

Luke 6:43-45

Sermon

King Duncan

It’s confession time. “Uh-oh,” you’re thinking. “What am I suppose to confess?” By a show of hands, how many of you have a junk drawer at home--a place that has become a repository for things you can’t find somewhere else to keep? What’s in your junk drawer? When you open it up, are you surprised by what ends up in there? The average American home has too much stuff in it, and we don’t know what to do with all of it. We cram things in closets. Under beds. In our junk drawer. We may even rent a warehouse to ...

3037. On Taking Candy from a Stranger

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

King Duncan

A man tells the story of leaving a grocery store when he was approached by two small boys selling candy bars for their school band. The man told the boys, “I’ll buy a chocolate bar from you on one condition. You eat it for me.” The boys agreed. The man bought the chocolate bar and promptly handed it back to one little boy so that he could eat it. The boy shook his head and said, “I can’t.” “Why not?” the man asked. The boy looked at him gravely in the eye and said, “I’m not supposed to take candy from ...

3038. Keeping the Faith

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

Molly F. James

I don’t usually give titles to my sermons but today’s is “Keeping the Faith.” Our Collect, our lessons — particularly the gospel and the epistle — are about being faithful, about being steadfast in our faith. In the gospel, “Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and to not lose heart.” Jesus went on to tell the parable of the unjust judge and the widow who was faithful and persistent, who did not give up in seeking justice, and finally her faith was rewarded. The letter to ...

3039. Aha! I See It Now!

John 1:29-42

Sermon

King Duncan

Series: Seeing God More Clearly in 2020 When was the last time you had an “Aha!” moment? A revelation? An epiphany? I don’t know what you might call it, but we’ve all had a before-and-after moment when a sudden insight, a moment of truth, changed our life. Simon Lovell was one man who had his life changed in such an Aha! moment. Simon was a professional con man. His most successful con was to convince some innocent person that he had a get-rich-quick scheme that couldn’t fail. Once his victim handed over a ...

3040. Lost in Plain Sight

John 1:29-34, John 1:35-42

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

What are you looking for? What are you looking for? A seemingly innocent question, asked to elicit information. But when Jesus asks it, it becomes so much more. It becomes not just a question, but the question, the existential question that defines, to a large extent, exactly who we are. What are you looking for? Percy Harrison Fawcett was looking for El Dorado. Not the city of gold, the city of myth and legend. He wasn’t looking for that, per se, but he believed, as did many of his colleagues in the Royal ...

3041. Godstruck

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Props: Instead of the whale song suggested, you can use as your opening image a dandelion (aka “lion’s teeth” in spore stage), a horn (trumpet or actual shofar–which you can find on amazon for about $30), or a balloon (and some helium if you dare). You may also want to scroll some Hubbel space photos on the screen along with some cosmic music if you begin your sermon with “creation.” We are not the only creatures that sing. Has anyone heard the voice of an Orca whale? It sounds a lot like an erratic ...

3042. Redemption

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:23-26) Prop: Seeds wrapped in wedding pouch ...

3043. Translucent Grace

Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36, Revelation 1:9-20, Revelation 2:12-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) Prop: translucent stones or another kind of gem (or larger white stones onto which people can write the name of Jesus) He was an upstanding Christian, long-time servant in ministry, Chair of the Administrative Council, member of the Trustees, organizer of the yearly fund-raiser and the monthly Men’s Breakfast. “Carl” (as we’ll call him) was one of the “cornerstones” of ...

3044. A Restless Spirit

1 Samuel 28:1-25

Sermon

Lori Wagner

It’s Mother’s Day, otherwise known in the liturgical church as the “Festival of the Christian Home.” Today parents remember our baptismal covenant and recommit to bringing up our baptized progeny in the Christian tradition in our homes, churches, and extended family. This is also when we honor mothers in particular and their influence on our lives. In honor of that celebration today, let me remind you of just how awesome it is to be a parent. Here’s a scenario I think we’ll all be familiar with. A little ...

3045. The Raising of Paul

Acts 14:8-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Prop: you may want to bring a prop of a human brain or have people put their hands on their heads as you explain the parts of the brain Did you ever hear people speak about the wonders of the human mind? We don’t use even a fraction of what our brains are capable of. When you think of it this way, we house in our own persons a valuable untapped resource of brain power, enough capable of solving all of the problems in the world, if only we knew how to tap into it. So say some theorists. But we also know ...

3046. The Tempest

Jonah 4:1-11, Jonah 3:1-10, Jonah 2:1-10, Jonah 1:1-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.” Psalm 107:25 Wind and rain. Who loves to hear the sound of the wind rustling through leaves outside at night? Or the steady beating of the rain on the roof and windows? Hear the rumbling sound of thunder, see flickers of lightning appear across the sky? We are in awe of that kind of power of nature, aren’t we? It both thrills us and frightens us. Thunderstorms may seem like one of nature’s most powerful disturbances, but for many people ...

3047. Baby Steps on the Sea of Galilee

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

King Duncan

A comedian said he was in a shoe shop recently trying out a new pair of sneakers. He said to the salesclerk, “It’s too tight.” She said, “Try it with the tongue out.” [Pastor, stick out your tongue.] He said, “It’th nho ghood, it’th thtill thoo thight!” [It’s no good. It’s still too tight.] Sorry, sometimes I can’t resist a little joke like that. If you’re into fashion or social media, then you probably know that the market for sneakers and athletic shoes is huge. In 2017, the global sneaker market reached ...

3048. I Have Seen the Lord

John 20:1-18

Sermon

King Duncan

It’s so good to see you this Easter morning as we celebrate the greatest event in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb! I hope you came here this morning ready to celebrate. Ironically, on that first Easter Sunday morning, the women came to Jesus’ tomb expecting to do nothing like celebrate. They expected nothing but death and grief and painful memories. The surprise they experienced that morning changed their lives—and the course of human history. What would you do if you came to ...

3049. You Will Always Have The Poor With You…

John 12:1-8

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

Have you ever been in a situation where you have said something that got totally misunderstood? I remember once some years ago there was a horrible fire in a church in the community where I was serving. This fire burned the centuries old church to the ground. It was a beautiful example of older architecture and the people of the congregation loved the place. The truth, though, was that the congregation was in decline and it seemed like closure of the church was imminent. However, the fire did something. ...

3050. Dirty Feet

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

When I was a kid, we spent our summers on the family farm in upstate New York. We would leave as soon as school was out at the end of June and remain there in a state of liberated bliss right through the Labor Day weekend. We were liberated in lots of ways. The family farm had over a hundred acres over which we could freely roam. We built forts and went swimming in the creek that ran through the property every day. We picked wild berries and even grudgingly submitted to weeding my Dad’s beloved vegetable ...

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