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 3076 to 3100 of 4340 results

3076. Adopted! Thank God!

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... that they have never known their real parents. They do not understand that when people have loved you, and raised you, and nurtured you in every good way, they are your real parents. Anybody can be a biological parent. It takes no brains and no character to produce a child biologically. It is a lifetime commitment, however, to be an adoptive parent one who chooses to love and be responsible for another human being. God is our adoptive parent. God is also our real parent whose love is beyond measure. But ...

3077. Aha! An Epiphany!

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... of those promises you made . . . all the good things that you resolved you would do . . . if only God would intervene. Many years ago actor Burt Reynolds was in a movie titled, “The End.” In a humorous scene at the conclusion of the movie Reynolds’ character decides to commit suicide. He attempts to drown himself in the ocean, but then, far off from shore, he changes his mind. Swimming toward the distant shoreline, he makes all kinds of extravagant promises to God if only God will let him get back to ...

3078. Blessed Are the Cheese Makers

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

... ." All great humor must have one essential element: Truth. This bit certainly has that. Jesus' words when misunderstood has lead to some pretty fantastic conclusions. And so, this is dedicated to all those knuckle headed interpretations throughout the years. There are two main characters in the bit who are called Trouble and Bignose. They are at the back of the crowd when Jesus is giving the Sermon On The Mount: Trouble: Well go and talk to him somewhere else... I can't hear a bloody thing. Bignose: Don ...

3079. Troubling Humbling Questions

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Rabbi Harold Kushner

... of us, there are times like that when we are brought up short, and we are left thinking disturbing questions like, "Shouldn't a man's life be more than that?" I think we get that kind of feeling when we contrast the reality of our lives against character portrayed in the Beatitudes. Sometimes we want to pass by them quickly on our way to the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. We assume that Jesus was simply a Nazarene stumbling along the dusty roads of Palestine mumbling so many platitudes. But there is that ...

3080. The Case of the Dancing Men

Psalm 51:1-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... . We stand ready to do whatever we can. We’re praying much. We love you more than I can say. And respect you, too, as always . . . “While we can’t say that God causes failures, He does permit them, and I think it’s clear He uses them to build character and beauty that we’d never have without them. Remember, God’s love is in even this, maybe especially in this. “We’re glad that in a measure, at least, we can help the daughter we love so much. This is a day of testing, but hold our ground we ...

3081. Children’s Stories and Transformations

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

Children's stories are full of characters who move back and forth between different realms of reality. Take Cinderella, for example. You know the story of four mice pulling a pumpkin, whisking Cinderella away from poverty into an exalted moment of acceptance and glory. In one transforming moment, the servant is transformed into the queen of the ...

3082. The Sobering Effect of Truth

John 4:26

Illustration

Brett Blair

When President Kennedy's assassination took place in 1963, British novelist David Lodge, was in a theater watching the performance of a satirical play he had helped write. In one sketch, a character demonstrated his nonchalance in an interview by holding a transistor radio to his ear. The actor playing the part always tuned in to a real broadcast. Suddenly, filling the theartre was the announcement that President Kennedy had been shot. The actor quickly switched it off, but it was too late. ...

3083. John 9:1-41

John 9:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of new sight that becomes sharper and more acute as faith unfolds and the story of deepening blindness when the chance for faith is rejected. In keeping with traditional ancient storytelling techniques, the details of these events are presented in a series of two-character scenes. The first scene is played out between Jesus and his disciples (9:1-5). The text seems to assume the continuation of the same time frame and place from 8:59 the temple area during the Feast of Tabernacles. Their encounter with “a ...

3084. Are We Brave enough to Bet It All?

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Thomas Long

... wager on the impossible possibility. In one episode, a group of men are playing a variation of poker. In this game, each person is dealt several cards, some of them on the table face up and the others concealed in the hand. In one round, the main character, a man named Thomas, has been dealt a very strong hand, and he decides to bet heavily. As Thomas keeps sweetening the pot and raising the stakes, all of the other players drop out one by one, intimidated by Thomas' hand, that is, all except one player ...

3085. Will You Dance the Metanoia with Me?

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... blowhards. Jesus didn’t keep the Sabbath as strictly as he could have. He walked too far, he healed some sick folk, he did some things the religious authorities considered work. Jesus ate and drank and hung out with all sorts of questionable characters. All these unexpected behaviors were highly suspected. But Jesus’ “bad behavior” was the fulfillment of the mission he had been given in this world. Jesus as “the Life” offered a vision of a life lived in alignment with God’s ultimate vision for ...

3086. John 10:1-10

John 10:1-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... is a farm in South Iowa. When you write about your environs and the types of people you know, that’s when you write reality. You are reproducing authentic images, conveying motives and emotions you’ve witnessed first-hand that lie behind the characters on the page. Jesus would have flunked Creative Writing 101. Not just because we do not have any evidence of anything Jesus ever actually wrote down. But because he broke that first rule of writing. Jesus was raised in a small, rural area, Galilee ...

3087. Family Resemblance

John 14:5-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... : “When you have seen me, you have seen my father.” “When you have seen me, you have seen my mother or my grandmother” or whoever was most responsible for raising us. Now here is the good news for the day. Jesus reflected his Father- God’s character and nature. The writer of the Gospel of John is saying something very important here in reporting these words of our Master: “When you have seen me, you have seen my father.” He is saying that we don’t have to wonder what God is like. All ...

3088. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... or fragmentary nature of 2 Corinthians. But it does appear that by the time Paul penned his farewell to this community, the harmony and the unity of the faithful were the apostle’s last words. However significant the disagreements between Paul and some characters in the church at Corinth, throughout his correspondence Paul maintained that his sharp words and strong admonitions were offered “not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love I have for you” (2 Corinthians 2:4). It is this ...

3089. Times Were Hard

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Illustration

Trace Haythorn

... no vision for what might yet come to pass. When a prophet spoke out, they were vilified, punished, especially if they called into question the decisions of the government. Voices of hope arose, but just as quickly they fell as questions arose about the character of the speaker, about their ability to deliver, or about the transgressions of their past. Apathy was the prevailing ethos in the community. It was not hard to imagine the people asking, "Why even bother when nothing seems to change?" Kind of hard ...

3090. The Ad Vent Wheat

John 1:1-18

Drama

Frank Ramirez

Characters Courtney Alexis Garrison Bradley Alex Kristin Krystal Teacher One Teacher Two Props Box labeled “Holiday Decorations” String of Christmas lights Nativity set Large metal vent Sheaves of wheat Bag (big enough to carry the puppets) Two hand puppets per child (Courtney, Alexis, Garrison, Bradley, and Alex are getting ready to ...

3091. Surprise!

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... God ... And if you think this is a big deal, your cousin Elizabeth whom everyone knows is too old to have babies, is going to have a baby herself. Surprise!" (Luke 1:34-37 cf). What would your reaction have been had you been Mary? This odd-looking character shows up at your home with, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). So far, so good, but then this incredible announcement. How do you explain this to your parents? And what happens when Sadie down the street hears? It ...

3092. The Forgiveness Factor

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... the story. He does precisely that. Amazing. Terrific story. We have loved it since the first time we heard it. Have you ever put yourself in it? That is a wonderful way to get something new from it. If you were to identify with any of the characters in this divine drama, who would you be? Would you be one of the crowd, a spectator? Probably, at least sometimes. We are in church from week to week because we can find ourselves as fascinated with Jesus as anyone else. Sometimes it might be curiosity, sometimes ...

3093. Jesus Christ, Superstar

Mark 14:12-26

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... opened, it met with a firestorm of protest from some Christian groups. The objection was that by showing Jesus as a man but not God (as Rice explicitly said was the intention) and by omitting the resurrection, "Superstar" was sacrilegious. They also found the character of Judas too sympathetic and some of his criticisms of Jesus offensive. At the same time, some Jews said that it bolstered the anti-Semitic claim that the Jews are responsible for Jesus' death by showing most of the villains as Jewish and ...

3094. Being a Christian “Survivor”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... of the contest. If deliberate deception were limited to tropical islands, we might pass it off, but we know better. Next, Paul talks about the breastplate of righteousness. Please do not misunderstand. Biblical righteousness does not mean blamelessness; it refers to the character of a relationship. Paul wants us to know that we will never be able to withstand the evil in this world without the protection of a right relationship with the Lord. Then there are the shoes of the gospel of peace. There is ...

3095. Welcoming Jesus

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... ). This is like the old Smothers Brothers routine: "Mom always liked you best!" It is laughable, and of course, childish. Actually, there is only one we know as "the greatest." Muhammad Ali. (And you thought I was going to say Jesus.) Ali is a fascinating character (despite his current battle with Parkinson's), and he has been since his brash days in Louisville when we knew him as Cassius Clay and heard his boastful claim, made over and again through the years, "I am the greatest." A sportswriter once asked ...

3096. When God Is Gone

Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

Job is a fascinating character with a fascinating story. Scholars tell us it is one of the oldest in scripture. And it wrestles with one of the oldest questions encountered by people of faith: Why? Why me? Why my kids? Why my marriage? Why six million Jews in the Holocaust? Or even those poignant words ...

3097. What the Future Holds

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... of supreme importance is the living church, with all of her sanctuaries of worship and her avenues of service. The living church where men and women come to have their faith strengthened, their thoughts clarified, their ideas uplifted, their convictions born, and their characters created. In an age when communities of all kinds are crumbling and individualism is the prevailing ideology, only the church "can offer a community that was here before any of us were born, that will be here after all of us die and ...

3098. The Living Advent Wreath (Hope: Purple Candle of the Moon)

Isaiah 40:1-31

Drama

Frank Ramirez

... with the moon on it Love wears a pink robe or shirt with stars on it Trust (three people) wears purple robes or shirts with the magi symbols on them Pilgrim, Guide, and Attendant wear appropriate clothing Mary, Joseph, and Infant should be as characters in the nativity Second Week of Advent (Pilgrim enters to find Faith in the living Advent wreath. Pilgrim still carries the empty bag.) Pilgrim: Are you still here? Where is the Guide? (Guide enters with Attendant and Hope. Hope, the second candle of the ...

3099. The Living Advent Wreath (Love: Pink Candle of the Stars)

Luke 1:26-38

Drama

Frank Ramirez

... with the moon on it Love wears a pink robe or shirt with stars on it Trust (three people) wears purple robes or shirts with the magi symbols on them Pilgrim, Guide, and Attendant wear appropriate clothing Mary, Joseph, and Infant should be as characters in the nativity (Pilgrim is standing on stage holding his empty bag. Guide enters with Love, the third candle of the living Advent wreath, who bears the mark of the Stars. Attendant, who is carrying the candlelighter to light the candles also enters. Faith ...

3100. The Living Advent Wreath (Trust: Purple Candle of the Magi)

Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 61:1-11

Drama

Frank Ramirez

... moon on it Love wears a pink robe or shirt with stars on it Trust (three people) wears purple robes or shirts with the magi symbols on them Pilgrim, Guide, and Attendant wear appropriate clothing Mary, Joseph, and Infant should be as characters in the nativity Fourth Week of Advent (Faith, Hope, Love, and Attendant, carrying candlelighter, enter. Trust, comprised of three people representing the magi, also enters.) Love: (sings) Love like a star is a beacon. Believer, Follow, tho’ hounded by hates. Love ...

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Showing 3076 to 3100 of 4340 results

3076. Adopted! Thank God!

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

3077. Aha! An Epiphany!

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

King Duncan

3078. Blessed Are the Cheese Makers

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

3079. Troubling Humbling Questions

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Rabbi Harold Kushner

3080. The Case of the Dancing Men

Psalm 51:1-19

Sermon

King Duncan

3081. Children’s Stories and Transformations

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

3082. The Sobering Effect of Truth

John 4:26

Illustration

Brett Blair

3083. John 9:1-41

John 9:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3084. Are We Brave enough to Bet It All?

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Thomas Long

3085. Will You Dance the Metanoia with Me?

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

3086. John 10:1-10

John 10:1-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3087. Family Resemblance

John 14:5-14

Sermon

King Duncan

3088. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3089. Times Were Hard

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Illustration

Trace Haythorn

3090. The Ad Vent Wheat

John 1:1-18

Drama

Frank Ramirez

3091. Surprise!

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3092. The Forgiveness Factor

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3093. Jesus Christ, Superstar

Mark 14:12-26

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3094. Being a Christian “Survivor”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3095. Welcoming Jesus

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3096. When God Is Gone

Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3097. What the Future Holds

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

3098. The Living Advent Wreath (Hope: Purple Candle of the Moon)

Isaiah 40:1-31

Drama

Frank Ramirez

3099. The Living Advent Wreath (Love: Pink Candle of the Stars)

Luke 1:26-38

Drama

Frank Ramirez

... with the moon on it Love wears a pink robe or shirt with stars on it Trust (three people) wears purple robes or shirts with the magi symbols on them Pilgrim, Guide, and Attendant wear appropriate clothing Mary, Joseph, and Infant should be as characters in the nativity (Pilgrim is standing on stage holding his empty bag. Guide enters with Love, the third candle of the living Advent wreath, who bears the mark of the Stars. Attendant, who is carrying the candlelighter to light the candles also enters. Faith ...

3100. The Living Advent Wreath (Trust: Purple Candle of the Magi)

Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 61:1-11

Drama

Frank Ramirez

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