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 3126 to 3150 of 4770 results

3126. Mary’s Magnificat

Luke 1:46-56

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... do with Mary's Magnificat? The Magnificat is the great New Testament song of liberation — personal, social, moral, and economic — a revolutionary document of intense conflict and victory. It leads to everything we would learn about Jesus himself. This is truly magnificent when viewed not only from the birth story, but also the death story. Through this song of Mary we feel her expressing her faith and vision, and asking the right questions. In an old biography of Francis of Assisi, the story is told of ...

3127. Bethlehem: Where Extremes Meet

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... of the secrets of its power. Bethlehem continues to attract and to astound for the simple reason that it is the place where extremes meet, the coming together of opposites that both satisfy and intrigue. It is from this vantage point that I want us to view this morning the miracle of Bethlehem. In terms of what led up to it, the event itself, and the responses that followed it, the power of Bethlehem lies in the simplicity and profundity that come together there in an intriguing blend. First of all, let us ...

3128. The Baptism of the Lord

Luke 3:21-38

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... in scripture, as to how to behave. Baptism is the living example of the baptism of Jesus of Nazareth. I am sure this is surprising to many who expect Jesus to be exempt from baptism. It seems natural that Jesus would stand on the bank and view others while they are baptized. Baptism is for everyone, especially: all of those who have wandered away from the path known to them as children; those who have stumbled into trouble over and over again; those who, not by accident, but intent, have turned their backs ...

3129. Woe to the Blessed

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... says that they can get life. It started as most everything starts in the Gospel of Luke, with Jesus in prayer. Verse 12 says that Jesus spent all night on the mountainside praying to the Father trying to ascertain the Father's values, the Father's views, and the Father's will. After spending the night in prayer, he chose his disciples. Luke is speaking with theological geography in that Jesus came down from the mountain on a level plain with the people. He was with the people. Emmanuel — God with us. As ...

3130. Building a Victorious Life

Luke 6:39-49

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... to have a pill or remedy, a solution for everything; and it is supposed to come quickly. I think that is part of the reason in our world that many people are running toward an easy religion, a religion that requires little, that allows one to sit home and "view the tube" and send in a dollar. Ours is a society that is looking toward "answer-man preachers" with simple answers to complex problems, when all we do is "do as they say." Every time they holler, we send a dollar! And everything will be fine. It is ...

3131. A Frightening Friday

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... so he gave her to one he must have trusted the most. It all happened just before he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Exactly what occurs after that remains questionable, except for mention in the Acts of the Apostles. In reverential retrospect we view a son who refused to die before his mother received some security for the future. For an instant, motherhood is lifted to a new level because she bore the Son of the living God. The ages have spoken of such maternity. Catholics and Orthodox integrated ...

3132. Mary Magdalene’s Day

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... of our religion is based. In short, if there is no resurrected Christ, we have a philosophy and theology among others. It becomes neither unique nor especially powerful. The debate between eastern (Orthodox) and western (Roman Catholic) Christianity shows views with some solid differences. When we enter the explanation of Protestants, we enter into an even wider and more complicated discussion. Nevertheless, there is agreement that she is someone with whom we must come to terms. She cared deeply ...

3133. Those Who Doubt

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... of those promises bore rich fruits for others. Perhaps that is not quite the same as a doubting Thomas but don't miss the similarity. In a way, there is a childlike simplicity about Thomas. If you show me the goods, count on my acceptance of his resurrection! We might view him as a small boy who wants to be convinced but isn't. You say you can hit a ball out of the infield, well show me. You say you are good at flying a kite, well show me. There is an innocent quality to it, isn't there? Rather ...

3134. Recognizing His Disciples

John 13:31-35

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... dependency. Truthfully, we relate to people both inside and outside our churches who can't fathom the need to be dependent. Their philosophy is to go full speed ahead in daily living and not count on any strength but what can be seen and measured. Their view is one of being fully adult and mostly mature. Dependence is not only guaranteed to make you eventually fail, it is a handle for weaklings. Isn't it intriguing how we can become so professional and self-sufficient, that our dear Lord appears to bring ...

3135. Keeping His Word

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... among some of God's people. The purity of inspiration and guidance has been tested more times than anyone can count. Yet, our Lord's message is crystal clear. The Holy Spirit will be their teacher and act as a reminder of all Jesus has said to them. Some view this promise as the creation of a divine pipeline to the Father and the Son. Through this conduit, the Master will continue to walk and talk with them. Others would even go so far as to call it a dispenser of practical truth for those adhering to the ...

3136. A Good-bye Topping All Others

Luke 24:44-53

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... very little out of this miraculous event. Some duly note it in the liturgical calendar and rather tip their hats. Still others underline it and emphasize it as an integral and necessary component to the gospel story. Fortunately, the latter has become a more prevalent view among many clergy. We are called to look into this marvelous matter and make it come to life. We want, as nearly as possible, a complete story don't we? Now, our enthusiasm picks up and we look forward to more. There was summarization to ...

3137. Guided by the Spirit

John 16:12-15

Sermon

David R. Cartwright

... time that these two basic educational approaches became one live issue in the congregation. The discussion centered around how much Bible could or should be taught to young children. There were those who felt that the Bible was basically an adult book. In their view, young children were not up to understanding much of what was going on in the Bible. This was certainly true with concerns such as Old Testament history. But more than this, these dedicated Christians felt that there were parts of the Bible that ...

3138. The Extravagance of Love

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sermon

David R. Cartwright

... also be labeled, "A Religious Man All Wrapped Up In Himself." This is one of the most beautiful stories in the New Testament. It's one of my personal favorites. It asks us to consider whether the cup of life is half empty or half full. The Pharisee views life as basically in limited supply. The woman, on the other hand, is a living example of the extravagance of love. We see in her the extent to which love will go, given the right circumstances. Underneath it all, Simon — that's the name of the Pharisee ...

3139. Abba, Your Kingdom Come

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... of God people try to do things the way God does them. God is willing to forgive us when we hurt him. Therefore, we should be willing to forgive those who hurt us. If we are not willing to forgive those who offend us, even when from our point of view, they don't deserve it, that's a signal that we don't understand that we have been forgiven, when we didn't deserve it. In other words, our promise to be willing to forgive is attached to the prayer petition about forgiveness. "We will try to do for others ...

3140. Cured Cripples and Crabby Critics

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... when she realized that her paralysis was a permanent condition. Since she had no use of her arms or legs, she asked a friend to assist her in taking her life. The friend refused. Joni was bitter and filled with resentment. From a human point of view, who could blame her? Yet, she says that her attitude crippled her as much or more than her accident. Feelings of helplessness and depression gained control until she turned her condition over to Jesus Christ. Today, Joni is a painter, an author, and a speaker ...

3141. Only the Lonely

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... attention to the needs of strangers, often results in unpredictable blessings coming back to the one who offers hospitality. Of course, if you show hospitality in order to get a blessing, your hospitality is fake and no blessings come to you. Hospitality, with no view toward reward, is a major theme of Luke 14. Like humility, the theme of hospitality will preach. But there's another theme hiding in verses 12 through 14. As an extension of the parable about taking high and low seats at a banquet, Jesus ...

3142. A Puzzling Parable with a Sharp Point

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... he wants to tell us about real vales in the kingdom of God compared to the false values of this world. In a parable, the thing to look for is the point of tension to which the parable is addressed. Here, that point of tension is a distorted view of money and possessions. We are stewards, not owners. If we think of ourselves as owners, our possessions will possess us. "You cannot serve God and mammon," Jesus says. In addition to the point of tension in the Pharisees' lives 2,000 years ago, the parable is ...

3143. Welcome, Rich and Poor

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... that there is an afterlife. Life is not just a matter of the here and now. The hereafter is a major category addressed in many of Jesus' parables and teachings. The kingdom of heaven is an overriding teaching of the Bible that corrects a secular view of reality that insists that when you die, that's all there is. In modern times, many people live as if there is no eternity and no eternal consequences to their actions. Ethical relativism is running rampant today. Ethical relativists teach that there are no ...

3144. A Tax Collector Becomes Rich

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way. Jesus makes himself a dinner guest at Zacchaeus' home. As you may well imagine, this did not sit well with the local folks who viewed tax collectors with more than a little dislike. These guys were really hated for what they did for a living. Moreover, it is precisely that fact that makes this encounter so very special. The second verse of our reading says that Zacchaeus was, "A chief tax ...

3145. Father, Forgive Them!

Luke 23:33-43

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... . It also allows us to see Jesus not only as the suffering servant, but as Christ the King. Who but a servant and king could understand the relevance of true forgiveness? When Jesus came into our world, he saw things that the world was unable to see. He viewed the world from more than one vantage point. He saw the world both as a carpenter from Nazareth and as the King of kings. He lived and did things that the rest of humanity could not grasp. He thought thoughts that the world had never thought. He did ...

3146. A Breadbasket Full of Goodies

John 6:25-35

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... by God in ways too many to number, and yet we often feel just like the people in our text for today. We, too, want Jesus to give us one more thing. We want one more demonstration of his power. It is almost as if they, and now us, are viewing Jesus' ministry as a biblical magic show. They wanted yet another demonstration of his power so "then they would believe." It seems to me that it was well past time for them and it is definitely past time for us to believe in him and in the Father who had ...

3147. Building God’s Kingdom: The Christian Challenge

Romans 10:8-13

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... an attitude of acceptance, working together and not with antagonism. We are all on the same team, which bears the name Christian, as assuredly as the world is on the same team, called humankind, to alleviate the suffering in south Asia. We must view ourselves, individuals, and faith communities, as belonging to a larger whole, seeking to use our talents toward the common good, not what I, or my specific faith tradition, may deem necessary. We must think globally but act locally, building God's kingdom by ...

3148. The Hard Sell

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... hide our good deeds and the more they are seen, the better. The world says don’t restrain your natural tendencies of wanting others to see and especially reward, your accomplishments. Yes, the world keeps right on insisting that we are to look at how others view our expressed goodness, even if we have to hire a publicist! But our dear Lord has other plans and they are intended for the saving of our eternal souls. Often, this is a more clear-cut choice than we would like to admit. There are those popular ...

3149. Genesis 2:18-24

Genesis 2:4-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... “ezer” for “adam,” the literal translation of God’s intent is this: “I will make him for him a partner as in front of him” or “according to what is in front of him” (“kenegdo”). The verbal root “neged” suggests one who is “in full view of” or “in front of” — a face-to-face union of equals. There is no hint of superiority or inferiority between the man and the “ezer” that is God’s gift. When the term “ezer” is used in the Old Testament it describes God’s ...

3150. A Prayer for a Unity of Love

Illustration

Thomas Lane Butts

Many people are confused by the plethora of conflicting religious views so often offered with unbending authoritarianism. It is proper to beware of religious spokespersons who are absolutely certain about everything and who leave no room for the essential element of mystery in the human quest to know God. It is often difficult to know who is right and who is ...

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