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 3526 to 3550 of 4339 results

3526. Portions for the Priests and the Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... the money from the church’s benevolence funds. It turns out that he had done something similar to a group in Mississippi. The image of the huckster preacher is embedded in the American psyche by news accounts like this one, and through literary characters such as Sinclair Lewis’s fictional evangelist, Elmer Gantry. The Bible is aware that not every minister is virtuous. Eli’s two worthless sons “were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt” (1 Sam. 2:17) rather than with the holiness that it ...

3527. Joshua Appointed as Moses’s Successor

Numbers 27:12-23

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... ’s human spirit rather than God’s Holy Spirit (against NASB, NIVmg, ESV), though the interpretations need not be mutually exclusive: personal qualities such as wisdom and counsel can come from God’s Spirit (see Isa. 11:2). Joshua’s spirit shows the character and leadership qualities necessary to be qualified to replace Moses, including “the spirit of wisdom” (Deut. 34:9), and strength and courage (cf. Josh. 1:7, 9). The Bible says that one whose heart has melted away in fear “has no spirit ...

3528. The Road to the Throne Is Covered with Blood

2 Sam 1:1–5:5

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... . The promise as quoted by Abner does not appear earlier in the story. Ironically it resembles God’s promise to Saul (see 1 Sam. 9:16; 10:1 [LXX]). In Abner’s mind, David has replaced Saul as God’s chosen deliverer of Israel. Abner joins the other characters in the story that have acknowledged David’s royal destiny, including Jonathan (1 Sam. 23:17), Saul (24:20), and Abigail (25:28–30). 3:21 my lord the king. David addressed Saul in this way (24:8; 26:17), and he referred to Saul as Abner’s ...

3529. A Prodigal Son Comes Home in Body, but Not in Spirit

2 Sam 14:1–15:12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... Go and set it on fire. The incident depicts Absalom (once again!) as one who is not afraid to resort to destructive and risky measures to get his own way.3His behavior here and in the following account may contain echoes of less-than-admirable characters that have appeared in the pages of the Former Prophets. Like Absalom, Abimelek committed fratricide (Judg. 9:1–6), promoted himself as king, and set fire to the property of others (v. 49). Like long-haired Absalom (cf. 2 Sam. 14:26), long-haired Samson ...

3530. The Lord Thwarts a Shrewd Counselor

2 Sam 16:15–17:29

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... which will serve as a humbling reminder to Gawain of his failure.9 Poetry: “The Man Watching,” by Rainer Maria Rilke. In this poem (1920), translated by Robert Bly, Rilke (1875–1926), a very compelling poet, writes about the Angel who wrestled with characters in the Old Testament. To be beaten by such an angel was something to be proud of, to be strengthened by: paradoxically, this was growth by defeat. After an experience of discipline, Ken Gire quotes this poem and writes, According to the biblical ...

3531. Ruling in the Fear of the Lord

2 Samuel 23:1-7

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... 39) and will experience the light of his kingdom (Rev. 21:23; 22:5). Illustrating the Text Fearing the Lord has important manifestations in our lives. Literature: The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. In this classic children’s tale (1908), one of the characters, “the Mole,” has a supernatural experience, and a great awe falls upon him, “an awe that turned his muscles to water, bowed his head, and rooted his feet to the ground. It was no panic terror—indeed he felt wonderfully at peace and ...

3532. The Ark Does Some Damage

1 Samuel 5:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... of his people could possibly be the same as the good Lion by whose blood all Narnia was saved.15 When Tirian accuses the ape of lying, the Calormenes bind the king to a tree. Tirian calls on Aslan for help, and some of the other characters who have populated the Narnian chronicles come to his aid. A fight ensues, and finally Aslan appears. All the people and animals, including those who previously died, gather outside the barn and are judged by Aslan. Those loyal to Aslan or the code upheld by the Narnians ...

3533. Saul’s Finest Hour

1 Sam 11:1-15

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... attributes or his status as the newly acclaimed king. Unfortunately, Saul will soon get out of step with the divine Spirit and forfeit God’s enabling power (1 Sam. 16:14). That power will be transferred to another, whose inner character is predisposed to obey God (13:14). Illustrating the Text The Lord is capable of delivering his people from threatening enemies. Quote: Real Presences, by George Steiner. Steiner (b. 1929) is an influential American literary critic, essayist, philosopher, novelist, and ...

3534. Samuel Confronts the People

1 Samuel 12:1-25

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... is to love one another (John 15:9–17). 2. The Lord remains faithful to his covenantal commitment, even when his people prove unworthy. The Lord’s willingness to forgive his people and restore them to a covenantal relationship derives from his faithful character. Samuel indicates that the Lord will not reject his people, because his reputation as a faithful God is at stake (1 Sam. 12:22). One sees this theme elsewhere in the Old Testament. The most famous psalm of all affirms that God providentially ...

3535. Saul Forfeits a Dynasty

1 Samuel 13:1-15

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... commands” (cf. Acts 13:22). Long shows that the statement “You have acted foolishly” is balanced by and contrasted with “sought out a man after his own heart” in the structure of verses 13–14.6 This suggests that the latter refers to a character quality of the new king. Furthermore, the phrase “according to your heart” is used in 14:7 by Jonathan’s armor-bearer to emphasize that he is “with” Jonathan in “heart and soul,” that is, loyal to Jonathan and committed to whatever Jonathan ...

3536. The Lord Is with David

1 Samuel 18:1-30

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... God: “If I am a good man, will you allow me to become an extraordinary composer?” Upon meeting Mozart, Salieri realizes that Mozart is indeed a superior musician, a fact that enrages him since he considers himself to be a person of greater character. His anger at God sours his spirit, and he grows destructive toward Mozart. He speaks viciously about Mozart whenever he can, humiliating him and his wife, and even ruins his reputation with significant people. Salieri’s jealousy is not unlike what often ...

3537. Saul on the Rampage

1 Samuel 22:6-23

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... , he takes an adversarial stance against the Lord himself. Twice more in the following verses the narrator uses the phrase “priests of the Lord” to emphasize the enormity of Saul’s crime (vv. 17, 21).2 In both cases it reflects the perspective of the characters; we see this if we highlight the phrase: in verse 17 Saul’s servants refuse to carry out the king’s orders, realizing it would be an atrocity to kill the Lord’s priests. In verse 21 Abiathar reports to David that Saul had the audacity ...

3538. The Lord Guides, Encourages, and Protects David

1 Samuel 23:1-29

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... moral and ethical standards, can delude themselves into thinking that God is on their side. When this happens, they can easily misinterpret circumstances in such as way as to validate their delusions. At the foundation of Saul’s delusion is a fundamental character flaw: he consistently walks by sight, not by faith. Illustrating the Text God guides, encourages, and protects his chosen servants amid danger. Bible: Daniel 6:1–18. The story of Daniel in the lions’ den. Film: Soul Surfer. This film (2011 ...

3539. David Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... wait for the promise to materialize in God’s own good time. He does not know when God will give him the throne, but he does know that it is wrong for him to lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed and that he can trust God’s just character. This is a relevant episode for all those who possess a promise from God but find themselves in a precarious position where the promise is delayed and may even seem to be in jeopardy. It encourages the oppressed people of God to wait on him and to take refuge in ...

3540. David Spares Saul’s Life—Again

1 Samuel 26:1-25

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... son at the hands of a sociopathic gang. This event changes Hume forever. Embittered by grief, he eventually comes to a disturbing conclusion that he must go to any length to avenge his son’s death. After the desire for vengeance has infected him, Hume gradually becomes like the evil characters who first victimized his son. The movie teaches the evil of such self-proclaimed vigilante justice.

3541. David Flees to Gath—Again

1 Samuel 27:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... s servants to place themselves in precarious situations. Bible: Luke 22:51–62. In the account noted above, Peter compromises his identity as a disciple of Christ temporarily because his faith has wavered, and he is afraid. A steadfast faith relies on the character of God and his historic provision for his children. Prayer: “The Serenity Prayer.” One of the most well-known prayers of our time, a portion of which was picked up and made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1950s, this prayer is thought ...

3542. Escaping a Tangled Web

1 Samuel 30:1-31, 1 Samuel 29:1-11

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... David to the position of his bodyguard (28:1–2). David has to continue to carry out his ruse to almost ludicrous proportions. Even if he marches into battle with the Philistines and then turns on them, opponents of David could call his character into question. He has indeed woven a tangled web of deception, from which there appears to be no easy way out. But God’s providence works through the Philistine officers, who are suspicious of David because of his past military success against their armies ...

3543. Tell It Not in Gath!

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 1 Samuel 31:1-13

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... is guilty of mass murder (Judg. 9:5; 1 Sam. 22:18) and deserves his fate. In contrast to Abimelek, Saul is the chosen servant of God, but in the end he falls so far from God’s ideal for him that he dies like one of the most evil characters on the pages of the Former Prophets. 31:6 So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died. This report is particularly tragic when one recalls the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer, recorded in 1 Samuel 14. On that occasion Jonathan and ...

3544. Bildad Has the Answer (He Thinks!)

Job 8:1-22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... moisture, the plant quickly withers and dies. Interpretive Insights 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Bildad’s rhetorical question clearly expects a negative answer. Distorting Job’s complaint against God in 7:7–21, Bildad implies that Job has maligned God’s righteous character and his rule (cf. Pss. 89:14–15; 99:4). Bildad is as much as saying that if God cannot do what is unjust, then Job necessarily must be sinful. From Bildad’s total commitment to retribution theology, only this could account ...

3545. Job’s Hope against Hope

Job 19:1-29

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Daniel J. Estes

... no expectation that anyone else will stand up with him in his defense (19:13–22). Sensing that he could well lose this legal dispute because the deck seems to be stacked against him, Job longs for a permanent record to be made that could witness forever to his character. He does not want justice to die with him; rather, he wants his claim to keep speaking even after his death. 19:25 I know that my redeemer lives. See the sidebar. 19:26–27 yet in my flesh I will see God. Job’s hope, however, is ...

3546. Zophar’s Final Words for Job

Job 20:1-29

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Daniel J. Estes

... , Zophar insists that God always destroys the wicked. Zophar cannot conceive of a special case, as Job claims to be, in which a righteous person could suffer adversity in God’s ordered world. For Zophar, all one has to do to determine the inner character of a person is to observe what that person experiences in life. If a person receives the kinds of affliction that have come upon Job, then that person is indeed wicked, because God always repays sinners with affliction. In times of adversity, it is ...

3547. Job Destroys the Friends’ Major Argument

Job 21:1-34

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Daniel J. Estes

... sometimes suffer adversity in God’s world. Even though they raise deep and troubling questions, in their larger contexts they all point in the direction of God’s sovereign, but at times inscrutable, will. The classic example of this disconnect between one’s personal character and how one is treated is the death of Christ, in which the sinless Son of God suffered crucifixion at the hands of evil men, all within the predetermined plan of God (Acts 2:22–24). Teaching the Text In this chapter, Job uses ...

3548. “The Lord Watches over the Way of the Righteous”

Psalm 1:1-6

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C. Hassell Bullock

... choose to meditate on God’s law, we are choosing to receive the spiritual and life nutrients that come through his Word. The result of receiving those spiritual nutrients is that we will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. That is, we will become more like Jesus in our character and will be used by God to help transform the world.

3549. “You Are Not a God Who Is Pleased with Wickedness”

Psalm 5:1-12

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C. Hassell Bullock

... (“your holy temple,” 5:7) through an abundance of God’s love (cf. 1 John 3:1). The third perspective is the picture of evil and evildoers. The six terms of 5:4–6 that crescendo into the shedding of blood and character assassination (“bloodthirsty,” “deceitful”) utilize the primary colors on the literary artist’s palette and describe evil mainly in terms of harmful human relationships. When Paul sets forth his claim that all human beings, gentile and Jew alike, are under the power of ...

3550. “Have Mercy on Me, Lord, for I Am Faint”

Psalm 6:1-10

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C. Hassell Bullock

... .”8 The sudden turn away from the psalmist’s overwhelming troubles that occurs in 6:8 is a turn in faith, based on God’s “unfailing love” (hesed). Thus verses 8–10 are a cry of victory. The psalmist could have succumbed to the character distortion of his enemies and accepted their view of him and his circumstances, but he found the reshaping power of love to be truly transforming. God’s reshaping love is painful, but it produces a new perspective on our lives and reshapes the distorted ...

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