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 3926 to 3950 of 4770 results

3926. Spiritual Warfare and Jewish Suffering

Daniel 8:1-14

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... day (cf. Gen. 1), this period parallels the last “seven” (years) in Daniel 9:27. The latter might reflect the time beginning with Antiochus’s murder of the high priest Onias III in 170 BC. Either way, the same general time of suffering is in view.12 The temple’s rededication occurred in 164 BC, when the holiday of Hanukkah was established (1 Macc. 4:36–59). Theological Insights Daniel 8:1–14 turns noticeably darker than the vision of chapter 7. Three facets of God’s sovereignty are embedded in ...

3927. The Rise of Media, Persia, and Greece

Daniel 8:15-27

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... used before humans (2 Sam. 9:6). Falling into a trance usually involves a theophany (Gen. 15:12). The Hebrew ben ’adam (“son of man”) is synonymous with the Aramaic bar ’enash in Daniel 7:13, although Daniel is clearly the one in view here. “Later in the time of wrath [za‘am]” connotes God’s “indignation,”6 which is described further in verse 23. The varied references to the distant future set the endpoint of this vision beyond Daniel’s life, but not necessarily into the eschatological ...

3928. Closing

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... will effectively open their Spirit-filled hearts to the apostle and thus affirm the solidarity of believers in the sphere of Christ (cf. 6:11–7:2). Paul affirms that these three gifts are with you all. This is an amazing statement in view of the dissension and strife in the church at Corinth. Paul does not normally include the word all in this part of the closing grace benediction; therefore, its inclusion here is probably highly significant. Paul is saying that, despite the current factions and ...

3929. How to Deal with Demons

Matthew 12:38-50

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... bad that happened to people was ascribed to the work of demons. This was the primary explanation for illness and unacceptable behavior. While we are not willing to have that kind of rigid understanding, there is a profound truth in this view of the reality of the demonic, in that is simply underscores that reality. Psychologists and psychiatrists are joining preachers and theologians in a concept of demon possession that gives evil an objectives existence of its own. The witness is convincing that ...

3930. A Lesson Learned from a Snake

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... the Yorkshire moors, he saw a lovely white cottage. It was shining brightly in the afternoon sun and looked so clean and white. A few days later Barclay was returning home along the same route. A lovely snow had fallen. Soon the white cottage came into view. But in contrast to the snow, the clean cottage looked “drab and soiled and almost grey--in comparison with the virgin whiteness of the driven snow.” That is how Zacchaeus regarded his own life in the presence of Jesus. Not because it was required of ...

3931. A Celebration of Hope

Isaiah 2:1-5

Sermon

King Duncan

... Mid-east, we watch people sink in despair because of falling wages and glaring inequality, we listen to the roar of racism and we wonder if it is possible that Americans will ever be optimistic about the future again? Of course, that is a superficial view of history. There have been many eras in our brief history when things have been far worse. Consider the two World Wars or the Depression or the Civil War. It is difficult to believe but only a few generations back, human slavery was an accepted practice ...

3932. The Creation of the World

Genesis 1:1-2:3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... The seventh day alone is called “holy” (2:1–3). It is significant that the word “holy” is applied in Scripture first to the concept of time, not to space. Pagan mentality would place a premium on space and holy places; time and history are viewed as cyclical. The absence of the phrase “and there was evening, and there was morning—the ________ day,” after the seventh day indicates that God is not resting because he is exhausted but is desisting from his work of creation. It is not so much ...

3933. Adam and Eve

Genesis 2:4-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 2 emphasizes humankind as under authority. This section (2:4–7) is introduced as “the account of the heavens and the earth”; this is the first of ten units in Genesis introduced with “account of” (or, “story of, descendants of”). In a sense man is viewed as the offspring of the heavens and the earth. But it is an earth without vegetation and water (2:5), except for subterranean streams (2:6). God is pictured as a potter. He forms man from the dust. Perhaps we should translate dust as “mud ...

3934. Return to Egypt

Exodus 4:18-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to Egypt, the Lord declares that his signs and wonders will parallel the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God’s hardening and Pharaoh’s responsibility in hardening his own heart are inextricably interwoven. In both Israelite and Egyptian contexts the heart was viewed as the center of volitional, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual capacities. Three Hebrew words are used for hardening: hazaq, “to strengthen” (4:21; 7:13, 22; 8:19; 9:12, 35; 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17); qashah, “to be difficult ...

3935. Tenth Plague and Departure of Israel

Exodus 12:31-42

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the tabernacle (Exod. 25:1–7; 35:4–29). In the Old Testament pattern plunder is taken when Israelites are victorious, as they are here. The Lord gives Israel favor in the eyes of Egypt, suggesting that the Egyptians view this as “paying off” Yahweh in order to escape any further devastation. The Hebrew verb translated “plunder” may also mean “save,” perhaps signaling some positive outcome for Egypt as they essentially gave this offering to the Lord. The biblical text uniformly ...

3936. Bitter Waters

Exodus 15:22-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to the word “torah” (instruction). As Jewish rabbis of late antiquity discussed what kind of a tree might sweeten bitter waters, one of their suggestions was that the tree symbolized torah itself; this verb strengthened that interpretation. Knowledge of torah was viewed as a sufficient antidote to deal with the bitter experiences of life. At this point, God states his intention to test the Israelites. Although the specific contents of the decree and the law are not articulated, the people are to obey ...

3937. Personal Injuries

Exodus 21:12-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... not as rigorous (21:32). Masters can discipline slaves but not to the point of death (20:20–21). Otherwise the slave can be avenged. These instructions oscillate between humane justice and the concern for economics, as slaves represented a financial investment and were viewed as property. Even so, there are no other ancient Near Eastern legal codes that protect slaves from maltreatment by masters. The case in Exodus 21:22–25 is complicated by the woman’s pregnancy. If, as a result of the blow, “her ...

3938. The Golden Calf

Ex 32:1–33:6

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... may represent Israel’s return to the gods of Egypt, flagrant idolatry. On the other hand, when Aaron fashions the calf, declares it is the god who has brought them out of Egypt, and proclaims the next day a festival to the Lord, he apparently does not view himself as engaged in wholesale apostasy (32:1–5). Ezekiel’s vision of cherubim involves calves’ feet and a face like an ox (Ezek. 1:5–10). When the temple is constructed according to plans that the Spirit has given David (1 Chron. 28:11–13 ...

3939. Covenant Blessings and Curses

Lev 26:1-46

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... This chiasm frames the intervening chapters, containing a wide variety of laws governing many aspects of life. So when 26:3 refers to keeping God’s laws as the condition for enjoying the covenant blessings, the whole collection of divine statutes is in view. Repetition of two of the Ten Commandments at the outset in verses 1–2—against idolatry and for keeping the Lord’s Sabbath—is significant. Obeying these commands is crucial for showing loyalty to God. Most of chapter 26 consists of conditional ...

3940. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

Numbers 12:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... so, they are belittling Zipporah for the darker color of her Midianite skin by likening her to an Ethiopian (or Nubian). They are choosing to regard Moses’s marriage to this non-Israelite (although descended from Abraham; Gen. 25:1–2), whom they view as inferior, as diminishing his leadership. Moses does not attempt to defend himself against Miriam and Aaron, due to his extreme humility (Num. 12:3—not likely written by Moses to honor himself). He is not confident in himself but is completely confident ...

3941. The Budding of Aaron's Staff

Numbers 17:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

To put a final end to challenges against the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants, God tells Moses to set up a positive test with staffs from the tribal leaders and Aaron, which cannot be viewed as black magic (Num. 17:1–7). By the next day, Aaron’s staff (cf. Exod. 7:9–10, 12, 19; 8:5, 16–17) has miraculously blossomed and already produced ripe almonds (Exod. 25:33–34; 37:19–20), proving that the holy God, the Creator of life, has ...

3942. Law of Purification from Corpse Impurity

Numbers 19:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the mystery. First, water containing the cow’s ashes removes corpse contamination by absorbing impurity from the person or thing on which it is sprinkled. This explains why a pure person who touches the water receives impurity from it. Second, the burning cow is viewed as a unit both in time and space. So when tiny parts of it in the form of ashes later absorb impurity, the whole cow becomes impure at the time of its burning. Therefore, those who participate in the burning become secondarily contaminated ...

3943. Northern Kings Defeated

Joshua 11:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... enslavement, he implies that the delay in allowing Abraham’s descendants to take possession of the land is because the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. Thus, the hardening of the hearts of the indigenous population (11:20) should be viewed as the Lord’s judgment on a people whose sin has reached a stage that demands judgment. Note also the singling out of the destruction of the Anakites for special mention (11:21–22). This is probably because it was the Anakites who initially ...

3944. Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

Josh 16:1–17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . Perhaps to provide further insight into the failures of the Joseph tribes, a dispute between them and Joshua is then recorded (17:14–18). It begins with the Joseph tribes complaining to Joshua about the inadequacy of their single allotment (cf. 16:1) in view of their great number. In response, Joshua challenges them to take on the Perizzites and Raphaites, who control parts of the hill country within their allotment, so that they can clear the forest for more space. But they reply that even then there ...

3945. The Covenant Renewed at Shechem

Joshua 24:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... setting, with Joshua sharing parting instructions with the nation’s leaders, the second is delivered in the context of a covenant renewal ceremony in which formal responses are demanded and an official memorial is set up. Two observations further support the view that the occasion depicted in Joshua 24 is a formal covenant renewal ceremony. First, that the people are described as presenting themselves “before God” (24:1) suggests the presence of the ark. Second, the choice of Shechem, located in the ...

3946. Deborah and Barak

Judges 4:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... who is meant to occupy the role of the deliverer judge. That subsequent references to the judges in 1 Samuel 12:11 and Hebrews 11:32 mention only Barak by name but not Deborah also seems to confirm that both Jewish and early Christian traditions view Barak rather than Deborah as the deliverer judge. When Deborah sends for Barak and commissions him on behalf of the Lord to fight Sisera (4:6–9), Barak makes his acceptance conditional on Deborah’s willingness to go with him. Given the Lord’s clear ...

3947. Samson's Marriage

Judges 14:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his request by declaring that the woman is literally “right in his eyes” (14:3). Given the blatant disapproval of marriages with foreigners already expressed in Judges 3:5–6, it seems obvious that Samson’s desires in this matter should be viewed negatively. But the supplementary information provided by the narrator, that Samson’s parents are ignorant of the Lord’s plan to seek an occasion against the Philistines, suddenly seems to cast that evaluation in doubt. Is Samson right to seek a marriage ...

3948. Danites Settle in Laish

Judges 18:1-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... although the author has not directly evaluated this recommendation, the fact that attacking peaceful (shaqat) and unsuspecting (batah) people is considered an evil plan in later prophetic writing (cf. Ezek. 38:10–12) should cast some light on how this recommendation is to be viewed. So six hundred Danites set out toward Laish. When they pass by Micah’s house, the spies mention the idols at his shrine, and the Danites decide to go and take them. The Levite at Micah’s shrine initially tries to stop them ...

3949. Widows and Their Worries: Back to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , 203). The fact that Ruth willfully becomes an Israelite and embraces the Lord by moving to Judah is somewhat typical of one in the ancient world adopting the god of the land to which they have moved. Her actions are atypical, however, when viewed against the average Israelite who, at that time, tended toward adopting foreign gods alongside the Lord. This syncretism (fusing two or more originally different beliefs into one) so dominant at the time the story unfolds is something Ruth chooses not to embrace ...

3950. A Worthy Woman Meets a Worthy Man

Ruth 2:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... assimilation rather than her religious syncretism. Boaz’s words function as a testimonial of Ruth’s character. Indeed, Ruth is doing what she previously pledged to Naomi, to become an Israelite (1:16–17). Furthermore, Boaz’s statement reveals that he views Ruth functionally as an Israelite. In these three ways, Boaz’s speech reveals his strong reputation and character. Through his acts of kindness, Boaz becomes the answer to his own prayer, as the Lord blesses Ruth when Boaz showers her with ...

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