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 4026 to 4050 of 4770 results

4026. The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the English word “exodus” is derived; see NIV note to 9:31) in Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition Moses and Elijah were expected to return before the advent of the kingdom. The reference to Jesus’s “exodus” shows that his passion is primarily in view (cf. 9:22), although the resurrection may also be implied. The story also focuses on who Jesus is. Peter suggests building three booths for the great men who are present. But Peter misses the significance of the event. The point is that Jesus is ...

4027. The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In the telling of the parable of the good Samaritan (10:25–37) the lawyer wants to involve Jesus in a theological argument over what is necessary for eternal life (10:25). Instead of answering the question, Jesus directly asks the lawyer for his point of view. The lawyer responds by citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18; eternal life is inherited when one loves God with the totality of one’s being and one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus agrees with this response (cf. Mark 12:28–33) but forces the ...

4028. Watchfulness

Luke 12:35-48

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

From the proper attitude toward money Luke now turns to the way disciples should view the interval between Jesus’s ascension and return (12:35–48). The parable of a master returning from a wedding party (12:35–38) shows that while the master is absent his servants should be ready and watching for his return, even if he comes at a time that is ...

4029. Additional Teachings

Luke 16:16-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is forcing their way into it” is problematic. It could mean (1) everyone is urgently invited to enter into the kingdom, or (2) everyone is trying hard to enter into the kingdom, or (3) everyone uses violence against the kingdom. The first view has the most to commend it, for the latter two have difficulty explaining the inclusion of the word “everyone.” Verse 16 emphasizes the discontinuity between the law and the kingdom, but verse 17 qualifies that statement. Actually, the preaching of the kingdom ...

4030. Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

Luke 19:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ” should be understood as futuristic presents. Some scholars claim that Zacchaeus is not repenting of sin here but is defending himself. He has always (present tense) given half of his goods to the poor and repaid those who have been cheated. Such a view is incorrect, for it does not explain the word “today” in verse 9. Zacchaeus reforms his life the day he meets Jesus. Observing what has happened, Jesus says that “salvation has come to this house” (19:9). Salvation is a major Lukan theme, perhaps ...

4031. Apocalyptic Discourse

Luke 21:5-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 63 or later. Jesus, however, predicts that the temple will be completely demolished (21:5–6). The Romans fulfilled this prophecy in AD 70. Some scholars have maintained that this saying was attributed to Jesus after the event occurred, but such a view reflects a bias against predictive prophecy. Jesus now warns his disciples against eschatological enthusiasm and braces them for future persecution (21:7–19). The question of the disciples in verse 7 clearly refers to the date of the fall of Jerusalem, but ...

4032. Resurrection: Scripture Fulfilled

Luke 24:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... even though they were not considered in Jewish society to be credible witnesses. Notice that Luke says nothing about an appearance of Jesus here; the tomb is empty and angels claim he is risen. The women report the news to the apostles, yet the apostles view these tales as “nonsense.” Peter, however, is stimulated to investigate further. He sees the linen that was used to wrap Jesus’s body lying on the ground, and leaves the scene mystified (24:12; cf. John 20:3–9). There are many difficult problems ...

4033. Jesus the Lamb of God

John 1:29-34

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jesus’s baptism but a testimony, an account in John’s own words confessing the identity of Jesus. That Jesus is announced as “the Lamb of God” is striking (1:29). This might refer to the daily sacrifice at the temple. But it is likely better to view it as the sacrificial Passover lamb of Exodus 12 (cf. Isa. 53:7). Later the Gospel will fully employ this imagery when Jesus is sacrificed on the cross at Passover (19:14, 36). The chief announcement of John the Baptist centers on the eminence of Jesus ...

4034. Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

John 4:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Jesus’s departure from the Jordan River is prompted by his concern that the Pharisees are viewing him as supplanting John the Baptist’s ministry (4:1; cf. 3:22–36). Would the hostility toward John now be aimed at Jesus? In the Synoptics, it is John’s arrest that brings Jesus into Galilee (Mark 1:14). The same is true in the Fourth Gospel. Jesus avoids ...

4035. The Healing at the Pool

John 5:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... definition. Jesus is their replacement! Or better, veiled within the liturgical and theological themes of the festival are symbols that point to Jesus, symbols whose true meanings are satisfied in Christ. All of the Book of Signs (chaps. 1–12) might be viewed as giving the reader evidence—judicial evidence—for the truth of Christ’s claims. Indeed, the word “sign” (Greek sēmeion) may be a judicial term for evidence. So too we have been introduced to witnesses who substantiate Jesus’s case ...

4036. Jesus the Bread of Life

John 6:25-59

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 39, 44). Those whom God calls are effectively called and securely preserved (6:39–40; cf. 10:14–18; 17:6). In other words, the work of Jesus and the gathering of disciples are both a result of God’s perfect will. From the crowd’s point of view this revelation is hard to accept, and they murmur (6:41–43). Is Jesus not a commonplace citizen of Galilee (cf. Mark 6:1–6)? How can he descend from heaven? But Jesus knows that further explanation will not complete what is lacking. The gift of faith and ...

4037. Jesus Goes to the Feast of Tabernacles

John 7:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... John states clearly, they “did not believe in him” (7:5). Does Jesus deceive them when he says that he will not go to the feast (7:8) and then he does (7:10)? (See the note in the NIV.) The earliest interpreters of John viewed this as a classic case of Jesus’s symbolism and its attendant misunderstanding. Jesus’s brothers lack belief and do not have divine insight; not just anyone can fully comprehend the Son (cf. 6:44). “Going up” (Greek anabainō) elsewhere for Jesus means death, resurrection ...

4038. Is Jesus the Christ?

John 7:25-44

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... mean his travel to prohibited Gentile lands (7:35). This illustrates once more the truth that access to divine revelation rests solely in God’s sovereign hand (6:44–58). On the last feast day, numerous ceremonies involving sacrifice and ritual water could be viewed at the temple. Reading Zechariah 9–14, we see the priests portray how in the last days everlasting fountains would flow from Jerusalem (Zech. 13:1; 14:8). Pitchers of water from the Gihon Spring were poured on the altar as the Hallel Psalms ...

4039. The Woman Caught in Adultry

John 7:45--8:11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... wives for an illicit affair, chose to have them “set up” with witnesses for execution. (If a man thus executed his wife, he became heir to her property; but not if he divorced her.) But this self-interest was deemed morally wrong. If witnesses viewed preliminary coition, they were obliged to interrupt the act and prevent the greater crime. If, as we suspect, a man has discharged his wife thus and engineered testimony (“caught in the act,” 8:4) to execute her without warning her, the entire affair ...

4040. Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

John 9:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... conflict stories, this narrative is closely connected with the previous chapter. We are still at the Feast of Tabernacles setting, and Jesus is still affirming that he is “the light of the world” (9:5; cf. 8:12). Here the light of Jesus is parabolically viewed in the service of a blind man who gains his vision. But those who live in darkness without this light (the Jewish opponents) cannot see. In the end, the Pharisees are described as blind since they do not possess the spiritual vision or the light ...

4041. The Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is found in the Spirit. Christ in Spirit will indwell the believer. Jesus’s new metaphor in chapter 15 affirms this again. The verb for indwelling (Greek menō; 14:17) appears numerous times (NIV “remain,” 15:4–7, 9–10), but now it is viewed in terms of its results. Spiritual experiences must lead to fruit-bearing in the form of new obedience and love. The vine/vineyard metaphor is used frequently in the Old Testament. Israel is often depicted as a vine transplanted from Egypt (Ps. 80:8–11 ...

4042. The Resurrection

John 20:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in his resurrection at this point (John 20:9). For her, Jesus’s body has simply been reburied elsewhere. Her report to the disciples introduces a complete shift in subject (20:3–10). While the story provides numerous accurate details about what they view (20:5–7), the story primarily emphasizes the relation between John (the beloved disciple) and Peter. In the Fourth Gospel, John always gains the upper hand. He outruns Peter to the tomb (20:4) and looks in first. Even though Peter goes in first ...

4043. God’s Wrath against Mankind

Romans 1:18-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ” (Gen. 2:24). Paul’s language (“unnatural,” “inflamed,” “lust,” “shameful”) denies same-sex relationships any decency or dignity. (The question whether homosexuality is a genetic disposition or a “natural” and personal tendency does not come into view; Paul would surely argue that just as other patterns of sinful behavior—such as malice or deceit—represent natural predispositions or personal preferences, the decisive question is not what people prefer and what their natural or ...

4044. God’s Faithfulness

Romans 3:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , links the premise of Israel’s divine election with Paul’s argument in 2:17–29. The question is raised of whether the unfaithfulness of some Jews nullifies God’s faithfulness to Israel. Paul protests against the suggestion that he holds such a view (see commentary on 9:1–11:36). He agrees with the theological principle his Jewish dialogue partner cites, quoting Psalm 51:4. God’s truth is the reliability of his faithfulness, which stands in contrast to the falseness and sinfulness of every human ...

4045. Righteousness Through Faith

Romans 3:21-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... power of sin. Because Jesus is the sinless sacrifice and dies in the place of sinners, the sinners live. The phrase “God presented Christ” describes Jesus’s death as a public manifestation of God’s grace. Jesus died in public, in full view of the citizens of Jerusalem. The effects of Jesus’s death are appropriated “by faith” in Jesus Christ (3:25–26)—that is, by responding with trust and confidence. Another effect of salvation is the demonstration of God’s righteousness; God demonstrated ...

4046. Struggling With Sin

Romans 7:7-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the “I” (Greek egō) is disputed. The main interpretations are autobiographical (Paul recounts his own experience), salvation-historical (Paul describes the experience of Israel), related to Adam (Paul recounts the experience of Adam), universal (Paul reflects on the experience of humankind). In view of the structure of Paul’s argument in chapters 7–8 (as suggested by 7:5–6) in the context of his argument since 1:18, it is not plausible to assume that he would write a long text about his personal ...

4047. The Remnant of Israel

Romans 11:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to be proclaimed among the Gentiles, whose experience of God’s saving grace is meant to make Israel jealous (11:11–24), prompting Jews to repent and to find salvation as well, in fulfillment of God’s promises (11:25–32). 11:1–10 · In view of Paul’s argument that only Israel is to be blamed for their failure to believe in God’s revelation of saving righteousness through Jesus the Messiah (chaps. 9–10), the conclusion that God has rejected Israel (11:1) might seem plausible. Paul rejects such ...

4048. Ingrafted Branches

Romans 11:11-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s kindness, they will experience God’s severity (11:22). There is always the possibility that Jews will come to faith in Jesus Messiah and will be grafted back into the olive tree, “if they do not persist in unbelief,” because nothing is impossible in view of God’s power (11:23). If God could graft wild shoots into the olive tree, then he can graft the original branches back into the olive tree (11:24). Gentile Christians who think that the unbelief of the Jewish people excludes them forever from ...

4049. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... is reversible (9:18, 21–23; 11:1–10). The suggestion that there is a separate path to salvation for Jews and for Gentiles, with the former being saved at the end through their faithfulness to the (old) covenant and their obedience to the law, is impossible in view of Paul’s burning desire for the Jewish people to be saved (9:1–3; 10:1), which happens when they no longer stumble over Jesus the Messiah (9:32–33). Most suggest that “all Israel will be saved” means that there will be a large-scale ...

4050. Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... on the church as the body of Christ (12:3–8), on love as the criterion of behavior (12:9–21), on believers’ obligation to civic authorities (13:1–7), on the fulfillment of the law (13:8–10), and on the urgency of the present time in view of Christ’s return (13:11–14). 12:3–8 · Paul begins his discussion of life in the community of believers with an affirmation of his apostolic authority—what follows is not his personal opinion but the will of God. He urges believers to base their self ...

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