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 4126 to 4150 of 4971 results

4126. Personal Accountability

Ezekiel 18:1-32, Ezekiel 19:1-14

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... , ‘The way of the LORD is not just.’” (v. 25). The word rendered “just” here (the Heb. verb takan) has broadly to do with measuring and weighing (see 45:11), and occurs in connection with construction (Exod. 5:18; 2 Kgs. 12:11), or the Lord’s care in creation (Job 28:25; Ps. 75:3; Isa. 40:12–13). Apart from Ezekiel, where it appears ten times, this word occurs most commonly in Proverbs where it refers to God’s judgment, weighing the hearts and motives of individuals (Prov. 16:2; 21:2; 24:12 ...

4127. Miscellaneous Oracles of Judgment

Ezekiel 21:1-32, Ezekiel 22:1-31

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... common is the realm of ordinary life, or what we might call the secular. While the Holiness Code calls all Israel to holiness (see, e.g., Lev. 19:2), in its most particular sense the holy is that area which is God’s alone. God commands that Israel take strict care that the holy and the common do not mix (in Ezek. 42:20, the wall around the temple complex is meant “to separate the holy from the common”). The story of Uzzah, who touched the ark and was struck dead (2 Sam. 6:7//1 Chr. 13:10), provides a ...

4128. Tyre, Sidon—and Israel

Ezekiel 26:1-21, Ezekiel 27:1-36, Ezekiel 28:1-19, Ezekiel 28:20-26

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... in the poetry of verses 3–11. 27:26–36 Having set forth a powerfully effective portrait of Tyre as a taut and graceful ship, “perfect in beauty” (vv. 3, 4, 11), Ezekiel now describes that ship torn apart by a storm at sea. Despite the care and fine materials that went into its construction, despite its expert crew, Tyre goes to the bottom. Its crew and all its fine cargo are lost beneath the waves. A modern reader may think of the Titanic, famously unsinkable, which nonetheless sank on its maiden ...

4129. Jesus Adopted by Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... was a German princess, the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania, with an impeccable pedigree. Yet after her marriage to Ludwig IV, she established a hospital, where she herself served and cared for the poor in their sickness. Outside the hospital she cared for the poor and downcast, spinning wool and sharing food. For the ways she willingly emptied herself and relinquished her rights, Elizabeth was canonized shortly after her death. Her actions illustrate an incarnational way of ...

4130. Jesus’ Baptism by John

Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 3:13-17

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Jeannine K. Brown

... of the Jewish aristocracy whose focus was temple service and administration. This means that their role in Matthew is mostly limited to Jerusalem and so to the beginning and ending of the narrative (e.g., here and 22:23, 34). The Pharisees were known for their careful interpretation of the Jewish law. They are Jesus’ central opponents in Matthew (e.g., chaps. 12, 15, 23). Narratively, this is because Jesus is portrayed as the right interpreter of the Torah in contrast to them (15:1–20; 23:1–24). It is ...

4131. Sermon on the Mount: Final Warnings and Call to Obey Jesus’ Words

Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29

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Jeannine K. Brown

... ; instead, good deeds are best identified with those that have been given priority in the sermon—actions such as seeking reconciliation, faithfulness in marriage, nonretaliation, prayer and love for enemy, giving to the poor, and fasting (e.g., 5:21–46; 6:1–18). Second, Matthew takes care to show narratively who is a follower of Jesus. Followers of Jesus and those who come to him in faith call him “Lord” (e.g., 8:2; 26:22) (see the sidebar “Who Calls Jesus ‘Lord’ in Matthew?”). Given this ...

4132. Jesus’ Authority to Perform Miracles

Matthew 8:18-22, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew 9:1-8

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Jeannine K. Brown

... power of the kingdom is not welcomed by everyone. 9:2 When Jesus saw their faith. Matthew highlights the faith of the friends of the paralyzed man (“their faith”), in concert with others in chapters 8–9 who come trusting that Jesus can heal someone they care for (8:5–6; 9:18). The theme of faith is pervasive in these miracle chapters, both implicitly and explicitly (8:2, 10, 13; 9:2, 18, 22, 28–29; cf. 8:26), as Matthew highlights the importance of trusting in Jesus’ authority to heal in line ...

4133. Sabbath Controversies with the Pharisees

Matthew 12:1-14

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Jeannine K. Brown

... temple, purity concerns, and Sabbath regulations. Yet Matthew has no problem accenting Jesus’ adherence to the Torah and his claims that he and his followers are innocent of the charge of breaking the Jewish law. For Matthew, Jesus differs from certain Jewish teachers in his care for the central theme of mercy (9:13; 12:7). This theme itself is inherent in the Torah and is emphasized by the Hebrew prophets as they expound on the Torah (Hosea 6:6). So instead of making the Jewish law the foil in order ...

4134. Pharisees Reject the Divine Origin of Jesus’ Power

Matthew 12:22-37, Matthew 12:38-45, Matthew 12:46-50

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Jeannine K. Brown

... and brothers stood outside. Matthew 12:46–50 is the narrative unit that leads into Matthew’s third major discourse of Jesus’ teaching (13:1–53). As with the other discourses (e.g., 5:1–7:29; 10:1–11:1), Matthew carefully arranges material leading up to and surrounding these teaching units. In this case, stories involving members of Jesus’ family form an inclusio around the Parables Discourse (12:46; 13:55–56). Matthew uses these references to Jesus’ family to highlight issues of loyalty ...

4135. The Disciples’ Insufficient Faith to Heal as Jesus Heals

Matthew 17:14-23, Matthew 17:24-27

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Jeannine K. Brown

... causing stumbling or offense (17:27), a theme that will be taken up in chapter 18 (18:6–9). Interpretive Insights 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son. Matthew tells of numerous supplicants who come to Jesus for healing for themselves or those in their care (8–9; 15:21–28; 20:29–34). And as they ask for mercy, they receive healing from Jesus, the compassionate Messiah. He has seizures and is suffering greatly. In 17:18 it becomes clear that a demon causes the boy’s suffering, but initially Matthew ...

4136. Jesus Is the Example of Service for His Followers

Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 20:20-28

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Jeannine K. Brown

... has been used to frame the parable of the workers to indicate the reversal (and more particularly, equalization) of status in the kingdom. Here Jesus picks up this motif again to highlight the same point: his disciples should renounce status concerns and embrace service and care for others. 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Jesus points to his own mission as the analogy for his disciples’ service on behalf of others. As the Messiah-King (which he will “announce ...

4137. Jesus Demonstrates Messianic Authority over the Temple

Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 21:18-22

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Jeannine K. Brown

... Gospel (see 27:64). It has become all too easy in Christian sermons and reflection to castigate all of Judaism, in spite of Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus as the (Jewish) Messiah and as savior of Israel (1:21). We would be wise to consider carefully how our preaching characterizes first-century Judaism in this regard. For Matthew, Jesus is the center of the good news not because Judaism offered bad news but because he is the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes and the completion of Israel’s story. 2. Jesus ...

4138. Eschatological Discourse: Being Prepared for Jesus’ Return

Matthew 24:36-51, Matthew 25:1-13

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Jeannine K. Brown

... 24:44). 24:45 faithful and wise servant. With this parable about servants being entrusted with a task, Matthew begins a series of parables that speak to being prepared for the Son’s return (24:45–51; 25:1–13, 14–30). Here the task is the care of the master’s other servants, and two scenarios are provided. In the first, a “faithful and wise servant” is found doing what he was tasked to do when the master arrives (24:45–47) and so receives greater responsibilities (cf. 25:29). In the second ...

4139. Through His Faithful Death, Jesus as Messiah Redefined Brings Life

Matthew 27:27-31, Matthew 27:32-44, Matthew 27:45-56, Matthew 27:57-61, Matthew 27:62-66

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Jeannine K. Brown

... Matthew has accented Gentile perceptiveness about Jesus’ identity (see 2:1–12; 8:5–13; 15:21–28; 27:19), so this scene contributes to his theme of Gentile inclusion. 27:55 Many women . . . had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Matthew uses the term diakone? (“care for, serve”) and in doing so connects the service of these women to Jesus’ exhortation for his followers to serve rather than be served (20:25–28; also 8:15). They, like Jesus himself (20:28), provide a positive ...

4140. Jesus Inaugurates the Disciple Band and Conquers the Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:14-20, Mark 1:21-28

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Grant R. Osborne

... mind-set (8:33). God is never satisfied with merely a “tithe” of our lives. He demands our wholehearted sacrifice of self, that we love him with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength (12:30) and serve him with everything we have. He will indeed take care of our needs, but we must “give up everything” to follow him (10:28–31). 3. The kingdom teaching of Jesus provides the only basis for discovering final truth. Many great insights for life are to be found in a variety of sources, but only in ...

4141. Jesus Calling and Accepting the Outcasts

Mark 2:13-17

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Grant R. Osborne

... picture of human pride. Interviewer: “So, let me ask you a question right off the bat. What do you think are your greatest strengths as a manager?” Michael: “Why don’t I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job.” Interviewer: “Okay. And your strengths?” Michael: “Well, my weaknesses are actually my strengths.” Needless to say, Michael was not hired for the position. Sadly, many of us are like Michael Scott (as ...

4142. The Authority of Jesus over Nature and the Cosmic Powers

Mark 5:1-20, Mark 4:35-41

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... of the Jonah story. The sailor’s “cushion” may be a pillow of some kind or a bag used for ballast. Most likely the thrust is Jesus’s great trust in God, which enables him to remain asleep even in the churning waves and howling wind. don’t you care if we drown? The disciples interpret his sleep not as faith but rather as indifference to their plight.2 Every aspect of their response to the sleeping Jesus shows their lack of faith in him (in contrast to Jesus’s faith in God) and their panic in the ...

4143. Gentiles Exemplify True Discipleship

Mark 7:31-37, Mark 7:24-30

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... How might God want you to minister to these “outsiders”? Who are my brothers and sisters? Bible: In the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) it is a “hated” Samaritan, not either of the two Jewish religious leaders, who stops to help and care for the injured man. Jesus broke through historical, national, and racial barriers to challenge us to see our neighbors as people whom God loves. We are called to see all people as created in the image of God, and we are to minister to them. Likewise ...

4144. The Path of Discipleship

Mark 8:31--9:1

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... refers to the heavenly council, the divine tribunal (Job 2:1; Matt. 25:31). Angels as the agents of Jesus at the parousia are noted elsewhere in the Gospels (Mark 13:27 // Matt. 24:31; Matt. 13:41, 49; cf. Dan. 7:10; 12:1; Zech. 14:5). Those who care only for the world and give Jesus only token allegiance will answer to him at the final judgment (the “great white throne” of Rev. 20:11–15). 9:1 Truly I tell you, some . . . here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come ...

4145. Prophetic Actions—The Temple Condemned and the Fig Tree Cursed

Mark 11:12-19

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Grant R. Osborne

... 15 Jesus calls his followers to be fruitful, warning them that he will cut off every branch in him that bears no fruit and prune the fruitful branches so that they will be even more fruitful. For trees to be healthy, they must be properly planted and carefully watered and nourished. If a grower follows these rules, the tree will bear fruit. In the same way, if we focus on the rules for healthy living, making sure that we are properly planted, watered, and pruned by living a life that follows Christ, we can ...

4146. The Messianic Anointing of Jesus

Mark 14:1-11

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Grant R. Osborne

... cost too much? Have we failed to speak out for him because of fear of rejection or to protect our reputations? If Jesus calls us his friends (John 15:15), then we should be willing to stand with him and for him in this world. Caring for the poor Church Missions: According to World Hunger Education Service, in 2010 there were 925 million hungry people in the world, even as the world produced enough food to feed everyone. This injustice should move all Christians to action. World Vision International is one ...

4147. The Supernatural Witness to the Significance of Jesus’s Death

Mark 15:42-47

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Grant R. Osborne

... . One of Lincoln’s sons, Tad, was at the park near the White House when he spotted a young Union soldier looking forlorn, sitting on a park bench. The soldier told Tad that his brother and father had been killed in battle, and only he was left to care for his mother and the family farm. The soldier had been given a few days by his commanding officer to travel to Washington to receive permission from the president to return home. But the president was too busy to see the man. After hearing his story, young ...

4148. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Promise of Victory

Mark 16:1-20

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Grant R. Osborne

... been thinking clearly, for they had seen the stone rolled over the entrance (15:46). They knew they lacked the strength to roll it away, but in their haste they have forgotten to bring anyone along to help. They do not realize that God has already taken care of the difficulty. 16:4 the stone . . . had been rolled away. The “very large” stone was four to six feet in diameter (see on 15:46). Mark does not say how the stone had been removed, but the divine passive (“had been rolled away”) points to ...

4149. The Good Life

Luke 6:17-26

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R.T. France

... likewise instructive: “Call no one blessed [makarios] before they die” (Sir. 11:28). His point here is that blessedness denotes the person’s overall life experience and reputation rather than a specific experience of “blessing.” Defining makarios carefully will avoid the oversimplification that sometimes is connected to the concept of blessing. Being a disciple may entail deprivation and hardship. Biography: Jim Elliot. Elliot (1927–56), a famous missionary to Ecuador who was killed by the Auca ...

4150. The Cost of Discipleship

Luke 14:25-35, Luke 14:15-24

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R.T. France

... giving went up as well. Besides that, he notes, he decided to pursue a theological career instead of one in mathematics, even though that meant a great difference in salary, because he wanted to “affect people’s lives for eternity,” and for him (he is careful to emphasize this), the math career would not have done that.1 Quote: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Tim Keller. In this book Keller, a New York City pastor, talks about the nature of a feast and its importance ...

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