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 401 to 425 of 1270 results

401. The Ambiguity of Life, Deciding for Christ

John 10:22-42

Sermon

Carl Jech

... world. Many who "witness" for the Lord by presenting a carefully constructed theological system of Bible interpretation are actually just overcompensating for the fact that they feel angry, hopeless and powerless in the face of a confusing and apparently hostile world. Their religious system gives them back a feeling of power and control. Their dedication to winning others is more accurately seen as their desperate attempt to constantly reassure themselves that they are in control, that life is manageable ...

402. The Secret of Survival

Joshua 5:1-12

Sermon

Carl Hoefler

... first things that the Israelites did when they arrived in the Promised Land was to celebrate the Passover - the liturgical feast of their deliverance by God. Think of it! They were invading a foreign country with the wilderness behind them - the threat of hostile enemies all about them - the great battle of Jericho and a seemingly endless series of wars ahead of them - not knowing where their next meal was coming from. In such a critical crisis situation, the Israelites paused, took the time to worship, to ...

403. Make Way For Poets Of The Heart

Sermon

James Angell

... pain and the gain involves lonely struggle or individual ecstasy? Where meditation risks getting separated from the prayers of the people, and the sacramental character of the commonplace is forfeited in the pursuit of the discipline for discipline's sake? That sounds hostile. And shouldn't be - after my own spirit-shaping experiences of reading (in addition to Seven-Story Mountain), Thomas Kelly's Testament Of Devotion, John Woolman's Journal, Luther's A Simple Way To Pray, The Ladder Of Devotion by Caspar ...

404. Love Does Not Compound Guilt

John 21:1-14

Illustration

Robert Allen

... the South. Lincoln was telling everyone that there would be no punishment upon the South. Lincoln was saying that the South would be treated with love and compassion. When you love, after the patterns of Jesus, caring and compassion become the cornerstone of your love. Love is not vicious or hostile. Love does not try to compound the guilt. Love doesn't try to rub salt in the wounds of shame.

405. The Kind of Church to Become

Acts 2:1-13

Illustration

Johnny Dean

... a diner in Honolulu at 3:30 in the morning. But I prayed. I prayed for Agnes. I prayed for her salvation. I prayed that her life would be changed, and that God would be good to her. And when I finished, Harry leaned over, and with a trace of hostility in his voice, he said, ‘Hey, you never told me you were a preacher! What kind of preacher are you anyway? What church do you belong to?’ In one of those moments when just the right words come, I answered him quietly, ‘I belong to a church that throws ...

406. Keeping God Alive in Our Hearts

Luke 11:1-13

Illustration

... ," a newcomer comes to a farm community. He refuses all friendship with his neighbors and puts out the no trespassing sign. One day a little child from the town climbs underneath his fence to pet his dog. The vicious animal leaps on her and kills her. Hostility spreads throughout the community. When the newcomer comes to town no one will speak to him. Clerks refuse to wait on him. Spring comes and the merchants refuse to sell him seed. Finally, the father of the girl who was killed comes over and sows his ...

407. The Lord's People Together

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

... similar sign alongside the first, and the two men rejoice together. There is probably a handclasp, perhaps an embrace. Then, if no one is listening, they talk of things in the two Christian communities they represent, the ways their brothers and sisters cope with the hostilities that surround them. They talk about the wonders of Christ and the meaning of their faith. At last, as they part, each goes his way with a sense of new strength, with a new courage for hard tasks, with vision lifted and the flame of ...

408. Mission to Unbelievers

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... ’s world. A bright, young graduate student in a scientific field was part of a student worship service during the holidays. In his talk he spoke about evolution as if it was totally incompatible with faith. He eyed the congregation to detect signs of hostility or shock. What a tragedy that this son of the church had been allowed to go through the church school and confirmation without having been helped to make an enriching combination of Darwin and the faith! I notice that now he has entered his vocation ...

409. The Call of the Cross

Luke 9:18-27

Sermon

... Madonna. Then the government became alarmed, called the vision "a publicity trick" by the church, expelled eleven people from the party, jailed at least five people, including two Serbian Orthodox priests and a Catholic priest whose parish included Citluk, "for spreading hostile propaganda." But the girls insisted that they had seen the Madonna, and it was their reports of what they had seen - a revelation as far as they were concerned - that stirred up the religious fervor and the gathering of the crowds ...

410. Booby Trap

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

... . But the bothersome thing about it all was that there was no outpouring of love and generosity toward these people who had been uprooted from their homes in Asia, transplanted to a part of this country where the customs and the climate were almost hostile to them. The community seemed to be saying, in the face of this catastrophe for the Hmongs, "Are these people our neighbors? Who are our neighbors?" Too many of us Christians seem to have a kind of vertical conception of the Christian faith - "You ...

411. Life in the Sunbelt

Malachi 4:1-6

Sermon

... ." In the Word we have read from Malachi we find an admonition that we live our lives in the sunlight of God’s love, assured of his grace and mercy, and governed by his righteousness. The implication is that, even when the drabness of winter and a hostile climate surrounds us, we have the certain promise of sunshine ahead. Sunlight will brighten the lives of those who live with confidence in God’s promise of life in the sunbelt. The people to whom Malachi spoke had learned that life can be bruising and ...

412. Prayer

Matthew 14:13-21

Bulletin Aid

... wilderness! I can't find my way out I don't know where I'm going. There are no roads No landmarks No tracks. I succumb to despair I have nowhere to turn Nobody understands Nobody can help. I'm out of control Everything goes wrong I'm surrounded by hostile darkness Wild beasts Demons! I thought I knew my way I thought I was safe Strong Self-sufficient But tragedy Loss Fear Have taken me And I don't know how to escape. Lord, forgive me for losing sight of you For being so proud of my ability to cope ...

413. The Confessions of a Younger Brother

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

... , but by emotional standards they are the "have-nots." These people do not beg for a crust of bread or a coin but for a listening ear, a purpose for living, a good stroke, a kind word, an act of encouragement or a target for their anger and hostility. These people with needs also stand at the door of my life. In Judith Guest’s novel, Ordinary People, the Jarret’s are an economically sound family. This husband and wife and their teenaged son live in a large house in the right section of town. Conrad, the ...

414. God Is Good But Not Easy

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

... . There are millions who have stood in his shoes and walked in his tracks. Their only relationship to God has been built on the unreliable sands of a bargain, and the storms of life have washed away their foundations and left them victims of despair and hostility. A doctor was present while a young man was dying of cancer. The patient was comatose and in the final moments of his life. While the doctor waited in the room for death to come, the family was gathered around the bed of the patient. The dying ...

415. A Criminal, A Cross, and the Christ

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Thomas C. Short

... crosses, however, Etaus began to notice him again. He was shocked at the attitude of the people toward Jesus. They mocked and jeered him and gambled for his garments. He was even more shocked by the attitude of Jesus who refused to retaliate with blasts of anger and hostility. His head really snapped around toward Jesus when he heard him say in love, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Etaus had heard of love before, and he had felt love, but this was a new kind of love. It ...

416. The Fifth Sunday in Lent

John 11:1-16

Sermon

Kendall K. McCabe

... share with another a common life, to support and be supported. It seems clear from John's Gospel that Lazarus and his sisters had been a source of comfort to Jesus. It was at their home he found hospitality and rest from the bustle of the crowds and the hostility of those who did not understand him. Now here was an opportunity to return the favors of the loving care of that house in Bethany. Not only would he be able to bring Lazarus back to life, but, by that event, Lazarus would become the means by which ...

417. Wellspring for the Soul

John 4:1-26

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... through five husbands and taking to her bed now a man not her husband does not suggest a woman of strong moral character. Jesus asked her for a drink of water; she was surprised that he would speak to her at all - relations between Jews and Samaritans being as hostile as they were. Jesus replied in a cryptic way, telling her of a "living water which does not give out" that he had and wished to offer. Here is the verse of the text that is before us today: Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again ...

418. Not Blind but Seeing

John 9:1-12

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... has been repeated! Fear works like cataracts; it blurs and blinds and silences us when it comes to the moment for testimony. Then it is back to the Pharisees for a second round. They are now telling the blind man what to see, and whom to see. In full hostility against Jesus, they tell the formerly blind man to praise God but to denounce this so-called prophet. By their words, Jesus is an impostor and a sinner. But now the blind man who can now truly see begins to reveal what it means to see. He taunts them ...

419. Authority Through Servanthood

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

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... a clear sense of serving. It means capacities, competence, responsibility, perseverance, moral strength, and devotion to the truth whatever the consequences. Authoritarianism eats up all one’s energies in keeping others at bay, defensive maneuvers to insure one’s own power, hostility to others who appear as threats, and the need to incessantly flex one’s own trappings of authority. Without even knowing it, no doubt, Mrs. Zebedee was setting her sons up for disaster. As we look at her, however, let’s ...

420. Life in the Community of Believers

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

... That is a significant and encouraging affirmation not only of who we are but of whose we are. It was a difficult and dangerous time for the early Christians when Peter wrote this letter. Having been in Rome he knew about the growing hostility against the Christian movement. Paul had already been martyred. Peter could foresee the persecutions, which were going to happen under the Emperor Nero. It was important to him that he share with this fledgling community of believers what he believed about them and ...

421. Easter 6

Jn 14:23-29 · Acts 14:8-18; 15:1-2, 22-29 · Rev 21:10, 22-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... from earth for heaven. They were very close to each other. Each could say to Jesus, "I could not live without you." If he left, who would lead, guide, comfort, and encourage them? It was a distressing thought that their dear leader would abandon them in a hostile world. We are in the world without the physical presence of Jesus. We share with the disciples the need for coping with his absence. In the gospel, Jesus prepares the disciples for his departure. Sermon: "I go away." a. Be at peace - John 14:27 b ...

422. Proper 15

Lk 12:49-56 · Jer 20:7-13; 23:23-29; 38:4-10

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 've got to tell - A. Truth must out - Jeremiah 20:9 B. Faith must speak - Acts 4:20 C. Love must express - 1 Corinthians 9:16 D. Praise must let go - Jeremiah 20:13 2. When the World Is Against You. 20:7-13. Need: The world may be hostile to Christians. When we speak the truth, when we take a stand for justice, we may be attacked, ridiculed, and unfairly criticized and accused of things we never did. Jeremiah had that experience. He told the truth about his nation which for her sins was to experience defeat ...

423. Proper 19

Lk 15:1-10 · Hos 4:1-3, 5:15--6:6 · 1 Tim 1:12-17 · Ex 32:7-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... be grateful is to be aware of what God has done and given us. He thanks God for strength to do his work, thanks for his appointment to God's service (he did not volunteer for the job), and, above all, thanks for the mercy of forgiving him his once hostility to the church. 2. Save (v. 15). One thing is sure. Jesus came to "save" sinners. He did not come primarily to preach good news, nor to teach new truths, nor to perform miracles to demonstrate the power of God. No, he came to save sinners. For this reason ...

424. The Baptism of Our Lord

Lk 3:15-17, 21-22 · Acts 8:14-17; 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-7; 61:1-4

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 's servant. To be this the church needs to be anointed by the Spirit. (v. 1) As servant, the church will not use force but the compassion of love to attain her goals. (vv. 2, 3) She will not be discouraged in her work - in spite of setbacks in a hostile world. (v. 4) What is the work of the church in the world? What are her goals and purposes? The Lesson gives the answer: (1) to bring justice to the nations (v. 1); (2) to be a covenant to the people (v. 6); (3) to be a light to the ...

425. Epiphany 4

Lk 4:21-30 · 1 Cor 13:1-13 · Jer 1:4-10

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... sermons . "Be not afraid of them for I am with you to deliver them." (Jeremiah 1:8) Jesus was also delivered from the crowd who intended to kill him. Moreover, both Jeremiah and Jesus had a universal concept of religion: Jeremiah was to preach to "nations and kingdoms"; Jesus aroused hostility by referring to the prophets' attention to Gentiles. The Prayer deals with the "dangers which surround us." Lesson 2 is the third in the series on the Spirit.

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