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 4226 to 4250 of 4455 results

4226. When God Says No

2 Samuel 7:1-9; 16-18

Sermon

Shirley Gupton Lynn

A couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with an elaborate party. When the festivities were over, the woman turned to her husband and said, "John, you know we've been miserable for fifty years. We've fought every day, disagreed on nearly everything. We can't go on like this, and I am praying God will put us out of our misery. I've made a commitment to pray every day God will just take one of us on home. And when God answers my prayer, I'm going to live with my sister in Grand Rapids!" Often ...

4227. Blazing a Path to Christ

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." When we were children we were taught this little rhyme as a way to remember one of the most momentous events in modern history. Columbus was a trailblazer who dared to believe that it was possible to reach the East Indies by sailing west across a vast uncharted ocean. By its very nature the voyage was dangerous and the sailors who braved the challenge were filled with fear. People are instinctively afraid of what they do not know. Yet, even with the odds stacked ...

4228. Accepting the Unconventional in Life

Mark 2:13-22

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once upon a time there was a great teacher, a guru, who had many followers. People came from far and wide to listen, learn, and be enlightened by this man. There were one-on-one classes and apprenticeships for those who came to learn. When the students had finished with their lessons, the guru sent them into the world to share their knowledge with others as masters in their own right. Just before each student left, the guru would give each a special gift -- the teacher taught each student the mantra of ...

4229. Setting All the Idols Down

Hosea 2:14-20

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

Idolatry. It's not an issue that crowds the agenda of the contemporary church today. Most people really don't give it much thought. If asked about idolatry, some will respond with some comment about worshiping graven images instead of God. The more biblically astute will point to the golden calf story in Exodus (32:4). The unfortunate reality, however, is that most people would point to a popular television show called, American Idol. In modern parlance, an idol is a celebrity. An idol is someone who is " ...

4230. Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Ron Lavin

A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money." The pastor was busy taking care of his large congregation, but decided to see the old man. On the third visit, Ermil said, "I'm not very religious, and I don't ...

4231. Twas the Beginning of Advent

Mark 13:24-37

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

Today I want to read to you a poem that is based on a rather famous poem about Christmas called ‘Twas the Beginning of Advent'. It is by a friend of mine - Todd Jenkins. It will tell you a little bit about this season we celebrate. 'Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church Our hope was all dying we'd given up on the search. It wasn't so much that Christ wasn't invited, But after 2,000 plus years we were no longer excited. Oh, we knew what was coming no doubt about that. And that was the ...

4232. Let It Breathe...

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

What does it mean to be "spiritual?" In a day when "spirituality" is in and "organized religion" is out, it behooves the church to seek a biblical definition and theology of "spiritual." To this end, breathing is more than a means of propulsion; it''s a spiritual principle. (The following discussion of "The Kiss of God" has been developed more directly in my Quantum Spirituality: A Postmodern Apologetic [Dayton: Whaleprints, 1991]. The quotes are from that book. -L.I.S) "The human species has been twice ...

4233. Welcome Home, Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Joseph is probably the most misunderstood participant in the Christmas drama. Like comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Joseph might righteously complain, "I don''t get no respect!" This week we pay Joseph some of the respect he surely deserves, for without his gifts of hospitality, acceptance and love, the story of Christmas would have no beginning. And with these gifts, Joseph is a model for all who are called by God to serve in supportive roles. The women's movement has surely succeeded in making biblical ...

4234. Would You Believe...?

John 11:17-37

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

It is time we started believing what we believe. Either television writers have finally run out of ideas for bad situation comedies or the baby boomers' nostalgic longing for their 60s youth is simply in control of the airwaves. Whatever. In our retro-chic craziness, there is now a resurgence of some of the corniest and kitschiest of 1960s programming. One of the biggest new/old hits is that silly spy-spoof, "Get Smart." Perhaps no other show except "Laugh-In" coined so many catch phrases that worked their ...

4235. Stone Testaments

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Mark the milestones in your life journey. [Note: This is an interactive, experiential, participatory sermon. You will need to arrange ahead of time for a flower or stone for every person, which is given to them with their bulletins. And you will need a musician, preferably a cellist, who will be a secret partner with you for this experience. The fewer the people who know what you are going to do, the better. The element of surprise is key to the narrative.] Have you ever had this experience? You arrive ...

4236. Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In his typically succinct style, Mark follows Jesus' pronouncement of the Kingdom of God, and the calling of the first disciples, with an immediate and bold demonstration of Jesus' power and authority. Jesus goes directly to the established center of faith in an observant Jew's life - teaching and exhorting the Torah during Sabbath synagogue services. What concerns the gospel writer here is not the content of Jesus' message. We are told nothing about what Jesus said or what texts he read. For Mark the ...

4237. Luke 21:5-19

Luke 21:5-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Luke's knowledge of Jewish tradition and sensitivity to Jewish expectations adds layers of meaning to this week's Gospel text. In his commentary on Luke's gospel, William Barclay reminds us that there are actually four different end-of-time scenarios adding resonance to Jesus' intimidating statements - that is, four separate eschatological dramas crowded onto one stage (The Gospel of Luke [Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975], 257-58). The result is a message that fulfills the hopes and fears of both ...

4238. John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

While all the gospels record the event of Jesus' baptism, each does so with an eye turned toward the specific community and situation the gospel writer is addressing. Thus, while there are tremendous similarities between all four versions of the Baptism, there are also subtle and theologically important differences. Not surprisingly, John's gospel gives us the most unique perspective on Jesus' baptism. Here, John the Baptist is actually the central character throughout the active record. The magnificent ...

4239. Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Paul's letter to the Philippians is by far the most personal of his correspondence. The theological contents of this epistle take the form, not of a treatise, but of a heartfelt expression of his own faith and the faith Paul wishes his brothers and sisters in the church at Philippi to embody and exhibit. Paul knows these people well, and they, him. As citizens of a specially privileged Roman colony, Philippian residents enjoyed more freedom and rights than others living under Roman rule. Nevertheless, Paul ...

4240. Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

4241. Luke 21:5-19

Luke 21:5-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

4242. Luke 12:13-21

Luke 12:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Today's pericope, unique to this gospel, recounts Jesus' response to an interruption injected by a nameless individual in a question-and-answer session which takes place in the midst of a raucous crowd of thousands (12:1). The statement, in context, seems banal and hopelessly petty. Jesus has been encouraging the crowd to be fearless and faithful witnesses even in the face of persecution "before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities" (12:11). At this point, Jesus is interrupted with the words: " ...

4243. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In today's reading, Paul is offering words of counsel and comfort to the Thessalonians. They are growing fearful and restive, convinced that the events of the apocalypse are exploding like popcorn all around them. Every tragedy, every hardship was seen through an eschatological lens - raising anxieties and blood pressure among the faithful. These Thessalonian Christians are like people trying to get some sleep with fear and anxiety filling their minds. They couldn't wait for the daylight of the Lord's ...

4244. Matthew 23:1-12

Matthew 23:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In Matthew's gospel, Jesus' active earthly ministry seems opened and closed by great sermons given before huge crowds. The Sermon on the Mount has received scholarly acknowledgment and scholastic scrutiny as the public starting gate for Jesus' ministry. Yet little attention has been given to the contents and concerns contained in his last great public discourse recorded in Matthew 23-25. Speaking to both his disciples and a crowd of curious yet passively hostile followers, Jesus, in his final sermon, picks ...

4245. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Luke's concern with detail and precision as well as his ability to craft a fine story has made his account of Jesus' heritage, parentage and birth the all-time Christmas favorite. But for those not terribly familiar with all the political maneuverings and personality quirks of those who held positions of power and authority in this first-century setting, the significance of Luke's careful precision here at the opening of his third chapter may be lost on us. The Emperor Tiberius was the stepson of Augustus ...

4246. Commitment

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

It is characteristic of great leaders to make demands upon their followers. When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister he told the British people that he had nothing to offer them but "blood, toil, tears, and sweat." The Italian freedom fighter Gerabaldi told his followers that he offered them only hunger and death. These were demanding leaders, but Jesus was a thousand times more demanding then they were. Jesus said, "So, therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple ...

4247. John 20:1-18

John 20:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Easter always begins in the dark. In every gospel account, those who come first to the tomb travel in pre-dawn gloom to reach Jesus’ burial site. The journey that reveals the greatest light begins far down a tunnel of darkness. The bleak, bitter, post-crucifixion Sabbath endured by the disciples concluded at sundown. In order to reach Jesus’ borrowed tomb, and prepare him for a final burial, the women followers of Jesus started out even before daybreak. As do all the gospels, John’s text declares that Mary ...

4248. Proper 21

James 5:13-20, Esther 7:1-10, Esther 9:18-32, Mark 9:38-41, Mark 9:42-50

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 It is a wonder that the book of Esther, written about 460 B.C., was included in the Old Testament canon, for there is no mention of God, prayer, or worship. It is the story of how a wave of anti-Semitism was halted by a brave Jewish queen, Esther, and her adopted father, Mordecai. The outcome was the institution of the Feast of Purim. Epistle: James 5:13-20 In the concluding paragraph of the book of James, we deal with sickness, sin and prayer with oil ...

4249. Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Paul knew a lot about being “chosen.” First, he was a Jew. Paul was a member of a nation chosen by God to be in unique relationship with the Creator of the universe. Second, within this Jewish identity Paul was a Pharisee. Paul was chosen to wield special power and influence among his people because of his vast learning and piety. Third, in addition to his special religious status Paul also enjoyed unique political status. Paul was a Roman citizen, and that honor accorded him the rights and privileges of ...

4250. Afraid No More

Romans 8:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

There are many things in life you and I may not understand. For some people, it’s modern art. A young woman goes to her first show at an art gallery. She studies the paintings carefully. One is a huge canvas that has black with yellow blobs of paint splattered all over it. The next painting is a murky gray color that has drips of purple paint streaked across it. She walks over to the artist and says, “I don’t understand your paintings.” “I paint what I feel inside me,” explains the artist. She looks at the ...

Showing results