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 701 to 725 of 1259 results

701. A Glorious Fixture

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

Years after her concentration camp experiences in Nazi Germany, Corrie ten Boom met face to face one of the most cruel and heartless German guards that she had ever contacted. He had humiliated and degraded her and her sister. He had jeered and visually raped them as they stood in the delousing shower. Now he stood before her with hand outstretched and said, "Will you forgive me?" She writes: "I stood there with coldness clutching at my heart, but I know that the will can function regardless of the ...

702. Born of the Spirit

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Prop: Baptismal Font Name a villain. Whatever villain you name, it’s likely that villain will be living in some way in the dark. Dracula –fears the light and lives in the darkness of his coffin and castle The Joker (of Batman lore) --hides his scar-ridden face in the darkness and behind a mask The Phantom of the Opera –hides his deformed face in the darkness beneath the opera house Voldemort (of Harry Potter fame) –lurks in the darkness and hides behind other forms he takes Gollum (of JJR Tolkien’s ...

703. House of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:16-18

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7) “Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 7:11) "It is written," he said to them [Temple priests, leaders, and businessmen], "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" (Matthew 21:13) When Toby, a little 3-year old boy, was chastised by his Mama for taking 7 cookies from the cookie jar without ...

704. Our Strange, Strong Peace

John 14:15-31

Sermon

David & Marian Plant

Reflecting on her experiences with the Holy Spirit, pastor and educator Marian Plant once wrote, “There are times when the last thing I need in my life is the activity of the Holy Spirit. That “presence” of God which has a way of seeping into the psyche and unsettling one’s accepted ways of carrying on life. That manifestation of the Holy which alights on one with the innocence of a summer firefly, but whose motive is to transform the unsuspecting believer into something akin to a fiery dragon on behalf of ...

705. A Personal Question Deserves a Personal Answer

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

Roy Howard

One warm August night and only two of us standing on our neighbor’s deck. The others had gone inside to escape the heat and eat the dessert waiting in the cool kitchen. Alone on the deck in the descending darkness of early evening my neighbor asked, “So, how did you find the Lord?” It was not a question I was expecting at a neighborhood dinner party, or any party for that matter, where politics, religion, and conviviality don’t mingle with one another. It made me uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed. ...

706. An Encounter with Jesus

John 12:20-33

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

“We Would See Jesus” has been the title of books, songs, and most likely hundreds of sermons. It is a great phrase loaded with dozens of directions that a preacher can go with a sermon. It is a temptation for any preacher to take the phrase where he wants it to go but the truth is that staying inside this story, without leaping in countless directions is the very best way to teach and understand what is happening. Let’s look at this biblical account and try to see the real story as it unfolds. It begins ...

707. The Transformative Power of God

1 John 1:1--2:2

Sermon

Richard Gribble

The resident bishop at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, who was known to be a great evangelist, reaching out to cynics, unbelievers and scoffers, told the following story. It seems that years ago there was a young man who would daily stand outside the cathedral and shout terrible words and derogatory slogans against God, the church, and anyone who entered the cathedral. He would call these people fools and all sorts of other names. People tried to ignore the man, but it was rather difficult. One day ...

708. The Debt of Love

Romans 13:8-14

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Let me ask you what for some of us might be a painful question. How genuine is your commitment to Christ? Is it primarily a Sunday morning exercise or does it encompass your whole life? I’m not asking this to make you feel guilty. My goal is to help each of us discover the full joy of our commitment to Christ. Our lesson today from St. Paul’s letter to the church at Rome gets right at the heart of our Christian faith. Listen closely to his words: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt ...

709. Touched by God

Luke 1:46-55

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Something strange happened to Mary. We all hear the story about Jesus’ birth each year, and we celebrate the coming birth of the Christ child, the Son of God, Emmanuel. We sing songs of hope, love, and joy. We think good thoughts and get ready to celebrate with family and friends, with candlelight and cookies. We feel warm and good inside, extra magnanimous, extra kind. At least some of us do. But long, long ago, before the celebration, God put Mary into an uncompromising position. This happens to us too – ...

710. Easter Power

John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

Storms that knock out electrical systems make us mindful of how dependent we are upon power. High winds deprive us of power. When we do not lose power in devastating storms we are most grateful, realizing how dependent we have become on the utility companies. However, it is significant that the primary definitions of power do not relate to the matter of energy or force. The first definitions of power have to do with the possession of control, authority, or influence over others. There is a whole battery of ...

711. Homecoming

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Robert A. Hausman

"Goin' home, goin' home, I'm a' goin' home." These words from the spiritual song sound the plaintive, universal longing for homecoming. We all resonate warmly to the idea of going home to "see the folks," to return to our roots, to recapture memories. In poetry and in song, homecoming has been celebrated. This text speaks of Israel's homecoming, but it is not an ordinary homecoming. It is not the return of the conquering hero or the prodigal, the soldier or the servant. It is not a return from a self- ...

712. Miracle Four: Healing A Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL When Christ began his ministry of preaching and healing, his fame spread, until he was well known throughout a large area. He intended to make clear the message of repentance and salvation from sin, but the news of his astounding miracles was something people immediately grasped, and they spread the information everywhere. As a result, throngs sought Jesus in order to have him cure the victims of ill health within their family circle. To avoid huge crowds, Jesus would sometimes go out ...

713. Hear, Hear

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

A woman went to see a divorce lawyer. Frantically she told him, "I must have a divorce from my husband immediately!" The lawyer asked, "Do you have any grounds?" "Yes, about five acres." "I mean, do you have a grudge?" the lawyer questioned. "No, just a carport." Then the lawyer asked, "Does he beat you up?" "No," the woman replied, "I get up before he does." Exasperated, the attorney demanded, "Madam, why do you want a divorce from your husband?" "Because it is impossible to communicate with that man!" ...

714. Climbing Rainbows Through The Rain

Genesis 6:1-8:22

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

The scripture lesson for this morning trips its way through the sixth, seventh and eighth chapters of the book of Genesis. This includes most of the account of Noah and the Great Flood. For reasons you might or might not consider obvious, this part of the Bible generates considerable debate. From time to time, the controversy spills into the public arena. In February 1993, CBS had a two-hour prime time program titled, The Incredible Discovery Of Noah's Ark. The program, hosted by Darren McGavin, featured ...

715. Knowing The Voice

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Thomas Long

The dinner party had gone well. It was the kind of evening when good food was matched by rich conversation and warm cheer. As the dishes were being cleared and cream was being stirred into after-dinner coffee, the conversation took a more serious turn. The guest of honor was a church leader from central Europe, the Soviet Union had come apart only months before, and the table was filled with eager questions. How had the church in his country fared during the long Soviet frost? What changes were occurring ...

716. Yearning For A Loyal Friend

Job 6:14-30 · Matthew 26:69-75

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

Do you ever find yourself in the Bible? When you read one of the biblical stories, do you ever identify with the character or characters? Do you ever say to yourself after reading an incident, "That describes me and my situation"? Sometimes that identity can boost the ego. Sometimes it may have the opposite effect, bringing to reality some of the things about our lives that we need to correct. Every time I read the Old Testament book of Job, I have pangs of guilt because I can identify with those three ...

717. Adam And Eve,The First People

Genesis 3:1-24

Sermon Aid

Peter C. Garrison

Eve envies God's wisdom. Adam doesn't take God's word of warning as real. Basically, these people's problem is that they always want to be first, even before God. If you don't think this is a problem, then that's a problem. It's called "Original Sin." (Please read Genesis, Chapter 3) Adam And Eve Adam was first. There is a certain comfort in being second or third, next or last, in the middle or part of a crowd: One can hide or ask for help or consider alternatives or grow impatient or slink away unnoticed ...

718. Graduation Is Not For Angels

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Graduation One of the most important events in the life of a church is the graduation from high school or college of its younger members. This drama emphasizes the stake heaven and prayer have in directing the lives of graduating seniors as they leave home. And it's only the beginning! Setting: Heaven on graduation day Characters: TWO YOUNG GUARDIAN ANGELS: May be male or female Costumes: White robes, tinsel halos under traditional graduation mortarboards Props: Two white boxes for sitting Scene: ...

719. That Heavenly Call

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Mary and Joseph -- Accepting God's Call This four-part drama may be presented as a unit or as individual scenes. Written to portray Mary and Joseph's calling as very personal and self-sacrificing, this wonderful story is placed in a setting to which a modern congregation can relate. This series may be utilized as a preparation for Christmas: one segment per Sunday during Advent, or sprinkled throughout the year and culminating near the holiday season. Scene I: Luke 1:26-33 Setting: Modern Nazareth ...

720. Lent 4

Luke 15:11-32, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Isaiah 12:1-6, Joshua 5:1-12, Luke 15:1-7

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joshua 5:9-12 Joshua and his people keep the Passover at Gilgal. Under Joshua's leadership the Israelites cross the Jordan to the Promised Land. In preparation for the conquest of the land, all were circumcised as a renewal of the Abrahamic covenant. Also, the first Passover was kept in the Promised Land at Gilgal. It marked the end of the wilderness wanderings. On the day of the Passover, manna from heaven ceased and the people began to eat the fruit of the land. Old Testament: ...

721. Proper 12

Colossians 2:6-23, Hosea 1:1-2:1, Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 85:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Hosea 1:2-10 God orders Hosea to marry a prostitute and have children. Hosea preached in the same eighth century to Israel (North) as did Amos. His ministry extended over a period of 38 years. Hosea lived in the final days of the northern kingdom during the reign of six kings following Jeroboam. Assyria captured Israel and deported the 10 tribes in 722 B.C. Hosea 1:2-10 is an allegory. His adulterous wife and three children symbolize the fate of Israel because of a broken relationship ...

722. Easter Day

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9, Colossians 3:1-17, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 10:34-43 Peter testifies to the Lord's resurrection to the household of Cornelius, the Roman centurion who feared God. These two men are brought together by their visions. Through this encounter, God reveals to Peter that the Gentiles are also heirs to salvation. In his sermon, Peter covers the fundamentals of the gospel, Christ's death and resurrection. Peter testifies as an eye witness, who ate and drank with Christ after he rose from the dead, that Jesus is the one ordained by ...

723. Christmas 2

Mt 2:13-23 · Jn 1:1-18 · Eph 1:3-14 · Jer 31:7-14 · Is 61:10--62:3 · Ps 147

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 God proclaims through his prophet a message of hope, comfort, and national revival. The time of the Babylonian captivity would come to an end and the people would come back to Zion rejoicing. God lavishes comfort on this people, whom he allowed to be punished. Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 The prophet exalts in the restoration of the nation and the cult, which becomes also his personal salvation. The joy he feels is like that of the bride and the groom, as ...

724. Here Is Where It Happens

1 Samuel 2:12-26

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

Here is where it happens. Where is here? Here is right here, among us. Here is the community of faith, and every local congregation, large or small, is a visible manifestation of that community. The gathered community of faith is the port of entry for the initiatives of God. That is the it, the initiative of God. Does saying that place too high an estimation upon the local congregation? If your answer is yes, then think about this. The storytellers of the Bible preface pivotal events with scenes that are ...

725. Something To Do While The World Falls Apart

Mark 13:1-31

Sermon

William G. Carter

A number of years ago, leaders in a church decided to track down the congregation's drop-outs. They combed through the membership list, put together a list of names, and sent out volunteers two-by-two to knock on doors and invite the absent members back to church. As is often the case, the volunteer visitors discovered that most of the people visited had found other things to do on Sunday morning. One person said, "I would come back to church if it didn't conflict with my tennis time." Another said, "We ...

Showing results