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 726 to 750 of 885 results

726. Atonement for an Unsolved Murder

Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... to the traumatic new situation and to ritually mourn for the parents who are now dead as far as she is concerned. This is to take place within the security of her new home, not in some prisoner or refugee camp, (c) The law compassionately restricts even the soldier’s “bridegroom’s rights,” by postponing any sexual intercourse with the woman until this month of mourning and adjustment is over, (d) If the man finally changes his mind and will not undertake marital responsibility toward her, she is to ...

727. Exclusion From the Assembly

Deuteronomy 23:1-8

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Community Laws: Defining and Protecting the Community · These last chapters of the central law code have a “flavor” of concern for a compassionate and caring community that takes seriously the claims of kinship and the needs of the weak and vulnerable. That community itself, however, needs clear definition and measures to protect its religious distinctiveness and purity. This need explains the presence, alongside laws that immediately appeal to us by their charitable nature, ...

728. The Altar on Mount Ebal

Deuteronomy 27:1-8

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... Again and again the message of the OT is that if you choose the wrong gods you will end in social decay. Biblical monotheism, far from an abstract creed, affirms that only when God is properly honored will society be just and compassionate. Modern western society, reaping the fruit of two centuries of systematically excluding the living God from all practical public relevance, is now plagued by the loss of family stability, respect for property, social compassion, sexual integrity, and the sanctity of life ...

729. Jehoahaz King of Israel

2 Kings 13:1-9

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... passages if we begin with the second of the two: a review of what has happened in Israel during the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash (vv. 22–25). There was indeed oppression (vv. 4, 22) throughout the reign of Jehoahaz, but God was gracious and compassionate because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This reason for Israel’s survival during Jehoahaz’s reign is a deeper one than that given in 2 Kings 10:30. Long before making promises to Jehu about kingship, long before making a covenant with ...

730. The Disciples Confess Jesus as the Messiah

Matthew 16:1-4, Matthew 16:5-12, Matthew 16:13-20

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... :20. Matthew narrates Jesus’ ministry to Israel, showing Jesus teaching and doing miracles with authority all the while including seekers, sinners, and even Gentiles in his kingdom ministry. As Matthew clarifies Jesus’ identity as the healing and compassionate Messiah, he also illustrates a variety of responses to Jesus and the hiddenness of the kingdom that Jesus inaugurates: the unbelief of the Jewish leaders and Jesus’ hometown, the little faith and frequent misunderstanding of the twelve disciples ...

731. Jesus Warns of Presuming Reward and Status

Matthew 20:1-16

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... in its metaphor: “Are you envious because I am generous?” (20:15). Biblical theology rightly emphasizes God’s generous nature. God’s self-revelation in the covenant with Israel is marked by grace from the start: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God” (Exod. 34:6). This parable emphasizes that same quality and indicates that God’s deep generosity toward others can actually trip us up if we think of the kingdom in terms of limited amounts of grace being distributed based ...

732. Jesus’s Ministry and Popularity Continue to Grow

Mark 1:40-45, Mark 1:35-39, Mark 1:29-34

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... . 1:43 a strong warning. The “strong warning” is expressed by the Greek verb embrimaomai, indicating a strong emotion, often anger (used in John 11:33, 38), and that is possible in light of the indignation of 1:41. But in the context of the compassionate healing touch, it likely refers to a stern charge, as in the NIV. Jesus demanded obedience, with a hint of strong emotion (“See to it that you obey!”). 1:44 See that you don’t tell this to anyone. Jesus’s “strong warning” to keep ...

733. Caring for the Needy and Commissioning Apostles

Mark 3:7-12, Mark 3:13-19

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... two cycles in this section, 3:7–4:34; 4:35–6:6, and in both the themes of commitment and mission (disciples), popularity and healing (crowds), and rejection and opposition (leaders) develop further. This first section is the positive side, centering on Jesus’s compassionate authority in healing all who come to him and then on the choice of the Twelve as the nucleus of his kingdom community (3:7–19). Next will come the negative side, centering on opposition from not only the leaders but also his own ...

734. The Authority of Jesus over Sickness and Death

Mark 5:21-43

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... all the time, in our nation and our world all the time. We must not be silent and passive spectators to any of it. We find ourselves, quite miraculously, on the front lines, where God’s praying people have always found themselves.8 The compassionate ministry of Jesus Film: City Slickers. In this 1991 movie there is a powerful conversation between Curly (the cowboy played by Jack Palance) and Mitch (the city slicker played by Billy Crystal): Curly: “Do you know what the secret of life is?” Mitch: “No ...

735. The Christian Shema: Loving God and Neighbor

Mark 12:28-34

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... this essential reaction of love. The desire to live the Christian life flows out of it. Some wrongly see the God of the Old Testament as a “God of wrath” and the God of the New Testament as a “God of love.” But Exodus 34:6 says that God is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (cf. Num. 14:18; Deut. 4:31; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:5, 15—in all these passages God’s love for us results in our devotion, trust, and praise for him). In Deuteronomy 4:29 (also 11:1, 22) God’s ...

736. The Arrest of Jesus

Mark 14:43-52

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... irony because Jesus is frequently depicted “laying hands on” people to heal them (5:23; 6:5; 7:32; 8:25) or to bestow a blessing (10:16); a different verb is used for “laid hands” here to show that it is a hostile act. Jesus’s compassionate acts are now reversed. 14:47 struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. In John 18:10 we learn that the person who does this is Simon Peter. Mark dramatically pictures the unnamed disciple taking out his sword and striking the man. Raymond ...

737. “Love Your Enemies”

Luke 6:27-38

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... is on a nonjudgmental, forgiving attitude to others. Disciples themselves are fallible and in need of forgiveness, and they must recognize this need in others. Ultimate forgiveness is for God alone to grant, but disciples are called to reflect his compassionate recognition of human weakness. There is no place for arrogant superiority. 6:37 Do not judge . . . Do not condemn . . . Forgive. The reference is to personal relationships, not to the judicial function of a court of law. What Jesus prohibits is ...

738. A Sick Woman and a Dead Girl

Luke 8:40-56

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... on Jesus’s healing power (Christology) and the other focused on the faith of those seeking help. When dealing with the first, be sure to emphasize both (a) Jesus’s ability to heal and (b) his willingness to do so. Our God is both all-powerful and all-compassionate. If he were only the former, he would not care about our human needs. If he were only the latter, he would not be able to deliver us. Since he is both, we can have absolute confidence that he will bring us through life’s difficulties. The ...

739. Paul the Apostle of the New Covenant to the Gentiles

Romans 15:14-22

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... in Romans 15:14–21. First, only the grace of God could turn Paul the zealot for the Pharisaic tradition into the apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Gal. 1:13–16). It takes that same grace today to transform a religious bigot into a compassionate disciple of Jesus. Second, Paul well recognized that it was not his power that so effectively ministered to Gentiles, but rather it was the miraculous power of Christ by the Spirit that accomplished such signs and wonders through him. Third, the imminent expectation ...

740. Christian Success and Christlikeness

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... make me feel comfortable.” It is tempting to want to pursue this kind of praise from the world, but if we really look at these kinds of comments, they may actually reveal that we have failed to exhibit the integrity, witness, and compassionate honesty our faith demands. When we live our faith authentically and consistently, we will often face the opposite phenomenon, front-handed insults, like, “C’mon, man—you make everything about Jesus,” “Shhh—don’t gossip about Bob in front of ‘Mother ...

741. Message to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... the tree of life, symbolic of eternal life (Rev. 22:2, 14).5 Theological Insights This letter emphasizes the importance of connecting truth and love. Throughout the Scriptures, God is portrayed as holy, righteous, and truthful, as well as loving, gracious, and compassionate. Jesus perfectly embodies this integration of love and truth: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John ...

742. The Fifth Trumpet (First Woe)

Revelation 8:6--9:21

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... their own followers. In spite of repeated invitations to repent and find life, sinful humanity remains hostile to God and his people. God’s judgments are just. Teaching the Text In many ways, this passage reflects the character of God as both loving and holy, compassionate and righteous, and serves as a warning to believers not to be deceived by idolatry (cf. texts that summarize the gospel such as John 3:16–21 and Rom. 6:23). 1. God is patient and long-suffering, desiring all people to repent and find ...

743. The Vision of the Great Prostitute

Revelation 17:1-18

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... culture but were awakened to the need to repent.”4Believers are under constant pressure to attempt this merger, especially along economic lines. This passage provides an opportunity to define “the world” and discuss how Christians can relate to the world wisely and compassionately but refuse to “love the world” (1 John 2:15–17). Even in the way we do church, we sometimes drift into imitating the world. Our numbers may increase, but are we really doing what’s best for the people? A pastor ...

744. The New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21:1-27

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... the well-attested textual variant “peoples” emphasizes once again God’s multicultural people. When we come face-to-face with his glorious presence (22:4), rather than cowering in fear, God’s people will experience tender comfort and perfect protection. Like a compassionate parent caring for a suffering child, God will wipe away our tears. Furthermore, God’s presence means the absence of all that is evil and disruptive to shalom: tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain (7:17; cf. Isa. 25:8). 21:5 ...

745. The Aaronic Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... of God’s people, we must regularly pray for God’s favor despite our sins. 4. God shows grace (“be gracious to you”). Moses teaches Israel that God is a God of grace and holiness at the same time: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the ...

746. Blood Vengeance in Gibeah

2 Samuel 21:1-14

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... circles. Where defection from God’s word imperils the family fellowship and with it the whole congregation, the word of admonition and rebuke must be ventured. Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin. It is a ministry of mercy; an ultimate offer of genuine fellowship when we allow nothing but God’s Word to stand between us and succoring. . . . God’s judgment ...

747. Barren No More

1 Sam 1:1-20–2:11

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... and will eventually deliver them from distress when they cry out to him for vindication. Hannah’s story is a reminder to God’s suffering people that (a) even though the reason(s) for trials may be shrouded in mystery, our sovereign God is just; (b) our compassionate God puts a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark and terrifying that tunnel may be; and (c) our just God delivers those who trust him. Because the same God who intervenes on behalf of Hannah and Israel still reigns, we can be ...

748. Job Feels under Attack by God

Job 16:1-17:16

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... Christian interpretation reads the mediatorial work of Christ into this statement as well as into Job 19:25–27, but Job does not have the advantage of knowing that subsequent revelation. 16:20 my eyes pour out tears to God. Job’s friends have failed to minister compassionately to him (cf. 6:14), so Job directs his tear-filled eyes to look at God. Although Job perceives that God is assailing him as an enemy (16:9–14), he nevertheless turns toward God in his need. 16:22 Only a few years will pass ...

749. Job’s Hope against Hope

Job 19:1-29

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... he could depend have turned against him. Consequently, he is left all alone as a social pariah to face his great adversity. 19:21–22 Have pity on me, my friends, have pity. With these pathetic words, Job calls on his friends to act as true comrades by being compassionate to him. Despite all they have said and done to him, Job still looks to them with hope. He asks them why they have joined God in hounding him (19:22). Job sees himself as struck by the hand of God, so he needs his friends to side with ...

750. Bildad’s Final Attempt to Answer Job

Job 25:1-6

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... imagery is used elsewhere in the Bible, the Lord triumphs over the enemies of his oppressed people. For example, in Exodus 15:3 Yahweh delivers the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage. Bildad, however, does not present humans as rescued by the compassionate Lord but rather depicts them as mere maggots and worms before the transcendent God. By overemphasizing God’s transcendence, Bildad underestimates both his immanence and the value he places upon humans, whom he made in his image. By contrast, the ...

Showing results