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 926 to 950 of 1069 results

926. The Roman Trial

Mark 15:16-20, Mark 15:1-15

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... mocking and spitting.” 15:20a put his own clothes on him. The common practice was to scourge the condemned and then lead them naked to the execution site. However, they place Jesus’s garments back on him, probably due to Jewish sensitivities toward nakedness. It would be unwise to anger the volatile crowds at this time. Theological Insights There are four insights. (1) Jesus is the royal Messiah, the long-expected Davidic “king of the Jews” who would fulfill prophetic expectations and finalize ...

927. Divided Loyalties

Luke 12:1-12, Luke 12:13-21

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... ” above. Encourage listeners to focus on the contrasting exhortations “Fear him” (12:5) and “Don’t be afraid” (12:7) and to reflect on the place of “fear” in the Christian life. The “unforgivable sin” is often a source of worry to sensitive Christians. Here in 12:10 it lacks a clear context to define what “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” might mean in practice. Consider the parallels in Mark and Matthew, where the context is much more specific, and discuss in what ways such ...

928. Use It or Lose It

Luke 19:11-27

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... for a period, but its focus is on responsible service rather than on the question of timing as such. 19:12 to have himself appointed king and then to return. See “Historical and Cultural Background” above; the fairly recent Archelaus incident would still have been a sensitive issue in Judea. 19:13 ten minas. The mina was a Greek coin worth a hundred drachmas, so roughly a hundred days’ wages. There were about sixty minas to a talent, so that the sums here are very modest compared to those in the ...

929. Paul Reinterprets the Story of Israel

Romans 2:17-29

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... his wife. The Gentiles and the Restoration of Israel Big Idea If in 2:1–24 Paul argued that Israel’s attempt to keep the Torah results in continued sin and exile, in these verses the apostle to the Gentiles offends all Jewish sensitivities by asserting that (Christian) Gentiles are part of the new-covenant people whose conversion to Christ constitutes a part of the long-awaited restoration of Israel. Understanding the Text In Romans 2:17–29 Paul criticizes the two hallmarks of Israel’s covenant ...

930. The Story of Abraham versus the Story of Israel

Romans 4:1-25

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... heritage. They rightfully remain Jewish and may well celebrate, for example, the Old Testament feasts of the Lord such as Passover, but from a perspective of faith in Christ as the fulfillment of the Torah. Moreover, Jewish believers will want to be sensitive to their Gentile siblings in the faith and careful not to impose on them Jewish culture. Illustrating the Text Many religions say Abraham is their father, but only Christians are his true seed. News Story: Ann Holmes Redding, ordained as an Episcopal ...

931. Wisdom and Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... advice on how to do well (or gain prominence) in a certain culture. God’s wisdom, on the other hand, focuses on his purposes for his creation. Often, therefore, it runs contrary to the common pursuits of worldly wisdom. Teaching the Text The seeker-sensitive desire to make the biblical text relevant to the surrounding culture faces the danger of taking over the categories and general thought patterns of the culture where it is located. The wisdom of the nation, so to speak, has more impact on Christian ...

932. Marriage, Sexual Intimacy, and Spiritual Devotion

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... that singles should realize their situation could strengthen their service in God’s kingdom. 5. The undercurrent of this passage is that not all things related to Christian teaching are either/or. Paul’s pastoral guidance reveals his sensitive concern for people’s and families’ individual situations. Guiding principles lifted from the teaching of Scripture can lead to different conclusions in different situations where people are equally faithful to God’s calling and purpose. Illustrating the Text ...

933. The Focus of Christian Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... and theology. Teach people the differences between having personal preferences in worship and appointing themselves the official arbiters of what is “good” or “bad” worship. Explain how your church’s commitment to unity in worship is expressed in terms of compromise, sensitivity to various groups and their needs, and a spirit of love and concern for discipleship. Quote: Dwight L. Moody. “I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord’s people were divided.” If this is true ...

934. The First Four Trumpet Judgments

Revelation 8:6--9:21, Revelation 8:1-5

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... so in a manner that allows for unbelievers to repent (e.g., Rev. 9:20–21). Third, the plague judgments also serve as a prelude to God’s deliverance of his people. Teaching the Text The present text emphasizes God’s holy character and his sensitivity to the prayers of his people. 1. God will judge wickedness. This text provides a good opportunity to remind people that God alone is God and that turning against him will only prove disastrous in the end. God demonstrates his supremacy in both the plagues ...

935. Diagnosing “Leprosy”

Lev 13:1-59

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... the Levitical law are recognized by modern science. Science: According to the Centers for Disease Control, molds represent a significant health risk to people: Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors. However some people are sensitive to molds. These people may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation when exposed to molds. Some people may have more severe reactions to molds. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large ...

936. A Prodigal Son Comes Home in Body, but Not in Spirit

2 Sam 14:1–15:12

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... out his royal responsibility to promote justice in the land. Absalom may be exaggerating or even misrepresenting the real situation (cf. 2 Sam. 8:15). After all, the woman of Tekoa has received a hearing with the king and a favorable response that shows sensitivity to her plight.4 15:6 so he stole the hearts of the people. By demonstrating sympathy for the people’s needs, Absalom wins their loyalty (“stole their heart,” a Hebrew phrase that occurs elsewhere only in Gen. 31:20, 26, where, as here ...

937. Saul on the Rampage

1 Samuel 22:6-23

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... function: an innocent man, loyal to David, dies as a result of a scheme designed to save David’s skin. In this case the story sets us up for a startling contrast. If David’s self-incrimination is unjustified, false guilt, it nevertheless shows a sensitive spirit and genuine concern for others, characteristics that will be sorely lacking in the account of his murder of Uriah. 22:23 don’t be afraid. David was afraid in the presence of Achish (21:12), but now that he is again relying on the ...

938. Eliphaz

Job 4:1-5:27

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... to the retribution principle, arguing that Job’s sin must be genuine, because it has brought God’s intense punishment upon him. Eliphaz’s riff on the fool in 5:3–7 is clearly directed at Job personally. Even though Eliphaz began his speech with sensitivity toward Job, by this point his language has become critical and even hurtful. In fact, his insensitive references to Job’s children in 5:4, 25 must feel like daggers to Job’s heart. The corrective to what Eliphaz says does not come until Yahweh ...

939. Bildad Has the Answer (He Thinks!)

Job 8:1-22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... cause. Compelled by his logic, Bildad concludes that Job’s children must have sinned. Bildad’s insensitive reference to Job’s children evidences that he is looking at Job’s case with a cold, analytical eye. His abstract theology without pastoral sensitivity and compassion must pain Job terribly. 8:6 if you are pure and upright. Even though Bildad does not really understand what has prompted Job’s calamity, he speaks as though he understands it completely. To Bildad’s thinking, if Job ...

940. Zophar Rejects Job’s Complaints

Job 11:1-20

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... the sidebar). Zophar’s implication, then, is that instead of complaining, Job should be grateful for God’s leniency toward him. Zophar evaluates the situation in solely theological terms, and he seems devoid of any personal compassion. He appears to have little sensitivity to Job’s profound pain. 11:7–8 Can you fathom the mysteries of God? . . . What can you know? In 10:13 Job suggested that he knows God’s thoughts that lie behind his actions toward him. Zophar, however, exaggerates what Job ...

941. Job Feels Both Confidence and Terror

Job 23:1--24:25

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... who are stranded on a desert island after what seems to be a nuclear war. Left alone and without the restraint of adult supervision, they vie for leadership, form cliques, and proceed to be corrupted by power and hurt one another terribly, the most sensible and sensitive of them dying in the process. It is a profound study in the native evil of human beings and their will to power. We often long for justice from God and are puzzled by its absence. Song Lyrics: The spirituals of the African American slaves ...

942. “The Lord . . . Rules the World in Righteousness”

Psalm 10:1-18, Psalm 9:1-20

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... latter is likely the case (10:4, 11). 10:14 the helper of the fatherless. The “fatherless” is a representative term for all those innocents who are abused by the wicked, or those who are vulnerable without a protector, to whose cries God is especially sensitive (Exod. 22:21–22). 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked. God’s actions in the Psalms are phrased in terms of physical violence, but God himself is gracious and just. In fact, this is a metaphor that graphically depicts God’s dispensing of ...

943. “May the Net They Hid Entangle Them”

Psalm 35:1-28

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... it is disturbing. It is reminiscent of the audacious metaphor of Yahweh’s striking the psalmist’s enemies on the jaw and breaking their teeth in Psalm 3:7. While this picture of Yahweh as violent opponent may vibrate negatively to our sensitivities, we should remember that it is a measured reaction against his enemies’ violence. The psalmist’s complaint is of a serious nature, for the “ruthless witnesses” (35:11; see comments on that verse) are those who accuse the psalmist of blood-violence ...

944. “The Lord Most High Is Awesome, the Great King over All the Earth”

Psalm 47:1-9

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham” (47:9a) For/because “The kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted” (47:9b) Historical and Cultural Background Since the text is our point of reference, we need to sensitize and resensitize ourselves to it, and when we do, we often discover that the text tells a story, sometimes by explicit biblical references and sometimes only by allusions. In the case of Psalm 47, we have two explicit historical references, to Abraham (47:9 ...

945. Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 9:1-19

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... their behavior in the light of God’s Word, rather than in relation to bad experiences. Having done that, we should also take a second look at our personal choices when life is challenging. Encourage your listeners, when facing difficulties, to be sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance, while comparing their lives to Scripture’s teaching about living in obedience to God’s revealed word. 3. Mercy for his name’s sake. God’s mercy and forgiveness are always available to those who sincerely repent ...

946. Jacob Returns to Bethel

Gen 35:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Jacob continues to evidence spiritual maturity. He is, for instance, sensitive to anything that is at cross-purposes with the presence of God in his life. That is why he orders the removal of foreign gods (probably those Rachel brought from Laban’s house) and the change of clothes (symbolizing spiritual renewal). Even the rings in their ears are removed. Wherever ...

947. Hebrew Servants

Exodus 21:2-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... retaliation by giving even more than is required (Matt. 5:38–42). 21:1-11 · The master-servant relationship was part of the widespread ancient socioeconomic structure, and the Israelites, emerging from their own harsh bondage, are to be particularly sensitive to mistreatment of slaves. The Hebrew word ebed means both “slave” and “servant.” Because there is provision for selling oneself into bondage in order to deal with unmanageable debt (22:3), hope for freedom is essential. A male servant does ...

948. Sanctuary Supplies and Service

Num 7:1–8:26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the Levite workforce must consist of men from thirty to fifty years of age (e.g., Num. 4:3, 23, 30). However, 8:23–26 puts the beginning age at twenty-five. The ages in chapter 4 may apply only to the period when it is necessary to perform the sensitive and potentially hazardous duty of moving the sanctuary from place to place (cf. 1 Chron. 23:24–27; 2 Chron. 31:17; Ezra 3:8).

949. Going to War

Deuteronomy 20:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of all, but those in Canaan are to be destroyed because of their accumulated wickedness and the threat of religious syncretism in Israel (Deut. 7:1–6, 25–26). Idolatry must not creep into the land via the back door. These wars are to be ecologically sensitive as well: fruit trees are not to be cut down or destroyed (20:19–20). Moreover, a captive woman is to be treated mercifully, for if she is later married to an Israelite, she must never be sold or treated as a slave. Without a Geneva Convention ...

950. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in his reign. The letter is quite derogatory of the Jews and exaggerates their faults, for this small community did not pose any great threat to the empire. But given the precarious situation of this part of the Persian Empire, the king was sensitive to the possibility of any more rebellions. The three different words for royal revenue in 4:13 (“taxes, tribute or duty”) emphasize the importance of taxes in the Persian Empire. When Alexander the Great conquered Persia, he found huge storehouses of many ...

Showing results