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 951 to 975 of 4340 results

951. Changing the Inner Parts

Mk 1:1-8

Illustration

King Duncan

... continuous corrections and decided to have the clock's inner parts fixed?" God did not intend us to make continuous changes by sending Christ into the world. God intended nothing less than to change the whole dynamic of human character. That's why each Advent we encounter this strange character John the Baptist with his call to repentance. It is to remind us that Christmas isn't simply about candy canes and reindeer and snowflakes and colored lights. It is about a righteous God who loves humanity so much ...

952. From a Distance

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... God had been too close at hand, would Abraham's striving after faithfulness have been so fervent? If the Promised Land had been given within a year, would the clan of Abraham have retained its singular identity and purpose? Hazel Motes (a man) is the central character of one of Flannery O'Connor's novels. After he lost his eyesight, he insisted that blind people see more. "If there's no bottom to your eyes, they hold more," he once told his faithful landlady (O'Connor, Wise Blood [New York: Farrar, Straus ...

953. The Problem of Unanswered Prayer

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... found an answer to soothe the strained muscles of his heart and soul. Yet each of Allen's films continues to address this issue in ever new and ever more thoughtful ways. In Love and Death, Allen considers the implications of a deaf, godless universe. Allen's character, Boris, is agonizing over his own fear of death with his cousin Sonia (Diane Keaton) when he cries, "Oh, if only God would just give me some sign. If he would just speak to me once - anything; one sentence, two words. If he would just cough ...

954. A Bill of Rights

Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... by the self and others has taken a back seat to feeling good, or, at least, avoiding feeling bad. And, oh boy, the excuses some of you can come up with for doing so"(29)! Her book argues that society must get back to the 3 C's: Character, Courage and Conscience. She begins her book with this declaration: "The path to solid, supportive, healthy relationships, self-respect and a quality life starts with the usually painful decision to do the right thing. This is the book to get you on that path and to keep ...

955. Was Jesus the First Buster?

Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... According to the Four Brothers (57). - An interview with Mary Tyler Moore, where she tells of her experience as Elvis' last leading lady she played a nun in "Change of Habit." In the last scene, Elvis is playing guitar in a musical Mass, while Mary's character prays and looks from the statue of Jesus to Elvis and from Jesus to Elvis again. - Diesel Jeans and Workwear has a two-page ad that tells a Christmas story of depression, #48 in a series of Diesel "How to ... Guides to Successful Living for People ...

956. Just Showing Up Doesn't Get the Job Done

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... John Wayne perfected on-screen never failed to embody the qualities of honor, loyalty, bravery and commitment. John Wayne's cowboys didn't just look good. They were good. In the classic, "Rio Bravo," Wayne's character summed up the essence of his cowboy philosophy by declaring to a less-than-perfect sidekick "Just showing up doesn't get the job done!" Matthew's parable-allegory of the 10 bridesmaids seems to emphasize this same kind of message to his reader it takes more than good intentions ...

957. Be an Energizer Bunny

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and sisters in Christ. As a result, there are many congregations that are beginning to resemble the cheeks of some Hollywood movie star who has had a few too many face lifts drawn so smooth and taut that they have lost all character and individuality with their mouths pulled back and their faces frozen in an unconvincing, permanent grin. There is no doubt that the church of the late 20th century is an endangered institution. Every major "mainline" denomination has watched its membership numbers slide ...

958. The New Age

Luke 1:26-38

Illustration

Thomas Long

Every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, there is displayed, beneath the great Christmas tree, a beautiful eighteenth century Neapolitan nativity scene. In many ways it is a very familiar scene. The usual characters are all there: shepherds roused from sleep by the voices of angels; the exotic wise men from the East seeking, as Auden once put it, "how to be human now"; Joseph; Mary; the babe all are there, each figure an artistic marvel of wood, clay, and paint. There is, however, ...

959. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , then, are a kind of "synagogue Greek" to be used only for religious purposes. Luke's concern (in verses such as 3:4a) was to create a proper narrative voice for his gospel, clearly separating the narrator's voice from the voices of all the other characters in his story. The content of John's words is, of course, taken from Isaiah 40:3-5. Yet here again, Luke introduces subtle nuances as he incorporates the Old Testament text into his own theology. By omitting the conclusionary remarks of Isaiah 40:5 ("for ...

960. 2 Kings 5:1-15ab

2 Kings 5:1-15ab

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... introduced to us here in chapter 5. But in just one verse we know both the height and the depth, the length and breadth of Naaman's being. Naaman is a warrior, a commander, even the Lord's chosen victor. But the facet of Naaman's character that most defines him is straightforward and totally devastating. Naaman is a leper. In the light of that one fact, it seems not to matter that Naaman, whose very name means charm or pleasantness, is triumphing over Israel with the Lord's support. As the story unfolds ...

961. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to a smug but unsatiated people, shares in Paul's sense of impatience and importance. The very name "Amos" is derived from the Hebrew verb "to load" or - more explicitly - "to carry a load" - a name that implies both something about Amos' message and Amos' character itself. A little of Amos went a long way. Amos is from a region outside Jerusalem known as Tekoa, where he makes his living as a sheep breeder. His personal wealth in terms of livestock and land give him considerably more social standing than ...

962. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of Christian behavior. They must express both inward and outward evidence of the gospel's effect on their lives. The authenticity and current canonical location of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 has often been questioned. These five verses are somewhat general in character and their ideas are only loosely connected to one another. Verses 1-2 express Paul's desire for intercessory prayer, first for the gospel's sake, and then for the protection of his own and others' missionary work - shielding them from the ...

963. John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Baptist's testimony is uncompromised. In 1:20, the Baptist boldly answers the Jewish priest's questions about his own identity: "He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed . . . " Once John the Baptist is established as a witness of unmatchable quality and character, the gospel writer invites his readers to enter Jesus' baptism through the Baptist's testimony. In verses 29-34, Jesus is not the focus of attention - despite the fact that it is his baptism. Instead, John's gospel makes this event a prime ...

964. Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:19-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , but on the state of one's heart. This parable is divided into two parts. Verses 19-26 tell the most familiar part of the story. Much has been made about the fact that of all Jesus' parables, this is the only one in which one of the characters is carefully named. That the poor man is called "Lazarus" has led many scholars on a mad rush for clues that might connect this Lazarus with the other known Lazarus of Jesus' acquaintance - his best friend from Bethany, who rose from the dead at Jesus' command. While ...

965. Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Romans to do this work, he actually earned his living by charging more than the Romans required and pocketing the profits. In effect, the tax collector was both a usurer and a user of his people. Because the tax collector is such a vilified character to this first-century audience, the conclusion offered by verse 14 is surprising. Luke declares that God views people as righteous only when they recognize their own sinfulness and repent of it. There is some discussion among scholars that verse 14a was added ...

966. 2 Kings 5:1-15ab

2 Kings 5:1-15ab

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

967. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

968. Acts 9:36-43

Acts 9:36-43

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of the deceased where the widows had already gathered, including those who had been the recipients of Tabitha' s good deeds and many kindness'. Exhibits of her needlework were already being displayed and passed among the crowd as a reminder of the industrious character which had possessed this woman who was now so sorely missed (9:39). The reference to "widows" may be a reference to those possessing what would become a specific office of the church, or may have included professional mourners who had already ...

969. About Sex

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... sees 14,000 instances of sexual material every year. Surely the numbers today are even more staggering and the content is definitely more explicit. One dramatic change is in the sexual mores or lack thereof of the lead characters in television dramas. People laughed when Dan Quayle chided the television character Murphy Brown for bearing a baby out of wedlock. Mr. Quayle may not have known how to spell “potato,” but in this instance he was on the right path. We have reached a moral tipping point in our ...

970. Ordinary and Humble Princes

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

... us. There is something delicious about finding out that the frog is really a handsome prince, that the ugly duckling is the one that grows into the most resplendent of all swans. We enjoy it when the moment of truth comes for the characters in a story as they discover that the scruffy-looking character they never quite trusted is actually the true king of the realm. In the classic The Wizard of Oz we get a double treat at the end of the story: first, the great and powerful Oz turns out to be nothing but the ...

971. Rainbows and Roses

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... , for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death us do part.” The promise we give each other in the marriage ceremony. Promises are important. Of course, a promise is only as good as the character of the one making the promise. The One who has made 3,000 promises to us in scripture has impeccable character. If God says that He will be with us through the storm, you can count on it. If He says He accepts us just as we are, you can take it to the bank. If He says He has prepared ...

972. The Darkness We Create

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... dinner table. This image of home, of family, of absence and return, of invitation, led me to one of our favorite parables. It goes by different names, each focusing on one of its main characters: The Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Elder Son, the Loving Father. For the first three Sundays of Advent, I want to focus on each of the main characters. Each will be looked at through the lens of Advent, of our becoming aware of our human need in order to be prepared for God’s response. If we feel we have no ...

973. Advent 4

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Romans 16:1-27, Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... a favored girl. She found favor with God. To be favored meant to be approved of God and capable of carrying out God's plan of incarnation. What had she done to deserve this favor, or wasn't it deserved? She was a simple, poor and humble woman. Her character was expressed in her acceptance of the position, "Let it be to me according to your word." Certainly she was not sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was in her willingness to cooperate with God's purpose and to use her life in spite of what it may ...

974. The Nativity Of Our Lord

Isaiah 9:1-7, Titus 2:1-15, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... as a light to eliminate the darkness. a. The darkness of the world caused by sin 1 John 1:5-7. b. The light of the world Christ removed the darkness of sin. 2. You Shall Know Him by His Name (9:6). Need: A name identifies the character of a person. In biblical thought you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the names he is given. a. Counselor guide, helper, advocate. b. God the transcendent, totally other One. c. Father the warm, tender, caring, imminent God. d. Prince ...

975. Be Careful How You Live - Sermon Starter

Eph 5:15-20; John 6:63

Illustration

Brett Blair

... varied a group? This is how Fosdick began: "I do not ask anyone here to change his religion; but I do ask all of you to face up to this question: What is your religion doing to your character?" This was a call to consider one of the great issues of human belief: religion and life, Christianity and character, word and spirit. Emerson once said, "What you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear a word you say." Jesus' discourse in this whole sixth chapter of the Gospel of John had two foci - spirit and life. "The ...

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