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 976 to 1000 of 1069 results

976. Future Glory

Romans 8:18-27

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... for them. Such sighs have meaning only when seen in light of God’s eternal purpose in verses 28–30. If in chapter 7 Paul looked inward and found a tragic conflict between his will and God’s law, here he looks outward and, with poetic sensitivity, sees the same conflict in the travail of creation. His inner wretchedness (7:24) is part of the outer world (8:20). In heartfelt empathy he speaks of creation “subjected to futility” (v. 20, RSV), in “bondage to decay” (v. 21), and “groaning as in ...

977. To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... an act of hatred against immature believers. Idolatry confuses divine love and its obligations; idols are created to serve humanity’s self-centered love and vain ambitions. Paul reminds his Corinthian readers that idolatry prevents the nurture of believers because it impedes sensitivity to their spiritual condition. Thus, to cause the immature to stumble in their Christian discipleship constitutes an act of hatred toward them and dishonors the rule of God (1 Cor. 8:9–13; 4:14–21; cf. 1 John 3:10–11 ...

978. The Angel and the Little Scroll

Revelation 10:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... God’s “macroscopic” design for salvation’s history, the shorter scroll lies open in the hand of the angel (10:8) and contains a more “microscopic” vision that intends in part to encourage his beleaguered audience. The interpreter should also be sensitive to John’s clear allusions to Ezekiel’s situation, especially when analyzing this interlude. Both are prophets in exile, commissioned to eat scrolls consisting of divine revelation (cf. Rev. 10:9; Ezek. 3:1–3a); and both of their scrolls ...

979. David and Jonathan

1 Samuel 20:1-42

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... He therefore reminds him of the covenant that Jonathan had initiated (18:3). Jonathan’s refutation of any suggestion of disloyalty causes David somewhat defensively to bring the conversation back to the problem of getting information about Saul’s reaction. Jonathan’s sensitivity to David’s need for reassurance is profound. He will inform David within the first two days of the feast about Saul’s response. Jonathan also gives a categoric assurance backed up by an oath that he will ensure David’s ...

980. David Saves Keilah

1 Samuel 23:1-6

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... part of an attempt to change the future. If David is out of the picture surely Jonathan will take over. This desperate attempt to thwart God’s known intentions ties in with the picture presented of Saul’s obsessive paranoia, just as the sensitive good sense alongside the courageous if somewhat foolhardy risking of his own safety ties in with the ongoing portrait of Jonathan. This is the last recorded meeting between David and Jonathan. The local residents’ willingness to hand David over to Saul may ...

981. Job's Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... his own words with those of the friends. Although his words are “painful” they are at least “honest.” The deceitful, self-serving character of the speech of Eliphaz, however, leaves Job unmoved and renders his arguments unpersuasive. Job questions even the sensitivity of his friends. In their haste to correct what they see as an attack on the very fabric of their lives (the comforting structures of retribution), they treat Job’s despairing words not as harsh truth that needs to be heard and ...

982. The Lord Speaks

Job 38:1--41:34

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... s power on the other. The imagery depicted with the words tie down his tongue with a rope seems to suggest haltering an animal or bridling a horse to force compliance by pain applied to the tongue. As in 40:24, a ring or cord through a hole in the sensitive nose is a well-known way of controlling bulls and other bovines. The term for hook here is not the same as in verse 1. The term can mean a “thorn,” or perhaps some prod used to control animals. 41:3–4 The idea of such a fearsome creature submitting ...

983. The Parable of the Two Sons

Matthew 21:28-32

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you (i.e., “instead of you”; another example of the last who will be first and the first who will be last, cf. 20:16). What a devastating shock to the religious sensitivities of those who were confident of their own spiritual superiority! John the Baptist had come showing the way of righteousness, and they would not believe him. However, the social outcasts believed and repented. But the religious leaders, even after they had seen this, did ...

984. Jesus Before Pilate

Matthew 27:11-26

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... as a result of this “completely fictitious scene” (p. 531). Green adds that since Christians have used this passage to fix the guilt for the crucifixion of Christ on the Jewish people, “[Matthew] has much to answer for” (p. 221). Although no morally sensitive person would for a moment exonerate those who are guilty of racial abuse, the answer is not to rewrite Scripture. In the delirium of the moment, a mob determined to crucify one who apparently violated what they held to be sacred would not ...

985. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... and Jesus’ reply must have been received as guidance in working out their own relationship to a pagan government while they were trying to be loyal above all to God. Indeed, whenever Christians have been conscious of their obligation to God, they have become sensitive about a demand of the state. Jesus’ word in verse 17 has been the watchword for a critical loyalty that grants a measured place for the state—but not absolute primacy. Additional Notes 12:13 To catch him in his words: The word translated ...

986. Saul Pursues David

1 Samuel 23:7-29

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

987. The Death of Jesus

John 19:28-37, John 19:17-27, John 19:38-42

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... criminal should not remain hanging on a tree overnight (Deut. 21:22–23) must have conflicted frequently with the Roman custom of leaving bodies on crosses as a warning to other criminals. At festival times, however, the Romans made concessions to Jewish sensitivities, (cf. Philo, Flaccus 83), and this year the fact that the following day was a Sabbath provided an additional reason for the Romans to be generous. 19:38 Arimathea: The exact location of this place is disputed, but the most widely accepted ...

988. The Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27, John 19:28-37

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

989. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... :10, 28; 8:31, 38, etc.). In any case, Paul’s evasiveness in 12:2–4 is not to be explained as shyness or humility; the apostle is being modestly decorous with his addressees when he says that he knows a man in Christ (cf. the similarly sensitive situation in 7:12), for, after the extensive discussion in 2:14–3:18, there can be little doubt that Paul regards his role as revelatory mediator (on par with, and even superior to, Moses) as being foundational to his whole apostolic ministry. Elsewhere in the ...

990. Paul's Vision and His Thorn

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

991. Visit

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... . In effect, Paul is being accused of a confidence game, in which he himself poses as the selfless apostle (I have not been a burden to you), while his accomplices carry out the actual exploitation. The collection for Jerusalem puts Paul in a difficult and sensitive position (cf. 2 Cor. 8–9). In the previous context he has steadfastly denied that he has exploited anyone (7:2), in contrast to the opponents (cf. 2:17; 11:20). Paul wants to avoid any criticism of the way he is administrating the collection ...

992. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... ambition, which is better translated “party spirit” (Gal. 5:20; 2 Cor. 12:20). In the grip of rivalry, the leader feels he or she must withdraw in some way to “witness to the truth” that the main group of Christians has rejected. Here is a very sensitive issue, for church history does know of groups driven out or withdrawing in pain and sadness as a witness to the truth; there were times this was necessary. But too often what begins as a witness gets subtly invaded by rivalry, which leads to a split ...

993. Wives and Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-7

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... . Now the union involved a new and liberating attitude. While Christian wives were still bidden to be faithful to their spouses, Christian husbands also must now take on obligations toward their wives. Believing husbands are to be considerate, understanding, and sensitive to their wives’ feelings. They must be courteous in their behavior and treat their wives with respect as the weaker partner. This again sounds unremarkable to Western ears, but it was a revolutionary doctrine in NT times. Even today in ...

994. Jacob Flees to Laban

Genesis 27:41--28:9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... marriage gives further evidence of Esau’s naïveté. He never took into account the importance of the lineage of the women he married in reference to the possibility of his seed carrying God’s promises to Abraham. By highlighting his lack of sensitivity in this critical issue, the account exposes Esau’s unworthiness of being the heir of that blessing. Additional Notes 28:1 The discrepancy between Isaac’s describing Esau’s wives as Canaanites and Rebekah’s referring to them as Hittites (27:46) is ...

995. The Three Annual Festivals

Exodus 23:14-19

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... have been sought as a special contribution to the festival. The Sinai laws repeat the injunction “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk” twice more (34:26; Deut. 14:21). It shares a common concern with other laws the Creator gives for sensitive treatment of the nonhuman creation. Other laws protect the mother-offspring relations of lambs, calves, and kids (22:29; Lev. 22:27–28; see Exod. 23:4–5, 11–12; Deut. 22:6–7). Some commentators see a reaction in this law against either Canaanite ...

996. David's Psalm of Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:7-43

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... invited the addressees of his own context to be part of the performance of the psalm. This example shows how much contemporary interpreters of Holy Scriptures can learn from the Chronicler about hermeneutics! The Chronicler showed great sensitivity for his contemporary audience in his interpretation of the transmitted traditions. Whereas the discussion in the previous paragraphs concentrated on the small but significant changes and omissions the Chronicler made, it also emphasizes that the Chronicler used ...

997. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... beginning of his reign: The precise reference is to his “accession year” (NRSV), the period from the end of 486 to April 485, when the first full regnal year began. Xerxes inherited an Egyptian revolt, which would have made him particularly sensitive to any suggestion that a neighboring country might cause further difficulties. 4:7 Bishlam, Mithredath: Or possibly “with the agreement of Mithredath” (REB), a Persian official. The ancient versions variously found in the first Aramaic term a name or a ...

998. Have You Been Pruned?

John 15:1-8

Sermon

King Duncan

... of great tragedy, “Lord, is there some way you can use this event to prune me and cause me to bear more fruit to your glory?” will find a source of strength they never dreamed possible. In one of Bishop William Willimon’s recent books he tells a sensitive and beautiful story about a young couple who understood the meaning of God’s pruning in a way that would humble all of us. Willimon says that early in his ministry he arrived at a hospital room where a woman in his church had just given birth. He ...

999. She Gave More than Bill Gates

Mark 12:38-44

Sermon

King Duncan

... lady was a widow. She had lost her husband. Some of you have experienced that event and you are wise enough to know not only of the hurt and loneliness that may bring, but also the temptation to bitterness and anger. Most of us are familiar with the sensitive work of a psychiatrist named Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a pioneer in near-death studies who herself died just a few years back. In 1969 she was the author of a groundbreaking book titled On Death and Dying. It was in that book in which she first described ...

1000. Of Mice and Men

Hebrews 10:11-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... Yancey became solidly convinced of the need for pain in a normal life. Yancey began to view pain not as an enemy but as the language the body uses to alert us when something needs attention. “The very unpleasantness of that language makes it effective: pain‑sensitive people almost never duplicate the injuries of leprosy patients,” says Yancey. (3) Guilt is to the soul what pain is to the body. It tells us that something is wrong and needs to be dealt with. And if we ignore that inner voice that tells ...

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