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 1001 to 1025 of 4456 results

1001. One Commandment is Enough!

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Rules, commandments, and laws are nothing new. For instance, everyone knows Murphy's Law: "If there is a possibility that something will go wrong, it will." Or how about the Law of Gardening: "You get the most of what you need the least." Jones' Rule of the Road is: "The easiest way to fold a map is differently." I like Erma Bombeck's Rule of Medicine: "Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died." One of my favorites is Agnes Allen's Law: "Almost anything is easier to get into than out of." But no ...

1002. Friends

1 Samuel 18:1-4

Sermon

James Merritt

Friends - It was one of the most watched television shows in the nineties. It was in effect, the twenty-first century version of what friendship is all about. That one word, perfectly describes the relationship between two men named, David and Jonathan, who had, what one could argue is the most famous friendship in the history of the world. As we have just seen in the previous chapter, David had just pulled off one of the greatest upsets in history when, as a nineteen year old shepherd boy, who couldn't ...

1003. The Face that Launched a Thousand Lives

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon

Fredrick R. Harm

You will recall the ancient myth that lies behind our sermon theme for today. Helen, the wife of Sparta's king Menelaus, was acclaimed the most beautiful woman of Greece. The Greeks fought the Trojan War in order to get her back from Troy, where Paris, the son of King Priam, had taken her. In Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, the question is asked concerning Helen, "Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burned the topless towers of Ilium?" Today's text speaks of a far greater face, a face ...

1004. Christmas 1

Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Colossians 3:1-17, Colossians 3:18-4:1, Galatians 3:15-25, Hebrews 2:5-18, Matthew 2:13-18, Matthew 2:19-23

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7-9 (C); Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E) The prophet counts Israel's many blessings. When the Exiles returned to Jerusalem, conditions were far from good. In today's Lesson 1, the prophet recalls God's blessings on Israel in the past and asks, "Why not now?" On the basis of past "steadfast love," the nation should take courage and hope that Yahweh's blessings will continue. The covenant made at Sinai means they were the people of Yahweh, and as such he saved them from the bondage in ...

1005. Someone to Watch over Me

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Anybody here remember how much you always wanted your parents to watch you when you were little? Go back in time. Remember swimming at the local pool as a child? No matter how poor or perfect your swimming skills, you always kept on eye on Mom or Dad so you could catch their attention. Whether you were diving, dog paddling, or just hanging on the edge practice-kicking, your refrain was a constant "Watch this!" "Watch this!" "Watch me!" "Watch me again!!!" All of us were anxious to gain parental approval, ...

1006. What Happens When We Can't Believe It?

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

All three of our Bible lessons for today touch on themes that cannot help but direct our attention to last Sunday's celebration of the festival of Easter. (The Roman Catholic lectionary's first lesson [Acts 2:42-47] reminds us of the Easter festival, as its reference to the community shared among the early Christians is reminiscent of an active church member's joy in seeing a packed church on Easter Sunday.) I do not know about your feelings with certainty, but I suspect that last Sunday's worship service ...

1007. Walls, Walls, Everywhere Walls

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

King Duncan

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That wants it down!” wrote poet Robert Frost. I wish that everyone shared that sentiment. Unfortunately most people do not. Most people love walls. They see walls as their security, even their salvation. It is interesting that the largest construction project ever undertaken by humanity was the building of a wall. I’m talking, of course, about the Great Wall of China. It is said that enough stone was used in that 1,700‑year project to build an 8‑foot wall ...

1008. The Cross We Do Not Want To See

Mark 15:21-32

Sermon

King Duncan

Garbage truck driver Craig Randall sometimes brings his work home with him. There was that old-fashioned sewing machine he salvaged. There were some books he lifted from the trash. And then there was that Wendy's soft-drink cup that just happened to be worth $200,000. Neither Randall nor his fiancee believed it until Randall drove his garbage truck to a Wendy's restaurant and picked up his check. "I will probably still tell him not to bring stuff home from the trash," said his fiancee, Michelle Dacey, 25. ...

1009. Proper 8

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 In a battle with the Philistines King Saul and his sons lost their lives. An Amalekite soldier describes how Saul died. Saul was severely wounded and asked the Amalekite to kill him. Though Saul requested the Amalekite to kill him, David ordered one of his men to kill the Amalekite for slaying the Lord's anointed. Then he sang a lament for Saul and Jonathon. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 In chapters 8 and 9 Paul discusses the stewardship of money. The pressing ...

1010. Broadway

Matthew 7:13-14

Sermon

Robert Beringer

Many of our large cities across America have a street which is called "Broadway." Broadway in New York is the center of the theater district; Broadway in San Francisco is the center of the tenderloin; and Philadelphia has its "Broad Street" in center city. But I wonder how many people realize where that term, "Broadway," came from? Many might be very surprised that it came originally from the lips of Jesus Christ. For it was Jesus who put "Broadway" in contrast to the narrow roads that were familiar to the ...

1011. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The call of God. The boy Samuel had to be taught not only to hear the call of God but to recognize the call as coming from God and respond affirmatively. In the Second Lesson, the Corinthian Christians had to be made to realize that they must respond to Christ's call not only with their minds but also their bodies. In the Gospel, Christ calls his first disciples. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) The young Samuel has been apprenticed to the elderly priest, Levi, and is sleeping near ...

1012. Salvation Through His Suffering

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

The people of his ignoble day harassed him, hunted him, and lied about him until they got him where they wanted him - on a T-shaped scaffold intended for the worst of criminals! But though it is true that Jesus thus suffered, nevertheless when we look at Calvary, we are not witnessing a murder. We are not witnessing the death of a martyr. We are not witnessing the execution of a political revolutionary who made a mistake in public relations and got himself crucified. We are not witnessing drama - an actor ...

1013. David

Drama

Sarah Walton Miller

This dramatization may be done simply as choral speaking. Or add actors for their own tableaux or pantomime [choreography]. Choral speaking must be rehearsed and rehearsed to make many voices sound as one. Listen to the voices. Use at least four low voices and four high [more, if you like]. Remember this is DRAMATIC reading. It must be done with much expression or it will sound about as exciting as the average congregation’s responsive reading! Watch the punctuation. It will help with the expression. ...

1014. The Child of Promise

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

Benjamin Britten’s cantata “St. Nicholas” is based on the legendary figure of Nicolas, Bishop of Myra. If Nicolas was truly an historical figure and the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, he would have been bishop in the latter part of the fourth century or the early part of the fifth century. Traditionally, Nicolas is the patron saint of sailors and children. The legends built around him are especially attentive to his care for the poor and helpless. He is noted for having spent his fortune on the poor and ...

1015. Blessing, Testing, Response

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

King Duncan

Sometime back newscaster Paul Harvey reported that the average person blinks his eyes 13 times every minute. That's an interesting bit of trivia. But what really interested me was what I also read this week about the problem of world hunger. I read that 13 people starve to death every minute in this world. That means, of course, that every time you and I blink our eyes, another person has died from starvation. Now I am usually unaware of blinking my eyes. It's just an automatic reflex. I don't have to be ...

1016. Proper 19

Exodus 13:17--14:31, Romans 14:1--15:13, Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 14:19-31 After the Egyptians suffered the loss of their firstborn sons, they permitted the Hebrews to leave the country. Upon second thought, they decided they needed them back to do their slave work. The Egyptian army pursued them to the Red Sea. By God's miracle the waters parted for the Israelites to cross over. However, when the Egyptians were crossing over the Sea, the water returned and the army was destroyed. Old Testament: Ecclesticus 27:30-28:7 Coming to terms with ...

1017. Prayer: A Way of Life

James 5:13-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once there was a monastery in the woods that had fallen upon hard times. In the past it had been a thriving community that was well known and respected throughout the region, but over the last generation the monks had died one by one and there were no new vocations to replace them. Besides this, the monks did not seem to be as friendly to each other. Something just wasn't right. The Father Abbot was quite concerned about the future of his monastery, now consisting of himself and three brothers and, thus, ...

1018. The Prodigal Father

Romans 8:14-17

Sermon

John Jamison

It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements. But this time, something was different. A line had been crossed that had never been crossed before. They sat there, staring at each other, both realizing they were in new territory, neither of them sure that they really wanted to be there. No one remembers who broke the silence and spoke first, but it moved quickly from there. No one remembers just how long the fight continued. But everyone remembers that moment when it ...

1019. Shockproof

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

James Merritt

Dawn Smith Jordan was selected Miss South Carolina in 1986 and was the second runner up to Miss America that year. An event took place the year before that caused an emotional and spiritual earthquake in her life that shook her to the very core of her being. On May 31, 1985, her 17-year-old sister, Sherrie, was kidnapped while walking from her car to the mailbox. She was just two days from her high school graduation. They didn’t hear anything for a few days and then they received a letter in the mail from ...

1020. Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Cain and Abel, Adam’s sons, are born after the fall (4:1–16). Eve connects Cain’s birth with the verb “to bring forth.” In Hebrew this verb (qanah) sounds like “Cain” (qayin). Eve has been allowed to share in the creative work of God. Unlike Cain’s, Eve does not explain Abel’s name. “Abel” is the word “vanity” appearing in Ecclesiastes 1:2—“Abel of Abels, all is Abel”—unless “Abel” is to be connected with a cuneiform word meaning “son.” Traditionally understood, his name reflects the transitory nature of ...

1021. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:1-42

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

10:1–4 Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. The distinction between exorcism and healing suggests that they are two different functions. This is the first mention of the twelve disciples in Matthew. He assumes they are known to the reader. That there are twelve disciples follows from the fact that they represent the new Israel: the twelve tribes of Israel find their counterpart in the twelve disciples. ...

1022. Faces of Failure: Jesus’s Family

Mark 3:20-21, 31-35

Sermon

Don Tuttle

Have you ever noticed how some of those who should know Jesus best don’t? Take, for example, the people in his hometown of Nazareth. In Luke’s Gospel, the people who saw him play in their streets and work in his father’s shop are at first impressed with him. But when he returns to speak in the synagogue and suggests there is more faith among the pagans than among them they became furious and try to kill him. Or consider the disciples. They spend three years working with Jesus. They are there for all the ...

1023. A Man of the Moment

Genesis 25:19-34

Sermon

Stan Purdum

Do you remember the movie 1988 movie, Twins? It was comedy that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as, of all things, twin brothers. Even if you know nothing about the plot of the movie, the mental picture of those two actors standing side-by-side as twins is itself pretty funny. The setup for the move is that the brothers are the result of an experiment to grow a perfect man, who is the Schwarzenegger character, named Julius. But in the course of manipulating his genes when he's in the ...

1024. Looking Ahead to the Transition

Luke 20:27-38

Illustration

King Duncan

Author King Duncan tells about a young man he met in the small town of Maryville, TN. Duncan had just finished speaking to a group on the healing power of humor. This young man came up to him to tell him about the death of his brother. There were three brothers in their family. The family was quite involved in this small community and so, as youngsters, these three brothers were forced to accompany their parents to the funeral home for the receiving of friends whenever someone in the community died. As the ...

1025. Being Wronged versus Claiming One’s Right

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: The church must be vigilant in protecting its identity as a Christ-empowered community and recognize that it is more Christlike to accept being wronged than to pursue retaliation through means that contradict Christ’s teaching. In the community of Christ, no interpersonal differences should be irreconcilable. Understanding the Text In a second practical example of the troubles arising from the behavior and wrongheaded allegiances discussed in chapters 1–4, Paul confronts a situation where one ...

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