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 1076 to 1100 of 4943 results

1076. The Shepherds and the Angels

Luke 2:8-20

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Isa. 9:6; Ellis, p. 82). As abruptly as they appeared, the angels returned to heaven (v. 15), leaving the shepherds to hurry off to see Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger (v. 16). When they had seen Jesus, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child (v. 17). To whom the all of v. 18 refers is not clear. Possibly Luke has in mind the guests of the inn; in any case, the people who heard it were amazed. The independent witness of the shepherds satisfies Luke ...

1077. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

Luke 5:33-39

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... company. Another aspect of Jesus’ ministry that offended the Pharisees and others (such as the Essenes) who fasted often (see 18:12) and strictly monitored what food and drink they consumed was that Jesus apparently did not fast often, nor was he overly concerned about the religious purity of the food that he ate. Thus, in the eyes of his critics, not only did Jesus fellowship with the wrong kind of people, he also had adopted wrong habits. The major difference between the outlook of the Pharisees ...

1078. The Last Supper

Luke 22:7-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... that Ps. 122:4–5 may be in view. Gundry (p. 393) suggests that the saying may in part be inspired by Daniel 7. Marshall (p. 818) cites both. Since both OT passages in fact do appear together in Jewish exegesis and in the context of discussion concerned with the “great ones of Israel” and the thrones that they will be given (see Midrash Tanhuma B, tractate Qedoshim 1.1), it seems that these are indeed the passages that ultimately lie behind Luke 22:30 and context. See also Rev. 21:12, 14. I agree ...

1079. Personal Requests

1 Corinthians 16:5-18

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... point of view that gives a deeper significance to the remarks than might at first meet the eye of a reader. 16:13–14 These two verses are a bit of stock paranesis, or plain, direct, and often conventional advice concerning practical issues. Paul’s vocabulary in these verses communicates a more nuanced statement than may be communicated in simple translations. The tone is traditional and eschatological. The initial exhortation to “watch” sounds an eschatological note, and the final reference to ...

1080. The Woman on the Beast

Revelation 17:1-18

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... Jerusalem, which will conclude Revelation. John’s pastoral perspective is made clearer in arranging his visions in this way; he is concerned that the believer not be intoxicated with the wine of the prostitute’s adulteries (cf. 14:4a) and therefore be disqualified ... great city must refer to historical Rome. If one is forced to equate Babylon with Rome, Beasley-Murray’s concern is justified. We think his assumption, however, is mistaken. Babylon’s setting may well have been patterned after Rome, even ...

1081. Saul's Family

1 Samuel 14:49-52

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... for the ongoing development of the community, is usually seen as coming from a Deuteronomic perspective. It portrays Saul positively and may be included as a way of indicating that the specific incidents concerning Saul’s kingship do not give a complete picture of his reign. David is an example of Saul’s co-opting into royal service any mighty or brave man. Merab and Michal, Saul’s daughters, and Abner, his field commander, are introduced. This technique of introducing characters before they play ...

1082. David In Saul's Service

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... text never hints that this evil spirit provides an excuse. Saul remains responsible for his behavior. The problem is the effect of his disobedience resulting in a bad conscience and loss of any awareness of God’s presence with him. Saul’s courtiers, concerned for his well-being, persuade him to look for a court musician, for music was recognized as having beneficial effects in some circumstances. David, apparently having some renown as a harpist, is sent for. The description of David as a brave man and ...

1083. Nathan Rebukes David

2 Samuel 12:1-31

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... In Nathan’s tale the rich man’s crime was the abuse of power involving greed, gross injustice, and sheer meanness. How could a man who owned so much deprive a poor man of his one pet ewe lamb? This cold-blooded meanness was the most shocking. David was concerned in general about justice, and he was enraged that anybody could have behaved in any way that could be seen as fitting this story. We are told that he burned with anger. He made a legal pronouncement that a man who did such a thing deserve[d] to ...

1084. David Builds an Altar

2 Samuel 24:18-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... not just the disgraced Saul, have consequences that go far beyond the action. In both instances the accounts end with God again answering prayer in behalf of the land (21:14; 24:25). In this instance there is a looking forward to Solomon’s reign. The details given concerning the threshing floor of Araunah are explained by the fact that this was where the temple was to be built. Thus this account forms an appropriate end to 2 Samuel and a link with 1 Kings. 24:1–3 The picture in verse 1 of God incit[ing ...

1085. Faith and Deeds

James 2:14-26, James 2:1-13

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... at who is elected to office in the church and who sits on denominational committees would quickly indicate that despite the very negative view Jesus took of wealth (e.g., Mark 10), James’ reproof is still relevant today. The church ought to show no partiality, no concern about the outward beauty, wealth, or power of a person. This is demanded of us as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The only basis of the church is faith in a single Lord. Belief and commitment save rich and poor alike, and all ...

1086. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:1-6, James 4:13-17, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... and the quotation is most appropriate. God does not like watching people squirm. He would not allow suffering to happen if there were not a far greater good ahead. On this note the summary ends: Trust God and keep on patiently enduring, for the Lord is unimaginably concerned about you. 5:12 James is ready to end his letter, so he puts in his equivalents of the customary endings of a Greek literary letter. The first part of such an ending was frequently an oath to guarantee its truth, so having first used a ...

1087. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:7-12, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1088. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 5:13-20, James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

1089. Wives and Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-7

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... , calm) is found only here and in 1 Tim. 2:2. Of great worth: The same Greek word is used of the very expensive perfume of Mark 14:3, and of the expensive clothes of 1 Tim. 2:9. In God’s sight: Cf. 1 Sam. 16:7, concerning the divine choice of David, to the surprise of onlookers. 3:5 Holy women: The association of married life and holiness, here made by Peter quite incidentally, is genuinely Jewish. “As a divine institution, marriage is viewed in a twofold light. First, as the means intended for the ...

1090. Other Priestly Garments

Exodus 28:31-43

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the robe would be the main visible surface. God specified only the basic pattern: entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head and a woven edge like a collar (or “like leather”). The words so that it will not tear expressed concern for durability. The description does not mention sleeves. The melodic repetition of the Hebrew in verse 34 (paʿamon zahab verimmon paʿamon zahab verimmon), literally, “a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate,” communicates the beauty of ...

1091. Witnesses

Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... (vv. 11–13), and bases it on a fundamental theological and legal principle (vv. 10 and 13). It is this final principle that attracts interest. What was at stake was the guilt of shedding innocent blood (v. 13). But the law shows a careful concern for two kinds of innocence. On the one hand there was the innocent victim of a deliberate murder. But on the other hand there was the innocent person who had accidentally caused someone else’s death, with no malice aforethought. This unfortunate person needed ...

1092. Solomon's Wisdom

1 Kings 4:29-34

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... natural world and how it works is one of the “normal” ways people gain wisdom in the OT (cf., for example, Job 38–41; Prov. 30:15–31), as in the NT (e.g., Matt. 6:25–34). Here Solomon himself is characterized as someone concerned with the natural world, from the largest tree (the proverbially high cedar of Lebanon) to the smallest plant (the small wall-plant hyssop), from birds to fish. Wisdom “from below” (as here) and wisdom “from above” (as received in ch. 3) are thus combined in this ...

1093. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon

1 Kings 11:26-40

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... -wise attitude to the world, as in Matthew 10:16, “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Solomon, it will be recalled, was quite good at playing the snake, if not quite so convincing as the dove (1 Kgs. 2). As far as wisdom in administration is concerned (1 Kgs. 4–5), the NT is plainly in favor of it (e.g., Acts 6:3). Yet the NT is, like the Solomon story, keenly aware of the inadequacies of and dangers inherent in a wisdom that is simply “from below.” The NT authors know that it can ...

1094. Solomon's Death

1 Kings 11:41-43

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

1095. Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

2 Kings 2:1-18

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... of Elijah (vv. 16–18) and concentrate upon what is clear (picking up vv. 13–15): that Elisha has indeed taken his place. He is an authentic prophet—a man able both to bless and to curse in the LORD’s name (cf. Moses in Deut. 28). The first story concerns bad water in Jericho and its effects on the land (2:19–22). We are not told why Jericho is thus afflicted, but we recall that its rebuilding took place under the shadow of Joshua’s curse (Josh. 6:26; 1 Kgs. 16:34). It is fitting that this new ...

1096. Healing of the Water

2 Kings 2:19-22

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

1097. Elisha is Jeered

2 Kings 2:23-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

1098. A Prophecy Against Egypt

Isaiah 19:1-25

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... ’s vision is for the whole nation. The other side of the theological promotion of Egypt and Assyria and Israel’s consequent surrender of its unique position is that Israel itself will be one of the international “big three.” The blessing’s concern for Abraham’s people itself still stands. The prophecy is a spectacular example of one that never came true. It was presumably preserved because of a conviction that it came from Yahweh and expressed the vision to which Yahweh was committed. While ...

1099. Praise to the Lord

Isaiah 25:1-12

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... to one on the nations, around to a perspective on ultimate devastation and renewal. But the chapters do not lose the conviction that the world’s destiny is interwoven with Israel’s. Indeed, by the end the chapters are again narrowing the focus to more of a concern with Israel, and this prepares the way for the return to direct address to Judah in chapter 28. 25:1–5 This time, in this section of worship on earth, the prophet’s response contains none of the ambivalence of 24:16b. We have noted that 24 ...

1100. Wimps or Water Walkers

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon

King Duncan

... to his son’s commanding officer requesting that Jean‑Baptiste be sent to the front and away from the contagion in the hospital. “In Pasteur’s mind, flying bullets on the frontline were safer than all those germ‑ridden sick and wounded men. Despite his father’s concerns, [by the way] Jean‑Baptiste survived the war and lived to be 56 years old, a long life for that era.” (2) Here’s what we need to see: Jesus doesn’t want us to be prisoners to fear. Actually Louis Pasteur had good reason to ...

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