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 1226 to 1250 of 4340 results

1226. Warnings Against Folly

Proverbs 6:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the lazy man (NIV “sluggard”) in the book (Prov. 10:26; 13:4; 15:19; 19:24; 20:4; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30; 26:13–16). In a book that emphasizes deliberate, decisive, and diligent behavior, laziness is a serious character flaw. Ancient Near Eastern (and contemporary) wisdom commonly turns to nature to illustrate positive and negative behavioral patterns, and the ant has much to teach the slacker (6:6–8; also 30:25), including initiative, diligence, and timely preparations for future needs. The ...

1227. Proof of Deceitful Ways

Hosea 11:12--12:14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... pun on the Hebrew word meaning “deceiver.” Later Jacob’s deceptive ways were fully revealed when he deceived his father by claiming that he was Esau; thus, he was able to steal the blessing of his father (Gen. 27:35–36). Another example that illustrates the character of Jacob was his wrestling with the angel of the Lord (12:3b–4a; Genesis 32). While Jacob was on his journey home from Laban’s home in Paddan Aram, he met numerous angels from God at the Jabbok River, so he called the place where he ...

1228. The Zeal and Power of God

Nahum 1:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s sins against him and Israel, this is not due to either weakness or lack of zeal on God’s part (1:2–3a). The Hebrew word for “jealous” also means “zealous.” God does not treat sin lightly; zeal is an essential part of his character. Not only is he holy, but he zealously carries out the requirements of this holiness. His zeal will neither allow his people to sin with impunity nor allow Gentiles to sin against his people or his purpose with impunity. Unrepentant Nineveh will be punished, and ...

1229. Jesus’s Birth

Matthew 1:18-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... aspect of Jesus’s “origin,” another possible translation of genesis. These two passages provide the question and answer to Jesus’s connection to Joseph’s lineage, with Joseph as a focal character in 1:18–25. Matthew narrates that Joseph is engaged to Mary when he discovers her pregnancy. Because of his righteous character (see commentary on 3:1–17), he plans to divorce her in a way that avoids drawing attention to the situation. Jewish engagements at this time were enacted by a marriage ...

1230. In Berea

Acts 17:10-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Paul and Silas’s experience in Berea is more pleasant, as many Jews and Gentiles accept the gospel (17:10–15). In the eyes of Luke, these Bereans are “of more noble character” (17:11); thus a lack of noble character is ascribed to those who oppose the gospel message. These Bereans are noble because they have “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (17:11). This description points not only to their serious attitude when they receive the message but also to the ...

1231. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a traveling missionary to a prisoner in the hands of the Roman officials. As in other farewell speeches (cf. Gen. 49:1–32; Luke 22:13–28), this speech provides a review of the ministry of a central character. The focus is not on the individual, however, but on the community that will survive after the character passes from the scene. In his review of his labors in the province of Asia (20:18–21), Paul points to his status as a slave (20:19). As a slave, he serves with “great humility” and “tears ...

1232. Peace and Joy

Romans 5:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... believers will be in God’s presence. (2) Christians have confidence in their sufferings (5:3), because suffering for the sake of the gospel leads to endurance, which in turn develops Christian character, which in turn bolsters the hope of sharing the glory of God (5:3–4). This chain (hope – suffering – endurance – character – hope) is the basis for Paul’s assertion that “hope does not put us to shame” (5:5). The believer’s hope is unshakable because the grace of God, which grants this ...

1233. Struggling With Sin

Romans 7:7-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his people to righteousness, keep them from harmful and fatal desires, and thus protect them from sin. And it is good because it represents God’s goodwill, which preserves and promotes life. 7:13–25 · Paul clarifies the role of the law (which is good) and the character of sin (which deceives). He repeats the objection of verse 7: if the law is good, and if the law pronounces the death sentence, then the law is responsible for my death (7:13). Paul’s protest clarifies again that it is not the law but ...

1234. Rules for Christian Households

Colossians 3:18-4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... covenant of love in Christ. Therefore, the wife is asked to submit herself to her husband, not because Caesar has mandated that wives submit but because submission is a Christian character trait that can be lived out in marriage. Notice that Paul does not forbid the wife from loving her husband! All the Christian character traits noted in the preceding verses—peace, wisdom, knowledge, forgiveness, compassion, and so on—should be part of her Christian behavior at home. The Colossians likely were aware of ...

1235. The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . The trilogy of faith, love, and hope (see 1:3; 3:6–8) is the vital element of the armor, which will ensure that the Christian is prepared for that day, whenever it comes. Up to this point the contrast has been between the character of the Christians and the character of the unbelievers in light of the coming day of the Lord. But in 5:9 the focus changes to their ultimate destiny: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul graphically ...

1236. Leadership

1 Timothy 3:1-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 5:1–16) and for how various groups within the community should regard and employ their riches (6:1–19). Perhaps, as Acts 6 suggests, a central role of deacons is to assist overseers by supervising the church’s finances and relief for the poor. Character is required of deacons as well as for overseers. If deacons are to be trusted go-betweens, it is especially important that they be “sincere” (the Greek term is “not double-worded” or “not duplicitous”). If widows (see 1 Timothy 5) are under ...

1237. Concluding Exhortations

Hebrews 13:1-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... heroic faith from the distant past may be (Heb. 11:4–38), there is yet more reason to imitate the sturdy faith of those one has known in the flesh and to whom one is greatly indebted. Whether “outcome” suggests martyrdom or, as is probable, simply the righteous character of their lives, they are apparently now numbered among the “spirits of the righteous made perfect” (12:23) and thus serve as examples of those who have persevered to the end. Amid all the uncertainties of life in this world, the ...

1238. Wives and Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... yes. But Peter insists that they should not. He devotes more space to wives (3:1–6) because they could more easily be made to suffer from their husbands than vice versa. He eloquently teaches that the greatest beauty is that of character and that the loveliness of Christian character speaks far more powerfully than a hundred sermons. The word “see” in verse 2 is the same as that in 2:12, implying extended observation. The incident in mind in verse 6 is probably that of Genesis 12:11–20, where Sarah ...

1239. Dr. Jekyll Meet Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... many disciplined persons who are still captive to their sins. Good intentions are a starting point, but there is much time-proven truth in the adage that good intentions are the paving material for the road that leads to hell. There is a flaw in the fabric of human character that only God can mend. There is only one way that we shall ever be free from the sin that does so easily beset us, and that is to open ourselves to God’s grace, His forgiveness, His love. Only by looking to the new Adam can we escape ...

1240. Need a Lift?

Acts 9:36-43

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... it? It would be so nice to have someone like Peter who would come and rescue us from our problems. But the text reveals more than a miracle of resuscitation. If we look closer, we can see that we too can be lifted up by following the examples of the characters in this text. I am sure Peter had his own challenges, but they did not stop him from seeking to reach out and help, heal, and bring someone back to life. In fact, when Peter was called to revive Tabitha, he was literally healing a man in another city ...

1241. More Beyond

Acts 16:16-34

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... God, but God majors in taking the evil that en- snares us and turning it into good. Over and over again in scripture and history we see this. Over and over again in life we see this. When evil attacks with pain, God uses it to build character. When evil shows resistance, God uses it to build strength. When evil cripples with tragedy, God finds a way to victory. When evil destroys with death, God restores life. When the momentum of evil rolls our way, God takes that momentum, transforms it, and rolls it back ...

1242. Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... help establish for the reader the validity of the claims about Jesus that are made in the opening of this book (1:1) and that are integral to Christian faith. We shall note in the examination of the subsequent sections of Mark that no human character accurately perceives Jesus until the crucifixion and resurrection. Even Peter’s acclamation of Jesus as “Christ” is shown to reflect a faulty grasp of God’s purposes (8:28–33). The news about him (v. 28) that spreads quickly is, in Mark’s view, not ...

1243. The Greatest Commandment

Mark 12:28-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... you yourself hate, do not do to your neighbor; this is the whole law, the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.” Hillel did not mean that all other commandments were irrelevant and could be ignored but that his summary gave the overall drift and character of the law. The scribe in the story before us would certainly not have intended to imply by his question that he felt that some commandments could be ignored if other, more important ones were kept. Rather, he was probably asking Jesus for his view of ...

1244. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1:5-25

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Elizabeth will bear … a son who is to be named John (v. 13). The angel further tells Zechariah that his son will be a cause of great rejoicing (v. 14), since he signals the beginning of God’s redemptive work. He then summarizes the key features of his future character and ministry. As a Nazirite (see note below) he will not take wine or other fermented drink but will be filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 15). Like Elijah (see Mal. 4:5–6), many of the people of Israel he will bring back to the Lord (v. 16 ...

1245. The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

Luke 3:21-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... apocryphal traditions; e.g., The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, The History of Joseph the Carpenter, etc. Heli: According to Matt. 1:16 Joseph’s father was Jacob. 3:24–26 Matthat … Joda: Nothing is known about these persons. They are not to be confused with biblical characters of the same name (such as Levi, Amos, or Nahum). It is not likely that Matthat is to be identified with Matthan of Matt. 1:15. 3:27 Joanan, the son of Rhesa: Leaney (p. 112) and others have suggested that Rhesa is meant to be ...

1246. The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Luke 18:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... out of callous indifference. 18:5 eventually wear me out: Lit. “finally hit me under the eye.” The verb that means “to hit under the eye” (see 1 Cor. 9:27) is often used in a figurative sense (“to blacken the face” [i.e., besmirch one’s character] or “to wear out completely”; Fitzmyer, p. 1179). Jesus could intend humor (as there is in many of his sayings, see Matt. 7:3–5) and so the literal rendering may be the most appropriate: “lest she come and give me a black eye.” The humor is ...

1247. Paul's Longing to Visit Rome

Romans 1:1-17

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... someone, and in the NT the someone is Jesus Christ. Paul will discuss this posture of total dependence on God in the case of Abraham (ch. 4). But faith is more than active response. It is also a content of belief which depends on the character of God. Were it only response it would evaporate into subjectivism. But God has done something in the cross of Jesus Christ which is objectively true, apart from human participation and in spite of any response of it. This truth determines the destiny of individuals ...

1248. God’s Faithfulness

Romans 3:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... Achtemeier, Romans, p. 55). “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). God is not a contingent being whose actions depend on something outside himself. God is an essential being whose actions are true to his character, despite human response to it. Let God be true, and every man a liar, says Paul (v. 4)! This statement, indebted to Psalm 116:11 (“And in my dismay I said, ‘All men are liars’ ”), was judged by Calvin to “contain the primary axiom ...

1249. Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... destroying the faith. He devotes a protracted discussion to this issue in Romans 4 and Galatians 3. Although the promise is not a prominent motif in the OT, it was for Paul a sublime expression of grace, for the promise was rooted in and guaranteed by the character of God. The God who issues the promise is fully able to fulfill it (4:21) because he brings the dead to life, and he creates from nothing (4:17). Since the law cannot impart life (Gal. 3:21), it is therefore subordinate to faith. The promise ...

1250. The Weak and the Strong

Romans 14:1--15:13

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... six terms in Greek, most of which survive in translation—praise, sing hymns, rejoice, sing praises, and hope. The final quotation in verse 12 culminates with that humblest of messianic metaphors—the root of Jesse—which, in the present context, is entirely in character with a Messiah who “did not please himself” (v. 3). This Christ is the Gentiles’ ruler and hope. Thus, the salvation of the Gentiles, as Paul argued resolutely in chapters 9–11, is anything but a scissors-and-paste act on God’s ...

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