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 1251 to 1275 of 3082 results

1251. Peter's Confession of Christ

Luke 9:18-27

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

The question of Jesus’ identity, brought out into the open with Herod’s question in 9:9, is now answered. Whereas the Lucan account of the feeding of the 5,000 comes from Mark 6:30–44, Luke’s version of Peter’s confession has been taken from Mark 8:27–29. All of the Marcan material between these two episodes (Mark 6:45–8:26; Luke’s “Big Omission”) has been omitted by Luke not simply because of the appearance of certain repetitious materials, such as a second feeding miracle, but because of the evangelist’s ...

1252. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

So far in chapters 9–11 Paul has advanced his argument with care and deliberation. He has shown that from all peoples on earth God separated one people to receive his promise by faith. When the chosen people refused to believe and held fast to righteousness by law, God extended the promise to the Gentiles who received it by faith. But Israel’s rejection of God did not force God to a countermove of rejecting Israel. “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” says Paul (v. 29). From unbelieving Israel God ...

1253. Prologue

Revelation 1:1-3

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The author’s prologue to Revelation intends to establish its content as a revelation (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ. The book’s opening phrase has a twofold function. First, it situates the composition within a particular literary and theological tradition: apocalypticism. Within this tradition, the idea of revelation refers to a process whereby God makes known through visions the final days of salvation’s history. Such visions are not like dreams; they are revelatory acts of God, mediated typically through ...

1254. The Seals

Revelation 6:1-17

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The judgment of God against a fallen world is one yield of the death and exaltation of Christ. The breaking of the seals, which opens the scroll and declares God’s decree of salvation, occurs as an essential part of Christ’s entrance into the heavenly throneroom. The seal judgments, and the trumpet judgments that follow, do not depict a sequence of future historical events; rather, they symbolize together God’s response to—and are in that sense co-terminus with—chapter five’s exaltation of the risen Lamb. ...

1255. Instruction for Temple Entry

Psalm 15:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Psalm 15 is part of a liturgy of temple entrance (see the Introduction for a fuller discussion of this momentous rite of passage). It shares with Psalm 24:3–6 and Isaiah 33:14b–16 the threefold pattern of a question of who may sojourn on Yahweh’s holy hill (v. 1), a reply consisting of the qualifications for worshipers (vv. 2–5a) and a promise (v. 5b). 15:1 A literal translation of verse 1, “Who may sojourn (Hb. gwr) in your tent (Hb. ʾohel); who may camp (Hb. škn) on your holy hill?” makes plain that the ...

1256. The Penitential Psalm

Psalm 51:1-19

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Every psalm is special, but with this one we feel that we enter upon holy ground. While it is a confession of sin, it reflects an intimacy with God few psalms can rival. In most psalms, blame for a lamentable condition is attached to enemies or to sickness, but this psalm is uniquely introspective before God. In the traditions of the early church, there are the seven penitential psalms (Pss. 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). Upon closer inspection, however, we discover that only Psalms 32, 51, and 130 ...

1257. Seeking Mercy with Eyes Lifted Heavenward

Psalm 123:1-4

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

This psalm is a patient prayer for mercy. The voice of a liturgist is evident in the “I” who begins the psalm and speaks on behalf of the “we/our” throughout the remainder. The psalm is performed not only by singing but also by the “lifting of the eyes” heavenward, an action emphasized in the first two verses. It contains no explicit connection to the temple. Yahweh is sought above: “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.” (When viewed in sequence, this claim regarding Yahweh’s throne ...

1258. The Death of Jesus

Mark 15:33-41

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

15:33–41 This portion of the narrative of Jesus’ execution is full of dramatic events, including the darkness from noon till mid-afternoon (v. 33), Jesus’ cry to God (v. 34), his last cry (v. 37), the tearing of the temple curtain (v. 38), and the statement of the Roman officer (v. 39). But at least some of these events hint at the significance of Jesus’ death. For example, the darkness not only suggests in general that something momentous was happening, but it also may be an allusion to Amos 8:9 (“I will ...

1259. The Parable of the Great Banquet

Luke 14:15-24

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

14:15–24 Jesus’ advice on inviting the lowly to one’s feast leads one of the guests to pronounce a beatitude (blessed) upon those who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God. For Luke this beatitude surely strikes at the very heart of the question with which he is most concerned. Who really are those who will be included in the kingdom of God? To those surrounding Jesus at table the answer probably seemed clear enough. Those virtually guaranteed admission would be those in whose lives God’s blessing ...

1260. Signs of the End of the Age

Luke 21:5-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

21:5–7 The Lucan eschatological discourse differs from its Marcan source in one major way: The “end” (see v. 9) refers not to the return of the Son of Man, but to the destruction of the temple. This can be seen most clearly when one compares the question of the disciples in Mark 13:4 with the Lucan version of the question in 21:7. In Mark the disciples want to know two things: When the temple will be destroyed, and when the end will come. (In Matt. 24:3 it is even more explicit: when will the temple be ...

1261. The King

Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

The King: It may seem strange that in this section on leadership in Israel the king comes second rather than at the head of the series. The reason is that whereas sound judicial administration by impartial judges is at the very heart of Israel’s covenant theocracy, monarchy as a particular form of political authority is not. The nation can and does survive without kings both before and after the centuries of actual monarchic government. Although in other OT traditions the king can be seen as the human ...

1262. Various Laws

Deuteronomy 21:22--22:12

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Respect for Life in All Its Forms: The laws in 22:1–12 are loosely concerned with respect for life, animal and human. As such, they would fittingly end the section mainly related to the sixth commandment, “you shall not murder.” 21:22–23 The body of an executed criminal. The purpose of this law is to prevent the land from being polluted by improper treatment of a human corpse (cf. 21:1–9). The difference here, of course, is that the corpse is of an executed criminal, not a murder victim. Hanging is not the ...

1263. Restoration of Israel

Isaiah 49:8-26

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

To Restore the People and the Land: So 49:1–6 is a major turning point. So far the Poet’s focus has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far the addressee has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far Yahweh’s promise has thus concerned the fall of Babylon and the end of the Judeans’ enforced residence there. Henceforth it will concern the restoring of the city that virtually none of the exiles have ever seen. Once more there is no need to infer that time has ...

1264. Things a Child Can Teach Us

Mark 9:30-37

Sermon

King Duncan

Some of you of a certain age will remember when Roman Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was one of television’s brightest stars. For those of you who were not even born when Sheen was giving his televised talks, you might be amazed that he twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. He also received thousands of letters from his viewers. One mother wrote that her son was under her feet while she was working in the kitchen. She said to ...

1265. Of Mice and Men

Hebrews 10:11-18

Sermon

King Duncan

Dr. William P. Barker tells about a story that appeared in the newspapers back in 1972. The story was datelined Salonika, Greece. The city of Salonika had a real problem on its hands. It seems that many pending court trials could not be held as planned because mice had devoured files in the civil court archives. The evidence against the alleged criminals had totally disappeared. Imagine how those scheduled for trial felt knowing that all records of their crimes had been permanently destroyed. They could ...

1266. Making Your Life Count

1 Timothy 2:5-7

Sermon

King Duncan

There is an old, old story about a college professor who was being ferried across a body of water. The professor chided the ferryman, who was performing this service for him, for his ungrammatical language. When he learned the ferryman never attended school, the professor said: “What? Half of your life has been wasted!” Shortly afterwards, the ferryman asked, “Professor, did you ever learn to swim?” “No, I did not,” replied the professor. “Well,” said the ferryman, “in that case it seems all your life has ...

1267. New Tendons for Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

What would be your dream job? Can you imagine having a job working for the Queen of England? In February 2018, Britain’s royal family posted a job ad for a Digital communications officer to manage the social media account for Queen Elizabeth II. For £30,000 per year—about $38,000 U.S.—the Digital communications officer will post articles, videos and photos about the Queen’s state visits and royal business on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. (1) The Queen has a worldwide following on social media. ...

1268. In The Presence Of Christ!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (vv.23-26). The story of the institution of the Lord’s ...

1269.

Psalm 123:1-4

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Seeking Mercy with Eyes Lifted Heavenward This psalm is a patient prayer for mercy. The voice of a liturgist is evident in the “I” who begins the psalm and speaks on behalf of the “we/our” throughout the remainder. The psalm is performed not only by singing but also by the “lifting of the eyes” heavenward, an action emphasized in the first two verses. It contains no explicit connection to the temple. Yahweh is sought above: “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.” (When viewed in ...

1270. More Than Gimmicks

John 6:24-35

Sermon

David Coffin

A medium-sized congregation with deep northern European roots was located in a college town. The members wanted to attract more college students to their church for weekly worship attendance and other activities. They received a few boxes of donated modern English New Testament books. The intention was to pass them out to the college students on the campus nearby. Besides placing a slip of paper in each New Testament with the church name and address on it, they also placed a coupon for a dollar or even ...

1271. Sowers Of The Seed

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Genesis 25:19-34, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

This parable is titled "The Sower." That puts the emphasis on the person who preaches or teaches the word. Yet the parable does not do much in the way of describing the characteristics of the sower. In this particular instance one would suppose that Jesus implies that he is the sower. If we choose to emphasize this aspect of the parable, then we might concentrate on the question of how the contemporary sower corresponds to Jesus as the one who proclaims the message. We might also call this parable "The ...

1272. The Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

This healing story is the first pronouncement story in Cycle B. The pronouncement formula presents a situation, builds to a climax, offers a solution and gives a statement of the issue. In the early church, this format made for easier recall of the story for oral retelling. While healing on the sabbath is mentioned in this miracle, the main issue is authority. In another Cycle B miracle for Epiphany 7, healing the paralytic (Miracle 4), Jesus observes rumblings and questions among the scribes (Mark 2:6) ...

1273. An Our Good Works And Generosity

Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-24

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

Jesus was giving his famous Sermon on the Mount. In the middle of it he looked at the disciples from his sitting position (as was customary for Jewish rabbis of the first century when they were teaching). And Jesus said: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1)." To whom was Jesus referring with these words? He was probably talking here and at other points in the sermon about the Pharisees. ...

1274. Count Me In!

Isaiah 56:1-8

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." He drew a circle that shut me out - Heretic, Rebel, a thing to flout! But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in! The world is forever drawing circles that shut people out. In a polite way we say, "By invitation only" or "Reserved." Books are copyrighted so that no one, except by permission, may duplicate any portion of them. Trade names, such as "Coca-Cola" and "Orkin," are registered to prevent others from copying ...

1275. Children of the Eighth Day

Romans 6:1-14

Sermon

Robert G. Tuttle

It’s a long way from the bottom to the top. But that is the call of the Christian life. "That like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4b). The title of this chapter belongs to Thornton Wilder. In his book, the scene opens on New Year’s Eve, 1899, just before the new century is born. A group of men are sitting around the stove in a country store. Dr. Gillis, the community seer, is facing the question, "What will the new ...

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