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 1276 to 1300 of 1668 results

1276. Paul's Labor for the Church

Colossians 1:24--2:5

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... Paul’s language and thoughts need to be interpreted within the context of the heresy that is threatening the church. Here, however, there is the first direct reference to the activity of these false teachers, who, apparently, were quite skilled with words. The Greek uses two colorful words to describe their devious methods: first, they use persuasive language (pithanologia, lit., “pithy speech”); second, they have the ability to deceive, delude, or seductively charm (paralogizomai) their victims. This ...

1277. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... was done, explains Paul, that we might not be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. These words may give some encouragement to those latter day missionaries who find that the only way into some communities is by using their technical skills. The verb “to be a burden” (epibareō, cf. 2 Thess. 3:8) derives from the same root as the noun in verse 7 and makes the same point as in that verse. The verb, “to preach” (kēryssō), commonly concerns the proclamation of the gospel. It ...

1278. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... to be set apart (made holy) and thus useful to the Master (cf. the metaphor in 2:4), which of course keeps the imagery of the large house with its “honorable vessels.” Such a vessel is also prepared to do any good work. This, too, reflects a skillful use of the imagery. As metaphor it means “fit for any honorable purpose” (so NEB), but as applied metaphor it reflects the urgency for correct behavior (“good deeds”) that recurs in these Epistles (cf. 1 Tim. 2:10; 5:10; 6:18; and esp. Titus 1:16 ...

1279. The Son Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... the very expression of God’s glory and essence. He is the one with whom not even the angels can compare. The person of Christ is the key to understanding this epistle. Additional Notes 1:1 The opening sentence in the Greek is skillfully constructed from the literary standpoint, beginning with effective alliteration and measured cadence. See D. W. B. Robinson, “The Literary Structure of Hebrews 1:1–4,” Australian Journal of Biblical Archaeology 1 (1972), pp. 178–86. At many times (lit., “in many ...

1280. An Exhortation Inspired by the Exodus

Hebrews 3:7-19

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . We encounter in this passage, therefore, an example of exodus typology* that effectively directs the readers’ attention to the seriousness of rejecting Jesus. In the extended exegesis and application that follow the first quotation the author again reveals skillful midrashic exegesis wherein the phraseology of the quotation is used in elaborating the meaning that he has discovered for his readers in this passage of Scripture. The author also develops a unique concept of “rest,” which he understands ...

1281. The Remaining Promise of Rest

Hebrews 4:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... Greek Bible. This word suggests God’s own sabbath-rest after creation (v. 4). God’s gift of rest may thus be regarded as the gift of his own rest. To enjoy the blessings of the eschaton is to participate in the sabbath-rest of God. 4:10 By a skillful combination of language drawn from two of the OT passages that have already been quoted (Ps. 95:11 in 3:11, 18; 4:3, 5; and Gen. 2:2 in 4:4), the author indicates that the promised rest and God’s rest are of the same kind. Thus anyone ...

1282. Melchizedek the Priest

Hebrews 7:1-10, Hebrews 7:11-28

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... 20). It is remarkable in itself that the priesthood of a Canaanite king, outside the stream of salvation history, could be recognized as legitimate. The only other biblical reference is in Psalm 110:4, which of course our author uses most skillfully. Melchizedek blessed Abraham upon his return from a victorious battle, and Abraham gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. The significance of these deeds is midrashically explored in the next paragraph (vv. 4–10). 7:2b–3 The parenthetical explanation of ...

1283. The Legitimacy and Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood

Hebrews 7:11-28, Hebrews 7:1-10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

1284. The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1 Peter 2:4-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... received mercy, being outside the covenant of grace, but now you have received mercy, on account of the redeeming work of Christ (1:3). Readers of Peter’s words with a knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures would at once recognize them as a skillful selection of phrases from Hosea 1–2. For the prophet Hosea, the restoration of relationships with his estranged wife spoke of repentant Israel being brought back to God. For Christian teachers, the episode was seen as foreshadowing the admission of Gentiles into ...

1285. To Elders and Young Men

1 Peter 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... resist him, to stand fearlessly up to him. Christians are not to fear the devil, but neither are they to underestimate him. Yet they are not to rely upon their own strength, for of themselves they are no match for the devil’s capacity and skill. The devil is conquered only in Jesus Christ. So the resistance Peter urges is a standing firm in the faith, immovable in their steadfast reliance on the Lord and his victory. They can encourage themselves in the knowledge of two facts: (1) it is entirely possible ...

1286. The Plague of Frogs

Exodus 7:25--8:15

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... relief from the problem. Pharaoh begins the first of his many deceitful negotiations here. Readers should not assume that Pharaoh became alternately soft and hard as the plagues progressed (see the discussion on 10:2). He began with a hard heart and negotiated with skill as the head of the most powerful country in the ancient world at that time. The rhetoric of the text points to this reading in the first negotiation. Pharaoh suggests that he might allow the people to go offer sacrifices if the frogs were ...

1287. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... for the fact that the supply list mentions the colors separately from the fabric. The “fine linen” was made from flax. Egypt was famous for its weaving of extremely fine linen (200 threads per inch). Some of the Israelites would have likely gained this skill while working in Egypt (26:1, 31; see also Gen. 41:42; Ezek. 27:7). “Fine linen” (shesh) is an Egyptian loanword that also means “six” in Hebrew. The Egyptian word for six had a similar sound (two letters “s,” also known as byssus ...

1288. The Priestly Garments

Exodus 28:1-5

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the primary theological explanation of the vestments. God instructed Moses to bring Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar from among the Israelites for the practical purpose of measuring them for the priestly garments (vv. 1, 4). “Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters . . . to make garments.” Exodus 28 focuses on Aaron’s complex vestments. The sons are also fitted for fine white linen tunics, colored sashes, headbands, and undergarments (vv. 40, 42–43 ...

1289. The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... must face as a natural result of their sin and the Lord’s justice in the world order. God expresses this “sorrow” in compassion and in “relenting.” 32:15–29 Moses’ confrontation with Aaron and two confrontations with the people once again mark his skill as a leader. As Moses went down the mountain with Joshua, he carried the two tablets of the Testimony. The text places the Ten Commandments at the center of the narrative (also at 31:18). Two verses (vv. 15–16) mention the tablets and the ...

1290. The Altar of Burnt Offering (II)

Exodus 38:1-7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... courtyard curtains” on their “posts.” The chapter ends with some new information, a list of the amounts of gold, silver, and bronze used for the tabernacle. 38:1–7 They built the altar of burnt offering with acacia wood and overlaid . . . with bronze. The skilled craftsmen also made its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans and its grating. (See the comments on the altar and its use at 27:1–8.) They also made the “bronze basin.” (See the comments on the bronze basin at 30:17 ...

1291. The Lord Commands Joshua

Joshua 1:1-18

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... things in the Book of the Law of God” (24:25–26) as did Moses (Deut. 31:9, 24–26). Joshua, the trained warrior, is the strongest candidate to lead the march into Canaan. By his death, Moses turns over the tribal leadership to one skilled in military campaigns. The book of Joshua shows that God places the right person in leadership for the challenges in Canaan. Preparation to Cross the River and a Threat to Joshua’s Leadership Crossing the Jordan River presents a number of challenges. To cross the ...

1292. Rahab and the Spies

Joshua 2:1-24

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... importance of spies for warfare. In the wilderness of Sinai, Moses sent spies to gather intelligence on Canaan, but fearfulness spread when the majority brought back a negative recommendation (Num. 21:32, Jazer; Num. 13; Deut. 1:22–23). At other times skillful reconnaissance provided opportunities for surprise in warfare and ensured victory (Judg. 7:10–11; 1 Sam. 26:6–7). Faulty reconnaissance (Josh. 7:3; 8:1) cost Joshua and the people the element of surprise, and disobedience cost them a victory at ...

1293. The Fall of Jericho

Joshua 5:13--6:27

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... emphasizes not the violence of the warfare but rather the sounding of the trumpets and the war whoop of the ritual. The chapter makes the point that Jericho falls because of the power of God and the faithfulness of the people instead of battlefield strategy or skills. 6:1–11 Narration about the situation in Jericho interrupts the story and sets the stage for the battle. The first verse tells readers that the gates of Jericho are closed due to a siege and fear of the imminent battle. As in earlier chapters ...

1294. The Sun Stands Still

Joshua 10:1-15

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... of Jerusalem is upset over Joshua’s treaty with Gibeon and the treatment of kings in Ai and Jericho. He perceives Gibeon to be more of a threat than Ai because it is a more significant town (lit. great), a city with a king (lit. royal), and has a skilled army (lit. all her men are warriors; 10:2).The king forms a coalition with Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish and Debir king of Eglon. Adoni-Zedek sends out a call to punish Gibeon for its treaty with the intruders: Come ...

1295. Jephthah and Ephriam

Judges 12:1-7

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... has little patience left to stroke inflated Ephraimite egos and does nothing to diplomatically resolve the crisis. There is a great difference of style between him and Gideon, who in a similar crisis was able to negotiate a peaceful settlement by skillful diplomacy. The fact that Jephthah does not attempt to solve the crisis diplomatically, given his past performance, and the fact that the Ephraimites are so eager to resort to armed conflict because of injured egos, exposes a community steadily slipping ...

1296. Samson and Delilah

Judges 16:1-22

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

Samson’s Downfall and Death: Few stories in the Hebrew Bible have more recognition factor than the story of Samson and Delilah. It is a gripping, poignant drama brought to life by a gifted artist who has skillfully combined plot and characterization to present a classic story whose elements, if not the whole, have been told and retold in many cultures through all varieties of media, whether story, song, art, or film. But as we turn to this famous story, we must remember that it is part of ...

1297. Ezra Comes to Jerusalem

Ezra 7:1-10

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the mastery” (Clines, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, p. 103). There is no suggestion that Ezra brought a version of the Torah not already available in Judah. Verse 25 indicates that it was already known or could be known by Jews in the satrapy. Ezra’s skill and mandate lay in hermeneutical interpretation and systematic application to the life of the community. In vv. 6, 10, and 11 the editor had the completed Pentateuch in view, and there is little reason to suppose that the version Ezra used was substantially ...

1298. The King's Edict in Behalf of the Jews

Esther 8:1-17

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... is not technically possible, as the king reminds them in 8:8. Perhaps this is the reason she needs to be so deferential: she is asking the king to overturn a law by making another one that no one can change. Skillfully, she avoids using the term law (dat), preferring “letters” (NIV “dispatches”) “devised” by Haman. She shifts the focus from their objective permanence to their subjective illegitimacy. Esther concludes with a passionate statement of identification with the Jewish people, signaling ...

1299. The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:1-19

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... major themes of the rest of the book. 1:4–8 Jeremiah’s call narrative begins with God informing him that he was chosen before he was even born (v. 5). To this, Jeremiah responds by declaring his inadequacies. First, he points to his limited speaking skills, and as he does so, he reminds us of Moses, the paradigmatic prophet (Exod. 4:10). Indeed, in this way the book of Jeremiah may be situating the prophet in the line of prophets that Deuteronomy 18:14–20 announced would follow Moses’pattern. “The ...

1300. A Letter to the Exiles

Jeremiah 29:1-23

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... exiles, specifically the elders, priests, and prophets, and indeed to everyone. Verse 2 makes it clear that these are the exiles who were taken in 597 B.C. along with King Jehoiachin, his mother, and other royal officials as well as skilled craftspeople. That the letter is not addressed to Jehoiachin may indicate that Jeremiah does not recognize him as the leader of the exiles. Indeed, Jeremiah believed that God worked through Nebuchadnezzar and sovereignly removed Jehoiachin from the throne and replaced ...

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