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 1351 to 1375 of 1668 results

1351. “Truly My Soul Finds Rest in God”

Psalm 62:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... ) to “my mighty rock” (62:7b). The quality of his faith deepens and finally heightens into the description of God’s unfailing love (62:12a). Illustrating the Text Rest in the Lord. Church History: Saint Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, was a skilled orator and writer who made a great impact on the Christian church in his generation and subsequent generations as well. In AD 391, after a long struggle in which he renounced his early philosophical beliefs and embraced the Christian faith, he was ordained ...

1352. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... youths (1:17), the king’s assessment of their giftedness (1:18–20), and a postscript regarding Daniel’s long time in exile (1:21). The author structures this chapter’s conclusion to prepare the reader for a display of Daniel’s God-given skills for interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (chaps. 2 and 4) and for explaining Belshazzar’s wall writing (chap. 5). Yet Daniel’s special gifting also leads to a surprising contrast when he cannot comprehend his own visions in the latter half of the book ...

1353. Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimony and Tree Dream

Daniel 4:1-18

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... The king refers to him by both his Hebrew and Babylonian names, noting that the latter references Nebuchadnezzar’s god Bel.7His recognition of the “spirit of the holy gods” in Daniel recalls his supernatural gifting (1:17). Nebuchadnezzar understands Daniel’s skills as the influence of pagan gods, ignoring the “God of gods and the Lord of kings” (2:47) and “the Most High God” (3:26; 4:2). The text emphasizes God’s Spirit at work in Daniel (cf. Joseph before Pharaoh; Gen. 41:38). The ...

1354. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... gifts reflect on the giver. Daniel’s gifts—insight, intelligence, and wisdom—are directly linked to his sphere of influence in the palace. These gifts are also discernible in the aged Judean’s (now in his eighties) keen mind, knowledge, understanding, skills in interpretation, and ability to solve riddles and problems. Encourage your congregation or class to consider the many ways in which they have been prepared to serve God through the Spirit’s working in their lives and to be careful to give ...

1355. How to Escape Being Possessed By Our Possessions

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... at the roots.” (1) Have you ever thought of it this way? We envy people who are rich; Jesus pitied them. When we hear of people inheriting fortunes, we say ‘lucky people.’ When we hear of men winning rich prizes through their own industry and skill, we’re willing to admit that we would gladly be in their places. We think of the sense of security and the relief from financial strain that wealth could bring, of the desirable things it could purchase, of the opportunity it would give for doing good ...

1356. Our Most Common Sin

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... in the human family. There’s a story about a mountaineer who established a great reputation for himself as a marksman. Whoever followed him around found target rings on trees and fences, with a bullet hole in the center. Asked to explain the secret of his skill, he answered, “It is easy. I just shoot and draw a circle around the hole.” [4] That’s the method of the Pharisee. Pharisees make themselves look more saintly than they really are, and that’s why the Greek word used for sin in the New ...

1357. Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of note. Lamech (4:19) is both polygamous and given to titanic revenge (4:23). Lamech fathers four children: Jabal (“to lead flocks”), Jubal (“Trumpet”), Tubal-Cain (“Cain” = “forger”), and Naamah (close to Hebrew “pleasant,” as in “Naomi”). The skills of shepherding, music, and metallurgy are attributed to the fallen line of the Cainites. Many of history’s most significant cultural advances have come from people who stand outside the orbit of the God of Scripture. Genesis 4:25 ...

1358. Joseph’s Interpretation of Dreams

Gen 40:1–41:57

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... He squeezes the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup and puts the cup in his hand (40:9–11). The baker dreams of three baskets of bread on his head, and of birds, which eat the bread out of the basket (40:16–17). Joseph is not a skilled dream interpreter by nature. He makes that plain when he says, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (40:8). He knows who is to get the credit. It is not without significance that in an ancient world filled with guilds of dream interpreters (oneiromantics), with whom every ...

1359. Birth, Preservation, and Preparation of Moses

Ex 2:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... gets married and shepherds his father-in-law’s sheep for forty years. Contrary to all appearances this aspect of Moses’s training and experience is indispensable, as he learns the terrain and the precious water sources of the Sinai Peninsula and gains skills necessary for leading recalcitrant groups. Although the wilderness is barren and forbidding, it is where God chooses to reveal himself both to Moses and later to God’s covenant people. The name of Moses’s son, Gershom, is telling; it speaks of ...

1360. Ai Destroyed

Joshua 8:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to attack. The ambushing force thus takes the defenseless city and sets it on fire. Apparently, Joshua continues holding out his javelin throughout the entire battle, until all the enemy has been destroyed (8:26). The climactic turning point of the battle is skillfully described in 8:20–22 with a quick juxtaposition of two different perspectives. From the perspective of the men of Ai, one can almost feel their sense of doom when, realizing something is wrong, they look behind them only to see their city ...

1361. David Conquers Jerusalem

2 Samuel 5:6-16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... supply (5:8). David takes immediate steps to fortify his new capital (5:9–16). His building efforts are aided by an alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, one of the primary Phoenician city-states. Sending the famed cedars of Lebanon and skilled craftsmen, Hiram helps David build a palace. The Phoenicians were also excellent sailors who controlled the seas, and over the years the Israelites will trade them crops for merchandise. Both sides will profit from the alliance, which will become even stronger during ...

1362. David’s Success

2 Samuel 9:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of who will succeed him as king becomes an important one. 9:1–13 ·Early in his career David is known as a wise and fair leader (1 Sam. 30:24–25), and when he becomes king he continues to handle problems with great skill. His kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth demonstrates his genuine compassion for others. As a military leader, David has known only victory in battle ever since his triumph over Goliath, and the Ammonites and Arameans learn about his military prowess the hard way. In light ...

1363. The Advice of Hushai and Ahithophel

2 Sam 16:15–17:29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... so by this action Absalom strongly asserts his kingship. At the same time he states his complete contempt for his father. By sleeping with the concubines in a tent pitched on the roof, he also ensures that all Israel knows what he is doing. Given the skill and the reputation of Ahithophel, it comes as a shock to see his advice rejected in 17:1–14. Ahithophel recommends that Absalom pursue David immediately, before he has a chance to escape very far or to organize his forces. If he had killed David quickly ...

1364. David’s Mighty Men

2 Samuel 23:8-39

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Like any commanding general, David knew the value of faithful, dedicated followers. Without the help of skilled warriors, he could not have established a powerful kingdom. Thirty-seven of his men deserved special credit for their courage and commitment. A group called “the Three” fought so valiantly that they are singled out above the rest (23:8–12). Josheb-Basshebeth killed eight hundred men at one time. ...

1365. David’s Census

2 Samuel 24:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... was perfectly acceptable (Numbers 1; 26), so David’s sin must here involve the motivation behind the census. In all probability David is guilty of pride as he glories in the size of his armies and the numerous victories he has won. Backed by faithful, highly skilled troops and courageous leaders, David may be overlooking his need to trust in the Lord, the one who gave Goliath into his hands. Even Joab recognizes that it is wrong to take this census, but David insists that he go ahead with it. For almost ...

1366. The Temple's Furnishings

1 Kings 7:13-51

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... becomes the focus (7:13–40). A signal moment is the arrival of Huram, expressly summoned by Solomon. Huram lays claim to an international pedigree: his mother is a “widow” from the northern tribe of Naphtali, while his father was a skilled artisan from Tyre—thus Huram can boast of having both Israelite and Phoenician roots. Huram may have had a hybrid genealogy, but there is no doubting his considerable talents, attested by the substantial catalog of his works: the central columns (emblematically ...

1367. Psalm 58

Psalm 58:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

David’s frustration escalates. The wicked do not merely fail to judge rightly; they aggressively seek ways to act unjustly—with a vengeance (58:1–2). These people are not novices to sin; they are skilled practitioners of it, honing their sinful ways from before birth (58:3). Interestingly, David earlier (51:5) notes his own sinfulness from birth. The difference between David and the wicked of this passage is that whereas he confesses his sin and desires to live uprightly before God, they become ...

1368. Foreword

Proverbs 1:1-7

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... or a related form of the word). “Discipline” (NIV “instruction”) designates the process of learning to live consistently according to wisdom principles through training, modeling, and correction. Verses 2b and 6 suggest that one must also learn the skill of interpreting and properly applying various wisdom forms, something that the fool is unable to do (Prov. 26:7, 9). Several of the Egyptian instructions, including the Instruction of Amenemope, contain similar purpose statements. Verse 3b indicates ...

1369. Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

Proverbs 1:20-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In 1:20–35, wisdom is presented not simply as an abstract capacity or skill but as a person who directly addresses those most lacking in wisdom. Although the nature and origin of Lady Wisdom (Hebrew hokmah is a feminine noun) have been much discussed, this figure is best understood as both a poetic personification of a divine attribute and a foil, or conceptual antithesis, ...

1370. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... consider their acquisition indispensable for carrying out our responsibilities in God’s world! (3) The final unit modifies the instructional form by abbreviating the charge (3:21) and expanding the explanation (3:22–26). You should hang on to your specialized skills in advising and decision making, for they literally can save lives (as detailed in 3:23–26; cf. 1:33) and enhance your reputation (3:22; cf. 1:9). Proverbs 3:27–35 describes the impact of acquired wisdom on interpersonal relationships ...

1371. Sayings of the Wise: Admonitions for Societal Relationships

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and become like them (22:24–25). You should also avoid cosigning on loans because you may end up losing more than your shirt (22:26–27)! Verse 28 warns against violating the property rights of others (cf. 23:10). Verse 29 affirms the value of developing professional skills (cf. 22:21 and Ps. 45:1). Lacking any imperative (i.e., command or exhortation; cf. 22:22, 24, 26, 28), 22:29 may serve to introduce the next topic. Proverbs 23:1–3 and 6–8 are linked by the repeated phrase “do not crave his ...

1372. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 26:1-28, Proverbs 25:1-28, Proverbs 27:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 2–3, which have the ideal ruler in view, affirm a hierarchy in authority of God–king–subjects. The purposes of both God as Creator and monarch as shrewd and insightful statesman may remain inscrutable, but the latter should be honored for his skills. Accordingly, the wise king strengthens the realm by removing the wicked from positions of influence (25:4–5). The wise courtier therefore avoids self-promotion and public disgrace by approaching the great with humility (25:6–7; cf. Luke 14:8–10 ...

1373. Lady Wisdom Exemplified

Proverbs 31:10-31

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... from the preceding set of admonitions. (The only imperative [command] is in the final verse.) In a twenty-two-verse alphabetic poem, in which each succeeding verse begins with the next Hebrew letter, a woman is presented who embodies all of wisdom’s skills and virtues, from a to z. In context this section serves to counterbalance the initial admonition against sexual promiscuity in verse 3. At the same time, it takes up the sustained contrast within Proverbs 1–9 between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly ...

1374. Human Achievements and Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... cf. 5:16; 8:8). Expressed proverbially (1:15; cf. 7:13), capturing the wind is as impossible as restoring something that has been damaged or counting something that is not there. Solomon was reputedly the wisest individual and exhibited unrivaled theoretical and practical skills (cf. 1 Kings 10:7). Thus he was uniquely qualified to assess wisdom’s worth (1:16). Interpreters have taken the phrase “more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me” (cf. 2:9) as pointing to a later Davidic king as ...

1375. Toil

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his previous assessment of the delight he derived from his labor (2:10b, but note 2:11) until he explains his response. First, upon death, a potentially foolish heir will take control of all that Qoheleth has accrued through his efforts, wisdom, and skill. This heir has not contributed to its acquisition and, unfortunately, may have no inclination to steward it well (2:18b–21). Second, one’s work life is marked by pain and vexation (NIV “grief”), and even by sleepless nights (2:22–23). On ...

Showing results