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 1601 to 1625 of 1913 results

1601. Mark 7:24-37

Mark 7:24-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The two healing stories for today have one thing in common: They easily rub readers the wrong way. Each of the stories has some aspect about it that we find disturbing to our sense of correctness. Accustomed to reading the gospel and being impressed by the divine power healings reveal, the stories of the Syrophoenician woman and the Decapolis deaf-mute don't quite measure up. The first healing miracle (vv.24-30) of today finds Jesus outside his usual Galilean haunts as he journeys to the boundary regions ...

1602. John 20:1-18

John 20:1-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Today's text sets forth the details of the most pivotal event of the Christian faith. John's account adds to the record of the synoptists' versions by including almost completely new details. In offering his eyewitness version of events, he adds to the New Testament record which by this time is already recorded by the synoptists (accounts with which he assumes his readers are already familiar) and as well as by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians where he not only tells the story of the ...

1603. Hosea 11:1-11

Hosea 11:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Hosea's metaphor of Yahweh and Israel as a husband and an unfaithful wife an image played out in the reality of his own marriage to the prostitute Gomer is developed primarily in chapters 1-3. But the deep personal insights Hosea offers into the emotional relationship between God and the people of Israel doesn't cease at that point. Though his message in chapters 4-10 turns to one of judgment against Israel for willful disobedience and arrogant apostasy, the pain this attitude inflicts upon Yahweh is also ...

1604. Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

With immense care Matthew records the first dramatic action of Jesus' ministry - his baptism at the hands of John. An approaching change of venue is telegraphed by 3:11, where John the Baptist's words predict Jesus' impending appearance on the scene. While Matthew continues to use his unobtrusive third-person voice to describe these events, he vividly colors the story of Jesus' baptism by switching the underlying theme of these verses from one of rejection (the theme which deepened the hue of Matthew's ...

1605. Mark 1:29-39

Mark 1:29-39

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Mark uses the miracle genre to communicate the unique power and authority Jesus wields in his travels and teachings. This focus is evident in Mark from the very first miracle story onward. At the synagogue in Capernaum (1:21ff.), Jesus' teaching astounds all those present for unlike the simple scribal tradition of retelling, Jesus probes the Scriptures, challenges his listeners and speaks as one with unquestionable authority. The authority theme continues when the unclean spirit reveals itself to Jesus ...

1606. Luke 24:36b-48

Luke 24:36b-48

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's text picks up the post-resurrection events after several miraculous appearances have already been reported. At the tomb the women had encountered two angelic messengers who announced, "He is not here, but has risen." Notice that Luke has at least three women witnessing the pronouncement of the two heavenly beings more than enough to legally validate the testimonies of both the messengers and their tomb-side audience. Similarly, Jesus' Emmaus road appearance is to two men again meeting the ...

1607. Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10:17-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

It seems that as Jesus comes closer to Jerusalem, he hits closer to home with some of the most discomforting and disheartening judgments anyone could hear. Last week Jesus spoke about divorce messing around in our regions of relationships, loyalty and integrity. This week Jesus really gets personal moving from marriage to money. His message is so startling and discouraging that he frightens one potential convert away and strikes doubt and despair into the hearts of his own disciples. In verse 17, the ...

1608. Are You Better at Wearing or Bearing Crosses?

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

How would you describe a color to someone who had been blind since birth? [This would make a great moment to walk down into the congregation and turn your “audience” into “participants,” or you can continue on probing the question yourself.] What can you say about “blue” or “red” or “green” to someone who has no concept of color, of bright, light, or dark? Well, you would almost have to use examples from the sense the blind person did have - touch, scent, sound, taste. Blue is “cold” compared to a “hot” ...

1609. The Most Stubborn Man in the Bible

Jonah 3:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

A Sunday school teacher was proud of her lesson for the day. She thought she had presented the material quite nicely. Summing up, she asked the class, “And what do we learn from the story of Jonah and the big fish?” Eight-year-old Suzy thought for a moment and answered, “Always travel by air.” Well, I hope that’s not the only thing we learn from the story of Jonah. Most of you know at least part of the story of the prophet Jonah. It is one of the most colorful and memorable stories in the Hebrew Bible. ...

1610. Color Blind

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

How would you describe a color to someone who had been blind since birth? What can you say about "blue" or "red" or "green" to someone who has no concept of color, of bright, light, or dark? Well, you would almost have to use examples from the sense the blind person did have - touch, scent, sound, taste. Blue is "cold" compared to a "hot" red. Green is smooth and sweet, while yellow is sharp and pungent. Purple has the depth of a bruise. Orange may not rhyme with anything, but is feels like the sun on your ...

1611. Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

John 20:24-31, John 20:19-23

Sermon

Mike Ripski

Last Sunday was glorious. Brass and timpani. Stirring music. Lilies and caladiums. A full sanctuary. The Hallelujah Chorus. Was it just a dream? If what we celebrated seven days ago was true, where is everybody today? It’s enough to make you wonder. Even make you doubt. Could it be that those of us who have gathered for what is called “Low Sunday” – are we just fooling ourselves? The disciples likely wondered the same thing. It is Easter evening. They have gathered in a house and locked the doors. They ...

1612. A Shepherd's Love

John 10:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

Two television evangelists were talking. One was explaining how he was seeking to be the ideal shepherd to his television flock. “There are three ways I seek to do that,” he said. “What three ways do you mean?” asked the other evangelist. “Well” he explained, “First, we FIND them. Every year we find new stations to carry our ministry. Then we FEED them. I give them the plain unvarnished word of God.” “But what’s the third thing?” asked the second evangelist. “Well,” he answered, “Once we’ve found them and ...

1613. A Mother's Love

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

Welcome on this Mother’s Day. For Mother’s Day I ran across a list of suggestions for improving communication in the family that I thought you might enjoy: 1. If you have tiny children who won’t give you their attention, simply place a long‑distance telephone call to somebody important, preferably their grandmother. Your toddlers will immediately climb up on your lap and become all ears. 2. If you have older children who avoid you like the plague, buy yourself some expensive bath salts, run a hot tub and ...

1614. Proper 22

Matthew 21:33-46, Psalm 19:1-14, Exodus 20:1-21, Philippians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 19:1-14 First Lesson - Here are recorded ten great commandments to govern our relationship with God and our neighbors. Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Second Lesson - Paul finds his new life as a Christian to be much more valuable than his previous life and career. Philippians 3:4b-14 Gospel - In this parable Jesus sets his whole mission in death and resurrection as a conundrum for his opposition to ponder. Matthew 21:33-46 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ...

1615. What Is Your Name?

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

Sometimes things don’t work out the way they should. Then, again, maybe they do. Esau and Jacob This seems especially true with regard to twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, hairy, ruddy, red complexioned. Thus he was named Esau. Esau relied on his brawn rather than his brain. Had his name been based on who he was instead of how he looked, his name should have been "Easy-Going," "Laid Back," or even "Slow." His was not a Type-A personality. He had no desire to be his class’ President and ...

1616. Ordinary or Extraordinary?

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Sermon

James Merritt

I want to get your juices flowing this morning by asking you two questions. If you had a choice would you want to live an ordinary life or an extraordinary life? Which do you think God wants for you? I can tell you what Jesus said. He said in John 10:10, "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10, NLT) God wants to make a difference in your life, so that you can make a difference in the lives of others. God wants to work in you, with you, through you and for you to manifest His glory in ...

1617. Did You Know...That You Can Know God?

1 John 2:3-5

Sermon

James Merritt

Why were you put on this earth? What should be your greatest goal in life? What is the single greatest achievement you could obtain on this earth? What is the secret to eternal life? The answer to all of these questions is the same. It is found in two words - Knowing God. That is what God wants from you and for you more than anything else in your life. God said in Hosea 6:6, "I'd rather for you to be faithful and to know Me than to offer sacrifices." (Hosea 6:6, CEV) More than your time, more than your ...

1618. Picture Perfect Close Up: Children - Get Under The Umbrella

Colossians 3:21

Sermon

James Merritt

We are concluding a series that we've entitled, "Picture Perfect". It is a series on the family. We have said for the last several weeks, "God desires for the family to show His love for His glory." We have seen how God has given each family member a specific role to play and a specific responsibility to fulfill. Husbands - Love As they relate to their wives, husbands are to always ask this question, "What is the loving thing to do?" Wives - Submit The question wives are to ask as they relate to their ...

1619. American Idol

Exodus 20:4-6

Sermon

James Merritt

With 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, suicide bombers, Osama Ben Laden, need I say more? Homeland Security is maybe the number one concern facing this nation right now. We have already established that the Ten Commandments are all about Homeland Security, because the greatest way to secure the homeland is to secure the homes in that land. That is exactly what the Ten Commandments were given for. Remember these are not arbitrary rules; these were family laws. They were laws given by God to His family (the Nation of ...

1620. Are You A Satisfied Customer?

John 6:35-42

Sermon

James Merritt

Did you know that neon signs can be hazardous to your health? There is one neon sign that is hazardous to mine. It is the one that flashes "hot" in bright red on the window of Krispy Kreme. If you have ever eaten, some really great, hot, Krispy Kreme doughnuts oozing with that glaze that is so wonderful for your cardiovascular system, you know there are always two problems in that box of doughnuts: (1) one is never enough (2) no matter how many you eat eventually you'll always want more. For so very many ...

1621. Mary: The Promise Conceived

Luke 1:26-55

Sermon

James Merritt

Promises, Promises. Every time someone breaks a promise, they just blame it on the old saying "Promises were meant to be broken." It is very hard not to believe that and accept that as a way of life. The world's three most famous promises are promises that are never kept. Do you know what they are? The check is in the mail I'll love you in the morning I'm from the government and I'm here to help you Let's face it. Politicians are famous for making promises they don't keep. In the 20th century these are ...

1622. A Little Dirt Is Good for You

Mark 7:1-23

Sermon

King Duncan

A teacher observed a boy entering her classroom with dirty hands. She stopped him and said, “Johnny, please wash your hands. My goodness, what would you say if I came into the room with hands like that?” With a smile the boy replied, “I think I’d be too polite to mention it.” A pastor says his son’s Sunday School teacher approached him after church and said, “Let me tell you what your son said in Sunday School today (a phrase sure to strike fear in the heart of every pastor). She had been teaching about ...

1623. Life on the Rock

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

James Merritt

If you could take a world-wide poll and ask this question: Who was the greatest spiritual or religious teacher who ever lived? Without question, hands down, I am convinced the winner would be Jesus Christ. There is almost a universal consensus that Jesus was indeed a great, if not the greatest teacher who ever lived. That is exactly the way people who actually heard Him teach felt. Because as we come to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, we read – "And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that ...

1624. Men in Black

Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

Sermon

James Merritt

Have you ever wondered why Lie Detectors are not allowed as evidence in a Court of Law? Well according to one of the top criminal hunters in America, they are too easy to manipulate. First of all, they don't detect lies; they detect stress through pulse, blood pressure and perspiration. But if the subject is not particularly stressed out by fear of punishment, he can beat the machine. He goes on to point out that even if a person is stressed there are still other ways to disguise stress. One is to coat the ...

1625. Finishing Strong

Nehemiah 9:38--10:39

Sermon

James Merritt

The Constitution of the United States had just been signed and America was officially a nation. Benjamin Franklin walked out of the meeting room where many people were anxiously awaiting the news. One lady by the name of Mrs. Powel walked up to Benjamin Franklin and said, "So Mr. Franklin what type of government have your delegates given us?" Benjamin Franklin gave this famous reply - "A republic madam, if you can keep it." What Ben Franklin meant by that was, the Constitution had laid the foundation for ...

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