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 1676 to 1700 of 2078 results

1676. Bildad’s Final Attempt to Answer Job

Job 25:1-6

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... an extent that there is no room for his grace or forgiveness. Bildad’s one-sided doctrine of God leads him to draw false conclusions about how God regards humans in general, and by implication Job in particular. One’s view of God will inevitably affect how one views humans, whom God has made. Bildad seems to want to defend his theological system of retribution at all costs. Building on the reality of God’s transcendence, Bildad insists that God’s rule allows for no disorder in his world. God has ...

1677. Job Hears the Whispers of God’s Works

Job 26:1--31:40

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... suffer immediately for their sins. This suggests that some righteous people, like him, may suffer adversity despite their godly lives. We need to remember that the retribution principle is only a general pattern for how God works but that other complicating factors can also affect individual cases (e.g., John 9:1–3). For the most part, Job agrees with Zophar’s general point that God will punish the wicked. Zophar, however, has left no room for divine mercy in his view of God’s retribution. Job implies ...

1678. Yahweh Speaks as the Master Teacher

Job 38:1--41:34

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... demonstrates, like Job we are students in God’s school of wisdom. In his school, we need to be attentive to what God says, we need to accept his teaching eagerly rather than insist on our own way, and we must assimilate his lessons so that they affect every area of our lives. Yahweh’s purpose in posing so many questions to Job is to demonstrate to Job the limitations of his knowledge. Yahweh’s questions all relate to the physical world that Job has observed for all his life. As Job considers each ...

1679. “The Lord Looks Down . . . to See If There Are Any Who Understand”

Psalm 14:1-7

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... barbarism. And yet, today Sweden is known for charity, cleanliness, honesty, and hospitality. What brought about this change in culture? Yancey explains, “Christianity happened. It took several centuries, but gradually the moral principles of the Christian gospel percolated up to affect all of society.”11In every culture there are people who are evildoers, corrupt and vile. And yet the Word of God has the power to transform individuals who then transform the culture. No matter how vile a culture, there ...

1680. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... High God” of the Judeans. Second, Nebuchadnezzar’s decree does not indicate a permanent conversion of him or his people. Third, do not spend time in a sermon on the question of the Masoretic Text’s ending of this chapter. The outcome of that discussion does not affect the theology of either chapter 3 or 4. Illustrating the Text God is always able to rescue, yet he may only do so in the life to come. Human Experience: When baking cookies or preparing a sauce, a cook will often take a small taste before ...

1681. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... given by the hand of God is sacred and therefore cannot be manipulated with human rewards (cf. Num. 22:18; Mic. 3:5–8). Though Daniel appears to accept gifts elsewhere (2:46–49), this one is offered in advance in order to affect the outcome of the interpretation. In response, Daniel shuns the sovereignty of Belshazzar in deference to the sovereignty of God. Also, the familiar and personal “you” language certainly offends the king. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him ...

1682. Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 9:1-19

Teach the Text

Ronald W. Pierce

... the fear of the Lord reflected in “great and awesome God.” Further, the two terms for “love” (NIV) reflect different Hebrew words. The first (hesed) denotes “mercy, kindness, steadfast love, loyalty,” while the second (’ahab) is related to “affection, friendship.”13 This theologically balanced declaration appears in Exodus 20:4–6; Deuteronomy 5:10; 7:9; and Nehemiah 1:5—all regarding God’s “steadfast mercy” pledged to Israel in the Mosaic covenant. The identical wording suggests ...

1683. The Plague of Blood

Exodus 7:14-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... lifeblood of Osiris, god of the underworld, who brought new life after each inundation. There is blood in every place where water collects, even on the “vessels of wood and stone” (7:19), perhaps idolatrous objects. The river, canals, and ponds were affected by the flowing surface waters of the Nile as it flooded. Further inland, where the water percolated through soils, they could dig for potable water. Water was a precious resource in Egypt, and Pharaoh fails to control its provision. Worse yet, when ...

1684. Instructions for Passover

Exodus 12:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... yeast. They are not to break any bones of the sacrificial animal (Exod. 12:46; cf. John 19:36). In time the bitter herbs came to represent the bitterness of slavery and unleavened bread the purifying from the leaven of sin. Yeast affects the entire loaf of bread; so also the pollution of sin ranges much farther than its original starting point. Fermentation also leads ultimately to decay and death, a compelling representation of the results of sin. Jesus identifies the “yeast of the Pharisees” as ...

1685. Hebrew Servants

Exodus 21:2-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... social issues addressed in this section include the treatment of Hebrew slaves, personal injuries, theft and property damage, sexual abuses, and mistreatment of the disenfranchised. Such factors as intentionality, gender, and whether one is a slave or free affect how civil torah is implemented in that sociocultural setting. Israelites are not to pervert justice for ill motives, and balance in the administration of justice is essential. The measure-for-measure principle—“eye for eye, tooth for tooth ...

1686. Voluntary Sacrifices

Leviticus 1:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the need for invoking divine acceptance by a pleasing aroma, restriction of victims to animals and birds that were fit to eat, offering of fat portions, an element of substitution, and remedying sin. However, Leviticus incorporates some key differences affecting sacrificial worship. The Israelites are to transport a portable bronze altar with them and rely on priests, who are entitled to sacrificial portions, to officiate for them at a tabernacle that serves as the earthly residence of the deity. Leviticus ...

1687. The Sin Offering

Lev 4:1–5:13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... holy sphere centered at God’s earthly residence. These are the purification (so-called sin) and reparation (“guilt”) offerings. The purification offering removes defilements caused by sins (4:1–5:13) and by physical conditions (chaps. 12–15) that can affect the state of the sanctuary (15:31; 16:16). The reparation offering remedies various kinds of sacrilege (5:14–6:7). The Hebrew word for “purification offering” is generally rendered “sin offering” because it is the same as the word for ...

1688. The Burnt, Grain, and Sin Offering

Lev 6:8-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ; 1 John 1:7). Not only can expiation be regarded as removal of debt that stands between God and human beings (cf. Matt. 6:12); it also cleanses from defilements that separate them from him (cf. 1 John 1:9). Amazingly, God makes himself vulnerable by allowing their pollutions to affect his holiness so that he can restore them (2 Cor. 5:21).

1689. Divine Nonacceptance of Inaugural Ritual Mistake

Leviticus 10:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Nadab and Abihu (10:1–2). The Lord’s presence is an awesome force, like a nuclear reactor. His protocols had to be carried out to the letter if he were to dwell among faulty, mortal people without destroying them. Priestly failure in this regard could affect the safety and well-being of the people, both physically and in terms of their attitude toward God’s nature and character. The surviving priests are sanctified, so they are forbidden to mourn (10:6–7, as in 21:10–12, at the strict standard for ...

1690. Holiness of Priests and Offerings

Leviticus 21:1–22:16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... .e., probably raped), or divorced (21:7). Thus the lives of priests are to model ideal life in order to portray the Lord’s holiness as ideal. Family members of the Lord’s ministers are also responsible for protecting their reputations, which affects people’s perceptions of God. A priest’s promiscuous daughter profanes herself and thereby profanes her father, who is God’s representative (21:9). The highest lifestyle standards apply to the specially anointed high priest, who is closest to God (21:10 ...

1691. Covenant Blessings and Curses

Lev 26:1-46

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... compliance and discouraging noncompliance with the covenant or treaty stipulations established by the superior party. Israel’s superior party was the omnipotent deity, so his blessings and curses covered a breathtaking array of effects, including conditions in nature that would affect well-being on the Promised Land. The Lord clearly desired to lavish blessings on his people to show the benefits of a positive relationship with him (26:3–13). But he could not bless them if they were disloyal to ...

1692. Exploring Canaan

Num 13:1-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The next crisis is much more serious and negatively affects the Israelites for decades to come. It comes at a major moment of decision as the national war camp approaches the southern border of Canaan and camps at Kadesh (13:26; Kadesh Barnea in Num. 32:8 and Deut. 1:19). Will the Israelites go ahead and take the land ...

1693. Keeping the Faith Vital

Deuteronomy 11:1-32

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... responsible for the fertility of Canaan. While we are not taught that prosperity always proves obedience to God, neither can we prove that suffering necessarily implies personal guilt. Nevertheless, God does remain in control of even the climate, fertility, and all that affects human life (11:16–17). Verses 18–32 conclude this section of chapters 5–11 and draw the major themes of this section together. Moses’s teaching is to be impressed on their hearts and souls, which calls for a total commitment ...

1694. Jephthah

Jud 10:6–11:40

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the focus is on the Ammonites. In addition, although the Ammonite oppression seems to be most keenly felt by the tribes east of the Jordan, 10:9 makes it clear that the western and southern tribes, such as Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, are also affected, so that the crisis is justifiably presented as national. This time, not only is Israel’s crying out to the Lord reported, but their confession that accompanies their crying out is also quoted (10:10). But instead of immediately providing a deliverer as he ...

1695. Widows and Their Worries: Back to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... drawback. As is typical of the ancient Near Eastern mindset, Naomi attributes divine disfavor as the source of her inexplicable suffering (1:13). For this reason, Naomi cautions her daughters-in-law that the Lord’s hand of disfavor may continue to affect them adversely and is a valid reason to reconsider. Thus Naomi hones in on the negatives both practically and religiously in the hope that the women will relent. With this second speech both women reach a final decision. Orpah departs, determined to ...

1696. David’s Fame

1 Sam 16:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and controlled them both; see Isa. 45:7.) Saul’s jealousy and depression are made worse because of the influence of this evil spirit, and at times it will drive Saul to violence (cf. 1 Sam. 18:10–11). According to verse 23, the evil spirit affects Saul sporadically. In an attempt to help Saul find relief from the evil spirit, Saul’s attendants suggest that he secure a musician to play soothing music. Ironically, the man they recommend is none other than David (16:14–23). In addition to his ability ...

1697. Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag

1 Samuel 29:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... a dilemma. Up to this point he has consistently refused to touch the Lord’s anointed and he has secretly helped the Israelites even while in exile. At this point, to fight against the people over whom he expected to be king would no doubt have been unpalatable and likely affected negatively the Israelites’ acceptance of David as the next king.

1698. Charging the Assembly

1 Chron 29:1-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Yahweh as Creator of all things (29:10–13), shifts to the unworthiness of David and his nation, who are merely returning to God what he first gave them (29:14–17), and concludes with requests for his people and Solomon that God may stir their inner affections to obedience to the law and completion of the temple project (29:18–19). This prayer then prompts from the assembly in 29:20–22a a response of praise to Yahweh and homage to the king followed by a sacrificial celebration in God’s presence. It ...

1699. The First Two Feasts – Vashti Is Deposed

Esther 1:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... categorically refuses to obey the orders and leaves her husband publicly humiliated and irate in the presence of his awaiting guests (1:12). It is likely that the queen has previously experienced such ordeals when the king’s drunkenness has seriously affected his ability to make moral decisions. Her unflinching response to the king’s request seems to indicate so. The biblical text provides a number of accounts where reckless decisions are made by drunk leaders. For example, King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:2 ...

1700. Job's Second Test

Job 2:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... words, and he is affirmed as one who “in all this, did not sin.”Job’s affliction has received much attention; commentators have understandably taken on the role of physician and attempted to provide a diagnosis. Whatever the disease, it is one that affected his skin and, more important, one that likely evoked the stigma of divine displeasure. Job’s disease is one with which God promises to curse the Israelites if they fail to obey the covenant (Deut. 28:35). The narrative of a fragmentary Aramaic ...

Showing results