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 1964 results

1676. Porcupine Marriage

Humor Illustration

Michael P. Green

Someone has likened adjustment to marriage to two porcupines who lived in Alaska. When the deep and heavy snows came, they felt the cold and began to draw close together. However, when they drew close they began to stick one another with their quills. But when they drew apart they felt the cold once again. To keep warm they had to learn how to adjust to one another—very carefully.

1677. Miracle of Jairus’ Daughter

Mark 5:21-43

Illustration

Michael P. Green

... that happened to be visible nearby. It was about six in the morning, but the frantic father thundered on the door. When a woman appeared, he cried out, “My daughter is very sick—she’s in convulsions. Do you have a bathtub where we can put her in warm water?” The lady was so taken aback she hardly knew what to say. She motioned down the hall, and without waiting for any words, Stedman pushed the front door open, went down the hall, and started running water in the tub. Later he called a doctor and ...

1678. Tested Unknowingly

Illustration

Michael P. Green

... passed. I’ll tell the board tomorrow. At the board meeting, the examiner reported on the interview. “He has all the qualifications for a fine missionary. First, I tested him on self-denial, making him arrive at my home at five in the morning. He left a warm bed on a snowy morning without any complaint. Second, I tested him on promptness. He arrived on time. Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait three hours to see me. Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any anger or aggravation ...

1679. Saul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19a

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... Straight Street. Here he laid his hands on Paul, announcing that he had been sent by Jesus that Paul might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 17). A nice touch is found in his opening words, Brother Saul (v. 17). No word of reproach, but a warm welcome into the fellowship of the church (cf. v. 27). The laying on of hands should be seen as a token of his healing, not of his being filled with the Spirit—much less as the means whereby that gift was bestowed. Paul’s filling with the Spirit is ...

1680. Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos

Acts 18:18-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... of the province of Asia. During this brief visit Paul went into the synagogue where he reasoned with the Jews (v. 19; see disc. on 9:20 and 17:2). The prohibition on his preaching in Asia was now apparently lifted (16:6), as indicated by his warm reception (v. 20). The Ephesian Jews must have already heard much about “the Way” and no doubt would like to have heard more. But Paul would not stay, promising instead that if God willed he would return (cf. 21:14; James 4:15). Considering their eagerness ...

1681. The Trial Before Felix

Acts 24:1-27

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... still worshiped the God of our fathers (v. 14; cf. 22:3)—a biblical phrase (cf. Exod. 3:13), but perhaps chosen deliberately for this occasion, for the Romans paid great respect to their own ancestral religion and Felix might be expected therefore to warm to this statement. Paul still believed everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets (v. 14; cf. 26:22; 28:23)—a familiar description of the Scriptures, but again, perhaps, chosen deliberately for the sake of his argument, to ...

1682. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2, RSV). Rather than affirming his converts, Paul’s terse address helps to set the tone for his letter. Paul writes not warmly but reproachfully. He clearly cannot commend his converts’ faith. The absence of his usual commendation, combined with the stress in v. 1 on his apostolic credibility, suggests that Paul writes Galatians in an admonitionary tone. The letter’s address to “the churches ...

1683. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... all might have reported what was happening in Thessalonica. This is how the missionaries heard of their own part in the story—what kind of reception you gave us—from the lips of others. The unusual expression literally means, “What kind of entrance we had.” It implies a warm reception and, again, suggests the familiar Pauline metaphor of the open door (cf. Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). The best part of the story, however, was how they turned to God from idols. There is a striking ...

1684. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... as tender an image as one could find to represent the pastor and his/her people (cf. Gal. 4:19; also Num. 11:12; see W. A. Meeks, The Moral World of the First Christians [Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986], pp. 125–30). The verb, thalpō, means strictly, “to warm,” but carries its secondary sense, “to care for,” “to cherish” (cf. Eph. 5:29). 2:8 We loved you so much, Paul adds, and the verse ends as it begins on this note, that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God ...

1685. Final Greetings

1 Peter 5:12-14

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... handshake in the West, which is brought out by some modern translators who are also perhaps seeking to avoid romantic overtones: “Give each other a handshake all round as a sign of love” (Phillips). This scarcely conveys the emotion intended. A warm charismatic hug is nearer the mark! Whether by kiss, handshake, or hug, one implication of the action is the same for Christians: those involved are relating to one another on equal terms before God. Peter’s last word, peace, echoes his opening ...

1686. Moses Flees to Midian

Exodus 2:11-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to, and the text’s opinion of, Moses’ actions. The daughters had been living under the domination of pushy men. They appreciated his “rescue,” and Moses came home to a place he had never been. A strong rhetorical style communicates the warm excitement of the father’s three questions. The tone moves from suspicion to hospitality, salvation, and welcome. “Why have you returned so early today?” . . . “And where is he?” . . . “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.” He ...

1687. Jethro Visits Moses

Exodus 18:1-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... word “help” to name the altar Ebenezer (“stone of help”) where the Lord saved them (1 Sam. 7:12). The psalmist also speaks of God as a “an ever-present help” (Ps. 46:1). The personal detail of the meeting between Jethro and Moses is unusually warm and full of mutual respect. Jethro had sent word, but Moses did not wait for them to arrive. Moses went out to meet them. Because of the patriarchal setting, the text does not describe the meeting with Zipporah and the boys, but it mentions them three ...

1688. God and Idols

Jeremiah 10:1-16

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... are objects made by humans. Jeremiah reminds the hearers that the idol before whom people bow is simply an ornamented piece of wood. Isaiah develops this bit of sarcasm further when he describes the craftsman taking a piece of wood and using half of it to warm his hands and cook his bread, while creating a god out of the other half (Isa. 44:15). Further, this “god” can only stand upright if fastened with a nail! How ridiculous to worship it as a powerful deity. Of course, the finished product is more ...

1689. How the Gold Has Lost Its Luster

Lamentations 4:1-22

One Volume

Tremper Longman III

... withholds certain abilities from various animals. While he has given the ostrich speed (39:18), he has deprived her of wisdom and good sense. Interestingly the latter is illustrated by her callous attitude toward her young: She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain. . . . (39:14–16) Verse 4 then describes the ...

1690. Israel Punished and Restored

Hosea 2:2-23

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... in their helplessness (cf. 1:6). 2:5–8 The reason for this threat is stated in verse 5: Israel has believed that all of the goods that sustain its life have come from Baal—the basic necessities of bread (NIV has food) and water, wool for warm clothing, flax (so the Hebrew) from which to make cool linen cloth, oil for anointing and healing, and pleasant drinks. Yahweh, however, has the resources to disabuse Israel of her faith in Baal. He will block her path to her lovers—perhaps meaning the paths to ...

1691. Judgment of Israel's Neighbors

Amos 1:1-2:5

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... terms himself “a dresser of sycamore trees.” The phrase refers to the fact that sycamore figs had to be individually punctured in order to ripen properly. Sycamore fig trees could not be grown on the hills around Tekoa, but only in the warm lowlands around the Dead Sea and along the Mediterranean coast. Thus, the prophet was probably a rather wealthy land owner, who traveled frequently to carry on his business of producing and selling two popular products. Some commentators have waxed eloquent about the ...

1692. Witnesses Summoned Against Israel

Amos 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... “the house of God.” That false house will fall. In the same manner, the luxurious houses of royalty and of the wealthy will be demolished, verse 15. In Jeroboam II’s time the upper classes have become so rich that they can have two houses, one warm for the winter, one cool for the summer (cf. the two houses of Ahab, 1 Kgs. 21:1, 18), and perhaps both containing furniture luxuriously adorned with engraved ivory plates. But those houses too will fall, smitten by God. The verb in verse 15a (tear down ...

1693. A Grayhound and a Kite

Acts 2:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... and went to a tribe in the north, where it was very cold, bitterly cold. He taught the people there to make fire. The people were very interested. He showed them the uses to which they could put fire--they could cook, could keep themselves warm, etc. The people of this tribe were so grateful that they had learned the art of making fire. But before they could express their gratitude to the man, he disappeared. He wasn’t concerned with getting their recognition or gratitude; he was concerned about their ...

1694. Why the Chimes Ring

Isaiah 35:1-10, Mark 12:41-44

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... gifts to the Christ child. On their way to church they stumble across the nearly frozen form of an old woman who has no one to help her. The older boy, Pedro, decides to forgo the eagerly anticipated pageantry of the Christmas Eve celebration in order to warm and comfort the woman they have discovered. So he sends his offering of a piece of silver to church by his younger brother. At the church, members of the village are gathered to see whose gift will cause the long-silent chimes to ring by virtue of ...

1695. The Watch Begins!

Luke 21:25-36

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... of all, they're using lasers in surgery to actually help people get well. So, when we say Jesus is the light of the world, we can see a lot more to that than the people who lived in Bible times could see. We know that not only can light warm and make the world brighter, we also know that light is powerful. Light can heal. Jesus is all those things. Jesus brings warmth, and He makes things brighter, but He also is powerful and He is the source of healing. So, I couldn't bring a laser beam with me ...

1696. One More Use for the Palm Tree

Luke 19:28-40

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: A palm branch, if available Good morning, boys and girls. What do you think when you see a Palm branch? That's right Palm Sunday. What else? Where do Palm trees grow? They grow where it is warm, don't they? We associate Palm trees with places like Florida and Hawaii. We may think of sand and beaches and sunshine and the ocean. Palm branches grew in the land where Jesus lived. Israel is on the Mediterranean Sea. There you will find sun and sand as well. But ...

1697. Jesus and Those Who “Believed”

John 8:31-41, John 8:42-47, John 8:48-59

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... were …” The things Abraham did: lit., “the works of Abraham” (cf. James 2:21–23). In James the reference is to Abraham’s willingness to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice (Gen. 22:1–14), but here Jesus apparently has in mind Abraham’s warm welcome of God’s messengers (Gen. 18:1–8). It is to this that he contrasts the hostile behavior of Abraham’s self-proclaimed “children” (v. 40). 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil: lit., “you are of the father, the devil,” or even ...

1698. The Raising of Lazarus

John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... from the dead (cf. also the continuing vision promised to Jesus’ disciples according to 1:51). 11:44 Take off the grave clothes and let him go (lit., “loose him and let him go”). All three resuscitations in the Gospels end with a similarly warm human interest touch in which Jesus meets an additional, comparatively minor, need (cf. Mark 5:43; Luke 7:15). It is possible also that the release of Lazarus from the bands of cloth that bound him is intended to suggest the biblical imagery of “loosing ...

1699. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philippians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... his fuller acknowledgement of it in 4:10–20. They participated generously in the Jerusalem relief fund that he organized in his Gentile mission field during the closing years of his Aegean ministry: in 2 Corinthians 8:1–5 he gives warm commendation to the liberal giving of the Macedonian churches (among which the Philippian church, of course, was included). The fact that their cooperation in the gospel had continued without intermission until now suggests that nothing was happening among the Philippian ...

1700. Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel

Philippians 1:12-30

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

Paul’s Present Situation The Christians of Philippi were deeply concerned about Paul. They cherished a warm affection for him; they knew that he was now in custody awaiting trial and that his case was due to come up for hearing soon before the supreme tribunal of the empire. How was he faring right now? And what would be the outcome of the hearing when once it ...

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