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 1751 to 1775 of 3285 results

1751. Baptism of the Lord

Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:23b-48, Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... given evidences of who Jesus is: the Son of God. Notice, however, that Matthew is not so much interested in the ontological dimensions of Jesus' divine Sonship; rather, he shows us a Jesus who is the dynamic Son of God, committed—beyond our abilities to reason—to doing the will of God. In and through this story, Matthew relates more than his personal perceptions about Jesus (although he certainly does this); indeed, Matthew tells us through God's public declaration at the outset of Jesus' ministry that ...

1752. Easter 4

Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-25, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... in the slaves, therefore, is not for the purpose of being good servants but good Christians. This focus on God rather than master is made explicit in v. 19, when the slave is called "to be aware of God" especially in an unjust situation. The ability to endure unjust suffering while focusing on God is grace, which draws the sufferer even nearer to God. Verses 21-25 provide even more explicit theological background for an ethic of suffering by interpreting the suffering of Jesus in the light of the suffering ...

1753. Epiphany 6

Mt 5:21-37 · 1 Cor 3:1-9 · Ps 119 · Dt 30:15-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... because we are Christian. The old word for that was antinomianism, and the Church has frowned upon it. Christians have to try harder. That struggle makes them quite visible, so they will stand out from the rest of the world because of their ability to conform to these "kingdom standards." This sense of the law, carried to an extreme, can result in absurd situations. For example, one group of Amish that uses uncovered buggies refuses to have fellowship with another group that uses covered buggies. The reader ...

1754. Proper 6

Matthew 10:1-42, Matthew 9:35-38, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 116:1-19, Genesis 18:1-15

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... 18:1-15; 21:1-7 and Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 provide focus for preaching, because they invite the worshiping congregation to claim the transformation in the character of Sarah from unbelief to belief as affirmation of their own faith in God's ability to save. NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS As we move into ordinary time, we return to Romans and Matthew. The passages in the lessons for this and the following weeks are but selected sequential readings, so that whatever thematic correlations one perceives may be deliberate ...

1755. Proper 9

Psalm 45:1-17, Romans 7:7-25, Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 11:1-19, Genesis 24:1-67

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... would be more appropriate. If the entire psalm is read, it would provide commentary on the outcome of the story in Genesis 24. Second, the psalm could be limited to the second half, in which case it becomes a celebration of Rebekah and her ability to leave Nahor to follow God's call to marry Isaac. Either reading is appropriate in connection to Genesis 24. NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS The readings continue the sequence undertaken during the weeks of ordinary time following Pentecost. The text from Romans is Paul's ...

1756. Proper 12

Genesis 29:15-30, Matthew 13:31-35, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:47-52, Romans 8:28-39, Psalm 105:1-45

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... simply as an illustration of rewards theology— namely, the understanding that belief in God guarantees a good life or getting what one wants. Even though she embodies divine blessing (symbolized through her frequent births) and indeed sees the reality of God in her ability to give birth (symbolized through the naming of her children), her life situation is certainly not one to be envied. Leah illustrates how fashioning a life-style out of fear of God also redefines what are our notions of reward in this ...

1757. Proper 13

Psalm 17:1-15, Romans 9:1-29, Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... Jacob made treaties with God (Genesis 28) and Laban (Genesis 31) as an equal partner on his own terms. In the present struggle, however, the giving of his name without having God reciprocate signifies a new vulnerability in his character (or perhaps the ability of God also to be a trickster for the sake of salvation). In either case, this new limitation in Jacob/Israel's character provides the setting for his final transformation through the divine blessing in v. 29. The transformation in Jacob/Israel is ...

1758. Proper 18

Psalm 149:1-9, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-30

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Exodus 12:1-14 is one of the central descriptions of how the Passover is to be celebrated and how it functions in the life of Israel. Psalm 149 is a two-sided hymn of praise in which God's ability to destroy and to save is acknowledged. Exodus 12:1-14 - "The Passover" Setting. The confusion of the present form of Exodus 11-13 confronts any reader with immediate obstacles to interpretation. At least three different traditions have been brought together in these chapters (by at least two ...

1759. Proper 19

Exodus 13:17--14:31, Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 14:1--15:13, Exodus 15:1-21

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... what it means to put on Christ. Both the epistle and the Gospel lessons are examples of what it means to be growing into Christian maturity. Paul deals with various types of Christian one-upmanship in Rome, and Peter seeks to prove his own worthiness by his ability to forgive. As the commentary makes clear, we deal not with a moralizing tale but rather with an expression of the radical grace of God. Only that grace can make us anew in baptism; only that grace can work a change in the way we treat others ...

1760. Commentary for Matthew 4: 1-11

Matthew 4:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... into the wilderness in the first place. In both the first two “tests” the devil prefaces his challenge to Jesus with this taunt: “If you are the Son of God . . .” (vv.3, 6). The temptation to turn stones into bread is not a test of Jesus’ ability to miraculously transform matter. It is a challenge to prove his divine relationship to the Father. Surely if Jesus is the true Son of God he need not suffer any deprivation, for he is already “tapped into” the greatest power source that exists. Jesus ...

1761. Hypocrites

Matthew 6:1-4

Sermon

King Duncan

... a show of our faith. Jesus wants us to be authentic in our commitment to him. That’s what Ash Wednesday is all about. That’s what Lent is all about. It’s about dropping the pretense. It’s about living the Christ life to the best of our ability and not worrying about what the rest of the world thinks. Even though we are in this treasured fellowship, in a sense it’s just us and God. We are humbling ourselves in the presence of complete holiness and praying with the Psalmist, “Search me, O God, and ...

1762. What Is Eternal Life?

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... life.” When Jesus promised us the gift of “eternal life,” he meant not just something that we can look forward to in the future. Eternal life is a gift of the NOW now . . . . Eternal life is a time zone we can begin living now. Eternal life is the ability to transcend the cage of past and future and to live the divine time of NOW now. Eternal life is the gift of wholeness, the gift of a reborn, re-created human life made possible because “God so loved the world.” Did you hear that? “God so loved ...

1763. The Wind Blows Where It Will

John 3:1-17

Illustration

Will Willimon

... learned, "Tish, tish, old lady. You've got to face facts, be realistic." But how did I know? How could I be so sure that that woman's calm, confident trust, trust affirmed in so many places in scripture, was stupidity? Maybe she is right. Maybe God's life-giving abilities can't be contained in my little box labeled "POSSIBLE" next to the big one called "IMPOSSIBLE"? Maybe she is right. The wind blows where it will."

1764. John 11:1-45

John 11:1-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... a closer look reveals she is still treading in old ruts. Martha takes the initiative by leaving her sister and “the Jews” and goes out to meet Jesus. Martha tries to take charge of the situation, first with her declaration of faith in Jesus’ healing abilities (“If you had been here my brother would not have died”) and then by her suggestion of a new course of action Jesus might investigate (“I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”) (v.22). Jesus’ assertion “Your brother will ...

1765. Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

James W. Moore

... grow up… and as they mature (if all goes well) they learn how to be grateful, how to be appreciative, how to say “Thanks.” The crowning virtue of all life is gratitude. And one of the most dramatic signs of Christian maturity is the easy ability to say thanks. Immature people don’t know how to be grateful because they’ve never grown up… They go through life screaming: “Where’s mine?” “What’s in it for me?” But, mature Christian people have a special spirit that is so beautiful. It ...

1766. Choose Life

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Sermon

James W. Moore

... some of her colleagues to refer to her as “the wounded healer.” - And out of these experiences she has become a highly-sought-after counselor for people who are grappling with life-threatening illnesses. She is good at this because she has the unique ability to enable people to find healing by telling aloud their own life-stories… Not the story of what they have accomplished in life, but the story of – - Who they really are, - What they really value, - Where they came from, - And what really is the ...

1767. John 20:19-31

John 20:19-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... surpassing “peace” he had pledged to make available to them. Before these disciples even ask, Jesus proves his real physical existence by showing them not only the wounds in his hands, but the mark of the spear thrust in his side. His ability to pass through a locked door notwithstanding, this is the same Jesus, the living human that his disciples had known and loved. He is no ghost or apparition. After confirming his physical presence Jesus once again repeats his declaration of “peace to ...

1768. Like a Rose - Holy Communion

Luke 22:7-38

Sermon

James McCormick

... by him here. The most deeply committed Christians I have known have told me that the sacrament has come to mean more and more to them as they have grown older. With every passing year, they have grown in their appreciation of it, and in their ability to experience the depth of it. But, sadly, there are those for whom the sacrament has never held much meaning. They have never been able to see past the bread and the wine to the meaning they represent and the gracious, loving, forgiving experience they make ...

1769. Traits of an Effective Leader

John 10:1-30

Illustration

Staff

... books and quotes about effective leadership I came up with a list of traits. These three were present in most of the lists: Courage - Leaders expressed ideas to help others improve, in spite of personal risk or opposition. Non-conformity - Simply swimming with the tide leaves you nowhere. Foresight - The ability to look ahead and see what's coming…

1770. Life in the Living Stone Age

1 Peter 2:4-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... too large for any of us to solve. It is the grit in the oyster, that irritating grain of sand, that give the oyster the incentive to create the pearl. It is the grit in our souls that opens us to the greatness of God, and God’s abilities, when our own are so obviously inadequate. Can we turn over the gallstone to dream great dreams for God? 5. Fifth, let’s turn over The Millstone: Sorry, but some things just take hard work. You cannot learn a language without memorizing verb forms. You cannot get your ...

1771. The Power that God Gives

John 14:5-14

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

... wish for a good grade. The next year he repeated that course. He worked hard, and he passed. This time he decided that he did not need God, that he could get along by himself. After some years had passed, Dr Weatherhead came to understand that his own powers and abilities were in reality the power that God had given to him. He began to realize that God had already given him the power to pass the examination, but he had not used that power the first go around.

1772. The Power of Testimony

John 4:1-26

Sermon

Mark R. Smith

... , or it can profoundly shape and influence the lives of countless people. What is it? - Personal testimony. We often underestimate the power of testimony. One person’s testimony has much power, in particular, when it is inspired by an encounter with Christ. The ability to share some experiences from our journey of faith with others is a critical part of Christianity, and I believe the woman at the well has much to teach us about sharing our faith with others. The first thing we learn from the Samaritan ...

1773. What's Holding You Together?

Matthew 7:21-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... that can form in the body. Among those proteins we do “know,” whose identity we have isolated and whose importance we recognize, is a protein called “laminin.” Laminin is a protein which has a distinctive shape, giving it the ability to adhere easily to other laminin molecules and thus producing “sheets” of protein. These long, strong sheets of laminin molecules are essentially the “glue,” the “stuff” that holds us together. Laminin keeps our separate organ systems bound together, yet ...

1774. Pillars Driven into the Sand

Matthew 7:21-29

Illustration

Jef Olson

... on bedrock, but driven deep in the hope that the sand itself will provide the foundation necessary to support the house…and keep it secure from wind and sea. Of course, every generation or so wind and sea combine to generate life-denying hurricanes, the force of which has the ability to destroy everything in its path. Palaces were reduced to hovels, remnants of dreams foolishly held by homeowners who believed they could defy, or at least withstand, the meteorological laws of nature.

1775. Against All Hope

Romans 4:1-25

Sermon

King Duncan

... player named Rudy, and the movie bore his name. It was 1974 when Rudy walked on the Notre Dame football team. The head coach at the time was Ara Parseghian. Rudy grew up in Joliet, IL. He was the third of fourteen children. Rudy didn’t have the physical ability to make the Notre Dame team or any other major football team, for that matter, but he had a dream, and he never quit trying to bring that dream to fruition. Teammates say he treated every practice like it was a real game. Over time, he won the ...

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