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 1776 to 1800 of 2275 results

1776. The Lord’s Case Against Israel

Micah 6:1-8

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... confronts Israel, one of the features found throughout the prophetic writings that make them so powerful. There is no indirect mediation of Yahweh’s voice here, no dream or vision or angel. No, the prophets come before their people as poets of the highest quality, and it is their word from God of direct address that is important. It is spoken directly to the people, and it demands an answer. Israel cannot turn aside from that word. It can not hedge or rationalize. It is met, confronted, spoken to ...

1777. Warnings and Exhortations for Jerusalem and Judah

Zephaniah 1:1-3, Zephaniah 1:4-13, Zephaniah 1:14--2:3

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... in their communities, and did so in a proper way. An exhortation that the people who are “humble” and responsible should Seek righteousness, seek humility seems odd, as that description of them has already affirmed that they are characterized by qualities of this kind. More likely the object carries over from there, so that the prophet exhorts them to “seek [Yahweh] with righteousness, seek [Yahweh] with humility.” “Righteousness” (tsedeq) denotes doing the right thing by people within one’s ...

1778. Justice and Mercy, Not Fasting

Zechariah 7:1-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... The second command is a much broader admonition: show mercy (khesed), the loyal love that should characterize relationships within the covenant, and compassion (rakhamim), the care one expresses toward a family member, exemplified by a mother’s love for her child. These are qualities of God’s character (e.g., Hos. 2:19; Jer. 16:5; Pss. 40:11; 103:4) that all Israelites are to show to one another. Mercy and compassion are more than attitudes or dispositions, they are motives for action. The prohibitions ...

1779. The Lord Will Care for Judah

Zechariah 10:1--11:3

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... In a time of war the demands of the military (taxation, the draft) may even become oppressive to the homeland. These four terms, representing long-term stability (cornerstone and peg) and military might may refer to an unspecified number of individual leaders or to qualities of leadership that God will provide. In this way, the Lord “will care for his flock, the house of Judah, and make them like a proud horse in battle” (v. 3). Prophetic elaboration of the divine promise in verse 3 continues in verse 5 ...

1780. Blemished Sacrifices and Admonition for the Priests

Malachi 1:6-14, Malachi 2:1-9

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... you and keep [shmr] you” (Num. 6:24). They had shown partiality in matters of the law (torah) by failing to apply it with integrity. Approving blemished offerings was probably only one example of this failure. God’s ultimate concern was not with the quality of sacrificial flesh, but with the lives of God’s people. The ideal priest turned many from sin, but the priests of Malachi’s audience had caused many to stumble. This English word is misleading. The metaphor indicates much more than a temporary ...

1781. Staying Close to Christ

John 13:31-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... And you know what? That’s exactly how Ernest Hemingway lived. In fact, Hemingway once fired a babysitter because his sons were starting to care for her too much! Not good for you, boys! Don’t get too attached to anyone! (2) Perhaps the quality of his relationships was one reason Hemingway took his own life. We were never designed to live detached from other people. Even football coaches talk to their players about loving one another. Vince Lombardi, one of the toughest NFL coaches who ever lived talked ...

1782. Jesus Walks on the Water

John 6:16-24

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... . (Ps. 107:23–30) The last lines in particular are dramatized in the strange statement of verse 21 that when the disciples tried to take Jesus aboard, immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. The whole scene has a supernatural quality about it, like a resurrection appearance (more even than chap. 21). Jesus assures the disciples that he really is the person they have known all along, yet his presence—and, for a moment, theirs—is elusive, transcending time and space. He does not ...

1783. Pressing on Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... Nor was it only his own example that he recommended. There were others who followed the same way of life and shared the same attitudes and principles: Timothy and Epaphroditus have been mentioned in this regard in 2:19–30. Men and women of their quality also presented examples that might be followed with confidence. Additional Notes 3:17 Take note of: Gk. skopeite, “look,” “watch.” In Rom. 16:17 this verb is used in the sense “watch and avoid”; here it is used in the sense “watch and follow ...

1784. Warning Against Antichrists

1 John 2:18-27

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... . The term anointing (chrisma) refers to their reception of the Holy Spirit, probably at baptism or in a service of anointing with oil which was practiced in some quarters of early Christianity. This anointing is referred to again in v. 27, where its qualities of abiding in believers and of teaching them are underlined. All of these indicators point to its identification with receiving the promised Holy Spirit spoken of in John 14:17, 26. The Holy One who gives the Spirit could be either God the ...

1785. Children of God

1 John 2:28--3:10

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... as born of God. He had made this point earlier in 2:29. Those who have remained loyal to the Elder and have not followed the false teaching of the schismatics are “the children of God” (3:1–2). But the emphasis in vv. 9–10 is on the quality of moral life of these two opposing sides. God’s true children, those born of God, will not continue to sin (lit., “does not practice sin”). Verse 6a affirmed the same truth with regard to those who live or abide in him: they do not keep on sinning. The ...

1786. Adam and Eve

Genesis 2:4-25

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... of the relationship by clinging or cleaving (dabaq, NIV be united) to his wife. Clinging conveys commitment to maintaining the union in loyal love. The Hebrew term does not emphasize the sexual side of the relationship; rather, it describes the closeness and the enduring quality of the bond between people, whether it is among women (Ruth 1:14) or among men (Prov. 18:24; G. Wallis, “dabaq,” TDOT 3:81). In a relationship of mutual trust, a male and a female are free to be open and vulnerable in ...

1787. From Adam to Noah

Genesis 5:1-32

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... toledoth. Only this toledoth formula is preceded by the term “book,” suggesting that the author took the names that follow from a written record. Or it may refer to the following as a “list” or “document.” To stress that the distinctive quality of humans continued after their expulsion from Eden, verses 1a–2 reiterate from the creation account that God created humans (’adam), both male and female, in his likeness (1:26–28). All succeeding humans (’adam) are like the head ancestor Adam ...

1788. Abraham Tested

Genesis 22:1-19

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... Deut. 8:12–16; 13:1–3; Judg. 2:21–22; 3:1–4). God’s test of Hezekiah is another reference to an individual being examined (2 Chron. 32:31). God examines people not only to discover their true character but also to develop in them certain desirable qualities. On this occasion God called Abraham, speaking his name a single time. This style contrasts with the times God repeated a name to get a person’s attention (e.g., v. 11; Exod. 3:4, the call of Moses; 1 Sam. 3:10, the call of Samuel). The ease ...

1789. Jacob Blesses His Sons

Genesis 49:1-28

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... about what would happen to them in days to come. Energetically he exhorted them to listen to him. 49:3–4 Jacob spoke first about Reuben, his firstborn. By position Reuben represented Jacob’s might or virility, excelling in honor and in power—qualities essential for the tribal leader. As firstborn he had a right to a double portion of the family inheritance (Deut. 21:15–17). However, motivated by anger that had been simmering for years, Jacob proclaimed that Reuben would no longer excel because he ...

1790. Driving Out the Nations

Deuteronomy 7:1-26

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... the chapter now takes us “out,” returning us to the point of entry—the destruction of the Canaanites. 7:12/ And so, we take the first step back from the center and touch on the promise to the forefathers. This promise was not dependant on Israel’s qualities, but the future enjoyment of its benefits was dependant on obedient response to the God who made it. Again we see that obedience to the law was not the means of gaining the covenant, but the means of maintaining and enjoying it. 7:13–16 Abraham ...

1791. Renewal of the Covenant

Deuteronomy 29:1-29

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... disobedience (28:37). This missiological understanding of the role of Israel in relation to God and the nations is also expressed in the powerful challenge of 4:5–8. An obedient Israel will raise questions among the nations, questions about Israel’s God and the quality of Israel’s society. In chapter 29 there is a kind of photographic negative of that picture in 4:5–8. All the nations will still be asking questions, but the questions will now be triggered by disaster (v. 24). Far from being a model ...

1792. The Temple’s Furnishings

1 Kings 7:13-51

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... ; it is Solomon who has charge of the work in gold (vv. 48–50). Hiram may himself be “full of wisdom and understanding and knowledge” and a worthy successor to Bezalel, but the authors are anxious that we should remember who is the preeminent embodiment of these qualities (cf. 1 Kgs. 3:4–15; 4:29). At the close of the narrative about the temple project—as at its beginning—the spotlight falls upon Solomon. We are reminded of one thing that we know already (about the altar of 6:20, 22), but we are ...

1793. Solomon's Adversaries

1 Kings 11:14-25

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... s “subordinate”). It is a very general term, which may refer not to Jeroboam’s job after his elevation in v. 28 but rather to his job before this as a “worker” (cf. the commentary on 9:22). Given that the emphasis in v. 28 is, in addition, upon the quality of his work, Hb. gibbor ḥayil in that verse is much better understood in terms, not of his social status (a man of standing), but of his physique—he had the physical attributes of a warrior (cf. gibbôr ḥayil in Josh. 1:14; 6:2; 8:3; Judg ...

1794. Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem

2 Kings 18:17-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... heights of the mountains and cut down Lebanon’s tallest trees (v. 23), or “literally,” once in Egypt, dried up all her streams with the soles of his feet (v. 24). Did he measure all the trees? How did his feet come to have such absorbent qualities? The passage is not meant to be taken literally. It is the very point that Sennacherib has an exaggerated view of his own accomplishments, as Assyrian kings often did. He thinks of himself as a god. He claims to have brought judgment—as only the LORD can ...

1795. Tyre, Sidon—and Israel

Ezekiel 26:1-21, Ezekiel 27:1-36, Ezekiel 28:1-19, Ezekiel 28:20-26

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... . 2 Sam. 7:8//1 Chr. 17:7); the term nagid in Isa. 55:4 refers to the Davidic covenant. Elsewhere, it refers more generally to royal officials (e.g., 1 Chr. 13:1; 2 Chr. 28:7; Job 29:10; Prov. 28:16), or even to noble and worthy qualities (“Listen, for I have worthy things to say,” Prov. 8:6). In the Chronicler’s History, where this term appears more than anywhere else, nagid often refers to temple leadership, whether among the priests or the Levites (e.g., 1 Chr. 9:11, 20; 2 Chr. 31:12–13; Neh ...

1796. Epilogue to the Law of the Temple: River, Land, City

Ezekiel 47:1-12, Ezekiel 47:13-23, Ezekiel 48:1-29, Ezekiel 48:30-35

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... genealogies; see Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5), by the Persian period the tribes no longer existed. Even if tribal identity had survived the exile, the precise, symmetrical divisions that verses 1–7, 23–29 describe make no allowance for the asymmetry and varying quality of the land itself. As the various attempts to illustrate this scheme reveal, the equal divisions that 47:13–14 calls for cannot realistically be made. But that does not mean that the plan for the division of the land is devoid of realistic ...

1797. Sermonon the Mount: The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:13-16

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... justice.”3 5:7–10 Blessed are the merciful . . . pure in heart . . . peacemakers . . . those who are persecuted. The final four beatitudes in the eight-stanza group confer blessing on those who live in alignment with the values of God’s kingdom. There is a reciprocal quality to these values that points back to the first four blessings. Mercy, for example, is shown to those most needing it—those who are destitute (5:3–6). Showing mercy is thematic in Matthew (e.g., 8:3; 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 23:23 ...

1798. Jesus as God’s Wisdom Is a Hidden Reality

Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 11:25-30

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... hiddenness come to the fore. Matthew will highlight these themes across this section of his Gospel (11:1–16:20) and will particularly focus on them in the Parables Discourse (13:1–53). Given the hiddenness of the kingdom (its “not yet” quality), revelation and corresponding faith are needed in order to receive the word of the kingdom. Jesus’ prayer also signals the reversals of the kingdom: those who respond favorably to the kingdom message and messenger are unlikely recipients (as already at 5:3 ...

1799. Jesus as the Isaianic Servant of the Lord

Matthew 12:15-21

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... God waits patiently for people to respond in right ways. In our preaching and teaching we may tend to lean into one or the other of these primary values of mercy and justice. This passage reminds us to bring mercy and justice—as qualities that characterize God and should characterize Christians—into balance. Illustrating the Text Jesus is the servant of Yahweh who announces and enacts God’s restoration for Israel and for the nations. News: Neal Peckens and Jason Hiser were just hoping for a little ...

1800. Parables Discourse: Importance of Response to the Kingdom Message

Matthew 13:1-23

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Though the kingdom has a hidden quality so that some do not see or understand it, Jesus teaches his disciples the importance of receiving the kingdom message and bearing fruit. Understanding the Text The third major Matthean discourse, the Parables Discourse (chap. 13), explores through teachings and parables the varied responses that have been narrated in chapters ...

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