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 1801 to 1825 of 4340 results

1801. If Only We Would Be Open To The Spirit ...

Joel 2:18-27

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... . I asked for a good seminar yesterday and for receptivity. You helped me accomplish the latter, which made the first what it was." By God’s grace, I responded to the Spirit. The stained glass windows in a church I have served portray biblical characters. Enoch, Abraham, Isaiah, Peter, Paul are all there, as well as scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus. I used to marvel that those magnificent windows, which looked to me like colorless panels from the outside, took on brilliant colors once I was ...

1802. Prayer

Matthew 15:21-28

Bulletin Aid

A little humor can sometimes help To relieve a difficult situation. Here, Jesus seems out of character "Out of sorts", we might say. - Maybe he'd had a bad day! He not only refused to help the woman (Strange, even with a foreigner A non-Jew), He insulted her! Called her a dog! (Translate that into the vernacular if you will!) But she didn't get mad. ...

1803. Prayer

John 8:31-41

Bulletin Aid

... Part of my history But I don't know much about it And care less! Some people get off on history On our differences. I'd rather concentrate on Now And on our similarities (Most of the time, anyway)! Luther Calvin Zwingli Melancthon Huss - All those old characters - So What?? I hardly know the names Much less what they said What they "protested" about What made them "Protestants". It's enough that I'm a Protestant (To me, it just means "not Catholic"). What do I care if it's Reformation Day? - Big Deal ...

1804. The Day of Pentecost

Isaiah 44:1-5

Sermon

... .C. Jeshurun appears to be a poetic name for Israel; its root is found in a word meaning "upright." It would seem this name was dusted off and used in order to inspire Israel to see herself in her ideal role; to conceive of herself in her true character, as seen in the light of how God pictures her to be. In any event, Deutero-Isaiah wants to know Israel is not forgotten and will not be dismissed lightly as God's failure, simply because she cannot keep her word. The name Jeshurun may be built linguistically ...

1805. Proper 7

Genesis 28:10-22

Sermon

... there was a young man who cheated his older brother, and when the older brother, whose name was Esau, found out what the younger brother, whose name was Jacob, had done, he hated him and vowed to kill him. That was certainly predictable, given Esau's impulsive character. Word of those threats reached Rebekah's ears and Jacob's mother became afraid for his life. So she persuaded Jacob to leave for awhile. It was a wise move. She knew Esau would soon spend his rage in idle threats and words. His anger burned ...

1806. Proper 10

Exodus 2:11-25

Sermon

... says he was instructed by the Priest of On, in the very same Temple where Ikhnaton, the first known monotheist in history, had been educated. Of course, this religious training was far different from that of the Hebrews and, it seems apparent the character of Moses was not formed by the religion he learned in the Egyptian temples. Religion in Egypt was crude, and the relationship between worship and ethics virtually non-existent. It became possible, by the time of Moses, for anyone to assure a happy ...

1807. The Confessions of a Younger Brother

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

... to go before I sleep." In the parable, Lazarus and the rich man have lived out their earthly lives and gone to the life beyond death, but the five younger brothers are on this side of death. Consequently I am where they are. We are in the same place. The characters of the rich man and Lazarus are important to me, and I can learn from them, but the point of the parable is most powerfully made in my life when I see myself in relationship to the five brothers. We share a common ground. What I Want In the ...

1808. God Is Good But Not Easy

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

... . And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily." You are invited to allow the light of this parable to filter through the life of Antonio Salieri, the main character in Peter Shaffer’s play, Amadeus. Salieri was a peer of the great musician Wolfgang Mozart and had a burning desire to be the outstanding composer of his time. His desire to be the greatest composer of his era was so all consuming that he went to ...

1809. God Is a Mystery

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

... mysterious way His wonders to perform." That’s one of the lessons which can be learned from this passage of Scripture. Many novelists are writing about the mystery of God and its effect upon us. It is good to try to hear them. Will Barrett is the main character of Walker Percy’s novel, The Second Coming, and throughout the book Will struggles to "nail down" God. He finds it impossible to live with a God who is a mystery, a God who may speak or remain silent, a God who may appear obvious on one occasion ...

1810. Parable of the HIdden Need

Luke 12:22-34

Illustration

... may be more willing to receive assistance from one who suffered the same failing. Thousands of good deeds are performed daily in patterns that circumvent the barriers of human pride. Each of us may ask, "What hidden blessings has God in store today?" Challenging difficulties can cause us to build character and faith or give us opportunity to serve others in Christ's spirit.

1811. The Time Is Coming

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

... God will write in the heart. Spontaneity of obedience will come from deep inside rather than being imposed from the outside. Jeremiah had some experience with this imposition of the law from the outside. There’s a kind of slam-bang character about his prophecies that are in sharp contrast to his personality. The harshness of the prophecies - never mind their truth - drove away his friends, alienated his family, embroiled him with the government, entangled him with the priests. It culminated in his exile ...

1812. A New Plan for Lent

Joel 1:1-12

Sermon

... but a series of stories about witnessing: Jesus telling Mary he really is alive, the disciples discussing whether reports are true, doubting Thomas and the men going to Emmaus, talking about fear and faith. What better use of Lent then preparing to emulate the Easter characters by daring to talk about personal faith? The old ways of observing Lent are as torn from the fabric of this season as is Mardi Gras. We need new challenges to deepen our faith, new insights to prepare us for Easter. Finding them can ...

1813. The Ladder of Success

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Paul Hegele

... living creature a name that you choose." Ambition can be good. Imagine a world where no one was ambitious, where no one thought of accomplishments and improvements. Cartoonist Charles Schultz allows us to glimpse such a world in the words of Lucy, one of his characters in Peanuts. Lucy tells Charlie Brown she doesn't yet know what to do with herself during summer vacation. Charlie Brown's advice? "Start a new hobby. The people who get the most out of life are those who really try to accomplish something ...

1814. A Wandering Aramean

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

... places us solidly in the Divine's history of mankind, but it admits our place is not too attractive and not really praiseworthy. If Alex Haley's story, Roots, has a drawback it's that it glorifies, out of proportion, the nobility and strength of its characters. Our common story and confession, as Christians, doesn't repeat this mistake. Arameans are dirty; Arameans are devious. As an inheritor of an ancestry, it's important to know our common past is valuable. But it's also important to know it's not always ...

1815. Christ's Passion Portraits

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

Paul Hegele

... , in the face of the overriding need to prepare for God's Kingdom. In turning the other cheek, he was simply turning away from playing the world's games. In the words of theologian Michael Grant, Jesus "was a stormy personage with a mighty vein of granite in His character." (Jesus: An Historian's Review of the Gospels, p. 76) If we want a picture of Jesus we can emulate, let it be set here in the temple with our Lord consumed by zeal. Paul claimed Christ came to our world "to purify for himself a people of ...

1816. The Resurrection of the Body

John 11:17-37

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... resurrection and the life" is a truth that is worlds away from the common human assumption, "something of the best in each of us lives on ..." If that difference is clear to you, then you are in a very good position to appreciate the decisive, revolutionary character of this word of Jesus concerning himself as the resurrection. The Stone of Offense The word, "I am the resurrection and the life" upon Jesus’ lips means not only that he is given the power to rise again from death to life. It means that in ...

1817. He Who Vindicates is Near

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

... has need of it" and no questions would be asked. In the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem we see one of the eternal truths about this man. You simply cannot take him for granted, ignore him or remain neutral concerning him. He is so dynamic and powerful a character and presence that when we hear his words we cannot remain unimpressed. As we see the procession and look at the crowd, we might see ourselves represented there. There are still many, even in our day, who say, "Yes, we need help, but is he the one ...

1818. Proper 6

Lk 7:36--8:3 · Gal 2:11-21 · 1 Ki 19:1-8

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Confession (7:36-50). Need: We need to see that it is far better to give a true confession of sin than not to give one. He who claims he has no sin misses out on the greatest things of life. In today's gospel, the poor, unfortunate character was not the sinful woman but the "good," proud Pharisee. His life was empty. There are many "good" Christians who claim guiltlessness but are perfectly miserable. Outline: The values of a true confession of sin. a. The value of being forgiven - v. 48 b. The value of ...

1819. Proper 8

Lk 9:51-62 · Gal 5:1, 13-25 · 1 Ki 19:15-21

Sermon Aid

... of them that flow automatically and naturally out of a spirit-filled heart. Therefore,Christians do not work hard, or try harder, to do the right thing, but they are concerned about having the Spirit who in due season produces the fruit of character. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Luke 9:51-62 1. Demands of Discipleship (9:57-62). Need: Many people would not mind being Christians if it did not cost anything in the way of personal hardship and sacrifice. Our churches are filled with half-hearted, nominal ...

1820. PROPER 13

Lk 12:13-21 · Col 3:1-11 · Ecc 1:2; 2:18-26 · 2 Ki 13:14-20a

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... with Christ, we are to seek heavenly virtues and put away earthly vices. In baptism Christians died with Christ and were raised with him to newness of life and became a new creation. Accordingly, our daily lives are to be in search of the heights of character because Christ rose and ascended to the Father on high. Though we have died with Christ, we must still put to death the vices by putting off the old sinful nature and come alive to God by putting on the new nature in Christ. Having been reconciled ...

1821. Proper 14

Lk 12:32-48 · Gen 15:1-6 · Jer 18:1-11 · Heb 11:1-3, 8-19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the Passover blood would be put to death. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19 True faith is exemplified by Abraham and Sarah. Hebrews 11 is known as the faith chapter of the Bible. At the beginning of the chapter, faith is defined and then illustrated by various characters among whom Abraham and Sarah were chief. Faith is portrayed as trust in God's promises for the future. In the case of the sacrifice of Isaac, faith is seen as obedience. Life is considered a pilgrimage and the faithful look with faith to the future. The ...

1822. Proper 17

Lk 14:1, 7-14 · Heb 12:18-19, 22-24; 13:1-8 · Eze 18:1-9, 25-29 · Prov 25:6-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... power 3. We can quickly lose proper perspective B. Humility guarantees greatness 1. It's difficult to tell the truth about self when position elevates us a. We are still God's creatures b. We can lose all we have 2. Humility leads to even greater stature a. By improving character b. By giving a good example to others Lesson 2: Hebrews 13:1-8 1. Love is More than Words. 13:1-5. Need: We keep saying, "Tell your spouse or kid that you love him/her." Or we ask, "When was the last time you said, 'I love you ...

1823. The Nativity of Our Lord

Luke 2:1-20 · Isa 9:2-7 · Tit 2:11-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . Assyria had just taken Zebulon and Naphtali to captivity in 734 B.C. Out of this darkness the people see a light of God's promise of a messianic king, a son of God. This produces great rejoicing. His royal names define his character: wisdom, courage, fatherly concern and peace. His government will be characterized by permanence, justice and righteousness. The result will be peace. This will take place not because of human effort or political intrigue but because of Yahweh's zeal. Christians interpret this ...

1824. Proper 20

Lk 16:1-13 · 1 Tim 2:1-8 · Amos 8:4-7 · Hos 11:1-11

Sermon Aid

... give an account of what each has done with one's life. 3. Commended (v. 9). Here is the surprise in the story. Instead of the dishonest steward hearing the riot act of condemnation, he is commended, praised, congratulated. Many wonder why Jesus would use a dishonest character to teach a truth. Why was he commended? He was resourceful and shrewd. He did his best in a bad situation. He made the best use of the funds for his welfare and security. Jesus urges us to emulate the unjust steward by wisely using our ...

1825. Proper 22

Lk 17:5-10 · 2 Tim 1:1-14 · Am 5:6-7, 10-15

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... experienced? - "violence," "wrongs," "trouble," "destruction," "strife and contention." The answer Habbakuk received: Wait for the Lord and he shall bring it to pass. The righteous waits for God to make things right, to come to the rescue because he has faith in God's character. The world seems to be waiting for Godot who, in the play, never comes. Christians by faith know God is coming eventually to save. We need faith to wait for God. Outline: Why we wait for God. A. Because God promised he would come ...

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