Synonyms: replica, copy, representation, mock-up, dummy, imitation, double, duplicate, lookalike, reproduction, prototype, stereotype, archetype, type, version, style, ideal, paragon, perfect example, specimen, perfect specimen, fashion model, supermodel, mannequin, sitter, poser, subject, artist's model, photographic model, design, mark, configuration, variety, kind, sort, original, original design, exclusive, toy, miniature, facsimile, prototypical, prototypal, archetypal, illustrative, perfect, exemplary, classic, flawless, faultless, consummate, impeccable
Antonyms: deficient, imperfect
Showing 1901 to 1925 of 3099 results
1901. Things Change
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... being unrealistic because smoking in public was here to stay. I recall thinking, "Yeah, I guess that's something that isn't going to change." How wrong I was! Our willingness to tolerate others smoking around us has changed drastically today, even becoming the subject of laws in many communities. But back then, I couldn't envision that it ever would change. Life in the meantime, however, has persuaded me that few human inventions are permanent, and that things in fact do change. To cite another example, how ...
1902. Misled By Beauty
1 Samuel 15:34-35, 16:1-13
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... assigned to capture for hell the soul of a young man, but he's not had much success. In fact, the man has become a Christian, so Screwtape writes to give Wormwood some advice. In one letter, Screwtape advises how Wormwood might trip up his Christian subject by getting him to enter into a marriage with a woman who will not be good for him. Screwtape writes, "Our aim is to guide each sex away from those members of the [opposite sex] with whom spiritually helpful, happy, and fertile marriages are most likely ...
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... an economy in life that lets us redeem the awful things that have happened to us and incorporate what we learned as a result into a healthy life. Although Pat Conroy tells a lot about his father's abusiveness in his book, My Losing Season, the main subject of that volume is Conroy's senior year playing point guard for the basketball team of The Citadel, the military school in Charleston, South Carolina. In terms of wins and losses, it was a losing season, as his team lost far more games than they won, but ...
1904. The Maybe Moment
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... not live up to our best ideals. There is an old saying to the effect that you can't keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep him from building a nest in your hair. The point, of course, is that temptation, no matter what its subject is, can arise from a thought, a suggestion, a craving, or, as in David's case, a chance glance. There is no sin in that, and we generally cannot prevent such happenstance. Temptations of some kind, and more likely, of several kinds, come to us all. I saw a ...
1905. Eating in the Echoing Hall
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon, and for the rest of your life." And so, Ilsa goes, leaving Rick behind. Well, maybe she would regret it if she had stayed, but there is a recent study on the subject of regret published in the May 2004 issue of Psychological Science1 that concluded that people often do not regret things as much as they think they will. The article about the study referred to that scene from Casablanca, and concluded, "Ilsa could not face the possibility ...
1906. Stewards of Power
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... consider carefully how and when we use it. In one of the apocryphal books of the Bible, the Wisdom of Solomon, are a few lines addressed to kings. The passage begins: Listen then, kings ... you who have thousands under your rule, who boast of hordes of subjects. For power is a gift to you from the Lord ... He himself will probe your acts and scrutinize your intentions. Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-4 (Jerusalem Bible) Yes, those words are addressed to people in high places, but the reality behind them, that power ...
1907. Mark 9:38-50
Mark 9:38-41
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... were precious primarily in numbers — that’s because infant/child mortality levels were so high — to compare a valuable, trained adult male to a small, fragile child was a definite downer. Instead of ruminating on this comparison, John changes the subject. John speaks directly to Jesus about another matter altogether. This is the only time John is the initiator of a conversation. John’s report to Jesus is flavored with the same self-importance that had spiced the disciples’ earlier comparisons ...
Sermon
Gary L. Carver
... to become fully functioning human beings, obviously many things are going to have to be done for them and with them. What are they? I am sure there are many answers that could be given to such a question, but let me sum up my own thinking on the subject in two words; namely, acceptance and challenge. What do I mean by these? Well, first of all, by the use of the word acceptance, I am referring to that crucial task of communicating to each child that his or her very existence in this world is something of ...
1909. More Time
Luke 13:1-9
Sermon
Donald Charles Lacy
Who can speak of "justice" in any long-standing and helpful way? It is a subject that fits many who write commentaries but we discover in most cases they are woefully inadequate. You and I, lay and clergy, deal with it almost daily and much of the time when we would rather not do so. It is a theme seemingly as old as history itself. Indeed, ...
1910. Fish and Sheep
John 21:15-25, John 21:1-14
Sermon
Donald Charles Lacy
... three questions. It was only after breakfast that the Lord posed his trio of questions to Peter. The blessed event of both material and spiritual food had happened. Jesus had a plan, didn't he? The focus was now on his main man. The fellow whose track record was subject to criticism was now on the spot. We note it was one-on-one, with the others simply watching and listening. It was testing time and Peter was on trial. There are those who say Jesus was doing this grilling to be sure he had chosen the right ...
Sermon
Ron Lavin
... since she was expecting messages of condolence from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor and was amazed by what he saw on the computer screen. To: My loving wife Subject: I've arrived I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival ...
Sermon
John Wayne Clarke
... on to a better place," or "They have passed away." We have people die in hospitals, we have funeral homes deal with the bodies for us, and we pay money to make our dead look like they are alive. Many people shield their children from funerals and, for some, the subject of death is a forbidden conversation. Is it because we don't want to face the reality of our own death? In the end, that attitude will show itself to be silly, won't it? We may even take the time to cover the earth that will cover our coffin ...
Sermon
John Wayne Clarke
... the name of Abraham, because Abraham's name was filled with character, integrity, and faithfulness. Jesus understood that he and his follower's use of Abraham shows that they understand that the truth is for everyone, even those who had been subjected under the yoke of at least four different kingdoms: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Here the word, "truth," must be sitting next to the word, "freedom." The Jewish folks listening would understand freedom in a political sense. But, here, Jesus is speaking ...
Sermon
Richard Gribble
... have escaped the anguish, pain, and indignity of the cross, but he chose to strip himself of all privilege and took on the human condition in all ways, save sin. As the God-Man, Jesus possessed all divine qualities and attributes, but he was also subject to all the pain, suffering, feelings of dislocation, and was forced to negotiate all the hurdles and obstacles of any other human. Jesus was completely obedient to the Father's will, even to the point of enduring an agonizing and ignominious death on the ...
1915. Jesus Brings Hope
Revelation 1:4-8
Sermon
Richard Gribble
... this one time to aid the celebration. Yes, it was a sad and strange day which witnessed these events. The rulers of the IGW were the sons and daughters of those who a century earlier had crushed truth, eliminated all rebellious people, and subjected humans to the monster machines of the age. The founders of the world state had created their empire by the elimination of all adversaries, all ideas, peoples, institutions, and religions. A chemist at that time had discovered a way to combine fuel, food ...
Sermon
Donna Schaper
... Oh, my. How can I possibly do that?" Happiness as opposed to profitability is the goal of life, according to Schwartz. In his article in the April issue of Scientific American, "The Tyranny of Choice," he develops a scale by means of which subjects rate their relative maximizer/satisficer proclivities. It is a seven-point scale which has statements like, "When shopping, I have a hard time finding clothing I love" or "Whenever I watch television, I channel surf." Maximizers feel worse about a given unit of ...
1917. Boasting and Praying for You
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Sermon
Donna Schaper
... about God is boasting about God. It is not sneaky self-promotion. There is a difference. That's why the jujitsu is so important. It is important to be agile in the service of the gospel. It is important to know how to turn the light on the right subject at the right time. Surely we must practice our wrestling. We must get good and deft at it. We must train. Then we must wrestle with the constant temptation to have the light shining on ourselves. When the light comes toward us, it is our job to reflect it ...
1918. When Christ Is King
Colossians 1:11-20
Sermon
Donna Schaper
... thought to be a little weird. They are often being tested to see if they are the real things. Some people make a lot of noise about Christ-centeredness and are not the real thing. I like what I heard the Benedictine theologian, Joan Chittister, say, on the subject of "spirituality": "If it's the real thing (and sometimes it is), it does not turn the mind off; it turns it on." The question that always has to be asked about experiential religion is: What does it lead to in terms of both thinking and acting ...
1919. Sell the Church
Mark 10:17-31
Illustration
Bill Bouknight
... hills of North Carolina. A few years ago he was invited to preach at the prestigious Riverside Church in New York City. That church has long been noted for its activist preachers and liberal, politically correct agenda. Will Campbell was asked to preach on this subject: "What Riverside Church Can Do to Help the Future of Race Relations in America." Campbell took for his text the same one I am using today, the story of the rich young ruler. At the beginning of his sermon he asked, "What can Riverside Church ...
Sermon
King Duncan
... problems is painfully obvious. At first, Lopez sees Ayers only as material for his column in the Times. However, as he moves into this homeless man’s world and begins to befriend him, they develop a relationship that transcends that of journalist and subject. What is most interesting is the change that takes place in Steve Lopez’s life as he tries to relate to Nathaniel. He starts getting his own life together. He begins to understand the importance of relationships and of commitment to others. Steve ...
Sermon
Mary S. Lautensleger
... who toiled long and hard to bring its construction to fruition. They were the ones who prepared the way for countless citizens and visitors to move about the city of Paris much more conveniently. Preparing the way is not an easy task. Trailblazers are frequently subjected to ridicule and threats, and the prophet Malachi is no exception. Malachi is declaring to the Hebrew people that a messenger is coming to prepare the way for a new covenant, one that will be written on the hearts of the people. God is ...
1922. Giving - Sermon Starter
Mark 12:41-44
Illustration
Brett Blair
... donating to the building fund." She said, "Hold on for just a moment—I think the big pig just walked in the door." Now I am sure the secretary wouldn't treat me like that, some of the laity perhaps but not the secretary! But we all are subject to changing our tune when money is suddenly involved. That is why this passage of Scripture has been an enduring image throughout the ages. We play favorites. We treat those who give more as if they are the pillars on which the church is erected. But consider with ...
1923. In All Things Be Thankful - Sermon Starter
Ephesians 5:20
Illustration
Brett Blair
... as they could get, with no sign of relief. The bread lines were depressingly long, the stock market had plummeted, and the term Great Depression seemed an apt description for the mood of the country. The ministers thought they should only lightly touch upon the subject Thanksgiving in deference to the human misery all about them. After all, there was to be thankful for. But it was Dr. William L. Stiger, pastor of a large congregation in the city that rallied the group. This was not the time, he suggested ...
1924. God in the Ordinary
Ps 100; Luke 17:11-19; Matt 6:25-34
Illustration
Once upon a time, there was a far-away land that was ruled by a vicious king. His iron hand reached into every corner of his subjects' lives. Every corner - except one. Try as he might, he couldn't destroy their belief in God. In his frustration, he finally summoned his advisors and asked them: "Where can I hide God so the people will end up forgetting about him?" One suggested hiding God on the dark side ...
1925. We Hold These Truths to Be Self-evident
John 18:28-40
Illustration
John A. Dane
... of what back then was known as the American Experiment. Experiment? Yes! What our Founding Fathers asserted back then was radical because the people in the rest of our world were governed back then by kings, dictators and totalitarians who ruled as if people were their possessions, as if their subjects belonged to them and not to God.
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