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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 1976 to 2000 of 3285 results

1976. Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... return for their efforts except perhaps violence and persecution. After painting a fairly bleak and fearful picture of what they may encounter on their journeys, Jesus leaves his disciples with words of encouragement, empowering them with assurances of strength and ability. Having addressed the positive work and attitude the Twelve are to embody and the negative works and attitudes their enemies may turn towards them, Jesus now shifts attention away from the apostles to the actions of those who would host ...

1977. Romans 13:8-14

Romans 13:8-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to love to the end of a discussion about paying taxes and obeying governmental authority - two subjects that are always popular. But Paul seems to find a tangible connection between keeping one's fiscal and civil relationships cleaned up and the ability to exercise genuine Christian love. He insists that Christians should be debt-free and consequently have no unfulfilled obligation or duty towards anything or anyone - i.e., the government or the tax officials. But Paul's reasoning appears to be that ...

1978. Ephesians 1:15-23

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The first chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians demonstrates well his ability to combine the general with the specific. Verses 3-14 carefully trawl through a travelogue of heavyweight theology adoption, grace, sacrifice, salvation, redemption, forgiveness and Christ's eschatological glory. But immediately following this condensed version of Christian theology, Paul bursts into a spontaneous prayer full of thanks for the Ephesian ...

1979. Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to the Ephesians [London, New York: United Bible Societies, 1982], 11). The eternal nature of God's concern for humanity is again stressed as v.4 affirms that "he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world." Our chosenness is completely beyond human ability to influence or earn. This chosenness does not indicate that chosen ones are "better" or "higher" than others what God chooses us for is service. The service we are called to, in union with Christ, is nothing less than to be a part of the ...

1980. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Pauline theology is such an integral part of the history of the Christian faith that it is virtually impossible for us to imagine Christianity without Paul. But today's Corinthian text suggests Paul's ability to direct and mold the contours of early Christianity might not have always been so sure. The debate over eating meat previously offered to pagan idols is familiar territory. Yet how many of us would be surprised to find that Paul's opinion in this matter was not readily accepted, ...

1981. Romans 4:13-25

Romans 4:13-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... very hopeful he was "as good as dead" and Sarah, his wife was ninety and she had been unable to conceive even when both she and Abraham were young. Nevertheless, Paul writes, Abraham's faith "did not weaken" nor did his trust in God's ability to fulfill the promise ever "waver." It is this attitude of faithfulness, buoyed by hope, that resulted in Abraham's faith being "reckoned to him as righteousness" (v.22). Paul concludes his argument by claiming that faithful Abraham's example takes on a new, deeper ...

1982. John 2:13-22

John 2:13-22

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... been shocked finding his behavior incomprehensible. By chasing out the money changers and the animals for sacrifice, Jesus was not just cleansing the temple of shrewd merchants. He was questioning the validity of the entire sacrificial system itself of Israel's ability to atone for its sins, be forgiven and stand in right relationship with God. Given the symbolic magnitude of Jesus' actions, the Jews' response is remarkably benign. Perhaps this is because, in John's gospel, the temple cleansing scene comes ...

1983. John 12:20-33

John 12:20-33

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Preceding this week's gospel text is the stunning miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Yet as amazing as Jesus' ability to bring Lazarus back to life was, for John that event is simply an introduction to the real heart and power of the gospel. The climax of the Lazarus drama does not come when the bound figure stumbles out of the tomb. The punch line of that story is here ...

1984. Luke 24:36b-48

Luke 24:36b-48

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the post-resurrection faith experience. Jesus mentions this final clause immediately before proclaiming to his disciples, "You are witnesses of these things," (v.48) and alluding to the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit (v.49) which will empower their ability to proclaim this repentance and forgiveness. In sum, this whole appearance to all the gathered disciples thus has little to do with belief or disbelief. Instead, it clarifies what they are believing in (the risen physical body of Jesus) and validates ...

1985. John 17:6-19

John 17:6-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... both the place where Jesus' disciples belong and a scary, threatening place. Like a worried parent, Jesus now asks for God's special protective arm to shelter these disciples from the world's attacks. The greatest threat from this world would seem to be its ability to breed divisiveness among people. Jesus clearly asks the Holy Father to enable these followers to "be one" (v.11). The unity of spirit that defines Jesus' relationship to the Father is maintained by Jesus' use of the divine name while he was on ...

1986. John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , he specifically bases his confession about Jesus being "from God" on the fact that Jesus has performed so many wondrous signs. Nicodemus' confession immediately places him in the category of those Jesus does not trust. As if to test this Pharisee's ability to believe his words instead of just his signs, Jesus responds to Nicodemus' apparently intended compliment with a new lesson a teaching on the prerequisites for true faithfulness. If Nicodemus can believe in Jesus apart from signs and wonders, here is ...

1987. Mark 4:26-34

Mark 4:26-34

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the world all about the land. The parable of the growing seed truly is about his seed and not about anything the sower does. Once planted, the seed begins to "sprout and grow" and the sower has no idea how this happens. Human abilities and comprehension are without consequence or influence on the growing seed the spreading word of the kingdom. All that the sower can note with certainty is that as each day and night passes, there continues the slow, predictable, inevitable but still inexplicable growth ...

1988. Mark 6:1-13

Mark 6:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... those who are hearing and doing the will of God by following Jesus. In the face of all this disbelief, Jesus is able to accomplish very little. Although chapter five was characterized by some of his most extraordinary "mighty deeds," here in Nazareth Jesus' ability to effect action is thwarted by a pervasive environment of unbelief. Jesus departs from his village, but this attitude of unbelief in no way deters his mission. Jesus continues "on the way." If 6:1-6 illustrates a brief flicker of failure in ...

1989. Mark 9:38-50

Mark 9:38-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... , he also reveals how well he understands the workings of the human mind. As disciples working in Jesus' name and for Jesus' sake, Jesus knows the Twelve can perform works that will evoke wonder and awe. The human tendency to idolize those whose abilities we admire will cause the crowds to place the disciples on a pedestal no matter how humbly they might accomplish their mission. Jesus' words to his followers now take on the hue of an ominous warning reminding the disciples that with access to tremendous ...

1990. Mark 10:46-52

Mark 10:46-52

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to clear vision. Everything about Bartimaeus' healing story is emphatic and decisive. Bartimaeus' insight is sharp (calling Jesus the "Son of David") and his conviction is unquenchable. When others try to "shush" him down, Bartimaeus responds by shouting louder. His faith in Jesus' ability to heal him is so great that it in effect stops Jesus in his tracks (v.49, "Jesus stood still"). When told Jesus had called him, Bartimaeus springs into action. What had been a dusty lump of a beggar sitting by the ...

1991. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... s uplifting news, his Thessalonian brothers and sisters have remained strong under stress. In verse 9, Paul uses the power of a rhetorical question to emphasize his pleasure: "How can we thank God enough ...?" The joy he feels overwhelms and outweighs his ability to give thanks for it. The King James Version retains the idiomatic Hebrew roots of Paul's exuberant abundance of joy, stating quaintly that he experienced "all the joy wherewith we joy." Despite this good news, however, Paul cannot feel completely ...

1992. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Luke's concern with detail and precision as well as his ability to craft a fine story has made his account of Jesus' heritage, parentage and birth the all-time Christmas favorite. But for those not terribly familiar with all the political maneuverings and personality quirks of those who held positions of power and authority in this first-century setting, the significance ...

1993. Isaiah 9:2-7

Isaiah 9:2-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the disastrous rule of Ahaz that Isaiah is enduring, it is quite fitting that the first name this prophet asserts is "Wonderful Counselor." Instead of "extraordinary," this use of "wonderful" comes closer in meaning to something like "supernatural" or beyond human ability. In the days of Ahaz, envisioning a king whose counsel and judgment were so wise as to be deemed supernatural was certainly a blessing to look forward to. Isaiah minces no words about the divine heritage of this predicted king. While ...

1994. What Did You Do On Earth?

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Brett Blair

... stand finally before the Lord God, what will you tell him you did on earth, made red soda water?" The young man snapped back, "And what is wrong with red soda water?" Nothing, my son, except you happen to be endowed with great talents and abilities which I cherish for God and the Christian ministry." Consequently, the young man went back to school and prepared for the preaching ministry. He itinerated in Arkansas. Finally he was called to the First Church in Houston. He became a wonderful leader for Christ ...

1995. The Truest Beauty

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Keith Wagner

... company president. "She would show the world that our products aren't necessary to be beautiful." (From More Stories for the Heart, by Alice Gray) When we have preconceived descriptions of other people we limit their potential. We put boundaries on their ability to relate to us. We stereotype them which is a way of making ourselves superior or better. Instead of judging Nathaniel, Jesus affirmed his faith. He also recognized the fact that he was still searching. Some scholars suggest that his sitting under ...

1996. A Job and A Ministry

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Michael D. Powell

... are doing it because no one else will, it's a job. If you're doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry. If you're doing it just well enough to get by, it's a job. If you're doing it to the best of your ability, it's a ministry. If you'll do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job. If you're committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's a ministry. If you quit because no ...

1997. A Demon Speaks Out in Church

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... will call in to the boss to say that person is “sick,” when they are really too hung over they can’t make it to work. You more than likely enable,” says Ms. Albury, “out of your own low self-esteem. You haven’t gained the ability to say no, without fear of losing the love or caring of that other person. People who learn tough love have to learn that their former behaviors have been enabling and that to continue in them would represent allowing the other person’s pattern of behavior to ...

1998. Rainbows and Roses

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country.” The Scout’s promise. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The President’s promise. “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death us do part ...

1999. Etched in Stone

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... course, were the Ten Commandments and they were designed to help humanity, not by putting us in a moral strait jacket, but by providing us with positive boundaries to guide our behavior. If a river has no boundaries, it becomes a stagnant swamp. Boundaries give us the ability to function in an optimum way. We need to know the Ten Commandments, and we need to use them as a guide for living. But we need to see that the Ten Commandments are only the beginning of the Christian’s responsibility to God and to ...

2000. Remember Me

Luke 22:7-38, John 13:18-30

Sermon

King Duncan

... her great-grandkids would only have known her name,” says Irwin, “and that she spent all her time cleaning, cooking, darning socks, ironing things that wouldn’t lend themselves to any kind of perpetuity.” They would never have known she had artistic abilities. In an apparent contradiction to the otherwise anonymous nature of her life, she inscribed a plea on the quilt that Irwin calls “the most dramatic two words I’ve ever read.” They say, simply: “Remember me.” (1) Remember me. This quiet ...

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