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 2251 to 2275 of 2699 results

2251. The Lord's Judgement of Ahaziah

2 Kings 1:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the prophet, two successive groups are arrested by fire at the top of a mountain, much like the sacrifice was consumed by fire on Mount Carmel back in 1 Kings 18. The third captain has the sense to beg for mercy (1:13–18), and one gets the impression that if the angel of the Lord had not intervened, Elijah would have continued to call down fire. Ahaziah, like his father, tries in vain to nullify the prophetic word but discovers to his grave chagrin that such a task is beyond any earthly monarch. It is ...

2252. Amaziah King of Judah and Jeroboam II King of Israel

2 Kings 14:1-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer for their role in 12:21. For some reason the king acts within limits prescribed by Deuteronomy 24:16, but he himself will be struck down later (14:19), possibly in retaliation. His most impressive achievement is his victory over the Edomites described in 14:7, where renaming the city—some identify Sela as “Petra”—is probably self-aggrandizing behavior that reinforces his victory, anticipating his royal pride in the next scene. In all likelihood fortified ...

2253. The Passover

Ezra 6:19-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” (Hag. 2:9), will be the scene of the presence of the coming Messiah, and will exist for some 585 years, until AD 70. (Although sometimes language about Herod’s embellishment of the temple gives the impression that it was a third temple, it was nevertheless still the second temple. In Jewish history the period of the second temple continues from 515 BC to AD 70.)

2254. Ezra Reads the Law

Neh 7:73b–8:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 8 challenges Christians today to seek renewal through God’s Word. First, it emphasizes that all the people need to know and use God’s teachings, as Moses made clear (Deuteronomy 6). In later Judaism, the scribes and Pharisees gave the impression that the common people could not discern God’s will directly from Scripture. The early church returned to the Mosaic principle. Over time, the official church “experts” fell into the same error as the scribes and Pharisees. The Protestant Reformation again ...

2255. Priests and Levites

Nehemiah 12:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... by the Jewish leaders. The phrase “one section responding to the other” (12:24) refers to antiphonal singing, which David instituted. According to Nehemiah 11:17, Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, and Obadiah (12:25) were singers; thus they should be included in 12:24. The final note (12:26) again gives the impression that Ezra and Nehemiah worked together in Jerusalem, at least some of the time.

2256. Celebration and Dedication

Nehemiah 12:27-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... “choirs” in verses 31, 38, and 40. Since this is a celebration centered on God, the priests and Levites first purify themselves through the prescribed ceremonies; then they sanctify, through sacrifices, the people, the gates, and the wall. The dedication is quite impressive, and the sounds of singing, musical instruments, and rejoicing can be heard far and wide (12:43). There are two choirs that march on top of the wall and sing antiphonally. They begin the procession at the Valley Gate (cf. Neh. 2 ...

2257. Psalm 122

Psalm 122:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Thankful that people encouraged him to go to Jerusalem (122:1), David again stands within Jerusalem’s walls (122:2), impressed by its design with everything crowded together (as it should be) (122:3), and by the crowds, in obedience to God’s command, streaming in to praise God (122:4). More than merely a destination point, Jerusalem is a place to receive God’s justice and blessing (122:5–6). Those who consider Jerusalem should pray that God would bring his peace and goodness to it (122:6–9).

2258. Pleasures Accomplish Little

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Qoheleth’s actual test is related in this strongly autobiographical section that has striking parallels with the Solomonic narrative in 1 Kings. Verse 10 might give the impression that these verses express his later sober reflections on an earlier period of sensual excesses, but the emphasis is rather on the intentional and restrained nature of his investigation (2:3b: “my mind still guiding me with wisdom”; verse 9b: “In all this my wisdom stayed with me”). He begins ...

2259. Recognize that Bad Days Can Bring about Good

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the superiority of character to wealth, as in Proverbs 22:1. Linked to 7:1b–4, however, the verse most likely refers to one’s reputation at death and the aromatic oil used in preparing a corpse for burial. A good name makes a more lasting impression than a good smell. Similarly, the sorrowful reflection on death at a funeral is better for the “heart” (four times in 7:2–4) than the levity of a birthday celebration. This is because the former makes a deeper impact, as people are confronted thereby ...

2260. One Should Embrace Wisdom and Avoid Folly

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s “error.” This limitation is vividly reinforced by the proverb in 10:1. Just as a few dead flies can cause the finest perfume to stink and ooze, so a little folly, which wisdom theology equates with sin and godlessness, can overpower an impressive display of wisdom. 10:2–20 · The exposition of wisdom’s limitations in 9:11–10:1 as contingent, unappreciated, and fragile could lead to the conclusion that it is not such a valuable commodity after all. This section continues, however, by focusing ...

2261. If Only You Were To Me A Brother

Song of Songs 8:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... relationship with the shepherd. Seals (8:6) were pieces of stone or metal inscribed with personalized markings and were tantamount to an individual’s signature. The seal was an important emblem of ownership and possession in the ancient world. When stamped, the impression of the seal registered the seal-bearer’s claim whether in economic or legal documents, or even on private property (cf. Hess, 238; Garrett, 529–30). The maiden requests that the seal of her lover be stamped indelibly on her heart ...

2262. Damascus and Israel

Isaiah 17:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the deities. However, these people who do everything to appease the deities by cultivating the ceremonial gardens are assured that they will not be able to reap the benefits of their worship; rather, they will reap sickness and pain. Isaiah uses alliterative devices to impress on his hearers that God’s judgment will affect a great multitude of the nations (17:12–14), which are described in terms of the raging sea and “the roaring of great waters” (17:12). It is as if the nations are going beyond ...

2263. Jeremiah’s Credentials

Jeremiah 1:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . He will be opposed by kings, by princes, by priests, and by the people. But God will make him as strong as a fortified city. To call Jeremiah a weeping prophet is not incorrect, but the projected portrait is of a man of steel. His unbending personal courage is most impressive.

2264. Much Bad News, Some Good

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... –18; see Hos. 1:9–10). The oracle is repeated in Jeremiah 23:7–8, where it better suits the context. The statement of 16:14–15 is not to deny the exodus event but to emphasize that the return from exile will be even more impressive. Verse 16 notes that fishermen with nets will catch the masses, while hunters will catch the stragglers, so that no one will escape. The language about idols is filled with disgust. Ironically, while Judah turns from God to idols, Gentiles, world over, turn from idols to ...

2265. A Prophecy Against Egypt

Ezekiel 29:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... here is not that Egypt failed to provide sufficient support and aid to Judah in her fight against the Babylonians. Quite the opposite. Her fault is that she even encouraged Israel to look on her as a source of confidence (29:16). She gave every impression of collaborating with Israel in her fight for independence from Babylon, and as such falsely pictured herself as a hope and a comfort. What good is it, Ezekiel protests, to offer drowning people straws? In the third section (29:9b–16) there is an amazing ...

2266. A Cedar in Lebanon

Ezekiel 31:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

God gives a message to Ezekiel about the Pharaoh. The king of Egypt and his people are told to think about Assyria, which once was like a mighty, impressive cedar of Lebanon. Handed over to a greater power, the Babylonians, it fell. Ezekiel says to his people and to Egypt, “Look at Assyria and learn.” Ezekiel begins by addressing the cedar directly: Who can be compared with you? But from verse 3 on, the prophet shifts to the third ...

2267. Restoration and Regeneration

Ezekiel 36:1-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... point Ezekiel is making here is that whatever future Israel has comes from God. Neither the people’s repentance nor their facile claims on God’s mercy can regain the land. God’s own character and sovereign purposes will be the determining factor. God must impress on his people that he is holy (36:23b) and that his name is holiness (36:23a). God has a more profound interest than the geographical relocation of the exiles to Judah and Jerusalem. He desires for them an interior change once they are there ...

2268. The Temple Proper

Ezekiel 40:48--41:26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... cubits square (41:13b–14). Also the yard/building behind the temple is one hundred cubits in length (41:15). The symmetry of these measurements is not coincidental. Everything in the temple fits perfectly and balances the whole. Verses 15–26 describe the decorations and the woodwork of the temple. Impressive here are two-faced carved cherubim and palm trees. The wooden altar (41:22) may represent either the table of showbread or the small inner altar of incense.

2269. Proof of Deceitful Ways

Hosea 11:12--12:14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... not accept what they are doing. The people choose to follow the ways of deception (12:11–14) in their worship at Gilgal (12:11), a place famous for various acts that God has rejected (Hos. 4:15; 6:8; 9:15). Their sacrifices there do not impress God, for he will soon allow this altar to become a useless pile of rocks. The next example of deception involves an ambiguous comparison between Jacob, who “kept” or “took care of” (NIV “tended,” 12:12) Laban’s sheep in order to pay the bride-price ...

2270. The Cause and Certainty of Nineveh’s Downfall

Nahum 3:1-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... (Hebrew no amon, “City of the God Amon”), situated about 140 miles north of modern Aswan, was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. It was often called simply “The City,” and some of its remains can be seen in the impressive temple ruins of Luxor and Karnak and the funeral monuments of the kings on the other side of the Nile. The rhetorical question “Are you better than Thebes?” (3:8) has to do with strategic location rather than moral superiority. Ashurbanipal defeated Thebes in ...

2271. Cleansing from Sin

Zechariah 13:1-6, Zechariah 13:7-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s name. False prophets will attempt to conceal their true identity by claiming to be farmers. Accused prophets will claim innocence, attributing probably self-inflicted wounds (see 1 Kings 18:28) to mistreatment at the hands of so-called friends. The impression that Zechariah leaves is that in actual fact these prophets have been involved in idolatrous activity. Zechariah returns to the theme of the rejected shepherd, but now from a different perspective (13:7–9). In chapter 11 the flock rejected its ...

2272. John the Baptist Beheaded

Mark 6:14-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... impotence and by sacrificing the honor of her daughter in order to eliminate the Baptizer. The daughter, whom Josephus identifies as Salome, inflames the celebrities, officials, and leaders of Galilee with an explicit dance at Antipas’s birthday banquet. Desiring to impress his glittering guests, Antipas promises the girl “up to half my kingdom” (6:23) for her performance—a promise that Rome would not possibly allow. At the order of Herodias, the girl requests the head of John. Mark does not record ...

2273. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... than on common values (see Mark 3:6). “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” (12:14), they ask. The imperial poll tax here referred to the required payment of a denarius (the average daily wage), stamped with the impression of Tiberius Caesar (Roman emperor AD 14–37). The question of the Pharisees and Herodians is designed to ensnare Jesus however he answers: support for taxation will discredit him in the eyes of the people, who detest Roman occupation; refusal to pay will invite ...

2274. Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

Luke 4:14-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... meaning is not excluded. Significantly, Jesus does not continue reading Isaiah, for it also speaks of the day of God’s vengeance. The point is that Jesus’s ministry is one of good news and grace (4:18–19). Initially Jesus’s gracious words impress the crowd, but they take offense when they reflect on Jesus’s heritage; he is merely Joseph’s son (4:22). Jesus responds with the principle that “no prophet is accepted in his hometown” (4:24). He then gives two examples from the Old Testament ...

2275. Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two

Luke 10:1-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... The joy of the disciples after returning from their mission stimulates Jesus to express his praise to the Father (10:21–24). The Father has not revealed the gospel of the kingdom (“these things,” 10:21) to the wise and learned, probably because they were impressed with their own wisdom. But to the humble and childlike he has opened up the secrets of the kingdom. Jesus emphasizes that this is in accord with God’s sovereign plan and gracious will (10:21). In verse 22 we have one of the most important ...

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