Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: humiliation, mortification, chagrin, ignominy, loss of face, shamefacedness, embarrassment, indignity, abashment, discomfort, discomfiture, discomposure, guilt, remorse, contrition, compunction, disgrace, dishonour, discredit, degradation, disrepute, ill-repute, infamy, scandal, odium, opprobrium, obloquy, condemnation, contempt, pity, misfortune, crying shame, cause for regret, source of regret, sad thing, unfortunate thing, discredit to, disgrace to, stain on, blemish on, blot on, blot on the escutcheon of, slur on, reproach to, bad reflection on, bring into disrepute, degrade, debase, defame, stigmatize, taint, sully, tarnish, besmirch, stain, blacken, drag through the mud/mire, give a bad name to, put in a bad light, humiliate, mortify, make someone feel ashamed, embarrass, abash, chasten, humble, put someone in their place, take down a peg or two, cut down to size, show up

Antonyms: honor, pride, respect, glory, praise, dignity, honor, esteem, glorification, laud, compliment, regard, credit, elevate, acclaim, pleasure, favor, kudos, recognition, flatter, admiration, greatness, happiness, self-confidence, reverence

Showing 1 to 25 of 2667 results

1. A Favored One

Sermon

James Bjorge

... of Joseph’s family. And as the family grew Joseph must have died, for we find no reference to him when Jesus began his public ministry. Mary must have been proud of her oldest Son. Scripture said, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Those were good days. Humble people loved him. But as he began his public ministry the powerful ones regarded him with increasing hatred. People were beginning to line up either for him or against him. Even in his hometown ...

2. “His Anger Lasts Only a Moment, but His Favor Lasts a Lifetime”

Psalm 30:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... time.[16] but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. The hiding of God’s face means a loss of divine favor on which the psalmist had leaned so heavily (see Ps. 27:9). The Niphal of the verb “was dismayed” suggests “terrified out ... move from the negative pole to the positive: from sickness to healing (30:2), from death to life (30:3), from God’s anger to God’s favor (30:5, 7), from weeping to joy (30:5), from sackcloth to gladness (30:11), from silence to praise (30:12). Taking verse 5 as the theme ...

3. Losing Favor Or Losing Flavor?

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

King Duncan

... and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake." I doubt that many of us are very offensive to other folks because of our religion. Indeed, it is the norm to be a "Christian" in our society today. We have gained the favor of men, but in gaining favor, have we lost our flavor? That is in our text for the day. Jesus said, "Salt is good but if salt has lost its saltness wherewith will ye season it," or if salt has lost its flavor what good is it? Jesus was talking to his disciples ...

4. The Year of the Lord's Favor

Isaiah 61:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Yahweh has a plan for a remnant of the people. They will return from exile. The Lord has promised to restore heaven and earth, to restore the people to himself, and to hasten the day of redemption. The announcement of the year of the Lord’s favor means that the Lord is reconciled to humanity and that humanity may obtain forgiveness from God. In chapter 61 the Lord himself, together with the prophet, confirms the eternal covenant, which cannot be broken. The person of whom the prophet speaks in 61:1–7 is ...

5. A Handwritten Favor

Humor Illustration

... one day and purchased a card. He turned to the man next to him and requested, "Sir, would you mind addressing this card for me? The man, thinking the poor fellow could not write, gladly helped him out. When he handed the card back, the man needed another favor. "I hate to bother you again," he continued, "but would you mind writing a short message on the card for me?" The kind gentleman agreed to this second request and wrote out the message as the man dictated it to him. He gave the completed card to the ...

6. The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Isaiah 61:1-11

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... bringing good news and announcing the coming of freedom (the word is otherwise used only of the freeing of slaves at the sabbath or jubilee year) and release for these people who are still subject to foreign control (v. 1). This is the moment of Yahweh’s favor on one hand and vengeance on the other. The parallelism signals the fact that these are two sides of one idea. In taking the side of the victims and acting on their behalf, Yahweh will put down the oppressors and punish them. So at last comfort will ...

7. David And Israel Experience God's Favor

2 Samuel 5:6-16, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us give praise and honor to the Lord God Almighty! People: For God has been merciful to us and blessed us in many wonderful ways. Leader: God would have us be witnesses for all of the world to hear, People: Proclaiming God's mercy and power but not our own goodness or worth. Leader: Then let our hearts be joined this day in praise and worship of God. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, we are truly blessed by Your loving kindness toward us even when we have been ...

8. In and Out of Favor

Luke 1:5-25, Acts 14:8-20

Illustration

How quickly the opinion of crowd can change (cf. Acts 14:8-19). Amazingly, these were the same people who, moments ago, "were speaking well of Him". Fast forward three years and we witness another extreme shift in attitude during Jesus' last week of ministry. "Hosanna" (an expression of adoration to God) would swiftly turn into the deadly cries of "Crucify Him!" Sonny Jurgenson (former QB for the Washington Redskins) was being interviewed by a reporter after winning a game and the losing the next. The ...

9. The Favor

John 20:1-9

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: How is it that we allow ourselves to get caught up in other stuff that just pulls us away from the joy of our salvation? This drama shows that the most dangerous thing Satan can do to us is slowly and subtly encourage apathy and put stuff in our lives that just doesn't matter. Another unfortunate thing here is how the husband seems resigned to his wife's spiritual condition... The good thing about this drama is that it can also be used on Easter (or the week before as in this case) as a ...

10. The Favor (A Drama about Backsliding)

John 6:60-71

Drama

Dave Marsh

11. In and Out of Favor

Luke 4:21-30

Illustration

12. A Favor Returned

1 John 3:11-24

Illustration

The Yehudi

A thief in his old age was unable to ply his "trade" and was starving. A wealthy man, hearing of his distress, sent him food. Both the rich man and the thief died on the same day. The trial of the rich man occurred first in the Heavenly Court: he was found wanting and sentenced to Purgatory. At the entrance, however, an angel came hurrying to recall him. He was brought back to the court and learned that his sentence had been reversed. The thief whom he had aided on earth had stolen the list of his ...

13. Mary's Complaint

Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-56

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... folks whose stories we see on the evening news...but we do it anyway. Shame on us. If anyone had cause for complaint it was Mary. Listen and learn from her: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Mary's remarkable complaint. Let us pray. O God, we confess that we are far too quick to ...

14. Mary's Complaint

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... story we know. No, Mary knew how to complain. She was normal; she was a human being like anyone else with all the natural tendencies to gripe and moan like any of us. But something kept her from it. She had heard from the angel that she was “favored,” and she believed it. She knew enough about what being chosen meant simply by looking at her nation’s history. The Jews were God’s chosen people... but chosen for what? A life of ease? A life without pain? A life with no problems? Hardly. This “chosen ...

15. Who is That Crouching at Your Door?

Genesis 4:1-26

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... mere portion of his crops as Cain did out of duty. But he gives to God his best gift from the love of his heart –the best sheep of his pasture, and the best cuts and fat from it. His regard is for pleasing God, not for receiving God’s favor. And it is upon this beautiful and humble heart that God gives divine gaze. And you can almost hear the words, can’t you? As Jesus did at his baptism? “With you I am well pleased.” Or best yet, “You bring me such great pleasure.” Cain was about as jealous ...

16. Baptism of The Lord

Mt 3:13-17 ·Acts 10:34-48 · Is 42:1-9

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... save. John preached that the Messiah would be the one to baptize with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit descended on him like a dove and the voice of God proclaimed that Jesus is his beloved Son on whom his favor rests. While the other synoptic gospels make this event an inward spiritual experience of our Lord, Matthew portrays it as an external event, available to all present. "This is my beloved Son." THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:1-9 A servant people. When people ...

17. Surprise

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... by God, people are just standing in line wanting to help you in every way that they possibly can. Now I want to be generous to my colleagues in ministry around the world, but I want to tell you that's heresy! Listen to what it was to be highly favored if you were Mary: She birthed a child out of wedlock. She endured the stares of the Nazarenes. She could find no room in the inn. She never quite understood the mission of Jesus. She endured the misery of the cross, weeping over the death of her son. At the ...

18. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... 8). The animal is presented at the entrance to the tent of meeting in the presence of God in the tent. This is as close as a layperson can come to God’s presence. “So that it will be acceptable to the Lord” could also be rendered, “to gain favor on his behalf before the Lord.”4 1:4 lay your hand on the head. “Lay” (samak) connotes “lean on” with pressure. What does this symbolize? It could refer to a transfer of sin as in the Day of Atonement offering (Lev. 16:21–22), though there two ...

19. Quenching St. Anthony's Fire

Mark 8:27-38

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... To be a disciple means you understand what it must have been like to be Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary is absolutely central disciples of Jesus must come to grips with her. You have heard the carpenter's call, you have been chosen to receive God's favor. You, the least, the last, the lost have been called, like Mary, to give birth to the Christ child, to bring Christ to this earth, to make Christ come alive among men and women. There is a popular religious mentality abominating the air today. It says that ...

20. Mary and Joseph: His Obedient Servants

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... more binding. In fact, in a sense, it was as demanding and as binding as a marriage. It lasted a year and could be dissolved only by divorce. Pregnant, but not by her husband. What could this mean? Mary could have heard mocking words. “Highly favored of the Lord” – how could it be when before her Mary saw nothing but open shame, even an outcast death. So there she is – a Jewish girl of humble background, designating herself as a person of “low estate” – not rich or famous, not sophisticated or ...

21. Proper 24

Exodus 33:12-23, Isaiah 45:1-7, Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... goes before us in suffering, death and resurrection. If we are to be successful, we must let God take the lead. God knows our name. The Lord tells Cyrus, "I call you by your name" (v. 4). God knows his own; he calls them by name. God shows us his favor by taking a personal interest in each of us. None of us are numbers, we are known and loved. God's knowing of us precedes our knowing of God. Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Labor of love. Paul mentions the Thessalonians' "work of faith" and their "labor of ...

22. Esther Made Queen

Esther 2:1-18

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... is “moved” to the “best place in the harem” (v. 9). Mordecai is concerned in verse 11 about what was happening to her. Hegai shares Mordecai’s paternal role, providing for Esther with an eye toward her best interests. Khen and khesed, words typically translated “favor” and “kindness” respectively, are important terms in the book of Esther (see khesed in 2:9, 17 and khen in 2:15, 17; 5:2, 8; 7:3; 8:5) and in biblical narrative in general. Because the Lord was with him (Gen. 39:3), Joseph ...

23. Mary, Did You Know?

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... Mary’s ordeal earned her a record 424 points. (3) This, of course, does not even include the flight to Egypt. Or even more importantly, the experience of watching her beloved son die as a common criminal on a cross. Is this what it means to be favored of God? Evidently being favored of God does not protect you from life’s bumps and bruises. This is an important truth. It is so easy for us to say when things are going our way, “The Lord sure is blessing us.” That sounds so pious, doesn’t it? We are ...

24. Ruth Meets Boaz

Ruth 2:1-23

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... asks permission of Naomi to glean from a land already visited. Danil, however, asks the gods to replenish a land still unvisited. Ruth’s world, like Danil’s, is a fragile place. Ruth’s Ministry 2:2b Ruth’s goal, however, is not just to find favor in the eyes of someone with enough economic wherewithal to save her life. Keats inimitably expresses the greater depth of her pain in his Ode to a Nightingale: Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird! No hungry generations tread thee down; The voice I ...

25. Daniel’s Training in Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... One might surmise that Daniel and his friends succeeded in school because of their natural ability or because of the excellence of the training (1:5, 19–20). In each case, one would be dead wrong. It was God who caused the exile, who gave Daniel favor so that he could avoid defilement, and who gave the four Jewish youths wisdom with the result that they outshone all the other sages of Babylon. This would have been a very encouraging message to Jews living under oppressive kings, such as the Seleucids in ...

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