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 1 to 25 of 693 results

1. The King's Reception (What Are You Wearing to the Wedding?)

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon

Brett Blair

... we cannot attend an event. I like how the Gospel of Luke records the excuses to this story. In that story it’s not a king’s reception but a local banquet. But they all began to make excuses. I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me ... . But if they had listened to the story closely they would have heard the part about the guy who came to the reception without the proper attire and was consequently thrown out. The doors are open to all, but king reserves the right to choose who ...

2. The Reception was Excellent

John 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... not be surprising if Jesus’ family had some close friends in Cana, maybe even some family members. This is borne out by the fact that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was at the wedding, as were Jesus and his disciples. Unfortunately, something somewhat calamitous happened at the reception. The hosts ran out of wine. Now you have to understand what a big deal weddings were for Jewish families in that day. The festivities lasted for as long as a week. We’re told that the newly married couple often kept open house ...

3. The Receptive Heart

Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

King Duncan

Life is a matter of attitude. All the great motivational speakers tell us that. To succeed in life, attitude is critical. Of course, not everyone has a great attitude. In fact, some people have a downright rotten attitude. The Internet carried an item recently that reflects a rotten attitude. It is called the “Cynic’s Guide to Life.” It’s a clever take-off on some of life’s familiar clichés. See if you recognize any of these: The journey of a thousand miles . . . begins with . . . a broken fan belt and a ...

4. The Second Coming and Reception

Zechariah 12:1-9, Zechariah 12:10-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

As God sets out to unfold his great eschatological working in and on behalf of Israel (12:1–9), he reminds us that he is the Creator of heaven and earth and that he also formed man’s spirit within him. Thus he has the absolute right and sovereign ability to do as he wishes. There is no power in heaven or earth that can deter him from accomplishing his purpose. Israel as a nation (not just the northern kingdom) will be restored, the nations will be judged, and God’s kingdom will be established. The ...

5. The Banquet Bowl

Mark 9:38-41

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

... had once again been convincingly defeated and Conrad laughed an evil manipulative and demonic laugh. Micah's thoughts returned to the present moment. He threw the Kingdom Times on the table and smiled. He recalled the conversation he had with his new friend, James, at the reception after last year's defeat. James had explained to Micah that he had been one of the gathered assembly who was of another church. James had boldly gone forward and received the Lord's banquet even though he was told it would not be ...

6. Parables of the Kingdom

Mark 4:1-20

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... ). This parable discourse (4:1–34) consists of an introduction (vv. 1–2) and a conclusion (vv. 33–34) framing five parables, with the key one (vv. 1–20) stating the theme of the whole: the sowing of the kingdom truths in this world and the receptivity of the hearers. It is followed by two parables on hearing “hidden” truths (vv. 21–23, 24–25), and then by two on the guaranteed growth of the kingdom (vv. 26–29, 30–32). At the same time, the discourse is governed first by the explanation ...

7. Proper 22

Gn 2:4-25

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... may be ever aware that we are participants in your dawning earthly reign, not because of our own merits, but through the sacrifice of Christ. In his name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most patient God, we confess that we do not personify childlike receptivity before you and your graciousness, but act as though we deserve whatever salvation we have. Forgive us our arrogance. Remind us always that whatever role and status we have in your Kingdom, it is by virtue of your generous gift to us in Christ. In ...

8. Only the Best

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... furnish food and beverage for a week for your guests! Arrangements had to be carefully planned. How embarrassing it would be for the host to run out of wine. It was not just a slip up, but it broke the laws of hospitality. If this happened at one of our receptions, we would do all in our power to resolve the problem. So when Mary saw the distress of her host, she went immediately to Jesus to resolve it. She didn’t expect him to do a miracle, but asked that he would find more wine to solve the problem. She ...

9. Proper 10

Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:1-13, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... his hearers to see themselves and to draw their own conclusions. There was no legalistic listing of dos and don'ts. If the church would follow her Lord's example, she would prove to be an irresistible magnet. Finding fertile soil. The point of this parable is the receptivity of the soil. It is taken for granted that the seed is good. Farming methods are not questioned. Why does the Gospel take root in some lives and not others? It's hard to tell. Just keep on sowing; God will cause the seed to find fertile ...

10. What Children Can Teach Adults

Luke 10:1-24

Sermon

Thomas Slavens

... him gladly as the Lord of their lives. A much neglected Christian virtue is that of delight. Jesus said, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:15) Citizenship in that Kingdom requires a childlike spirit of dependence, receptivity and enthusiasm. Prayer Our God, whose children we are, we praise and worship You for Your love and care of us. We praise You that when we call to You for help, You do hear our prayers and that even when we are not aware of it ...

11. Let It Shine!

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... and support it! Let it shine. Use what God has given you or lose what God has given you. Let your light shine for Christ. There is a light shining in the darkness and the darkness cannot overpower it, put it out, absorb it, appropriate it, or be receptive to it, so let it shine! Just as the physical darkness got jealous when God said the light was good and separated them from each other, God has called you to be separate, apart, because you have something good. Now you need to stop trying to make those ...

12. Fish Bites

Acts 17:32-34

Sermon

James Merritt

... to a more neutral position (what you call a U3) after watching a Billy Graham crusade on television. I bet if someone invited me to church then, I would have gone. You know the rest of my story. I finally visited a dynamic church in town and became even more receptive to the Gospel. Finally, someone from the church asked me to lunch. Mike, who is now my best friend, shared with me how to accept Christ. A few months later, I did pray to receive Christ. Do hear what I am saying. I had to go to church before ...

13. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... news or perhaps to an earlier letter that reported that the Thessalonians were giving thanks to God. Paul, Silas, and Timothy now echo this thanks to God. In chapter 1, the thanksgiving was for the coming of the gospel to their city; here it is for the Thessalonians’ reception of it as the word of God. He speaks of this twice in the one verse: you received the word of God … you accepted it. Of the two different verbs, the first, paralambanō, apparently functioned almost as a technical term for the ...

14. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... some worthy person. The import of 10:9–15 is to guide the Twelve in their mission to rely upon the hospitality of people within the various towns they visit. This explains the prohibition against bringing money and extra supplies (10:9–10). The reception in these towns of the disciples and their kingdom message determines whether they “let [their] peace rest” on a home or whether they “shake the dust off [their] feet” (10:13–14). 10:14 shake the dust off your feet. This phrase reflects the ...

15. Epiphany 2

John 2:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... note was heard: the supply of wine had given out. Poor planning? More guests than expected? We do not know the reason, but not only was the party about to be ruined, but the family would be humiliated for the lack of hospitality. Having no wine at a wedding reception was like going to a dance without a band. Mary informed Jesus of the problem: "They have no wine." She did not ask him to do something about it. It was simply a statement of fact. But apparently Jesus took it as a request. Like a wife saying to ...

16. Proper 8 & Pentecost 6

2 Kings 4:8-37, Genesis 32:22-32, Psalm 89:1-52, Psalm 17:1-15, Isaiah 2:6-22, Jeremiah 28:1-17, Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon Aid

... grip" that is blessed by God. 3. God's decision. The Lord blesses those who cling to him in faith, despite the struggle they have to believe and live the Christian life. His decision is always in their favor. 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a (R) - "On the Reception of Prophets and Pastors" This pericope really needs to be connected to verse 41 of Matthew 10: "He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward...." The past few years, a veil of distrust has hung over the clergy like a ...

17. Salvation as Personal Experience

Romans 9:30--10:21

Sermon Aid

T. A. Kantonen

... Jesus in the beatitudes makes the one entrance requirement into the Kingdom. This is the attitude which opened the door to paradise to the thief on the cross and which led the Philippian jailer from the verge of suicide to midnight baptism. Faith is not only receptivity but also confession. "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Faith is not a nebulous disposition of piety. It is "faith in;" it always ...

18. Why Won't They Listen?

Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... !" That is the kind of opportunity that Christ gives to people today. We can make a fresh start. Life can have new purpose and vitality. Why won't we listen? Why won't we heed his words? There are several possible explanations as to why people are not more receptive to the good news of Christ. THE MOST LIKELY OBSTACLE FOR MANY OF US IS THE SECULAR SPIRIT OF OUR AGE. Most of us have been trained to look for scientific explanations concerning the nature of things. We live in a world of cause and effect. We no ...

19. About Marriage

Luke 20:27-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... away in. It got stuck in the ice in the church parking lot, so Melissa stuffed her gown into the back seat of a two-door compact car. The severe cold caused the water main at the reception hall to break, so the toilets functioned only because the reception line was turned into a bucket brigade. But that's not all. In the apartment just below the reception hall, the resident had gone out of town and left his oven on in order to keep his boa constrictor from getting cold. So Tim and Melissa wrapped up their ...

20. Get off the Throne and Learn Wisdom

Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... ’s grip and in the bondage of their sins. Some have to hit the bottom hard and more than once before their sin-dulled consciences come to life again. Perhaps you know someone like this; perhaps you have been such a person. Our time is to be spent with the receptive. We wait on green fruit; we do not try to pick it ahead of its time. The message of Jesus is to be attractively displayed, not force fed to the resistant. The story is told is told of a farmer who received a visit from one of his city relatives ...

21. Proper 15

John 6:25-59, 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... :12-15, 19-20 - "He has not dealt thus with any other nation" (v. 20). Theme of the Day: The Day Of The Lord Lesson 1 - Physical bread from the sky - Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 Gospel - Spiritual bread of Christ - John 6:51-58 Lesson 2 - Reception of the Bread of Life in the Eucharist - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Corpus Christi Sunday focuses on the body of Christ who called himself the Bread of Life. When the eucharistic bread is administered, the liturgist may say, "The body of Christ given for you." Lesson 1 ...

22. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 6:7-13, 2 Samuel 5:6-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... love and have the love rejected. It is sad when one wants to do good but the needy refuse to accept help. Unbelief blocks the channel of grace. Lack of faith breaks the wire of communication between God and humans. Faith does not heal nor bless, but it is the receptive agent that allows God's blessings to become a reality in our lives. Outline: Without faith, you cannot – a. Accept Jesus as your Savior vv. 1-4. b. Be healed vv. 5-6. Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 1. The man we want for president (5 ...

23. Envision: The Great Commission

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

James Merritt

... so you will only meet this person 1 out of 5 times. Let me put it another way. Seventy-five percent of the people that you meet will either be open to discussing the Gospel, open to hearing your story about Christ, very receptive to hearing your story about Christ or highly receptive to hearing your story about Christ and ready to accept Christ. With that picture in mind, listen to the next point. II. Seek People Without God Jesus himself said in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and ...

24. The Law and the Promise

Galatians 3:15-25, Galatians 3:1-14

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... they received the Spirit at the beginning of their Christian life (3:3) but also that this is to be understood as a sign of a new stage in God’s plan of salvation. As he says in 3:14, the promise to Abraham is fulfilled in the reception of the Spirit. To remind the Galatians that they have received the Spirit is to remind them that their experience marks them as those who are partaking in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Paul refers to the Spirit also when speaking positively about the character of the ...

25. God’s Goodness Redefined: The Nearness of God

Psalm 73:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... :3; 32:8; 139:24). If we are correct in reading Psalm 73 in light of the speaker’s entry into the sanctuary of God (v. 17), then the following phrase, and afterward you will take me into glory, most probably refers to the pilgrim’s reception into “the place where your glory dwells” (26:8). In other words, “after you have guided me along the pilgrim path, you take me into the glory of your temple.” Thus, in language familiar elsewhere among the psalms, the speaker celebrates Yahweh as my portion ...

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