Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: john mark, gospel, missionary, disciple, evangelist, the 12, the twelve, apostle, messiah, messianic, messianic secret, miracles, mercy, kingdom of god, blemish, streak, spot, fleck, dot, blot, stain, smear, trace, speck, speckle, blotch, smudge, smut, smirch, fingermark, fingerprint, impression, imprint, symbol, sign, character, signature, autograph, cross, X, scribble, squiggle, initials, logo, seal, stamp, emblem, device, insignia, badge, brand, trademark, token, monogram, hallmark, logotype, watermark, label, tag, flag, motto, point, level, stage, degree, indication, symptom, feature, evidence, proof, clue, hint, traces, vestiges, effect, impact, influence, characteristic, trait, attribute, quality, property, peculiarity, indicator, grade, grading, rating, score, percentage, target, goal, aim, bullseye, objective, object, end, purpose, intent, intention, required standard, standard, norm, par, criterion, gauge, yardstick, rule, measure, scale, discolor, put one's name on, name, initial, put one's seal on, earmark, indicate, tab, show the position of, show, identify, designate, delineate, denote, celebrate, observe, recognize, acknowledge, keep, honor, solemnize, pay tribute to, salute, commemorate, remember, memorialize, represent, signify, be an indication of, be a sign of, herald, characterize, distinguish, typify, signalize, assess, evaluate, appraise, correct, take heed of, pay heed to, heed, listen to, take note/notice of, pay attention to, attend to, note, mind, bear in mind, give (a) thought to, take into consideration, take to heart

Antonyms: neglect, clean, remove, erase, overlook, disregard, forget, do housework, do the cleaning, omit, cause, detag, clear, smooth, undamaged, unmarked, let ride, ignore, scrub, wash, pay no attention to, take no notice of, abandon, cross off, cross out

Showing 1 to 25 of 123 results

1. A Streak of Common Sense

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon

Thomas D. Peterson

... voice nor see his fire; we will die." God granted their request by promising to raise up a prophet. Moses was already a prophet, speaking the long-range purpose of God to give his people a promised land, and he provided them the commandments by which to pay heed to God and arrive safely in that land. In this streak of common sense the people were enabled to move forward with confidence and effectiveness. The voice of God had come in the law, a gift of God by means of which the covenant relationship could be ...

2. Separation of God and State?

Isaiah 44:24--45:25

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... Third World may have reason to thank God for life. The success and well-being of America or any nation depend upon saying and practicing, "This nation under God." The Bible says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." May we as a nation pay heed to the words of President Reagan, uttered in a 1983 address in Orlando, Florida: "While America’s military strength is important, let me add here that I have always maintained that the struggle now going on for the world will never be decided by bombs or ...

3. The Attitude of Readiness

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon

Russell F. Anderson

... are caught off guard and unprepared. Pregnancy ought to be a time of active waiting, watching and anticipating, leading to joyful fulfillment, but so should Advent. The world was not ready for the birth of Jesus. Are we any better prepared now? We need to pay heed to the quickening of Christ within so that we are ready for his appearing. Life is designed to flow along at a reasonable pace so that we have time to take in our surroundings. We might compare the flow of existence to one of those people movers ...

4. Walk the Talk

Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... . Jesus was God’s ultimate attempt at getting our attention and seeking our buy-in. The story Jesus told in today’s scripture was meant primarily for the chief priests and elders of the Temple, who refused to believe who he was. They would not pay heed to God’s messages. They, more than any others Jesus had encountered, held fast to their own beliefs, rituals, laws, and self-serving rules. They had lost track of what God had tried to tell them for years through the scriptures, the prophets, the kings ...

5. Portrayal of Holiness

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... total mercy. His seraph messenger cleanses Isaiah's lips with the burning coal of love, and Isaiah is forgiven by his God and prepared for his prophetic mission. The God who is totally other in his kingly glory over all the earth, nevertheless is totally mercy, paying heed to his individual servant. Only then, in the forgiveness of God, can the prophet hear God's voice, and that too is instructive for us. For when we enter into worship before this Holy God, the King of all life, the Lord of hosts, our first ...

6. The Lost Five Commandments

Mark 12:35-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

When Moses descended from the heights of Mount Sinai, he juggled in his arms not two but three Tablets of the Covenant, with five commandments inscribed on each. At least that’s how Mel Brooks tells it in his classic comedy “History of the World, Part I.” ‘Hear me, o hear me! All pay heed!’ the movie Moses proclaims. ‘The Lord, the Lord Jehovah, has given unto you these fifteen . . . [One stone tablet drops and shatters. A perplexed Moses looks down and mutters ‘Oy!’] . . . ten, TEN commandments for all to ...

7. Praise God! Selah!

Luke 1:67-80, Luke 1:57-66, Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:1-4

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Animation: Music: To God Be the Glory [You can have it playing just before the sermon. There are a lot of good versions, both old and new. You can also play a YouTube for your people.] To God be the glory! Say it with me: To God be the glory! Now I want you to repeat that phrase after me, like a refrain. Each time I speak a line, I want you to respond with: To God be the glory! Ok? Let’s try it! “The weather is beautiful today!” [To God be the glory!] The beginning of the season of advent has come upon us ...

8. Sim Lev!

Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:1-35, Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Prop: ruby slippers (you may use these as an example of an “anchoring” metaphor/sign) OR bud of a fig tree // recommended: Holy Communion elements One of the most mesmerizing tales of the 20th century was The Wizard of Oz starring a young Judy Garland. It was first and foremost a foray into the ...

9. Giving Comfort

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

King Duncan

Once there was a Baptist minister and humorist named Grady Nutt. Grady could tell some of the most hilarious stories. One of Grady’s classic stories was of a seminary student who pastored a rural church on the weekends. Word came to this student preacher that a man in his church had died. Could he come and conduct the funeral? The young preacher had never done a funeral before, but after receiving counsel from one of his seminary professors about how to proceed, he drove out to the home of the man who had ...

10. Let 'Er Rip

Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Wake up, world! The world is waking up. The world needs to wake up. We’ve been asleep for a good long time, and the time has come for the Rip Van Winkles of the world to wake up to the signs of God around them. God is working in our midst. Can you see the signs? The watcher in the tower is the prophet. And you are all watch people. You are all prophets of the Lord! There is not just a priesthood of all believers. There is a prophethood of all believers. The call is coming in! Sound the message to everyone ...

11. If Only... Next Time

Isaiah 43:1-13

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

A young man who had made it big had been away from home a long time traveling to exotic places all over the world. He had not been very attentive to his widowed mother. His conscience began to bother him and he decided to do something about it. He sent her a unique gift, a rare South American parrot for which he'd paid $1200. Well, time went by. Two weeks, three weeks, and he heard nothing. And the fourth week he called. When he got his mom on the phone he said, "Did you get the bird I sent you?" "Oh yes ...

12. The Called Ones

Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon

Joe Pennel

The Gospel lesson for today makes me want to fuss at Jesus. It makes me want to fuss at Jesus because the message of the text is so radical! It is radical to believe that people would actually leave their place of business to follow after a teacher who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." After Jesus had finished preaching a sermon in Capernaum, he took a stroll along the banks of the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus walked by the sea side, he noticed two brothers - Simon, who is called Peter, ...

13. A Higher Calling

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

King Duncan

Some of you football fans will remember when Bo Schembechler was the coach of the Michigan Wolverines. It’s said that Schembechler used to work his players especially hard during spring practice to see what kind of young men he had, winners or quitters. He made a sign with a slogan on it and hung it above the locker room door. The sign read like this: “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.” Of course, not everyone stayed. One morning Schembechler came to the office and looked at the sign. Underneath the words ...

14. Living Deliberately

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Our scripture lesson is taken from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John, beginning with the 7th and reading through the 18th verses. I’m reading from the Revised Standard Version. This is the word of the Lord. “So Jesus again said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and ...

15. No Excuse

Luke 14:15-24

Sermon

James Merritt

Imagine this: U2 has just made an announcement they are splitting up. They have been at it a long time, made all the money they could ever spend, and they are tired of traveling. To celebrate their long careers one of the most successful bands in the history of music are going to do one last farewell concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. For one night only, last chance to hear them doing all their best songs, they are advertising it as the greatest show they will ever put on. It is destined to ...

16. Getting Rid of Grudges

Luke 23:34

Sermon

James Merritt

On the day that Karl Marx died in 1883, his housekeeper came to him and said: "Tell me your last words and I'll write them down." Marx replied: "Go on and get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!" Well, that is another thing that I disagree with Marx on. Last words are very important and can be very revealing. Here are just a few famous last words: Max Baer, the one time heavyweight champion of the world, said, as he was having a heart attack: "Oh God, here I go!" P. T. Barnham said: "How ...

17. Prayers That Work

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

Father Barry Foster, a priest in Dublin, Ireland, parked his car on a rather steep slope close to his church. His little cairn terrier was lying on the rear seat and could not be seen by anyone outside the vehicle. Father Foster got out of the car and turned to lock the door with his usual parting command to the dog. "Stay!" he ordered loudly, to an apparently empty car. "Stay!" An elderly man was watching the performance with amused interest. Grinning, he suggested, "Why don't you just try putting on the ...

18. Prepare The Way

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

Robert A. Hausman

Traditionally, the second Sunday in Advent brings us face to face with the forerunner, John the Baptist. But John does not stand alone. He stands knee deep in history, and history is a part of the world Christ came to redeem. Let us look at the gospel lesson (Luke 3:1-6) before we turn to the Old Testament. It begins in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius. So who was Tiberius? He was born of noble parents, who then were divorced so that his mother could marry the emperor, Caesar Augustus. Tiberius had a ...

19. The Danger of American Express

Exodus 20:17

Sermon

James Merritt

We have all heard that famous American Express slogan, "Don't leave home without it." The problem is, if some people don't leave home without it, they are going to be without a home. The 80s and 90s are when the "Jet set" became the "Debt set." The new slogan seemingly has become "Buy now, pay maybe." Now a days people can be divided into three classes: The Haves, The Have-Nots, and The Have-Not-Paid-for-What-They Haves In 1994 Americans whipped out their plastic to the tune of $701 billion.[i] Consumers ...

20. Prophesy Your Way Forward

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The worst thing about January 1? Not that it marks the “official” end of the holiday season. Not that it means school starts the next day. Not even that it signals we all just got a year older. The worst thing about January 1 is that we are immediately inundated with two of the most depressing messages imaginable. First, we are barraged and berated online, on tv, on buses, with the fact that it is high time to lose weight. Second, we begin to get reminded that it’s time to do our taxes. As if January weren ...

21. When Payday Comes

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

Steven Molin

Dear friends in Christ, grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and his Son, our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. He walked into my office with all the confidence of corporate CEO, this fifteen-year old confirmation student. Without much fanfare, he announced, “I don’t think Mike Stevens should be confirmed.” I didn’t know Randy well; I had only been the pastor of that church for about four months, but it was clear that he and Mike had a little competition going between them. Randy grew up in that ...

22. A Fishing Trip To Remember

John 21:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

A man showed up at church with his ears painfully blistered. After the service, his concerned pastor asked "What in the world happened to you?" The man replied, "I was lying on the couch yesterday afternoon watching a ball game on TV and my wife was ironing nearby. I was totally engrossed in the game when she left the room, leaving the iron near the phone. The phone rang and keeping my eyes glued to the television, I grabbed the hot iron and put it to my ear." "So how did the other ear get burned?" the ...

23. Have You Seen the Light?

John 9:1-41

Sermon

James Merritt

I am not a country music fan per se. But to those who know country music, say that one of the all-time legendary greats was Hank Williams. He wrote a song entitled "I Saw the Light" that has lyrics that go like this: I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin; I wouldn't let my dear Savior in. Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night; Praise the Lord, I saw the light! Even though Hank Williams wrote those words almost a half a century ago, it could have been written and sung two millennia ago by a man ...

24. Contemporary Prophets Speak the Truth

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Dorothy Day, a woman who many people today believe to be a prototypical saint for twentieth-century society, was born on November 8, 1897, in Brooklyn, the eldest daughter of John Day, a roving newspaper sportswriter and his wife, Grace. Because of the nature of her father's work, the Day family moved often during Dorothy's youth. In 1906, the Days were living in Berkeley, California, when the great earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed a large portion of the city of San Francisco across the bay. The ...

25. When Lazarus Leaped and Laughed

John 11:1-45

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

This gospel according to John is filled with a series of vivid verbal masterpieces of the genius, glory, and grace of Jesus Christ, God's Son. Bible scholars have long believed that each of the four New Testament gospels is targeted at a particular group. Matthew writes his gospel to the Jews. We see that in his frequent references to the Old Testament. Mark writes his gospel with the Romans as his primary target. Hence, Mark is succinct and to the point. His is the first written among the four gospels. ...

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