Sermon and Worship Resources

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1. A Higher Value than Freedom

Matthew 3:13-17

Illustration

Johnny Dean

If there’s one thing we Americans value above everything else, it is freedom. We cherish, guard and exercise our freedom, and woe be unto those who threaten it in any way. We’re even willing to go to war to defend freedom, whether it’s ours or someone else’s. We are the world’s self-appointed watchdogs of freedom. But Jesus says there’s a higher value than freedom. The first words the writer of t...

2. A Higher Value than Freedom

Matthew 3:13-17

Illustration

Johnny Dean

If there's one thing we Americans value above everything else, it is freedom. We cherish, guard and exercise our freedom, and woe be unto those who threaten it in any way. We're even willing to go to war to defend freedom, whether it's ours or someone else's. We are the world's self-appointed watchdogs of freedom. But Jesus says there's a higher value than freedom. The first words the writer of t...

3. A Visit With An Old Friend

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Johnny Dean

This sermon written after the Columbine Shooting incident. In the first semester of seminary, I remember one of my professors saying something like this: "During your ministry, there will be weeks when your cup overflows with joy and you feel a keen awareness of the presence of God. The sermon will not be quite as difficult to prepare then. In fact, there may even be times when it just seems to wr...

4. A Year of Rehearsals

Illustration

Johnny Dean

I had a good friend back in Memphis years ago, one of my fellow rock-and-roll musicians, who only attended church on Easter Sunday. I asked him once why he didn't go to church more often than that, and I will never forget his reply. He said, "Johnny, you know how I hate rehearsals. Why should I sit through 51 rehearsals? I want to see the real thing, and that's what happens on Easter Sunday!" An i...

5. And Who is my Neighbor?

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Johnny Dean

The final Episode of the Seinfeld show which aired at the end of the 1998 TV season received a lot of flack for being disappointing. Perhaps the reason so many were disappointed in the show is because it moralized. It wasn’t very funny; in fact, it was self deprecating. All of the characters receive a one year sentence for failing to help someone who was robbed. What happens is this: Jerry plays ...

6. Another Tricky Question

Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon

Johnny Dean

There is a scene in the movie Used People in which a mother/daughter confrontation occurs. In the movie, the daughter - rapidly approaching middle age (whatever that is), divorced, mother of two children - is leaving home and heading for California to make a new life for herself and her children. Naturally, Mother objects. And as mothers sometimes do, she tries to lay a load of guilt on her daught...

7. Are You the One?

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Johnny Dean

H. A. Williams, one of the leading preachers and theologians of the Church of England, titled his autobiography, Someday I’ll Find You. That may seem like an unusual title for an autobiography, but if you read the book, as I did when I was a seminary student, it begins to make sense. You see, there was a period in Dr. Williams’ life when he was almost totally incapacitated by phobic anxieties. He ...

8. Back to the Basics

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Every month we receive a newsletter from our home church back in Memphis. In one recent edition of the newsletter, the minister told how his car had been stolen from the parking lot of one of the local hospitals. He went on to state his belief that morality in America today is on the decline, especially in the large cities, and he further stated that the cause for this decline, in his opinion, has...

9. BAPTIZED IN SOLIDARITY WITH US

Matthew 3:13-17

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Johnny Dean

By the grace of God, during my sojourn at seminary, I was assigned by one of my professors (although I didn't consider it a blessing at the time) to read and report on a little book by a German theologian named Oscar Cullmann. The book was entitled Baptism in the New Testament. Now, the writings of German theologians quite often are difficult for me to understand, sometimes because of linguistic p...

10. Been Fishin' Lately?

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Johnny Dean

As members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we are part of a denomination with a great, but somewhat awkward name. I think it’s a great name because it expresses, in no uncertain terms, who we are and WHOSE we are. We are Christians, and as such we are disciples, or followers, of Christ. We acknowledge that we have received help and leadership from people such as Thomas and Alexander...

11. Celebrate!

Matt 28:1-10; John 20:1-18

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Johnny Dean

There is an old, historic village in Salem, North Carolina. Every Easter morning, in the early hours of this day, thousands of people, many of them tourists who have come especially for this event, make their way towards the courtyard in front of a 200-year-old church, founded by the Moravians. Before daylight, five hundred members of various brass bands echo hymns from different parts of the city...

12. Conversation or Monologue?

1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Professional athletes, as a group, are not noted for their oratory skills – off the playing field, that is. From what I understand, several of them are highly efficient when it comes to getting under the skin of their opponents by the use of verbal punches. I think it’s called "trash-talking" – or at least, it used to be called that. But the ability to stand in front of a group of people and talk ...

13. Dancing with the Wind

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Johnny Dean

I know it’s not summer yet, but the summer SEASON has already begun – at least, as far as department stores and Hollywood are concerned. The summer season for those who manufacture and sell summer clothing items, and for those who produce, direct, and market movies for public consumption begins each year in the month of May. Of course, the biggest hit of this summer season supposedly will be the ...

14. Dealing with the Devil

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Johnny Dean

I used to believe that children were born pure and innocent. Then I became a parent. Now I believe in original sin. When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we could look at each other face to face. Slowly and carefully I said, "Now, Kevi...

15. Death Stinks

John 11:17-37

Sermon

Johnny Dean

All of us have been there, or will be there someday – where Mary and Martha are in the story of the death of Lazarus. Having prayed as hard as we can for the recovery of someone we love, we find ourselves grieving their loss, wondering what we will do without them. Or we will find ourselves wondering where Jesus is, trying to comfort a sorrowing family member or friend, wondering what in the world...

16. Did You See, I Waved?

Matthew 21:1-11

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Johnny Dean

Whenever I read the account of Palm Sunday, I remember how the event is depicted in one of my favorite movies, "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Have you seen it? In the movie, the Palm Sunday crowd sings, "Christ, you know I love you. Did you see, I waved?" But, you see, as your pastor, I take my responsibility to nurture your spiritual growth seriously. And you cannot grow being fed a steady diet of b...

17. Don’t Forget Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

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Johnny Dean

As you arrange the Nativity scene on your coffee table or on your fireplace mantle or underneath your Christmas tree – wherever you place it – put the Wise Men and the shepherds around the Christ child, for there is the center of sanity in a large, crazy world. But don't forget Joseph. Put him even nearer to the Christ child. He's earned his place there. Because Joseph – the forgotten one, who jus...

18. Don't That Just Beat All?

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given us, one of the greatest is friendship. It certainly makes my own personal “Top Ten” list. When we’re going through some emotional or physical trial of life, friends can help to reassure us that God is there with us, and we don’t have to face any obstacle life throws in our path alone. I remember my two best friends from my high school days - Larry and...

19. Don't Your Ever Do That To Me Again!

Matt. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36

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Johnny Dean

Fred Craddock tells a wonderful story about a young minister, newly graduated from seminary, serving his very first church. He gets a call telling him that a church member, elderly woman who has given her life in service to the church, is in the hospital. She's so weak she can't even get up out of bed, and the doctors don't hold much hope for her recovery. Would he go up and visit? Well, of course...

20. Easter is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Acts 1:1-11, Acts 1:12-26

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Dr. Fred Craddock tells the story of an annual Easter tradition at one church in Georgia. Every year, on Easter Sunday, the church was decorated with 500 Easter lilies! The lilies were arranged on the chancel in the shape of a cross, placed in each window of the church, across the altar rail, across the front of the baptistry – literally everywhere you looked on Easter morning, you could see Easte...

21. Epiphanies and Training Wheels

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

Johnny Dean

It was a hot, muggy Friday evening, the last night of Vacation Bible School, and I stood in the parking lot of the church, cooking fish that my father-in-law and I had caught for the big celebration dinner scheduled to begin in just a short time. I didn’t notice the young man who had come up behind me until he spoke. "You the preacher?" he asked. After checking to see if he was armed and dangerou...

22. Ever Wonder Why?

Humor Illustration

Johnny Dean

EVER WONDER .... Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'? Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word? Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'? Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? Why is the time of...

23. Exasperating Grace

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Let’s face it: some folks come to church on Sunday morning with the expectation that, sooner or later, if they pay close attention, the preacher is going to step on their toes. It’s unavoidable; it’s inevitable; it just can’t be helped. In fact, it’s something some folks look forward to, in a masochistic sort of way. I heard a friend of mine say from the pulpit one Sunday, "Well, folks, I’ve been ...

24. Gentiles 'R Us

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

Johnny Dean

(Note: perhaps I should preface this sermon with a brief explanation for Web page readers of the events which occurred in the week preceding the writing – specifically, on one particular day of that week. A long-time church member – a dear, sweet lady in her late 70’s – had been hospitalized with a severe infection. While in the intensive care ward of the local hospital, she suffered cardiac arres...

25. Get Ready, Get Set...Wait!

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon

Johnny Dean

Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of preparation, a time of going toward the coming again of the Messiah, a time of great expectation and great anticipation. But exactly what is it that we anticipate? What are we getting ready for? What do we expect to happen? Do we anticipate the end of the world, as some religious cults always do at this time of the year? Are we preparing...

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