Sermon Central
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The Journey
Contributed by Clair Sauer on Nov 21, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Willingness
Contributed on Nov 21, 2011
During the season of Advent, we should examine our hearts and our willingness to serve God so that, like Mary, we are prepared to serve God humbly by saying, "Here I am, Lord, use me."
I imagine that as the Thanksgiving festivities wound down this week, several of us took the extra time and opportunity to begin decorating for Christmas. We pull the boxes of decorations from their storage places, we unpack the Christmas tree and assemble it again, paying careful attention to make ...read more
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2. Mercy
Contributed on Dec 2, 2011
Because Joseph opened a window of mercy, God’s work carried forward in the best possible way. Through Mary's willingness and Joseph's mercy, we are all offered hope for the future through our Savior, Jesus Christ!
As you all remember, we are taking a special Journey this Advent season, we are traveling the road to Bethlehem with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and others, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, and open our hearts to welcome Christ into our lives in a new and special way this ...read more
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3. Encouragement
Contributed on Dec 7, 2011
Mary was desperately craving an older woman to give her some perspective in life, and Elizabeth does just that. Elizabeth helps Mary see that this special calling from God is not a burden but a wonderful blessing. And it goes both ways!
We continue this week our “Journey to Bethlehem.” We began two weeks ago in Nazareth with Luke’s account of the conception. And we considered Mary’s willingness to humbly serve the Lord, even under these very difficult and shocking circumstances. Last week, we heard ...read more
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4. Perseverance
Contributed on Dec 14, 2011
Like Mary and Joseph, all of us find ourselves forced to take journeys we do not wish to take. These journeys are not prescribed by God, but God is with us in the midst of them, and that is what we celebrate at Christmas.
I’ve heard it said that our sense of smell has the greatest power to evoke memories. That is, certain scents can recall to mind memories, even distant memories, associated with that smell. I have had this experience before, but I think for me, music does this more powerfully. I feel like I ...read more
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5. Presence
Contributed on Dec 20, 2011
A Christmas Eve Communion meditation. We all have within us a deep hunger, but we won't find what we're looking for at the mall, or under the tree, or in Santa's sack. The only place we can find our hunger truly satisfied is at the manger, the feeding tro
How many of you have seen the movie Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase? The movie has become a holiday favorite. It’s a parody about the false expectations that we often build up around the traditional family Christmas experience. Many of us can probably identify with the character Clark ...read more
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6. Come, Let Us Adore Him
Contributed on Dec 22, 2011
Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us, the greatest gift we could ever receive because he has come to save us from our sins. A sermon for Christmas day.
“O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!” “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Merry Christmas, everyone! It is such a joy to be here with you all today. There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than right ...read more