Sermon Central
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There's A Song In The Air
Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018 (message contributor)
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1. "o Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Contributed on Dec 16, 2018
I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.
I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more
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2. "o Little Town Of Bethlehem"
Contributed on Dec 19, 2018
We need to go to Bethlehem … the Bethlehem of long ago. We need to find the peace and hope that was born there in Jesus Christ … and Advent and hymns like Brooks’ “O Little Town of Bethlehem” can take us there in mind and heart, amen?
On Thursday, November 29, the people living in and around Anchorage, Alaska, went about their lives as usual – working … shopping … watching TV … talking on the phone ... making plans … surfing the net … hinging out with friends. Just going about life. Totally unaware that 3.9 billion – that’s ...read more
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3. "o Come, All Ye Faithful"
Contributed on Dec 24, 2018
When we sing hymns and carols like “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” we who are faithful, joyful, and triumphant join with the shepherds and the angels and all the others who are faithful, joyful, and triumphant in praising and adoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
On Friday, November 30th, George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States went on to be with his Lord and Maker … the Creator of all that seen and unseen … the Eternal President of the Universe. I’m sure he was greeted by family … especially his wife, Barbara, who died on April 17th … ...read more
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4. "hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Contributed on Jan 2, 2019
This hymn begins with an exhortation … a command … a call to action: “Hark!” “Hark!” … “Listen!” … “Listen to the angels singing!” As we are about to see, this hymn has a remarkable theological depth and richness not often found in carols.
How many of you pay attention to all the little type at the bottom of the hymns? Turn to page 240 and look at the bottom of the page. See them down there? They’re there to give you a little bit of the history of the hymn. If you look at the bottom of “Hark! 5he Herald Angels Sing,” it says that ...read more
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5. "joy To The World
Contributed on Jan 8, 2019
Has the Bethlehem child changed your life? If He is your Lord and King … if He reigns over your heart and soul … if He has changed your life … then He rules over your heart and soul and life with perfect truth and grace then you can’t help but sing: Joy to the world!
I head a story about a woman who was doing her last-minute Christmas shopping at a crowded mall. She was tired of standing in lines. She was tired of fighting her way down long aisles looking for a gift … only to find out that it had sold out days before. Her arms were full of bulky packages ...read more
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6. Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Contributed on Jan 16, 2019
Christ is the King of Glory. He is the One who ascends into the Presence of the Lord. Only He has perfectly fulfilled the Law in perfect righteousness. Christ, who went to the cross and defeated our two greatest enemies: Sin and death!
It’s funny how things go sometimes. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have started out preaching by making a political disclaimer but, given what’s going on today with the government shut down and caravans, I feel the need to be perfectly clear that what I am about to say is not political in any ...read more
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7. We Three Kings
Contributed on Jan 22, 2019
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But myrrh is not the final gift. The final gift is the one that God has given to us: the death, the sacrifice, the resurrection of Christ and our death, our resurrection into new life … eternal life with Him … a joy past all telling.
At last … after traveling a thousand miles and enduring countless hardships and obstacles … the caravan reached the gates of Jerusalem. The city began to buzz as the news of their arrival spread … eventually reaching the courts and ears of King Herod. A caravan of magi had travelled all the way ...read more