Sermons on 1 John 4:7-7:23:

Prepare For Christmas

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 23, 2018

How should we prepare for the birthday of King Jesus? John the Baptist calls us to repentance, to preparing the way for him into our lives and making straight a highway into our hearts.

[Sermon preached on 17 December 2017, 3rd Sunday in Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Every year again I am surprised how much time and energy goes into preparing for Christmas. So many things to do… and in the end so few things that really matter. The famous American author John Grisham wrote ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-27, Deuteronomy 18:15-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You The One?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 15, 2019

Are we are sure we are ready?

Are you the One? Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist is the subject of a lot of sermons preached through the Christian season of Advent. And, indeed, it should be, as Advent is a season of preparation. Unlike what is commonly believed, Advent is not a season to prepare us for Christmas, to receive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Doctor You've Never Heard Of

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 29, 2018

The sixteenth century saw so much heretical scriptural writing that we usually write it off. But good Catholic scholarship was going on in that century, and John of Avila was one of the brightest lights.

Thursday of the 13th Week in Course 2018 Reformation/Revolution The vocation to be a prophet is not for the faint-hearted. We see in this reading from the Book of Amos that the poor fellow was a migrant shepherd and tree-dresser, but he heard the voice of God and responded “yes.” And then God told ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8, Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Catholic

The Most Amazing Prayer In The Bible Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Apr 3, 2023

Based on John 17 - Encourages hearers to know that Jesus prayed for them & is praying for them.

“THE MOST AMAZING PRAYER IN THE BIBLE” John 17 FBCF – 4/2/23 Jon Daniels INTRO – John 17 The last several weeks in REFRESH have been awesome. We’ve had some powerful times of corporate prayer, crying out to God in praise, confession of sin, & interceding for lots of people – some who have ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Decisions, Decisions

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 21, 2023

Why leave John the Baptizer and go follow the Galillean Rabbi Jesus instead?

Sam was confused. He had been following John for - how long had it been? Almost a year, he thought, it was just before the grape harvest and his parents had been really upset that he hadn’t stayed until the work was finished. But Sam just had to go. The Messiah was due soon, everybody knew it, and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36, Matthew 3:7-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Offended By Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 7, 2022

Are we offended by the real Jesus?

Was John the Baptist offended by Jesus? If He walked the earth today would we be offended by Him? Let’s examine the real Jesus and being offended at Jesus in Matthew 11:2-11. Are You the One? And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist

Rsvp

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 28, 2023

The Lord of the dance invites us all - but we have to let him lead.

You’d think John would know. After all, when Jesus came down to the Jordan to be baptized, John had just finished saying, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Second Sunday Of Advent C, Advent 2-- Crying Out In The Desert

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 2, 2021

Can we say to John the Baptist this Advent, “The Wind Brought Your Voice To Me?”

We don’t sing the Gloria in Advent until the angels sing the "Gloria in excelsis Deo" at Christmas but we do hear a prophetic voice, crying out in the desert, which are often windy places. The voice is from John the Baptist, carried on the whistling wind, that says, “Prepare the way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Writing Straight With Crooked Lines Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 9, 2017

In the midst of the Reformation, God weaves a tapestry of faith in the lives of weak human beings.

Thursday of the 2nd Week in Advent 2017 Reformation/Revolution When external situations are the bleakest, God acts to fulfill His promises to His people–first in the history of the Jews, and now in the age of the Church. The second and third parts of Isaiah were probably written by his followers ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20

Denomination: Catholic

Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 9, 2018

We will ask God to “teach us to judge wisely the things of earth, and hold firm to the things of heaven.”

Second Sunday of Advent 2018 Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord You may have been a bit surprised when you stood for the Introit today to find that we did not sing “O Come, Emmanuel,” which has become the musical heart of the whole Advent season. There is a good reason for that, which I’ll explain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Christmas Preparations

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 20, 2018

At Christmas, our most significant preparations occur in our hearts and souls

Christmas Preparations Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is December 16th. There are nine days before Christmas. As a child, that countdown to Christmas fanned such anticipation and excitement! With each passing day, my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is The Answer, But What Was The Question?

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 19, 2025

Jesus travels to the Jordan River to inaugurate His ministry by being Baptized in the Jordan River. This is not what John the Baptist expects, as John's Baptism is a baptism of Repentance. Why was Jesus Baptized?

Based on a Sermon by Kevin Judd There’s a story about a pastor giving a children’s sermon. He decides to use a story about forest animals as his starting point, so he gathers the kids around him and begins by asking them a question. “I’m going to describe someone to you, and I want you to tell me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Restoring Families; Restoring The Plan Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 12, 2023

Families would have the opportunity to be reunited in His Church, and grace would establish all the new earth as a blessing, not a curse.

Saturday of the Second Week in Advent 2023 Sirach is a book named for its author, Jesus ben Sira. This is a book Catholics use in the Liturgy, but Protestants generally don't accept as inspired. We call it "deuterocanonical;" they call it "apocryphal." Our reading from the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 17:10-13

Denomination: Catholic

Fulfilling God’s Unique Purpose For Our Lives Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 17, 2024

Success is about faithfulness, service, and fulfilling the unique purpose God has for each of us.

Fulfilling God’s Unique Purpose for Our Lives Intro: Success is about faithfulness, service, and fulfilling the unique purpose God has for each of us. Scripture: Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45. Reflection Success is a word that evokes varied responses, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Other

Cumpliendo El Propósito único De Dios Para Nuestras Vidas Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 17, 2024

El éxito se trata de fidelidad, servicio y cumplimiento del propósito único que Dios tiene para cada uno de nosotros.

Cumpliendo el propósito único de Dios para nuestras vidas Introducción: El éxito se trata de fidelidad, servicio y cumplimiento del propósito único que Dios tiene para cada uno de nosotros. Sagrada Escritura: Isaías 53:4, Isaías 53:10-11, Hebreos ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Other