Sermons on 1st Sunday In Advent:

Taking Up The Mantle

Contributed by Bryan Lassiter on Dec 4, 2020

Advent 2, 2020 We are challenged by Mark's gospel to take up the mantle of Isaiah - just like John the Baptist

Taking up the Mantle Mark 1:1-8 Matthew has a Christmas story in which Joseph is prominent. Luke has a Christmas story. Even John has a Christmas story from a cosmic perspective where the Word became flesh. But is there a Christmas story in Mark? Let us see. From first appearances, it kinda ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:3-5

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Is Coming Soon

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 4, 2020

A reflection on how to be ready for Jesus to come as we prepare in the Advent Season.

12.9.20 Revelation 22:20 20 The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Jesus Is Coming Soon What will we give Him? Here’s a little fact you may not have known about our preschool teacher. She’s a twin. Not only that, but if I have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Earth Mover

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 7, 2020

John the Baptist was a spiritual "bulldozer" calling us to move the rhythms and rhymes of this world towards God's justice.

December 6, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8 The Earth Mover Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Consider Christmas

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Dec 11, 2020

Some of you grumble about the holidays and you gripe about how people begin preparing for Christmas earlier each year. You fuss about all the activities and the expense this season brings into your lives

CONSIDER CHRISTMAS With Pastor~Timothy G. Porter The Bridge Church Upstate John 1:1-5 Introduction: So, here we are. We are at the beginning of a very special time of the year. The season that began this past Thursday (Thanksgiving) and runs through New Years has come to be known ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Star & The Wise Men

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 12, 2020

Not only did shepherds see a light on the night Jesus was born, but God made a star appear to men far away so people everywhere would know that His Son had been born.

THE STAR & THE WISE MEN Matt. 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION VIDEO: A. HUMOR 1. I came across a collection of letters that children wrote to Santa Claus. Some of them were pretty good. One said, "Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Special Light

Contributed by Jacob Brimm on Apr 20, 2021

The Star of David – the Star of Bethlehem This special star, shining bright enough to catch the attention of people who were looking for something – guided people to find someone extraordinary. Jesus.

A Special Light Matt 2 (all) The Star of David – the Star of Bethlehem This special star, shining bright enough to catch the attention of people who were looking for something – guided people to find someone extraordinary. Jesus. • It was a special star – V2 – ‘for we saw HIS STAR” – this star ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 52:7

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For The Weak Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Dec 3, 2021

God uses the weak to shame the strong; he does this by choosing the young Mary for the important task of bearing his Son.

INTRODUCTION • Over the next three weeks, we will look at different characters in the Christmas story to see how the birth of Jesus was good news of great joy for all of them, a poor young couple like Joseph and Mary, the marginalized shepherds, or even cosmic beings (angels). • We tend to focus on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is Coming Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Dec 6, 2021

Based on Isaiah 9:2, 6 - Encourages hearers to realize that the advent of Jesus changes our perspective on everything.

“JESUS IS COMING” Isa. 9:2-7 FBCF – 12/5/21 Jon Daniels INTRO – One of Vicki’s favorite Christmas songs is “It’s the Most Wonderful…” Saw an article in CT magazine – “The Most ‘Jesusy’ Time of Year.” Probably is time of year that we hear about Jesus the most. Hear a lot about Jesus this time ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Broad Shoulders Of Christ

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Dec 18, 2021

The Lord's Shoulders are broad enough to bear whatever we face. We can roll our burdens on Him.

The Broad Shoulders of Christ Introduction: The prophet Isaiah has so many wonderful insights into the suffering of our Lord and the glory that follows. Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Whee Where You Find Jesus This Christmas? Series

Contributed by Eugene Pansler Jr on Dec 19, 2021

Where Will You Jesus This Christmas?

Where will you find Jesus this Christmas, will you find Him in the public mall, will you find Him in the public school system, or will you find Him on public property? Where will you find Jesus (first, second, third), you will find Him in the: 1. Hearts of People Who Love Him. Where ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

First Steps

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

December 23, 1776 Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls” in reference to “summer soldiers” who fought well in Spring and Summer but gave up and went home in the cold.

December 23, 1776 Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls” in reference to “summer soldiers” who fought well in Spring and Summer but gave up and went home in the cold. It was a statement read to the Colonial army at Valley Forge before they crossed the Delaware and attacked ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Mark 13:32-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A New Direction

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

Michelangelo left four unfinished sculptures called “The Prisoners or Slaves”. Individually they are known as “The Awakening Slave”, “The Young Slave”, “The Bearded Slave”, and “The Atlas Bound” (Accademia).

Michelangelo left four unfinished sculptures called “The Prisoners or Slaves”. Individually they are known as “The Awakening Slave”, “The Young Slave”, “The Bearded Slave”, and “The Atlas Bound” (Accademia). They are partway carved from their block of marble but, never finished, they are forever ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christmas Eve Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 22, 2021

There’s nothing more helpless than a newborn baby. There’s no one weaker than a mom who has just given birth. That’s how this story begins – two frightened teenagers in a barn with a God baby.

Christmas Eve 2021 Luke 2:1-10 NIV In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-10, 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King Has Come Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 24, 2021

Since the King has Come and is coming again, the Apostle Paul presents four aspects of the Father’s exaltation of the Son: 1) The source (Philippians 2:9a), 2) The title (Philippians 2:9b), 3) The response (Philippians 2:10–11a), and 4) The purpose (Philippians 2:11b).

Philippians 2:9–11. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Other

John The Baptist: Challenge For A Deeper Life

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

John the Baptist didn't follow in his father's footsteps as a priest in the temple. He challenged people to break out of normality and live radically new lives.

(John, entering from the back, in costume, down the center aisle.) Wake up, everybody! God’s Messiah is coming! That’s really good news! Get ready! Things have got to change around here! God’s blessings are coming for you! But you have to be ready! Clean it up, folks! (John standing in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18