Sermons on 1st Sunday In Advent:

Fear Not, Just Obey Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 14, 2019

This message looks a the words of the Angel to Joseph, and what happened because Joseph obeyed.

I was talking to a lady the other day about some Kids reaction to Santa. Not the Santa who’s going to come down the chimney on Christmas Eve to leave gifts, but the shopping mall Santas. It seems a passage of rite that we take our kids to the Mall to have their pictures taken with Jolly Old ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Anna’s Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 16, 2019

Because eyes that would see God and ears that would hear God, Anna truly did behold her Redeemer and would then announce His redemption.

LUKE 2: 36-38 [Christmas] ANNA’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Luke here reveals Anna’s prayer of thanksgiving to God for the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. I’m sure the previous encounter with Simeon astounded Mary and Joseph, but they had a further sign from God. The truth of Simeon’s words ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-39

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

God himself laid the foundation for Jesus' ministry through the work of John the Baptist. Our life will be a waste if we don't build on God's foundation.

Well, are you all ready for Christmas? Shopping done? Wrapping done? Tree up? Decorating done? Christmas cards done? Cooking done? Me, neither. Feel exhausted just thinking about it? All those jobs that are part of preparing for Christmas can make December a very hectic month. And there is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

Altered Plans

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2019

Joseph was open to God's instructions and changing his intended actions.

December 22, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matthew 1:18-25 Altered Plans Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Differing translations of the Bible can prompt us to reconsider a passage. For instance, the Good News ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Las Cuatro Esquinas De Mi Corazón

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 27, 2020

Este es un mensaje de Adviento sobre la Segunda Venida de Cristo y nuestra necesidad de estar preparados para la venida. Al mirar la parábola del sembrador, descubrimos los 4 tipos de suelo que logra vivir en cada uno de nuestros corazones.

Las cuatro esquinas de mi corazón 29/11/2020 Mateo 24: 36-51 y 2 Timoteo 3: 1-5 Hoy es el primer domingo de Adviento. Adviento significa la "venida". La Biblia se divide en dos partes. El Antiguo Testamento y el Nuevo Testamento. Los libros del Antiguo Testamento apuntan a Uno ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-14, Matthew 24:36-51, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Came For Common People Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 28, 2020

A truth worth grasping is that Jesus came through and for common people.

Jesus Came for Common People A truth worth grasping is that Jesus came through and for common people. Luke 2:7 says, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:8-11 says, “And there ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:15-17, Luke 2:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary's Visit With Elizabeth Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 3, 2020

Given the immense social pressures & stigma that Mary was about to endure as an unwed mother, she sought & found solace with Elizabeth, who would believe the divine nature of her conception & understand its significance

LUKE 1: 39-45 MARY’S VISIT TO ELIZABETH We have before us the joyful encounter between two expectant mothers, Elisabeth and Mary. The angel Gabriel initiated it by relaying to Mary the grace God bestowed on her cousin Elisabeth (v. 36), in her old age. So Mary goes to visit Elizabeth to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

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

This So Great Salvation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2019

A warning against rejecting the only means of escape.

THIS SO GREAT SALVATION. Hebrews 2:1-4. Perhaps the Hebrew Christians to whom this letter was first sent were a little inclined to go back to ‘the old religion’. After all, had not they and their fathers ‘received the law by the disposition of angels’ (Acts 7:53); was it not ‘ordained by ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Letting Go!?

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Nov 27, 2019

An advent series about letting go of things and letting Christ in our lives.

Letting Go?! December 1, 2019 Have you taken inventory lately? As I approach this Christmas season, it seems like I’ve been doing that . . . which leads to this message. Do you have a lot of STUFF in your house? I mean, more stuff than you need? Can people mistake your home with an episode of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

A Tale Of Two Kings

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

There would have appeared to be no contest in a contest between the great King Herod and the little baby Jesus. But Jesus' power of humility and holiness and obedience to God, displayed at Christmas was greater then and continues today.

Our text for this morning is Luke 2:1-7, the story of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You’ve probably heard it many, many times before. Can there be anything new in it, any way that this ancient text relates to our world today? Let’s see. I encourage you to open your Bible to it as Linda ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Joy To The World, The Lord Has Come Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 2, 2017

In the account of Christ’s advent in John 1:19-37, we see a 1) Joyful Preparation (John 1:19-28), a 2) Joyful Arrival (John 1:29-34) and a resulting 3) Joyful Response (John 1:35-37).

If you're the type of person who counts down the days until your local radio station starts playing nonstop Christmas music, you might want to brace yourself for some bad news. Apparently listening to Christmas music on loop could have some negative effects on your mental health, according to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-37

Denomination: Other