Sermons on 1st Sunday In Advent:

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

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

Listen For Love Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 5, 2019

In our text God speaks in different tones that I hope will bring us comfort and joy, to know we are loved by God.

LISTEN FOR LOVE   Isaiah 40:1-11 Introduction It is a traditional English Christmas carol, one of the oldest carols, dating back to the 16th century, the name of its author long unknown. In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this song stirred irritation of Ebeneezer Scrooge,  causing him ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Christmas Without Santa"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 17, 2018

A sermon for a Christmas in July worship service.

“Christmas without Santa” Luke 2:1-20 In my 20 years as a pastor I have preached on this passage once every year. But it’s always the same time of year; I have never preached on the birth of Jesus in July!!! But why not? After-all, as far as the exact time of year Jesus was born--we really ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Light Of Hope Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. This message series reflects on the four candles of the Advent wreath. We begin with the hope candle.

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Hope Luke 2: 1 – 5 You just can’t do Christmas without lights! They’re my favorite Christmas tradition. There’s much I find about Christmas challenging—not the holiday itself, but all the surrounding ado. I’d just as soon we skip most of the Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Of Peace Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. This message series reflects on the candles of the Advent wreath. This message focuses on the candle of peace.

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Peace Isaiah 9: 2 – 7 Thomas Edison is credited with changing the way Christmas was lighted, not because he invented the incandescent bulb, but because he chose Christmas as the time to market the incandescent bulb. Edison's marketing trick during the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Of Love Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 5, 2018

Lights and Christmas go together like peas and carrots. This message series reflects on the candles of the Advent wreath. The message concerns the candle of love

All the Pretty Lights: The Light of Love John 3:14 – 21 Light is life, and we come seeking life and light in this Advent season. We light candles to remind us of the light of Jesus Christ, and last week we lit the candle of hope as a symbol of Christ who is our hope. This week, we come to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

"getting Ready For Christmas: Pointing Beyond Ourselves"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 5, 2018

Do our lives point Godward?

“Getting Ready for Christmas: Pointing Beyond Ourselves” Jeremiah 10:1-5 A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a restaurant with a friend when my attention went to a Christmas tree in the corner of the room. It had different colored lights, ornaments of silver and gold and a bright red bow on ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:1-5

Denomination: United Methodist

Miracle Of The Moment Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 17, 2018

God sends His Son into our lives at exactly the right time. Not just at a time in history, but also at the time we need to know and confess Jesus as Lord, and in the time when we need Abba-Father.

Message - Advent Miracles Galatians 4:4-5 The Miracle of the Moment Over the month of December we are going to look at a series of Miracles that help us understand more the significance of Advent. They are not miracles in the sense that water is turn to wine, or a paraplegic person gets up and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5, Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph's Obedience: The Message Of Peace Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 20, 2018

Matthew 1:18-25 highlights that obedience as seen through the: 1) The Predicament of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-19), 2) The Point to Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), 3) The Prophecy for Joseph (Matthew 1:22-23), and 4) The Performance of Joseph (Matthew 1:24-25)

Families have various expectations for one another at Christmas. Regardless of how far away you might live, many times they expect a visit or even a grand get together for Christmas. Regardless of the reason, the various means of travel from air, train or road are often congested and difficult. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Other

Unexpected And Expecting Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 26, 2018

The Holy Spirit works quietly within us, bringing new things into being

Unexpected and Expecting Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I had the good fortune of attending a baby shower a week ago. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the advent of this little one soon to enter our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Captives Free

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 29, 2019

Just as God was faithful to Israel by returning them to the land and restoring the nation when all hope had seemed lost; so today, Christ is faithful to transform ashes into a beautiful headdress, a spirit of mourning into the oil of gladness, and a faint spirit into a garment of praise.

A PEOPLE IN EXILE I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Now imagine with me that you are an Israelite during the Babylonian Exile around 2,500 years ago, standing on the bank of the Euphrates River. You look downstream as two priests and a small crowd gather to perform an “Opening of the ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

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

The Birth Of Jesus Christ.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2024

Joseph opened his heart and his home to the Son of God.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. Matthew 1:18-21. Joseph was a dreamer. This was true of the Old Testament Joseph, the son of Jacob, derogatively referred to as “this dreamer” (cf. Genesis 37:19). It was also true of the New Testament Joseph, recognised here as “the son of David” (Matthew 1:20). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational