Sermons on A Advent 1:

Peace

Contributed by John Beehler on Dec 29, 2003

Christmas Series part 2

Peace The Cantata will be performing here at Bethel at 3 o’clock today. We’ve been working on the songs we will be singing for about 2 months now. At the beginning of every practice we warm up our voices because talking all day is different than singing. (give example) I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In The Nick Of Time Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2003

Sermon illustrated by Chrismons: Jesus came at the right time, into a world of spiritual hungers, social unrest, devaluation of life. So He comes to our time, when ultimate questions are being asked, when much seduces us, when we are weak. He will be Lo

Infants, not yet born, seem to have a mind of their own. Infants, not yet born, pay very little attention to the doctor’s predictions, the mother’s preferences, or the father’s fears. When they want to arrive, they arrive; and if they don’t want to emerge into this cold, cruel world, they don’t, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In The Shadowlands

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

The premise of this sermon is that even in the midst of life’s sorrow, there is a depth of joy that abides within us.

Advent III – Joy Luke 2:26-55 In the wonderfully reflective book entitled, The Prophet, one can contemplate these words: The woman questioned the one she called Prophet of God, saying: “Speak to us now of Joy and Sorrow”. And he answered: The same well from which you laughter rises was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:26-55

Denomination: Baptist

Speak To Us Of Love

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

This sermon speaks of the love that came to us through Christ’s birth.

Advent IV – Love Luke 2: 25-38 “Hush-a-bye, lullaby. Hush your weeping, little baby,” the mother sang. And in her tear-filled eyes one would see the love Mary felt for her baby son, this Child of Love. Through this Holy Child, God transcended all time and space, planned a way to come and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-38

Denomination: Baptist

Signs.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 28, 2000

First Sunday in Advent, year C

The Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent December 3rd, 2000 Thank you Lord Jesus for teaching us to use the measure of eternity; to see that disturbances are nothing to fear, rather they are really opportunities for redemption. Amen. Luke 21:25-36 Title: “Signs” After foretelling the end of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Peace Begins Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 10, 2000

Peace begins in the heart, and is not imposed from outside, for discord also begins within; but in a committed relationship there is a matrix for genuine peace.

It had been a long, tiring day. A day full of frustrations. Plans so carefully laid in the morning had been forcefully set aside by evening. Good intentions for a day of accomplishment had been ruthlessly destroyed by many intrusions. Now it was night, and cold, and lonely. No one around. No ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Preparations Series

Contributed by Eric Amundson on Dec 17, 2000

The "Good" of this news!

This passage starts with judgment, and it ends with good news. I hate to tell you this – it’s not very Christmas-sy, but good news will always have to have judgment in it. If there is no judgment in the story anywhere, then there is nothing, “good” about it. It is just news. And so as we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A House Is Not A Home

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Christ comes to dwell in our messy, imperfect homes, just as they are, to build love, not a museum-like perfection.

A house is not a home. A house is not a home. A house is a house, and it may be lovely to look at and fine to visit, but a house, by itself, is not a home. What is the difference? Let me tell you a tale of two houses. These are the best of houses, these are the worst of houses. See if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A King In The Gate

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

David’s emergence from grief over Absalom was marked by his "sitting in the gate" -- a sign of healthy recovery in that he had begun to care for others more than for his own wounds, he had returned to the work of justice, he faced vulnerability, he resumed leadership, he could face his own grief.

I This day the noise of battle, the next the victory’s won. Or so the king hoped. Much was at stake. His own future was uncertain; the nation’s stability was shaky; the confidence of those around him was low; and, most of all, his relationship with his son was in jeopardy. There had been a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Prince Of Peace

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 25, 2001

God’s peace is granted to us through His Son

When I was a young boy growing up we had a family tradition of collecting all our Christmas cards and hanging them on the wall. Of course at that point in my life the most important Christmas tradition was the tree and the presents. But the second strongest childhood memory of Christmas was the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Impact Of The Christmas Baby

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking what impact the Christmas Baby actually has on our lives.

I wonder if you have finished your Christmas shopping yet? I’ve found it fascinating looking to see what "religious" gifts are available. What can you get for that special person which honours the fact that this is, actually, Christmas? What about a Bobble-Head Jesus, specially made to stand on ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Coming Of The King

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the enjoyment and ignorance that surrounds much of the world’s "Christmas" understanding.

I’m looking forward to visiting Middle Earth in a day or two... J.R.R. Tolkein’s "Lord of the Rings" - having been voted top book in the BBC’s "Big Read" - reaches its conclusion in the third cinema film "Return of the King". It’s so tempting to start drawing on Tolkein’s imagery. The conflict ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:16-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeking

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the search by the Magi and encouraging people to join in that search.

Some of the questions people ask about pregnancy - and answers ! Should I have a baby after 35? (No, 35 children is enough.) How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu? (If it’s the flu, you’ll get better.) What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fact Or Fantasy?

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking whether we regard the Christmas story as merely a story, or are there facts which should make us sit up and respond?

Christmas is a wasteful time ! Not a waste of time, but a wasteful time. In 1998 the UK threw away 2.5 billion cards, worth £350 million in the shops. If you stuck these cards end to end they would have stretched 236,000 miles - that’s nine times round the globe! We used a massive 85,000 miles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed