Sermons on A Advent 1:

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

Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon (centred on the lyrics of a Graham kendrick song) asking how much difference Christmas makes in reality.

Most of us will break the law this Christmas ! The list of activities that are illegal to do on Christmas Day is fascinating & ridiculous. These laws have never been repealed and are still officially on the Statute Books: It is illegal to ride or drive to church, and illegal not to attend. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Here I Am Lord

Contributed by Todd Kornahrens on Dec 24, 2005

We can learn a lot from the faith of young Mary when she encounters the Angel Gabriel

One of the aspects of the Christmas Story that always fascinates and amazes me is the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus It shows us the power of our God, that he can change the rules of nature he can do things that have never been done before to accomplish his will That through the gift of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is The Christ For All Time

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Dec 6, 2007

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent, Series A

3rd Sunday in Advent, December 16, 2007 “Series A” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, during this season of Advent, help us to recognize that you are true to your promise to redeem us from our sin and death. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Dominion Of Jesus -- Every Knee Shall Bow

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 8, 2007

Advent. Jesus has total dominion over all things. Paul give us theory of dominion and then practical advice on how to establish Christ’s dominion in our life.

This sermon goes along with the document titled Advent Reading 2007. This is for the second advent reading. A few years ago Sports Illustrated came up with a list of the top ten comebacks of all time, not just in the area of sports, but in all areas of life. Among other items on the list they had ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sacred Peace Series

Contributed by Dan Neary on Dec 10, 2007

For the second Sunday of Advent, we look to what Jesus has to say about peace.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they [the shepherds] were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good ...read more

Scripture: John 16:25-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living In Fear-Provoking Times

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Dec 16, 2007

Jesus is coming to completely save all of His followers from evil oppressors, the terror and the injustice of this world. Place your trust in God, be patient and continue the work of faith. Salvation is coming!

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word. Living in Fear-provoking Times By Rev. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Based On The Evidence Series

Contributed by Jason Duncan on Dec 18, 2007

The third in a series of messages based on the Matthew texts chosen by the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent of 2007.

Judgment and Trouble in the World **The opening illustration is based on pages 299-321 from the book Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides. In the fall of 1849, a fur trapper named James White became frustrated with the slow moving pace of his wagon train along the Santa Fe trail. White, his young ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bethlehem Discovery

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 19, 2007

An Advent sermon, following the theme of an adventure: the plan, the journey, the discovery.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you ever examine the deeper meaning of commonly used words? Take the word “discovery,” for example. It is fairly common in our vocabulary. Someone may say, “The other day I discovered a six-month old tub of cottage cheese in the back of my refrigerator. It ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

I've Got Joy?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Dec 22, 2007

This sermon was preached on Gaudete (Joy) Sunday (3rd sunday in Advent). I wasn’t feeling very joy-filled, though I felt called to preach on joy (and used that hesitancy as part of the sermon focus). It’s my best "grumpy sermon on joy" ever.

It’s been a rough couple weeks for me. My wallet was stolen last Wednesday. My step-grandfather died – two days ago. I woke up feeling sick and lost my voice - yesterday. Almost got stuck in the snow last night. Had to park around the corner and traipse home in the deep snow with the wind whipping ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

All I (Really) Want For Christmas

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2007

Like Joseph, we think we want freedom from embarassment, but we really want love. We think we want an ordinary life, but we really want to be special. We think we want a little support, but we get the presence of the Living God

What do you want for Christmas? I hope there’s somebody in your life who is asking that question. I am not one of those who thinks we should do away with gift-giving at Christmas. Yes, it gets out of hand. And yes, it’s very commercial. But still, gift-giving is a part of the joy of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist