Sermons on Advent 1b:

Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 1, 2013

Thankfully, the LORD does offer second chances...

BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE. Isaiah 7:10-16. The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Wait So Long? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 10, 2011

It is hard to wait - so how can we wait for the coming of our Lord?

“Questions of Christmas: How Can I Wait So Long?” Is. 61:1-3; Luke 1:39-56 Waiting is hard. Young children see gifts under the tree and beg to open ‘just one’ early. When told “No, you need to wait!” they respond “I can’t wait that long!” A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting Ready For Jesus

Contributed by Trey Harris on Aug 21, 2012

Zechariah' prophecy predicts the Messiah's coming and his own son's prophetic ministry.

Getting Ready for Jesus Luke 1:67-79 How many of you wind up at the end of the Christmas season feeling empty and unfulfilled? You’ve finished all the shopping and wrapping and gift giving and parties and you’re done with the church and family obligations, the preparation and cooking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

Denomination: Methodist

Are You The One?

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Dec 4, 2019

when John the Baptist hears of Jesus' ministry, he begins to doubt that he is the 'real' Messiah

Matthew 11:2-11 Today we enter the third week of Advent – with it the anticipation of the Birth of Christ. In just a little over one week we will be sitting in this sanctuary celebrating Jesus’ birth. . . the Advent of the Messiah. But today’s scripture is not foretelling the birth of Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Episcopal

Unwrapping Gems In Malachi

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 15, 2020

The love of God is set to avert the curse.

UNWRAPPING GEMS IN MALACHI The “burden” of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi is “I have loved you” (MALACHI 1:1-2). Why has the LORD set His love on His people? Well, according to Moses, He loves us because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)! It is not our love to God that saves us, but ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5-6, Malachi 3:16-18, Malachi 3:10-12, Malachi 3:6, Malachi 3:1-4, Malachi 2:7, Malachi 1:11, Malachi 1:5, Malachi 4:2, Malachi 1:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Announcement Of The King Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 15, 2014

In our series “The Birth Narratives” we are taking note of how each of the Gospel’s introduces the person of Jesus differently. Luke begins his gospel by recording the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth.

Christmas Series – 2014 The Birth Narratives ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Reversal

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 15, 2015

Just when the tree of David seems to be left without hope, without offspring, this Branch emerges to establish justice and righteousness in the world: the LORD our Righteousness.

THE GREAT REVERSAL. Jeremiah 33:14-16. In a double metaphor concerning gardening and building, the prophet Jeremiah was commissioned by the LORD not only ‘to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy and to throw down’ but also ‘to build and to plant’ (Jeremiah 1:10). There was certainly enough ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Week 4: Love - "love: God’s Gift To The World" Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 28, 2023

As we approach the culmination of Advent, our focus turns to the greatest gift of all—love. The birth of Jesus embodies the purest form of love, a love that transcends human comprehension. Let's delve into the profound love found in the incarnation of Christ.

Advent Week 4: Love - "Love: God’s gift to the World" Introduction: Dear friends, as we approach the culmination of Advent, our focus turns to the greatest gift of all—love. The birth of Jesus embodies the purest form of love, a love that transcends human comprehension. Let's delve ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:9-10, John 3:16, Romans 8:38-39, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Mary's Big News (Advent 2, December 4, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 30, 2022

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joachim and told him that he and his barren wife Anna would soon have a child and that they were to name her Mary (Mary 2:9 ...). Today we will explore God’s plan for Mary, God’s plan for us and God’s plan for the lost.

MARY’S BIG NEWS Text: Luke 1:26 – 38 Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, (27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (28) The angel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Advent: The Promise Of Joy Psalm 16:11; Luke 1:39-56 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 10, 2024

Joy is something our world often misunderstands. People search for joy in fleeting pleasures, possessions, or accomplishments. But as followers of Christ, we know that true joy is found in a person, not in possessions or circumstances.

Advent: The Promise of Joy Psalm 16:11; Luke 1:39-56 Theme: Jesus brings joy that goes beyond circumstances. Key Verse: Luke 1:47 – “How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!” Introduction Today, we continue our Advent series by exploring the beautiful truth of joy. Joy is something our world ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56, Psalm 16:11, Isaiah 35:10, Psalm 51:12, Romans 10:15, Luke 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Advent Week 1 - Go! And Hope In The God Of The Impossible - Luke 1:37 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 17, 2025

Advent begins with HOPE—not wishful thinking, not optimism, but confident expectation that God will keep His promises.

Advent Week 1 - Go! And Hope in the God of the Impossible - Luke 1:37 INTRODUCTION – ADVENT BEGINS WITH HOPE Advent is the season when the Church pauses to remember, reflect, and rejoice that God stepped into human history, wrapped Himself in flesh, and came to rescue us. Advent begins with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:37, Luke 1:26-38, Genesis 18:14, Isaiah 9:2-7, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, John 1:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Love Came Down: Experiencing God’s Heart This Christmas (Advent Love) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 11, 2025

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we pause to reflect on the theme of Love—not a vague, sentimental emotion, not the love the world markets in song or commerce—but the love of God that changes everything.

Love Came Down: Experiencing God’s Heart This Christmas (Advent Love) 1 John 4:7–12 (NLT): "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Matthew 22:37-39, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Illuminating The Path Of Advent Joy: Preparing For The Radiant Dawn Of Jesus' Birth Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 14, 2023

This season of preparation is not merely about marking the days until Christmas; it's about preparing our hearts to receive the radiant dawn of Jesus' birth, a dawn that brings with it the promise of eternal hope and joy.

Illuminating the Path of Advent Joy: Preparing for the Radiant Dawn of Jesus' Birth Scripture Passage: Isaiah 60:1-6 (New Living Translation) Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Setting The Stage Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2016

A study of the genealogy of the Christ as presented by Matthew.

MATTHEW 1:1-17 DRAMATIC EVENTS IN AN OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACE: SETTING THE STAGE “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. “Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 2 A Psalm Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Nov 24, 2021

A study of the Psalms of Christmas, will lift our minds and hearts out of our traditional response to the Advent season, by lifting us into the heavenly perspective and purpose of what this season is all about!

I’m going to begin today’s message by having us read the 2nd Psalm, and after the reading we will pray, and I’ll explain why we are in this text this morning: Psalm 2 (KJV) 1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12