Sermons on Advent 1b:

Three Good Reasons To Say 'no" To God

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

Mary had many good reasons to say 'np' to the message from the angel. But she chose the wisest answer to say to God. She said 'yes.'

I love the quote that you’ll see printed on the front of your bulletin. Martin Luther was the one who said it about the Christmas story. "There are three wonders here: one, that God should become a man; another, that a virgin should bear a child; and third, that Mary believed. And the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

God's Amazing Love

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 16, 2019

Making sure that we don't misinterpret to intensity and the power of the love of God.

Today is the 4th and last Sunday of Advent. So far this season we have heard about the Hope that God gives us in knowing that what we see here around us is not all there is and that God has so much more in store for us. That’s definitely something to HOPE for. The 2nd week of Advent we heard ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

Putting The World Right Again

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

Mary had pretty impressive understanding of what God was doing as she treasured in her heart the thoughts about the baby in her womb

This morning we’ll continue following the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary, the mother of Jesus, an amazing young woman. Think with me about what must have been going through Mary’s mind and the emotions she felt in the early months of her pregnancy with Jesus. She had seen an angel who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:29-36

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

The Babe Has Come, The King Is Coming Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Dec 17, 2019

This is our third Advent sermon of 2019. In this sermon we continue looking at Isaiah 9 and how Jesus being fully man and fully God makes Him the only One qualified to be both our Mediator and Savior

Advent 2019 (Pt. 3) Text: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:4-12 This morning we’re returning to our Advent series… and we’re going to be looking once more at Isaiah chapter 9, but also I’m going to have you turn to Luke 2 as well… And while you’re opening your Bibles up to Isaiah, let me just remind you of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:4-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

The Impossible Surprise Series

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jan 5, 2019

Our God is a God of Impossible Surprises

The definition of the word advent is the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In the Christian church Advent is the first season of the church year that includes the four Sundays before Christmas Eve. Advent is a time for us to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-66, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: United Methodist

"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

Anticipating Christmas

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Nov 29, 2016

The Birth of Jesus was foretold centuries before He was born.

Anticipating Christmas November 27, 2016 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: The Birth of Jesus was foretold centuries before He was born. Focus Passage: Isaiah 9:1-7 Introduction: For the past several years, I just haven’t been in the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 4, 2016

The Good Shepherd enables His sheep to have peace with God because He: 1) Dies for them (John 10:11–13), 2) Loves them (John 10:14–15), and 3) Unites them (John 10:16–21).

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he has chosen retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, to be secretary of defense. He has said that responding to “political Islam” is the major security issue facing the United States. Like Trump, Mattis favors a tougher stance against U.S. ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-21

Denomination: Other

Slaughtering The Innocent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2016

A homily considering the choice we must make when Christ comes near.

“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Jesus You Need

Contributed by Andre King on Dec 22, 2016

While the Baby Jesus of Christmas is important, Jesus pointed to another time in His Life as necessary for the benefit of man

• IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE A CHILD. ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR! • THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS...SANTA CLAUS, GIFTS, FAMILY COMING TOGETHER...ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SEASON! • IT'S EASY FOR CHILDREN TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS. • EVEN SWEETER STILL TO BE A BABY AT CHRISTMAS ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-5, Galatians 2:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepare!

Contributed by John Oscar on Feb 8, 2017

Preparing our hearts for the wonder of Christmas

Prepare WHAG December 18th, 2016 Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5 You’ve probably noticed that we are doing the Christmas season a little different this year. We are celebrating the Advent Wreath, focusing more on prayer and meditation during the service, and trying to focus more on the real reason for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Characters Of Christmas: The Angels Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Nov 20, 2017

A look at the angels around the manger.

Let’s talk about angels. The prominence of angels in the Christmas story is obvious, from the Christmas card we send, to the decorations on our trees, to the adornment of our yards, we’re surrounded by angels. We even have an angel hanging in our front yard here at FUMC in the Nativity scene. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:20-24, Luke 2:9-15

Denomination: Methodist

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