Sermons on Advent 1b:

"journey To Bethlehem: The Paradox Of Blessedness"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 5, 2023

We are blessed when our lives are used for God's good purposes.

“Journey to Bethlehem: The Paradox of Blessedness” Luke 1:39-55 Last week we started our Advent journey to Bethlehem by reading about how the angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and bear a son, and He will be holy and be called the “Son of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: United Methodist

Tis The Season

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Dec 6, 2023

A look at Christmas themes and how they apply to the church.

Tis the Season If you have your bible, please open it to Ecclesiastes 3. We`re going to use a lot of scripture today, but that's where we'll start. One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Mary Did Know

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Dec 6, 2023

Gabriel appears to Mary with news about the birth of Christ

Mary Did Know Luke 1:26-38 Good morning. Think about the song we just sang, “Mary, did you know?”. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Debt. Now What? Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 7, 2023

Church leaders in the first three hundred years rebelled against the Greco-Roman culture of abandoning infants.

No Debt. Now What? December 10, 2023 James 1:27 NIV Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Church leaders in the first three hundred years rebelled against the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 31:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit & Christmas

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 12, 2023

At Christmas, we think about the shepherds, the Magi, the trip of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the murderous plots of King Herod, but we overlook all HE, the Holy Spirit, does.

THE HOLY SPIRIT & CHRISTMAS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Two Aggies moved to a northern Canadian island. At Christmas they boarded a ferry off the island and went deep into the woods on the mainland, searching for a Christmas tree. 2. After hours of subzero temperatures and a few close ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:15-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Word Became Flesh

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 12, 2023

Christmas 2023

THE WORD BECAME FLESH (JOHN 1:14) Unlike the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that explain Jesus’ earthly origins, the gospel of John emphasizes Jesus’ heavenly origins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) He is co-eternal (“in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Angelic Message

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Dec 16, 2023

The angel that appeared to the shepherd told them exactly what they would see in "The City of David"

The Angelic Message Luke 2:8-11 Intro. Our text is verse 11 This has to be one of the most significant and powerful statements in all of the Bible. The angel appears and tells them The Glory of God appears Fear not (they were very (sore) afraid) The I bring good news of great ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Subject: The Christmas Star

Contributed by Risen Roi Calumag on Jan 11, 2024

Introduction The purpose of the star was to authenticate and publicize the incarnation and to draw men to worship the celestial King. Varied speculations about the star’s appearance and searches for a mechanistic explanation violate the very purpose of the gospel narrative.

I. It Was a Guiding Star “The wise men said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (2:2). These wise men, or Magi, would never have been able to find, see, and know the young King Jesus had it not been for the star. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

The Nativity Of The Lord (Christmas)- Little Owl In The Big City

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 22, 2023

The hope of a girl and the hope of the world.

Intro—God became a baby. Comedian Jim Gaffigan posted on Twitter, “My 4-year-old gave me handmade card for Father’s Day. Maybe for Christmas, I’ll draw him a picture of some toys.” -- Little Owl in the Big City is based on a true story that happened in 2020, of a Northern owl found hidden tucked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-21

Denomination: Catholic

The Promise Of Jesus In Simeon

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 30, 2023

Simeon is an old man who is described as “righteous and devout.” What fascinates me about him is his expectancy to see the Christ based entirely on the promise given to him by the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Bradford Reaves CrossWay Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org This morning, I want to take you back to a man only mentioned 1 time in the New Testament. Yet he is someone who fascinates me. Simeon is an old man described as “righteous and devout.” What fascinates me about him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

Denomination: Brethren

Come, Lord Jesus, Just Like Fire

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 30, 2023

Isaiah prays for the Lord to come down like fire and shake things up. What for? It's the Advent Prayer.

12.3.23 Isaiah 64:1–9 (EHV) 1 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and come down. Mountains then would quake because of your presence. 2 As fire ignites stubble and as fire makes water boil, make your name known to your adversaries. Then nations would quake in your presence. 3 You did ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Before This Year Ends, God Will Remember You

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 6, 2025

This year may have tested you. It may have drained you. It may have humbled you. It may have taken things from you. But do not close the chapter early. God is still writing. Heaven is still moving. The story is not finished. Divine remembrance is still possible.

BEFORE THIS YEAR ENDS, GOD WILL REMEMBER YOU There are seasons when the human heart feels forgotten. Not because God has abandoned us, but because the situation has lasted longer than expected. Many people quietly wonder, “Will this year end without a change? Will my prayers remain unanswered? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Joseph's Story Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 8, 2025

An advent series focused on how God crashes our stories and life changes.

God Crashes our Story November 30, 2025 Matthew 1:18-25 Have you ever had your plans blown up? You were planning on a great vacation, but then an illness or injury happened. And everything changed. Maybe you weren’t planning on attending a family function, you know, too much drama, but you did, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Mary's Story Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 8, 2025

When God crashes our stories, life forever changes.

When God Crashed Our Story Luke 1:26-38 December 7, 2025 When I was a resident chaplain my two year residency was coming to an end. So, I applied for other chaplaincy positions. One of them was at a place that specialized in physical rehab, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. I applied even ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah's Answered Prayer Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Dec 8, 2025

Based on Luke 1:5-17 - Challenges hearers to consider that God answers the prayers of His children.

“ZECHARIAH’S ANSWERED PRAYER” Luke 1:5-17 FBCF – 12/7/25 Jon Daniels INTRO – Laine Kiffin last wk. Lots of strong feelings felt. Lots of strong opinions voiced. Lots of strong words spoken. Some of you already had feelings stir up inside you as soon as you heard his name. Be clear: I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-17

Denomination: Baptist