Sermons on Advent 1c:

Frankincense For A Holy Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Kevin Barron on Dec 22, 2016

Uses the frankincense that the wise men brought to point out some of the sacrifices that Jesus made in coming to earth.

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, PART 2 FRANKINCENSE FOR A HOLY SACRIFICE MATTHEW 2:1-12 DECEMBER 4, 2016 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C FARM HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HARRISBURG, AR INTRO. Dave Barry, the well-known humorist, has this take on the wise men and Christmas: “Although this is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Myrrh For A Wonderful Savior Series

Contributed by Kevin Barron on Dec 22, 2016

Looks at the gift of myrrh the wise men brought in order to understand the power of what Jesus did for us.

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM, PART 3 MYRRH FOR A WONDERFUL SAVIOR MATTHEW 2:1-12 DECEMBER 11, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C FARM HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HARRISBURG, AR INTRO. Myrrh was the gift of Balthazar of Arabia. But I just don’t get this gift. It had some medical uses. In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Joy ... A Short Christmas Vignette

Contributed by Justin Owens on Dec 24, 2016

A brief vignette about joy as part of a jointly held Christmas service in which four different pastors each spoke of either the Joy, Hope, Peace, or Love of Christmas

Joy – a Christmas Vignette I. Introduction A couple of weeks ago Pastor Gary asked me if I would be willing to speak on one of the “four themes of Christmas.” I was lucky enough to be the first to be asked that, so I was able to pick my topic. I chose “Joy.” To illustrate this, I want to jump ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11

Denomination: Nazarene

The Hinge Of History

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 22, 2019

HINGES ARE IMPORTANT IN JOINING TWO SEPARATE THINGS. JESUS' BIRTH WAS A HINGE OF HISTORY JOINING THE B.C. YEARS WITH THE A.D. YEARS

THE HINGE OF HISTORY LUKE 2:1-10 A VERY IMPORTANT COMPONANT IN VARIOUS FORMS OF CARPENTRY IS THE HINGE. THEY CAN COME IN VARIOUS FORMS BUT ESSENTIALLY HAVE BUT ONE TASK TO DO. HINGES JOIN THINGS TOGETHER. THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND EVEN SOME OF OUR BODY PARTS SUCH AS: KNEE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"Hanging Of The Greens"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 23, 2018

A devotion for a hanging of the greens service.

Hanging of Greens Devotion Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Christmas comes on December 25th, but for many of us it starts long before that. Store displays, the internet, and t-v commercials announce glad tidings of great joy as soon as kids are taking off their costumes on Halloween. On Black Friday, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: United Methodist

"Getting Ready For Christmas: Jesus' Family Tree"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 28, 2018

A sermon for the 1st Sunday in Advent.

“Getting Ready for Christmas: Jesus’ Family Tree” Matthew 1:1-17 The last church I served had an amazing ministry aimed at helping the more than 150 children living—full-time--in nearby extended-stay hotels. We had an after-school tutoring, mentoring and feeding program—not unlike Safe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Prepare His Coming Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 1, 2018

Although we do not know the precise day and hour of Christ's coming, in "Preparing for Christ's' Coming" we must be: 1) Alert (Matthew 24:37–42) and be 2) Ready (Matthew 24:43–44).

Matthew 24:36-44. [36]"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37]For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Other

How To Prepare For Christmas Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 3, 2018

How to Prepare for Christmas Series: Encountering Jesus (though the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey - December 2, 2018

How to Prepare for Christmas Series: Encountering Jesus (though the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey - December 2, 2018 Intro… I have always found energy and excitement in sharing God’s Word …but I’m especially excited today… because we are launching into multiple new seasons…which I will explain more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Family Like Ours

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

We may be tempted to skip over the account of Jesus' ancestry, but it is an important part of the good news of Jesus.

If you had the job of writing up the story of the life of Jesus, one of the decisions you would make would be what to do with the opening paragraph. You know how important the opening is. You want something to grab people’s attention and pull them into reading the whole thing. What would you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:23-37

The Christ In A Manger

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We have heard the story so often that it seems obvious that Christ was born in a manger. But that would have been shocking to the world of that day.

I always enjoy the chance to meet people from different cultures and learn how 2 people from 2 different cultures can look at the same event and see it differently. Years ago, we lived in New Delhi India. Kathy and I had to take a bus to a shop in the old city, so I brought my Bible along to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11-12

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We might read a Christmas card that says "Peace on Earth" and not think anything of it. But the hope of God's peace is revolutionary.

In years past at Christmas time you would see the phrase, “Peace on Earth,” quite a bit. It might be on a banner in a store window or on Christmas cards or decorations in someone’s front yard. We did get one Christmas card with the phrase, but not as many as in years past. As the years go by we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

What Are You Bringing To The Party

Contributed by Darrell Williams on Nov 19, 2019

There are a lot of things that you can bring to any situation, but bringing your best is the ideal gift.

In the movie House Party, Kid (Christopher Reid) is dying to go to a party hosted by his friend Play (Christopher Martin). Unfortunately, Kid has gotten into some trouble with the local bullies at school and, after a note from the principal's office arrives at home, he's grounded by his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Lamentations 3:25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 28, 2019

Luke presents this "Gift of Hope" in Christ through: 1) The Divine Messenger (Luke 1:26), 2) The Divine Choice (Luke 1:27), 3)The Divine Blessing (Luke 1:28–30), and 4) The Divine Child (Luke 1:31-33).

Luke 1:26-33 [26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27]to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Other

Joy Born At Christmas

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Dec 11, 2019

The prophet Isaiah teaches us about joy born at Christmas: to encourage joy in others, to receive joy's healing, and to pursue joy in community. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

Isaiah 35:1-10 Joy Born at Christmas We concluded last week’s service with the great carol, “Joy to the World.” Joy is a distinctly Christian trait. It goes beyond happiness. Someone once said, “Happiness comes from happenings, but joy comes from Jesus.” Your happiness may fluctuate up and down, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10, Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Joy Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 13, 2019

1) Joyful Pardon (Isaiah 12:1-3), responding with a 2) Joyful Proclamation (Isaiah 12:4-5) and finally because of the 3) Joyful Presence of the Messiah Himself (Isaiah 12:6).

ISAIAH 12:1–6 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. 2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6

Denomination: Other