Sermons on Advent 1c:

Walking The Road To Bethlehem: Mary Learns She Will Bear The Son Of God

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Why do we remind ourselves of the coming of Jesus? I always wondered that as a child. The reason is very simple: The cares of this world, job, college, family, and the various pleasures of life can crowd out the true center of our lives, which is Jesus.

Welcome, officially to the Christmas season. As we call it, “advent.” Why do we have this season of advent? What is advent? Advent literally means “the arrival.” And specifically, the arrival of an important individual. So this advent season we’re going to be taking a journey, to recall and refresh ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 1:37

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

Tracking The Package Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Dec 14, 2019

I have to say to you the Scripture is quite clear, this is no ordinary package, this is Christ the Lord.

Introduction: Package shipping has come along way. Usually, you receive an email from the seller telling you that your package has shipped, and giving you your tracking number. You go to the carrier’s page and enter your tracking number, and most of them will ask you if you want shipping updates, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-46

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Series

Contributed by Suzanne Wall on Dec 15, 2019

In today's readings, Advent is a promise of joyful disruption.

Joy Last year, I also got to speak for the third Sunday of Advent. But turns out I can’t just repeat that sermon. Last year, the bible passages were about Advent bringing a promise of joyful reconciliation. This year, I’d say the readings are about Advent as a promise of joyful disruption. Isaiah ...read more

What Child Is This?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

Jesus is not just one of many great men in history. His coming is unique, wonderful.

On Wednesday I went down to join the Mother’s Day Out kids for a few minutes and tell them a Bible story. When I was done, Julie Dion wanted to take my picture with the kids, so they crowded around. I told them that my kids were mostly grown up now so I don’t get to have little kids on my lap ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 9:6-7

The Difference A Child Makes: Mary

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

Hear from Mary herself what the Christmas story meant to her.

Good morning! My name is Mary. I am the mother of Jesus. My journey in life has embraced the good and the beautiful and also the painful, but always God has been with me. My son and my savior is no longer with us, but his disciple, John has taken care of my needs and been like a son to me since ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-55

The Gift Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 19, 2019

In Malachi 3:1-4 we see the Father's "Gift of Love" in the promise of His Son through a series of predictions (i.e., announcements regarding the future). In verses 1-4 we can see love from (1) The Coming Lord (Malachi 3:1-2) and from (2) The Purifying Lord (Malachi 3:3–4).

Malachi 3:1-4 [3:1]"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Other

Incarnation. A Miracle To The Max

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 23, 2019

The message explains the magnitude of the incarnation and its ongoing reality.

Title: Miracle To The Max Text: phil 2:5-11 Subject: what does the incarnation really mean theologically? - (tell us about God ...Christmas) Complement: it means God became human...is human...remains human – and also divine. Idea: “he came down from his glory to bring us up to his ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15, Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Sovereign Deliverance: An Exposition Of Psalm 76

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 9, 2020

The LORD gives us peace in the face of our enemies.

Sovereign Deliverance: An Exposition of Psalm 76 Psalm 76 is said to have been written by the sons of Asaph who were a priestly guild in Jerusalem. As such, they were responsible for the conduct of worship at the Temple. We don’t know exactly when this psalm was written, but tradition suggests it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 76:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible