Sermons on Advent 1c:

Impact Of The Christmas Baby

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking what impact the Christmas Baby actually has on our lives.

I wonder if you have finished your Christmas shopping yet? I’ve found it fascinating looking to see what "religious" gifts are available. What can you get for that special person which honours the fact that this is, actually, Christmas? What about a Bobble-Head Jesus, specially made to stand on ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Coming Of The King

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the enjoyment and ignorance that surrounds much of the world’s "Christmas" understanding.

I’m looking forward to visiting Middle Earth in a day or two... J.R.R. Tolkein’s "Lord of the Rings" - having been voted top book in the BBC’s "Big Read" - reaches its conclusion in the third cinema film "Return of the King". It’s so tempting to start drawing on Tolkein’s imagery. The conflict ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:16-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeking

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the search by the Magi and encouraging people to join in that search.

Some of the questions people ask about pregnancy - and answers ! Should I have a baby after 35? (No, 35 children is enough.) How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu? (If it’s the flu, you’ll get better.) What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fact Or Fantasy?

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking whether we regard the Christmas story as merely a story, or are there facts which should make us sit up and respond?

Christmas is a wasteful time ! Not a waste of time, but a wasteful time. In 1998 the UK threw away 2.5 billion cards, worth £350 million in the shops. If you stuck these cards end to end they would have stretched 236,000 miles - that’s nine times round the globe! We used a massive 85,000 miles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith Or Fear

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon looking at responses to Jesus - Herod’s fear and the Magi’s faith.

According to the Daily Mail, being here is good for you! In a section entitled "Making the most of your life" the Mail gave 12 reasons as to why this special time can be good for you and why you should rejoice on Christmas Day, one of which was ’Carol Singing’ It stirs the soul and takes us back ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon (centred on the lyrics of a Graham kendrick song) asking how much difference Christmas makes in reality.

Most of us will break the law this Christmas ! The list of activities that are illegal to do on Christmas Day is fascinating & ridiculous. These laws have never been repealed and are still officially on the Statute Books: It is illegal to ride or drive to church, and illegal not to attend. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Deeper Magic Of Narnia

Contributed by David Woodward on Dec 21, 2005

The Deeper Magic of Narnia explains the substitutionary atonement of Christ as portrayed in the book and movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Deeper Magic of Narnia Good morning, children. Are you ready for a story from Pastor Woody? Aslan the Lion created the Land of Narnia. It was a land of beauty and peace, but the White Witch was now ruling. How she came to power, we just don’t know. Why Aslan left the land of Narnia, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Narnia: Finding Hope In The Middle Of Winter

Contributed by Scott Taylor on Dec 21, 2005

How does one find HOPE in a world under the curse? How does one celebrate when winter is so strong? Romans 8 God gives us three reasons to have hope, even if we find ourselves locked in winter.

Finding Hope in the Winter Narnia 2005 Intro: The land of Narnia was under a perpetual winter for over 100 years. The question we must ask ourselves is what was C.S. Lewis trying to portray with this image. The winter is a picture of what the Bible calls The Fall. It is result of Adam and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Here I Am Lord

Contributed by Todd Kornahrens on Dec 24, 2005

We can learn a lot from the faith of young Mary when she encounters the Angel Gabriel

One of the aspects of the Christmas Story that always fascinates and amazes me is the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus It shows us the power of our God, that he can change the rules of nature he can do things that have never been done before to accomplish his will That through the gift of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Tired Of Too Much Church Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 4, 2004

It is easy to be tired of church if church does not connect with integrity, compassion, or fundamental life change. But you will not grow weary if you will work for the good of all.

Several years ago I officiated at a wedding at National Cathedral. At the rehearsal an official of the Cathedral explained why the service would be held in just the Great Choir of the Cathedral, and not out on the main floor, and why we would have to be exactly on-time, no exceptions. He said that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Too Pooped To Pray Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2004

When spiritual exhaustion strikes, we fail to pray. It means that we have not dealt with our control issues, and we compromise principle to save ourselves. But God will give us a sign of His presence, even when we do not ask.

There is a weariness of heart that goes so deep, it puts us in danger of losing our souls. There is an exhaustion of the soul that goes so far inside us that, if someone does not do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, we wiII be lost in despair. There is a weariness of heart, an exhaustion of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

History Of Our Hope

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Mar 23, 2005

Too often we have a tendency to lose hope. We fight battles with each other or face tremendous trials and we just cannot seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel

The History of Our Hope” SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:44 “Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” INTRODUCTION: Advent is the season of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Why Is Jesus The Reason For The Season?”

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Mar 23, 2005

Have you ever seen a sign around Christmas time that said, “Jesus is the reason for the season?”

“Why is Jesus the Reason for the Season?” Hebrews 2:9 QUESTION: Have you ever seen a sign around Christmas time that said, “Jesus is the reason for the season?” You probably have. But when you go out into the stores and malls you see a really different “reason for the season” People running ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:9-23, Hebrews 2:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing The Way

Contributed by Stanley Arnold on Jun 6, 2005

How John the Baptist’s preparation for life and ministry can serve as an outline for our Advent preparation.

Preparing the Way! Mt 3:1-11 Advent is about preparation. Preparation of our houses, meals, presents. It should be preparation of our lives, our hearts, selves. We continue by looking at an individual who knew what preparation was about, John the Baptist. Jesus said in 11:11 “Among those born of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal