Sermons on Advent Conspiracy:

Facing The Lions

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 6, 2016

Daniel faces the lions because of his loyalty to the Lord. In his deliverance God demonstrates that God's kingdom shall never be destroyed.

Introduction We have heard the story of Daniel in the Lion Den since we were wee ones in Sunday school. We learned what it meant to be people of integrity and we were told that God would always be our strength and deliverance. Today is the first Sunday in Advent. We officially begin our ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

"Path Of Life And Wisdom"

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

The Pharisees refused to repent because they thought they were doing everything correctly; if we follow them, we will ignore the most important part of being Jesus' disciples.

Thursday of Third Week in Advent 2016 Joy of the Gospel Listen once more to these words of today's Gospel: “When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

The Best Moment To Repair An Injury

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2023

Forgiveness-based reconciliation is truly a divine Gift.

Third Sunday of Advent 2023 As I’m looking over our reading from this late chapter of Isaiah, almost certainly written during or after Israel’s Babylonian exile, I am struck by the intersection of the promises God makes to us: good news for the afflicted, healed hearts for the brokenhearted, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:19-28, Isaiah 61:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Intermediary? Why Do I Need A Middle Man Between Me And God?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 21, 2023

If I can't fix my own stereo system, how can I build a path for myself to divine union?

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2023 So King David, after surviving his quarrel with King Saul and his thousands of followers, taking Jerusalem, the unconquered city, with the loss of barely any men, and extending his rule pretty much from the “river to the sea,” wakes up one morning in his cedar-lined ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Catholic

Turn On The Light In The Room Of Gloom

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 1, 2025

The whole process would be like turning on a light. And I don’t mean a little candle, but a big flood. If you stumble around in a dark room, you move slowly, hesitantly, and you are guarding against a fall.

Friday of the First Week of Advent 2025 When we hear or read Biblical prophecy, our Western mindset frequently gets confused by the language used. The prophet Isaiah today especially needs to be read with understanding of the form being used. The critical little snippet that is the key to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-31, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 29:17-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

The Child Will Play At The Cobra's Den; The Wolf And Lamb Will Be Neighbors

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 3, 2025

God wants to come to us and with us to write a new story to repair the damage humans inflicted on themselves beginning in the Garden of Eden.

Second Sunday of Advent 2025 Our entrance antiphon today is full of hope and expectancy: “O people of Zion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.” Save the nations. That phrase should open up the minds of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-2, Psalm 72:7-8, Psalm 72:12-13, Psalm 72:17, Romans 15:4-9, Matthew 3:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Reclaiming Your Dreams Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

I’m talking about the definition of dreams that refers to “a condition or achievement that is longed for.” Many such longings… desires… dreams… are a reflection of God in us. .. a part of God’s eternal purpose.

1 Reclaiming Your Dreams June 25, 2006 – Brad Bailey What are your dreams? What dreams did you have as a child for what you could do in the world? There lies in every human life a dimension of dreams (desires) that are a part of God’s eternal plan…often they are silenced and stolen… and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Ye Thankful

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 5, 2005

On Thanksgiving: I am thankful I am not a Butterball turkey. There is one thing, above all, for which I give thanks, the lift of Jesus! Like the great old hymn says, love lifted me

Thanksgiving is a time for expressing our thanks for God’s providence and blessing. I am thankful that teenagers do grow up and eventually have teenagers of their own. I am thankful I am not a Butterball turkey. There is one thing, above all, for which I give thanks, the lift of Jesus! Like the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus Was The Word And Kept It

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 3, 2011

Unlike the first Adam, who heard God

Monday of 2nd Week in Advent 2011 Verbum Domini As we hear the Word of God through Isaiah today, it’s hard to miss the fact that as soon as the words: “God will come and save you” are uttered, blindness and deafness are cured and the deserts become gardens and holiness fills the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Catholic

Faith And Love

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 14, 2013

Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we must learn the interaction between faith and love in the head and heart

Thursday of 3rd Week in Advent 2013 Lumen Fidei The story we have in the first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel is a kind of midrash on the story we read today in the Book of Judges. In both cases a childless couple experiences a miraculous intervention of God to give them a child. But the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Catholic

Orienting Ourselves Toward Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 18, 2010

From earliest times, the Church has worshiped in the direction of the east, toward the coming Christ, rather than toward Jerusalem.

December 21, 2010 Monday of 4th week in Advent Spirit of the Liturgy Isaiah told Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord YOUR God. Ask anything you like.” So Ahaz piously responded, “no, I will not ask for a sign. I will not put the Lord to the test.” And Isaiah, in obvious ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Catholic

The Reinstatement & Restoration Of Peter

Contributed by Diana Ball on Jan 4, 2011

We look at the reinstatement of Peter, using the passage in John 21 as our reference.

After Jesus finished dealing with the physical needs of the Disciples, He then turned to dealing with their spiritual needs. In these verses, we see that Jesus is examining Peter, internally. Peter had repented and been restored to fellowship with the Lord since he had publicly denied Him. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Being Close To The Poor Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 5, 2015

'No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas.'

Thursday of 2nd week in Advent 2015 Joy of the Gospel The passage from Isaiah we just heard is from what is often called “Second” Isaiah, probably a disciple of the original Isaiah who wrote during and immediately following the Babylonian exile. It is full of hope; from this we find ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20

Denomination: Catholic

A Different Kind Of Messiah Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 22, 2014

Jesus Christ was not the Messiah expected by the Jews, but He was exactly what mankind needs.

Christmas Day Mass 2014 Thirteen Days of Christmas “A child is born for us, and a son is given to us; his scepter of power rests upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.” These words from today’s Introit chant are the keynote for our Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:5-6

Denomination: Catholic

Breaking Habits Which Make Us Feel Safe Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 6, 2014

The Church must reach out in mission to those who are in need, whatever their stage of spiritual growth or seeking.

Thursday of 2nd Week in Advent Joy of the Gospel Not everything in the Scriptures is easy for us in the 21st century to understand. That is particularly true in our passages from Isaiah and Matthew today. Isaiah is exaggerating for effect. At the coming of the Redeemer, he says, everything ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-15

Denomination: Catholic