Sermons on Advent Iii:

What Are You Looking For In The Newborn King?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 17, 2004

From the first declaration of a coming deliverer to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15 the hearts of men looked longingly for the Promised One. Each looked for something different in the Messiah. When Christ was born in Bethlehem Israel did not receive what the

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE NEWBORN KING? MATTHEW 2:1-2, 11 INTRODUCTION: With the proclamation of the wise men, “Where is he that is born the king of the Jews?”, all the prophecies of the coming Messiah were brought to mind in the nation of Israel. From the first declaration of a coming ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Birth Of Christ A Time Of Joy"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 17, 2004

There area number of people who at the birth of Christ jump for joy at hearing of his birth.

“Jump for Joy” Luke 2:10-11 “…I bring you good news of great joy.” Luke 1:39-45 There are a number of individuals included in the story surrounding the birth of Jesus the scriptures portrayed as jumping for joy at the birth of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew gives the story from the point of view ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Free Methodist

Immanuel: The Greatest Gift We Never Asked For

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 17, 2004

Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ to a hard hearted king - even without his asking.

Isaiah 7:10-14 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Brings Us God

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 18, 2004

This sermon was preached on the Fourth Sunday in Advent with the basic text being John 1:14, "The Word Became Flesh." It is a message on His Incarnation.

Jes Brings Us God --John 1:1-14 “This is about a modern man, one of us. He was not a scrooge; he was a kind, decent, mostly good man, generous to his family, upright in his dealings with others, but he did not believe in all that Incarnation stuff that the Churches proclaim at Christmas time. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

And You Shall Call His Name Immanuel, Not!

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 20, 2004

We all know the prophecy, but his name was not called Immanuel, it was called Jesus, what happened?

And You Shall Call His Name Immanuel, Not! Denn Guptill Matthew 1:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Now that’s a familiar verse, isn’t it? We hear it every Christmas, We read it with every reading ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Would Joseph Do? Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Dec 20, 2004

As we consider all the things that must have been going through Joseph’s mind before the birth of Jesus, we ask ourselves: "What Would Joseph Do?" I. About a pregnant fiancee? II. About an angelic visit?

Advent 4 Matthew 1:18-25 I have a confession to make. What I am about to tell you is not something that I’m proud of, but it is true, and I feel you should know about it. The fact of the matter is: I’ve watched the Jerry Springer Show a few times. There, I said it. It feels good to get that off my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Rich - Poor - Rich

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Dec 20, 2004

Paul sums up the meaning of the Incarnation in this one sentence: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich."

Rich – Poor – Rich 2 Cor. 8:9 Al Lingren, a professor at Garrett Evangelical Seminary, tells about taking his junior-high-school son fishing years ago. It was one of those days when the fish wouldn’t bite, so the two of them had a lot of time to talk. Out of the blue his junior-high son asked, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Word "Joy" Made Flesh Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Dec 21, 2004

Jesus is our Joy

Advent 2004 December 12, 2004 The Word Made Flesh The Word “Joy” Made Flesh Luke 2:10 What is this thing called Joy? Joy is a rather illusive thing to define. It’s like happiness, but it is much deeper than happiness, it is like pleasure but it is deeper than pleasure. C. Davis in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10

Denomination: *other

The Word "Love" Made Flesh Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Dec 21, 2004

God’s Love Transforms us if we accept it and respond in love

The Word Made Flesh Advent Candle of Love December 19, 2004 The Word “Love” Made Flesh John 3:16 We believe that love can transform us. We see it all the time in movies from romantic comedies where love transforms grumpy people into sappy people to children’s movies where love transforms the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: *other

The Applause Of Christmas

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Dec 22, 2004

Ultimately, the birth of Jesus is about who gets glory. Glory to God!

We haven’t spent too much time thinking about the way things were in the world when Jesus was born. I listened to a talk by speaker Rob Bell this week and I started thinking about what the world was like when Jesus was born. Look at Luke 2:1. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Want For Christmas? Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

Mary receives the announcement that she is going to have a baby. The focus of the message the excitement that comes with anticipating the birth of a child. We’ll explore the excitement and anticipation we have for Christmas. The title of the sermon will b

What do you want for Christmas? Have you made out your list? Have you been shopping to see what you may want this year? We enjoy gifts. I do. I still get excited about opening gifts. Gifts say a lot. They are windows into our soul because they reveal what our true desires are. Gifts tell us that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

The Spirit Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

Mary has to make preparations for the child to be born. In fact, God has to make preparations for the Christ-child to born as well. God has Caesar take a census of all the people and requires them to return to their city of birth. So, Mary and Joseph must

All those preparations! Does your family resemble the Crandles? Did you hear Ann’s to-do list? The to-do lists just gets longer and longer, don’t they. Unfortunately, the number of hours in a day remains the same. So, how will we get all our preparations done by Christmas? How do we prepare for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Methodist

Have A Merry Christmas! Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

The theme will be relationships. This worship experience will focus on our relationships with family and friends. The challenge will be to move from merely going through the activities of Christmas with our family and friends to knowing those we love on a

Last week we learned that the spirit of Christmas is relationships, beginning with our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Today we see that to have a merry Christmas involves relationships with people. It seems that God screams this message to us every year through the writers of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

Over The River And Through The Wood Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

The theme is final preparations. This worship experience will focus on the excitement and stress of the final week before the big event. Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey to Bethlehem. We have last-minute shopping and dinner plans to make. And in

The Crandles are not as bad as we thought. They have decided to have a Merry Christmas by putting forth the effort to get along and enjoy each other. What about you? How are your Christmas plans coming? Are you getting excited? Or, is worry and fear getting a grip on you? As you travel “Over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

"When The Doorbell Rings, Am I Home?" Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Dec 23, 2004

Jesus has made salvation available to all people. Why are not all people saved? When the Doorbell to our heart rings, am I home???

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches December 26, 2004 “When the Doorbell Rings, Am I Home?” Titus 2:11-15 INTRODUCTION: How many of you have already had someone stop by your house at this Christmas season or will sometime before the end of December? How did you know they were at your door? You might ...read more

Denomination: Methodist