Sermons on Advent Joy:

"Breaking News"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 3, 2005

A sermon for the second Sunday in Advent.

Mark 1:1-8 “Breaking News” By: Rev. Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org “We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this ‘Breaking News.’” These are the kinds of words that cause us to sit up, call our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

The Song Of Mary Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Dec 4, 2005

The song of Mary can become our song too as we allow the Holy Spirit to form Christ in us.

THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS: The Song of Mary Luke 1: 46-56 1. If we were to compile a list of as many songs of Christmas that we know or have heard, I imagine we would be able to come up with quite an extensive list. • I did a search on Yahoo under the keywords songs of Christmas and it pulled up 55 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Denomination: United Methodist

The Boy Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 4, 2005

The mystery of the incarnation helps us to know: 1. God’s strength is in his apparent weakness. 2. Jesus understands the human condition. 3. God’s desire is to be with us.

A new trend is literally turning a longstanding Christmas tradition on its head. Hammacher Schlemmer, a retail company based in New York, is offering a unique yuletide decoration: the Upside-Down Christmas Tree. The tree is seven feet tall and pre-lit with over 800 commercial grade lights, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:39-52

Denomination: Methodist

I Met John The Baptist At Yoder's Department Store

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 5, 2005

John gives some advice for this season of Advent: hold a baby, wonder, and look to the stars.

I Met John the Baptist at Yoder’s Dept. Store Mark 1:1-8 December 4, 2005 Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to meet John the Baptist? I’ve always thought that he would be an interesting person to get to know. He walked around the wilderness in camel skin eating bugs and tree bark, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Conceived By The Holy Spirit, Born Of The Virgin Mary

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 8, 2005

Why do we hold to the Virgin Birth and what difference does it make?

In the TV show Thirtysomething Hope, a Christian, argues with her Jewish husband, Michael, about the holidays. Michael exploded…. “Do you really believe an angel appeared to some teenage girl who then got pregnant without ever having sex and traveled on horseback to Bethlehem where she spent the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting Ready For Christ To Come

Contributed by Billy Cox on Dec 8, 2005

We do a lot to get ready for the coming of Christmas. Shouldn’t we do more to get ready for the coming of Jesus?

Getting Ready For Christ to Come Mark 1:1-8 Introduction: How do you get ready for Christmas? Lots of folk start by buying a tree and decorating it. I’ve noticed retailers starting earlier and earlier. This used to it was after Thanksgiving (Macy’s parade being the kick-off) and then it began ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Narnia: Merry Easter (And Happy Christmas)

Contributed by Todd Anderson on Dec 8, 2005

A Christmas Eve or Christmas Day sermon or homily using an extended illustration from "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" to show how many miss(ed) Christ’s first coming and how we need to be ready for his Second Coming in power.

Title: Merry Easter! (a Christmas eve or Christmas day homily) While bagging groceries years ago in a supermarket during highschool I found it fun to mess with customers minds and say things like: “Have a Day! And hear them automatically respond: “You Too!” It was especially fun around the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Sound And Blameless

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 9, 2005

How should Christians live in preparation for the coming of the Christ?

Sound and Blameless – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 28 Intro: It has been particularly difficult getting ready for the Christmas holidays this year. Usually, I have the Christmas trees up by the week after Thanksgiving. That didn’t work this year because we were having new carpet installed. --- So ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Seeking God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 10, 2005

Christmas reveals a seeking God, who endeavour to speak to us, and a sacrificial God, who is willing to sacrifice for our good.

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 2:5-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Highway Construction

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 11, 2005

Repentance is about preparing the way for our Lord, for the King. This Advent sermon uses the metaphor of road work to explore repenting of sin and unforgiveness.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, the second Sunday of Advent belongs to John the Baptizer…the one whose job it was to announce the imminent coming of the Christ. In all four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the ministry of John the Baptizer prepares the way for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Christmas Gift

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Dec 12, 2005

We celebrate Christmas because of God’s gift..His only begotten Son

This year I have experienced many firsts. Last week was my first Karaoke. It was fun! Some of my English students took me and we had a great time. We sang Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Carpenters, Elvis Presley songs of many years ago. My students also sang a couple of Enca songs. I liked ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Mystery, A Miracle And A Total Life Make-Over

Contributed by Bob Hunter on Dec 14, 2005

Mary gets a lot of attention in the Christmas story, but what about Joseph? Video clip suggestion. Easy to use outline and narrative.

A MYSTERY, A MIRACLE AND A TOTAL LIFE MAKE-OVER. Matthew 1:18-25 Video clip suggestion: “Joseph’s Quill” available at www.sermonspice.com Opening Ilustration: My wife Cambria and I have been blessed with three wonderful kids. We love them equally. They are hilarious to watch. Looking for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Holiness

God Comes Near

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 15, 2005

What happens to us when God comes near.

God Comes Near Luke 1:26-38 Sermon by: Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church Dec. 11, 2005 *Christmas is a time when God came near... -And God comes near today. *Joe McKeever told the story of a little girl named Rachel -Like many preschoolers, Rachel had a problem waking up in the middle ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

An Unwanted Gift: When God Messes Up Your Plans Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Dec 15, 2005

Chrismtas Realities - Part 4. What happens when God interrupts your plans and your world gets turned upside down?

AN UNWANTED GIFT: WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS Christmas Realities – Part 4 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005 Luke 1:26-38 INTRODUCTION: As the Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement age starting next year we are no longer talking about a baby boom, but about a baby bust. In fact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

God Spoke, Mary Listened

Contributed by Steve Ferber on Dec 17, 2005

When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, Mary responded with a willing heart.

*A few days ago the president of Iran shocked the leaders of the world when he said that the Holocaust was a myth used by the Europeans to create a Jewish state. 6 million Jews weren’t really murdered during WWII. So Israel really has no right to exist. In fact, Israel should be “wiped off ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran