Sermons on Advent Prepare:

To Welcome The Child Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

This sermon looks at how Mary and Joseph welcomed the Christ child into their lives and the implications for our lives and our Christmas

To Welcome the Child Luke 2:21-40 Norman Vincent Peale writes of spending Christmas in Africa with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was hesitant but his wife told him he would love every minute of it. And yet, as Christmas day approached he was troubled because everything Christmas was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Methodist

The Difference A Child Maakes: Zechariah Discovers Hope

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

What would Zechariah say if he were suddenly dropped in our world? Perhaps he would tell us about his struggle to maintain hope and how God came and met his deepest longings.

Good morning. My name is Zechariah. I understand from your pastor that you observe this day as the Second Sunday in Advent and that you are preparing yourselves for the birth of the Messiah. Well, I was there when God was first preparing Israel for the Messiah. And so your pastor asked me to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-17

Ready Or Not

Contributed by David Hicks on Nov 15, 2006

Ready or not, Jesus is coming again and the wise person will be prepared for His imminent return.

READY OR NOT Matthew 25:1-13 Are you ready for Christmas yet? It is hard to believe, but the big day is only a little over 5 weeks from now. This can be one of the most frantic times of the year for people. As we busily make preparations for sending Christmas Cards, buying presents, setting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Holiness

Something To Talk About Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 23, 2024

As if the pregnancies of an elderly woman and an unwed teenager weren’t enough to talk about, the birth of John sparks speech in ways that should encourage us to verbalize things about our faith as well.

Edit sermon notes Copy text In 1991, Bonnie Rait released a song entitled “Somethin’ to Talk About.” It became her highest ranking song on the billboard lists - topping out at #5. This song also became instrumental in helping her win a grammy. The song addresses rumors that had been going around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Thought His Prayer Was Not Answered Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 3, 2011

Zechariah prayed, and thought his prayer was not answered. God, however, not only heard his prayer, but answered in a way he could never have imagined.

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Wise Bow Now

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Dec 19, 2024

4th Sunday of Advent 2024. Looking at the wise men who came and worshiped Jesus

The Wise Bow Now Text: Matthew 2:1-23 If you would, please take your Bible’s and open them up to Matthew chapter two. I mentioned to you last Sunday that we don’t know the exact year and month that Jesus was born, and that it wasn’t really that important in the larger scope of things. We know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23, Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What If Christ Would Have Not Come? (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Dec 20, 2013

The good news that Jesus was born and lived and died and rose again!!

Matthew 1:23-“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” If Christ had not come, the world would still be in darkness. If Christ had not come, we would not know what love is. If Christ had not come, there ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not An Easy Hike

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

I received my first 50-mile badge about 1969 hiking up in the Lassen National Park. The first day we hiked 5.5 miles up a hill and it took us 5.5 hours.

I received my first 50-mile badge about 1969 hiking up in the Lassen National Park. The first day we hiked 5.5 miles up a hill and it took us 5.5 hours. It was so steep a climb that the switchbacks were no more than 10 apart at their widest point. Our packs were heavy too as we had all 9 days of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Zechariah - In The First Person

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 12, 2016

An advent sermon about the life of John the Baptist and his parents as told from his Father Zechariah's perspective

Title: Zechariah - in the first person Text: Luke 1:5-25 and 3:1-20 Big idea: “May our prayers rise to heaven like incense.” It’s been 400 years since we have heard from a prophet. And as a result, things have been upside-down in our nation for far too long. We have long suffered under the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zechariah's Christmas Chorus Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 4, 2011

We can't help but sing when we see God's plan of salvation.

Zechariah’s Christmas Chorus Rev. Brian Bill Luke 1:67-79 12/4/11 [Play a few notes and lyrics from popular Christmas Carols and have people guess the song] We’re kicking off a seasonal sermon series today by focusing on the very first Christmas carols. The tradition of singing at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

Denomination: Baptist

So What Do We Do Series

Contributed by John T Brantley on Dec 17, 2015

Our Response to a Call to Repentance Opens our Hearts to Christ

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"God Incarnate.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 16, 2001

First Sunday in Advent Year A. December 2, 2001 Psalm 122 Title: “God incarnate.”

First Sunday in Advent Year A. December 2, 2001 Psalm 122 Title: “God incarnate.” Psalms one hundred twenty to one hundred thirty-four, are commonly called Songs of Ascent, sung on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the three major annual festivals- Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Psalm 122 is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Pray Like You Mean It (Acts - Part 21) Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Jan 15, 2005

Four Ways to Prepare yourself for prayer...

How to Pray like you mean it Acts Series: ¡§Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian¡¨ Part 21 Pastor Jeff Christopherson June 8, 2003 Acts 12:25-13:12 FOUR WAYS TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR PRAYER: ¡§Prayer does not enable us to do greater work for God. Prayer is a greater ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rededication Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Nov 25, 2000

Israel undertakes preparation for rededication and worship.

Rededication Nehemiah 12:27-47 I. Preparation for Rededication (27-30) A. Worship (27-29) B. Purification (30) 1. Fasting & Prayer 2. Bathing b. Confession c. Cleansing d. 1 John 1:9 II. Procession of the Rededication (31-43) A. 2 choirs for worship (32-42) B. Sacrifices ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 12:27-47

Denomination: Baptist

Be Ready - Persevere

Contributed by Norm Story on May 18, 2001

The challenge of faithfully living prepared and ready

"Be Ready – Persevere for the Long Journey" Psalm 78:1-7 Matthew 25:1-13 When I was a Boy Scout, I remember how the younger scouts struggled and suffered on long hiking-camping trips; because they always seemed to bring so much of the wrong stuff. They’d come loaded down with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-38, Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed