Sermons on Anticipating Advent:

"Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus": The King Was Expected Series

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 3, 2012

Matthew reminds his readers that the coming of Jesus was anticipated for centuries.

Sing We Now of Christmas 2 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”: The King was Expected Matthew 1:1-17 Introduction: Christmas is a time of expectations. We expect family to be together for better or worse! We expect to get a gift and sometimes even have expectations for that gift thus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Anticipation Of Christ's Return Is A Vital Encouragement To Live Holy

Contributed by Clarence Clough on Aug 24, 2013

The return of Christ to earth

ANTICIPATING HIS RETURN TEXT: John 14:3 (KJV), "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also." INTRODUCTION: "Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today."__Sandra ...read more

Scripture: John 14:3

Denomination: Church Of God

Fourth Sunday Of Advent, A--Four Advent Annunciations

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 8, 2022

To all the Marys everywhere; to all the Josephs everywhere; to all the Pauls everywhere; and to even all the Ahazes everywhere.

There are four annunciations or announcements in our Gospel this Sunday. 1. To all the Marys everwhere— Mary’s Annunciation— reminds me of an advertising slogan for a shoe company that says, “No great story starts, “it was cold, so I stayed in.” In classical Greek and Roman mythology every ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

First Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Hope

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 5, 2023

Optimism is an assessment. Hope is an act.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?" 1 Advent is not a penitential season; it’s a period of devout and expectant delight, yet we intuitively understand that it is not possible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

Second Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Voices

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 11, 2023

Squander yourself for hope in Christ.

A three-year-old was helping his mother unpack their nativity set. He announced each piece as he unwrapped it from the tissue paper. “Here’s the donkey!” he said. “Here’s a king,” and “Here’s a camel!” When he finally got to a one-piece tiny infant molded to his crib, he proclaimed, “Here’s baby ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Another Essential Christmas

Contributed by John Huyser on Jan 3, 2023

Compared to the other Gospels, John's version of the Christmas story is far more cosmic in scope and captures much of the Old Testament anticipation.

Building the day after Thanksgiving, more than any other holiday, the pending arrival of Christmas marks the start of a marathon. By the time December 25, Christmas Day, rolls around, Christmas Day, the finish line is in sight. Except this year, a well-timed blizzard forced us to pause. The ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Detained, But Not Defeated Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 9, 2017

With Peter in prison, the church prayed continually for his release. When God answered their prayers, they lacked faith to believe. We can overcome in Christ, but we must possess faith to believe the Lord will provide.

Detained but not Defeated Acts 12: 1-16 Our text deals with an intense time for the early church. God was clearly at work, and the church was growing. Thousands had been saved by the grace of God and the church’s influence was spreading. Such growth created much concern for the religious ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Did You Expect?

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Sep 10, 2011

Are you expecting today? Are you anticipating something from the Lord? If you are expecting something – you will receive it. But if you are expecting nothing…. You will receive it! If you expect something today – I hope that your expectation comes fr

Psalm 62:5-7 “[5] My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation [is] from Him. [6] He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [He is] my defense; I shall not be moved. [7] In God [is] my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, [And] my refuge, [is] in God”. [NKJV] Are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-7

Blessings In Bethsaida Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 11, 2017

As Jesus came into the area of Gennesaret, word quickly spread that He had arrived. The entire region sought Him, bringing the sick unto Him by faith. We need to spread the word about Jesus, and point others to Him.

Blessings in Bethsaida Mark 6: 53-56 Our text today immediately follows the miraculous, and yet frightening night the disciples had spent upon the sea. While we too would likely have responded much the same or worse, we cannot overlook their lack of faith. Jesus had commanded them to get into the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Baptist

Advent: Navigating The Path To The Radiant Dawn Of Christ's Birth Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 14, 2023

Advent - our hearts are filled with anticipation, and our spirits are attuned to the profound hope that Advent brings. Our focus turns to the central theme of this season — the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Advent: Navigating the Path to the Radiant Dawn of Christ's Birth Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace to you on this blessed third Sunday of Advent. As we gather today, our hearts are filled with anticipation, and our spirits are attuned to the profound hope that Advent ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 3:3, Matthew 1:23, 2 Peter 3:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Advent - Guess Who's Coming For Dinner?turning Advent Into Adventure.

Contributed by John Gullick on Dec 8, 2004

A sermon about preparing oneself for the coming of Christ at Christmas and into our lives in General.

Some years ago there was a popular wall hanging that hung in many homes it said. Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest at every meal the silent listener to every conversation. Guess who’s coming for dinner. In 1967 there was a acadamy award winning movie called guess who’s coming ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

1 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

The start of Advent

23 Pentecost B Mark 13:1-8 / Hebrews 10:11-25 19 November 2000 Such a text. Wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, family discord, signs of the end of the world. Could be the nightly 11:00 news. We’ve heard it and seen it all. If we were of a ceratin theological bent, we would talk about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Lutheran

2 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

John the Baptist declares, "It is time!"

This is a great text. The majesty of the writing -- what would Christmas be without the Christmas text from Luke? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus . . . ." All the names and dates. Historical details that make the story come alive. The event, marked in time and place -- in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

3 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

"You brood of Vipers!" and still they come.

What do we do with this John the Baptist? Here is the third Sunday in a row with him. Such a strange man. "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Heaping abuse on the people. And still they came in droves to be baptized. John had that charisma that attracted people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

4 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

"My Soul magnifies the Lord"

Here we are on the fourth Sunday of Advent. The morning of Christmas Eve. It’s hard not sliding right into Christmas. Snow, the excitement, the baby to be born, the manger, the Shepherds -- the whole nine yards. Christmas as we have come to know and love and expect. Gifts under the tree, a feast -- ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran