Sermons on B C P Advent 4:

The Incarnation Of The Word.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 26, 2013

When we recognise Jesus for who He is, we also see something of the glory of God.

THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD. John 1:14-18. 1. THE WORD BECAME FLESH. Having established the connection between faith and being “born again” (John 1:12-13), the Apostle John now explains how that has been made possible. It took nothing less than the incarnation of God Himself (John 1:1). We can ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O Ye His Saints.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 1, 2023

Saints are humble folks who revere the Lord.

O YE HIS SAINTS. Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:22. David was ‘on the run’ from king Saul. Mistakenly thinking that he might find refuge with the Philistines, he only escaped from their clutches by feigning madness (cf. 1 Samuel 21:10-15). Then he hid in a cave. Knowing that David was in this place, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Altered Plans

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2019

Joseph was open to God's instructions and changing his intended actions.

December 22, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matthew 1:18-25 Altered Plans Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Differing translations of the Bible can prompt us to reconsider a passage. For instance, the Good News ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Do Not Be Afraid

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 15, 2021

Mary accepts her bearing the Son of God without fear

“DO NOT BE AFRAID” This is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and we just heard a gospel reading foretelling the conception of Jesus – just two days before we celebrate His birth. The timing of this gospel reading often confuses people – why do we hear about Mary being called to be the mother of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:30-38

Denomination: Episcopal

Sorrow Will Turn To Joy.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2024

"I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice" (John 16:22).

SORROW WILL TURN TO JOY. John 16:16-22. JOHN 16:16a. The sense of John 16:16 seems to be “A little while and ye do not behold Me…” This refers to the fact that within hours Jesus would be arrested, tried, crucified, and buried. JOHN 16:16b. “again a little while, and ye shall see me” brings us ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Safe Place

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 29, 2018

A present trust in our ever-present LORD. He has been with us in all our yesterdays, and will be with us in all our tomorrows.

A SAFE PLACE. Psalms 71:1-6. This short excerpt from Psalms 71 is a strong declaration of confidence in the LORD, based on long experience. Psalms 71:1a. A declaration of present, personal trust in the Personal God. “In You, O LORD, I put my trust.” We cannot trust in the impersonal. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is No Plan B

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Jan 28, 2008

OFTEN, WE HEAR THE TERMINOLOGY: PLAN B. THE BACK-UP PLAN IN CASE THE FIRST PLAN FAILS. HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO THINK THAT JESUS HAD NO “PLAN B” IF HIS PLAN “A” WERE REJECTED? THERE SIMPLY WAS NO PLAN “B” NO OTHER WAY UNTO SALVATION. ACTS 4: 12.

THERE IS NO “PLAN B” TEXT: JOHN 6:60--69 INTRODUCTION: OFTEN, WE HEAR THE TERMINOLOGY: PLAN B. THE BACK-UP PLAN IN CASE THE FIRST PLAN FAILS. ALL BUSINESSES AND MOST POLITICIANS HAVE A PLAN B. AN ALTERNATE PLAN TO GO TO IF ALL ELSE FAILS. HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO THINK THAT JESUS HAD NO “PLAN ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69

Denomination: Baptist

Breathe On Me Breath Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 28, 2023

The remission or retaining of sins is declarative, and belongs to the task of preaching the gospel.

BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD. John 20:19-23. It was the evening of the first day of the week: the day of the resurrection; the first day of the new creation. The disciples met together behind closed doors “for fear” (John 20:19). Fear stifles faith: this is why the Lord and His messengers so ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Burial Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 23, 2023

Two hitherto hidden disciples step boldly forth.

THE BURIAL OF JESUS. John 19:38-42. JOHN 19:38. After the flow of blood and water, a hitherto “secret” (literally, ‘concealed’) disciple stepped forward: Joseph of Arimathea. The “fear of the Jews” (the Jewish leadership, of which he was a part) had prevented Joseph from admitting his ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Annunciation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 5, 2013

The difference between honest questions and unbelief.

THE ANNUNCIATION. Luke 1:5-38. There are a few people in the Bible whose births were announced prior to their conception. In the Old Testament we had Isaac, Samson, and Samuel. In the New Testament we have John the Baptist and, of course, Jesus. The Gospel of Luke commences with the end of 400 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

P***** Off At God Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 30, 2015

Being angry at God is a reality for some believers. Where does this anger come from? What are we supposed to do with it? This inductive sermon digs into those two questions using Naomi's life from Ruth 1-4.

BOOK OF RUTH: “P***** Off At God” Ruth 1:1-4:22 INTRODUCTION… Maggie’s Story http://therebelution.com/blog/2013/08/im-angry-at-god/ #disqus _thread As we begin this morning, listen to the words of Maggie: “…I am so angry at where I have ended up and feel in such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ The King, Our Advent Hope.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 25, 2021

An everlasting kingdom.

CHRIST THE KING, OUR ADVENT HOPE. Daniel 7:9-10; Daniel 7:13-14. Our reading in Daniel needs to be looked at within its own context: that of a dream portraying the chaos of Empire and Empire building, and the cruelty and ultimate futility of it all. In DANIEL 7:9, “thrones have been thrown ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eye Witness News 4 - Bethlehem (Advent 4, 2009) Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Jan 2, 2010

This series approaches the Christmas Story by examining the lives of those present from a very historical perspective. This is week four focusing on the little town of Bethlehem.

Luke 2:1-7 NIV In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 24, 2002

ADVENT 4(C) - Do you hear what I hear - - God’s joyful promises and God’s voice of blessing?

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? LUKE 1:39-45 DECEMBER 22,2002 LUKE 1:39-45 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Who Knows Me

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 13, 2013

The fear and the respect of the ever-present, all-knowing God.

THE GOD WHO KNOWS ME. Psalm 139. What convinced me of the reality of the God of the Bible - “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3) - was not intellectual argument, but personal encounter. This occurred in two phases: first in a sense of guilt and dread at the presence of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational