Sermons on Bethlehem In Judea:

The Passion Puzzle Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 29, 2025

Over the course of His time with the disciples, Jesus has been giving clues to help the disciples understand the grand picture of the Gospel.

There is something quite interesting about putting a puzzle together. A single piece provides a little information, but when connected with many or all of the other pieces, the picture comes into view. The Apostle Paul has referred to the gospel as a “mystery.” Just as puzzles need to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Christians And Christmas, Part 2 - Our Traditions Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Nov 29, 2006

Last time we learned that the many and varied traditions that we associate with Christmas in America today are from a variety of nations and faith systems and ethnicities. Today we are going to look at some of the traditions that make up the Christmas hol

As Christmas draws nearer and homes and businesses become more decorated with the symbols of the holiday, I believe it is good for us to pause and reflect on why we do what we do this time of year. Is it simply for traditions’ sake, or is there a more significant meaning? J.I. Packer wrote, “All ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Shepherds?

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.

Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-20 Introduction The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds. Why? Perhaps He wanted the poor and outcast of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For Jesus: Herod Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 3, 2011

Herod the Great waited for Jesus with fear and hatred.

Good morning from the Mediterranean News Network! I’m Aristarchus Vero, bureau chief for Judea, Decapolis, and all the other provinces of Roman Palestine Or, I should say, former bureau chief. My nephew Nikophoros took over a ten-day ago. It was about time, I suppose, I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Celebrating Christmas When The Grinch Shows Up Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 3, 2018

How can you still celebrate Christmas when you're surrounded by troubles? So were Mary and Joseph at the first Christmas, but Christmas still came and God brought healing to their world!

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WHEN THE GRINCH SHOWS UP INTRODUCTION A. CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS A WONDERFUL TIME? 1. This whole month of December we’re looking at Christmas through the eyes of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. So keep an eye out for his green skin! 2. Have you ever had some major plans disrupted and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 2:4-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Top Ten Reasons Why Easter Jesus Is Better Than Christmas Jesus

Contributed by Peter Pilt on Apr 18, 2019

This was a creative way we presented the Easter Story. We looked at the ways that Easter Jesus is better than Christmas Jesus and then decorated the auditorium half as Easter and half as Christmas. It worked very well. This is Part 1.

This Easter at CityHOPE Church we are looking at the top ten reasons why Easter Jesus is better that Christmas Jesus. Now I understand that Christmas and Easter Jesus are the same Jesus…but the point I am trying to make is that the world is more comfortable celebrating a baby in manger rather than ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:15, Luke 2:1-5, John 3:16, Romans 5:7-8, Matthew 26:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Heading To The Feast Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 16, 2021

This message looks at Jesus' final observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus had been avoiding going to Jerusalem since Passover six months before this. We will look at this feast using three time periods designated in the text (beginning, middle, and end of the feast).

“HEADING TO THE FEAST!” John 7:1-52 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ May 16, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/C7Au0CF8tLI INTRODUCTION: 1.) Today’s text in the Gospel of John is in the final year of Jesus’ ministry. A.) By this time, the religious leaders had already decided to kill ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:16, Acts 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The King Long-Awaited Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Nov 27, 2021

Old Testament prophecies build our faith that Jesus is really God's anointed. We look at prophecies which give us the where, when and who of Jesus' birth.

Today we’re starting our Christmas series of talks. I’ve given the series the title ‘NOT YOUR USUAL KING’. After Jesus was born, magi – astrologers – came from the east to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is he who has been born KING OF THE JEWS?’ [Matthew 2:2]. After the magi found Jesus, ‘they fell ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 9:25-26, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas: God Will Turn Things Around For Good

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 14, 2024

Christmas is a time of pressures: decorating, shopping, dinners, loneliness, money pressures, missing our loved ones. Joseph & Mary also had a difficult first Christmas. But we serve a God who will TURN THINGS AROUND FOR THE GOOD!

CHRISTMAS: God Will Turn Things Around for Good Mt. 1:18-25 INTRODUCTION Christmas, instead of being a time of joy, can be a time of great stress. Often there are unrealistic expectations and disagreements. One Poem says... A. “TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” by Tony Cooke and David Beebe 1. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Sickness For God's Glory"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 8, 2010

Suffering always precedes glory

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Orthodox

Your People Shall Be Delivered

Contributed by Charles Scott on Nov 20, 2006

Christ appears many times in Old Testament History to deliver his people even as he comes to day to rescue us from the world, the flesh and the devil.

(Proper 28B) Your people shall be delivered Daniel 12:1-4a, (5-13) Mark 13:14-23 The Lord spoke to Daniel in a vision and said, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Shift, Part 3: Shift Into Action Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Oct 12, 2020

How a law of physics can keep us from fulfilling the Great Commission

Good morning. I invite you to turn to Acts chapter 1 this morning. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Israel, you will see, all over Jerusalem, a very distinctive cross. It is called the Jerusalem Cross. It has been associated with Jerusalem ever since the Middle Ages, when it was adopted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8, Genesis 11:1-4, Romans 15:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Gift Worth Waiting For Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Nov 6, 2001

The second of a four part series with focus on the birth of Jesus

A GIFT WORTH WAITING FOR John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: In Luke, chapter 2, we have the story of Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem and the birth of the Christ child. I would like to talk to you about God and His timing this morning, and how Christmas, more beautifully than any other story, teaches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-6, Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

Our Light Amidst Darkness

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 16, 2018

Our Light Amidst Darkness Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th, 2017 – Brad Bailey

Our Light Amidst Darkness Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th, 2017 – Brad Bailey [Note: These texts were read earlier in service: Isaiah 9:2,6; John 1:4-5,9; Luke 2:8-20] Also – There is more here in notes than time allowed to share…but hopefull is still helpful in offering plenty of ideas one can drawn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Candle Readings

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Nov 10, 2006

Four Sunday’s of Advent Readings - full text, Scriptures, Interpretation, Prayer included. A little different take from traditional. only four readings not five as chrismas eve fall on Sunday. Hope this helps. God bless.

First Sunday Of Advent (Read Scripture) Scripture: Isaiah 9:2, 4-6 Is. 9:2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-6, Isaiah 9:22-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational