Sermons on C Advent 4:

Love Without Hypocrisy.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 2, 2023

Agape love in action.

LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY. Romans 12:9-16b. In Greek, the first clause of Romans 12:9 has no verb, so could literally be rendered “love without hypocrisy” or “love unfeigned”. So far in Romans, ‘agape’ has spoken of the love of God toward us (cf. Romans 5:5; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:35; Romans 8:39). ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust In The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

Faith cures fretting.

TRUST IN THE LORD. Psalm 37:1-9. PSALM 37:1. Somebody is in trouble, fretting because of the unfairness of life: but the pastor’s responsibility is not to burden the poor soul with a ‘snap out of it’ sort of approach, which often only leads to further despair; but rather to present positive ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Warning Against Complacency

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 8, 2019

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria.

A WARNING AGAINST COMPLACENCY. Amos 6:1-7. Amos was a farmer from Tekoa, to the south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). The LORD called Amos to ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel’ (Amos 7:15). The prophet’s ministry was thereafter directed mainly to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rise Up, Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 31, 2024

"God in His holy habitation" (PSALM 68:5).

RISE UP, LORD. Psalm 68:1-6. PSALM 68:1. Whenever the ark of the LORD set forward, perhaps even as the priests lifted the ark onto their shoulders, Moses would say ‘Rise up, LORD, and let them that hate thee flee before thee’ (cf. Numbers 10:35). Before we proceed with any project, we should ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Adoption Of Mephibosheth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 5, 2025

An illustration of what it means to be adopted into the family of God.

THE ADOPTION OF MEPHIBOSHETH. 2 Samuel 9:6-13. David the son of Jesse, and Jonathan the son of king Saul, were the best of friends. When they parted ways they entered into a covenant in which David vowed to show kindness to Jonathan’s family “for ever” (cf. 1 Samuel 20:14-16). After David became ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:6-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Summons To Resounding Praise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2024

A solemn feast day.

A SUMMONS TO RESOUNDING PRAISE. Psalm 81:1-4. PSALM 81:1. There may be a time for quiet contemplative worship, but this is not it. It is a time of loudness, a time of noise. It is a time of fulness of joy. We are not called to be perfect in our singing, but to “Sing aloud” and “make a joyful ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Touch The Forgotten Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 25, 2002

We need to connect with those that are overlooked.

TOUCH THE FORGOTTEN Luke 2:8-20 S: Honor the Overlooked Th: The Christmas Touch Pr: WE NEED TO CONNECT WITH THOSE THAT ARE OVERLOOKED. ?: Inductive KW: Stages TS: We will find in the story found in Luke 2:8-20 three stages that encourage us to connect with the overlooked. The _____ stage ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Name Above All Names: "Immanuel" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 5, 2004

Jesus/ Immanuel is God’s promise to never leave us nor forsake us; to be with us always!

There are many names given to Jesus in the Bible– each one gives us a fuller and clearer picture of who He is and What He means for us... And so, as we are unpacking the various names of Jesus we are asking ourselves “Who IS this man that we have put our hope in?” The very name Jesus means ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23, Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For Something More?

Contributed by Charles Newman on Dec 11, 2003

Are you looking for something more for Christmas this year? As you see the little girl looking up the chimney, you can imagine her emotion of what else can there be for me?

Looking for Something More for Christmas? by Charles R. Newman Luke 2:14 – 3rd Sunday of Advent Dec. 14th, 2003 We all “expect” certain things for Christmas. Presents/gifts are most likely one of the most expected. Next I believe would be the food. Turkey, ham, dressing, yams, anybody hungry yet? ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Promise In The Darkness

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Isaiah the prophet communicated the prophecy about Immanuel to Ahaz. An angel communicated the promise of Jesus to Joseph. Ahaz responded in fear. Joseph responded in trust.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Most of you are familiar with the story: Joseph had learned that Mary was with child, and he was making plans to divorce her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying to Joseph: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Discover The Christ Whose Way Is Prepared Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 7, 2006

Like John the Baptist, the word of God has come to us and we are called to prepare the way of Jesus.

Luke 3:1-6 “Discover the Christ Whose Way Is Prepared” INTRODUCTION The Word of God came to John in the fifteenth year of the right of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Roots Alive!

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

The premise of this sermon is that sometimes there is much more disappointment in our hearts than hope! Advent’s message through the Prophet Isaiah is that hope is hidden deep within us, safe and secure, and is ready to burst forth in renewed life.

Advent II- Hope It was just this word of hope the people desperately needed to hear--the words that Isaiah wrote about the dry-looking stump with a green shoot growing out of it. The Israelites felt hopeless, in despair. The words Isaiah wrote told of that despairing and proclaimed that the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"Slowing Down For Reflection" Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Mar 23, 2003

We need to slow down in order to assess where we are spiritually.

liff and Saltillo UM Churches First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2002 “Slowing Down for Reflection” Luke 21:25-26 Introduction: When I was growing up, there was a woman at our church who would always say, “STAY ready so you won’t have to GET ready.” She was saying basically what today’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-26, Luke 21:23

Denomination: Methodist

The Gift Of Peace Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To extend the gift of peace to people during a busy time of year.

[S] In just a few more days we will celebrate the most spectacular event in all of human history. The general population calls it Christmas or Winter Break or Happy Holidays, but we know it as the birth of the Messiah. We tend to celebrate the event with the giving and receiving of gifts as ...read more

Scripture: John 2:8-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Light Is Coming! Are You Ready?

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Nov 25, 2008

Can you stand Christ’s Light in your life?

Mark 13:24-37 THE LIGHT IS COMING! - The Light of Advent - The Light of the World THE LIGHT IS COMING TO ALL PLACES - 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. - We can’t get lost THE LIGHT IS COMING TO ALL ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Congregational