Sermons on Decoration:

The Kingdom Of Heaven

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Aug 24, 2011

What did Jesus mean when He said that the Kingdom of Heaven is NEAR? It is WITHIN us, AROUND us and BEFORE us.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries in Southeast Asia, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas. Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:13-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Hope Of Christmas

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 6, 2011

Jesus is the reason for the season...and the reason He came was to give us eternal life.

THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS LUKE 2:7; 21:27 Danish Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard tells the following story: Once there was a king who was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was not happy because he wanted a wife. Without a queen, his vast palace was empty. One day, while ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7

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

Be My Valentine

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Jul 17, 2010

Love -

Be My Valentine John 3:16 I was thinking about love this week. I don’t know what made the subject cross my mind…. The stores have had valentine’s day decorations up since at least New Year’s. I was a little shocked when I saw them but, I was able to ignore that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Congregational

An End To Darkness Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jul 20, 2010

Have you ever noticed how much darkness surrounds the Christmas story – how much happens in the dark?

An End to Darkness Isaiah 60:1-7; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI December 14, 2008 Advent Series 2009 This may sound a little strange, but I have always associated darkness with Christmas – physical darkness, I mean. All my childhood memories of Christmas seem to have ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Examining Our Roots

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 26, 2008

Being tooted in God’s Word and Will results in a blessed life.

Title: Examining Our Roots Text: Psalm 1 The Big Idea: Being rooted in God results in a blessed life. Introduction Roots… in 1977 we were introduced to the Roots made for TV Mini-Series based on the book written by Alex Haley. It is the story of an American family that began in the year ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Word Play Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Dec 10, 2008

While most Nativity plays at our SS Christmas programs focus on Matthew and Luke, this Word Play is found in John. It tells the story of Jesus’ birth from Heaven’s point of view.

WORD PLAY One of the great highlights of the Advent season is watching our Sunday School students re-enact the Nativity. I remember as a child myself how on Christmas Eve we would have our Sunday School program, receive our goodie bags and go home to open presents. The Nativity play was a central ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Mennonite

His Kingdom, His Will Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 18, 2010

When we pray, we seek God's kingdom and God's will to be done.

“His Kingdom, His Will” Matthew 6:10 March 29, 2009 I am indebted today for several thoughts to Timothy Peck, a California pastor; his excellent insights were a help in today’s message. As we said last week, I begin my praying, not with a focus on myself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Views Of The Cross-Roman Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 14, 2009

While we view the cross as a symbol of victory the Romans would have viewed it as a tool for deterring rebellion

View of the Cross February 24, 2008 Views of the Cross: Roman When we picture the cross we see life. We celebrate the cross because for us it is a symbol of victory. For us the cross means our sins are forgiven. We are made right with God. Through the blood that was shed on the cross we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:27-29

Denomination: *other

Expectations Across The Pond

Contributed by Quint Pitts on Dec 9, 2009

This sermon examines the expecations surrounding the arrival of the Messiah. It is designed in Antiphonal format with Christmas carols interspersed throughout.

EXPECTATIONS ACROSS THE POND Christmas Around the World—Part 1 In other parts of the world you might find yourself celebrating Christmas by skiing down a mountain side with a lighted torch in your hand…strewing hay on the floor of your home…knocking on a neighbors door in a symbolic pilgrimage. ...read more

Denomination: *other

Kingdom Investors Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

Kingdom Investors have the right priorities. Jesus says we are to “Seek first the kingdom of God.” That means the first value of our lives is to invest in the building of the kingdom of God.

Kingdom Investors Matthew 6:19-34 John Hess-Yoder writes of serving as a missionary in Laos. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas. Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-33

Denomination: Methodist

The Adoption That Changed The World

Contributed by Jeffery Russell on Dec 24, 2007

An adaptation of another contributor, with personal applications and illustations

The Adoption that Changed the World Matthew 1:18-25 Christmas changed in a hurry for Mike and Tiffany Bailey from one year to the next. In 2001, their neat house with the white picket fence was fairly quiet. Like all of their past Christmas seasons, Mike and Tiffany had gone to parties, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Dark Christmas Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Jan 21, 2008

The Magi - gentile are invited to be a part of the family of God.

Dark Christmas Matthew 2:1-12 Well, like Christmas, this “perspective series” is coming to an end. I hope that won’t mean that you feel like you can put what you have heard away in a box, like decorations, until next Christmas. The Christian point of view is just not that way. Christians ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Congregational

The Horoscope Of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 2, 2007

What must Mary have thought when she first opened the door and found a group of Iranian astrologers, there to celebrate the birth of her son?.

The Xmas season is over! We’ve wished each other a Merry Xmas AND a Happy New Year, and now the festive season is PAST. The holidays (for most of us) are over. The time for singing carols and wishing peace and goodwill to all is finished. The presents have been handed out. The cards have all been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

It Doesn't Seem Like Christmas Series

Contributed by Travis Markes on Jan 17, 2007

Sermon #3 for the Christmas series Shopping for a Savior.

“SHOPPING FOR A SAVIOR” SERMON #3: “IT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE CHRISTMAS” LUKE 2:8-20 President John F. Kennedy’s goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the 60’s decade launched the space program and our imaginations. Everyone seemed caught up in the hope and the reality of human beings ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist