Sermons on First Sunday Of Advent:

The Impossible Surprise Series

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jan 5, 2019

Our God is a God of Impossible Surprises

The definition of the word advent is the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In the Christian church Advent is the first season of the church year that includes the four Sundays before Christmas Eve. Advent is a time for us to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-66, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Building An Expressway To God

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jun 15, 2009

There is good news for those how feel far away from God right now. Preparing for the coming of Christ through repentance. Second Sunday in Advent, year B.

[Preview the Isaiah reading with a description of what Isaiah is writing to. Isaiah wrote hundreds of years before Jesus at a time when his people, God’s people, were threatened by destruction from a foreign nation. God saved them, but the warning from Isaiah and other prophets of that time was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

First Things

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Jan 21, 2004

At the first of the year it seems good to think of the “first things” God wants us to do. Following are most of the NT scriptures with the word “first” in them.

FIRST THINGS Matthew 6:31-34 and other Scriptures Intro One week a Sunday school teacher had just finished telling her class the Christmas story, how Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem and how Jesus was born there. So the teacher asked, "Who do you think the most important woman in the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-34, 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Born Of The Spirit (Trinity Sunday) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on May 29, 2021

This is the first Sunday after the Pentecost. Trinity Sunday is the beginning of the Year. So this sermon is a journey. It is also the church’s birth story and as some have said the mini Bible sermon.

Main text: Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although the word “trinity” does not appear in Scripture, it is taught in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (and many other biblical passages). The concept of the trinity ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"expectation Sunday"

Contributed by John Huyser on May 24, 2023

Our passage appears to be at first mere filling in the middle - sandwiched between two of God’s greatest actions in the Bible. The majestic ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven and Pentecost Sunday.

The passage we just read is sandwiched between two of God’s greatest actions in the Bible. The majestic ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven and Pentecost Sunday. From there, the book of Acts encompasses nearly 30 years of history -- We see everything from transformational preaching and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26

Glory To God In The Highest Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 16, 2002

Fascinating and rarely heard insights to the details of that first Christmas provoke a spirit of true worship.

BULLETIN INSERT NOTES: The Date of Christ’s Birth By Ed Vasicek In 525 A.D., Dionysius, a Scythian monk, was asked to determine the year of Jesus’ birth. He did the best job he could. He determined that the Roman year 754 was the Christian year “1 A.D.” Although Dionysius’ effort is to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 13:55-57

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Twenty-First Sunday-- In Ordinary Time, Cycle C- The Narrow Gate

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 23, 2022

There is a saying, “The nearer the Church, the farther from God”.

In Readers Digest, David Barman, from North Miami Beach, Florida, wrote that at the university where he teaches, the school has a policy of giving a + designation for grades. A 78 is a C+, an 89 is a B+. A student received his final grade and was adamant that I left off the plus sign. I looked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Is My Pandemic Identity (Twenty-First Sunday In Ordinary Time)

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Aug 16, 2020

During the lockdown we have realised how many are real friends, how many are fake friends, how many have called us often enquiring about our families, health, jobs, and how many were really cared and supported in their difficulties and pains during this pandemic, COVID-19.

Jesus is my Pandemic Identity (Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time) Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, I would like to start my reflection with a question: what is my pandemic identity as a Christian? In this digital world, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 22:19-23, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Other

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 6, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday in Advent, Year C

December 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 The Refiner’s Fire Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Children need to be challenged. Maturing from a child into an adult ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Puts First Things First

Contributed by Edward Frey on Aug 6, 2002

The miracle of feeding the 5,000 underlines God’s grace as he provides for all our needs.

Prioritize. That’s what we’re all instructed to do in this busy world. As we make our lifestyles more convenient, the more demands we place on ourselves, and we find our lives become more frantic. So, we are called to prioritize – to convert our activities into a sort of Top 10 list -- picking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

First Things First (Ezra #3) Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jun 10, 2005

Continuing Study on the Book of Ezra. First Things First. Build the altar (worship) Praise God Don’t be distracted by whiners.

Title: First Things First (Ezra #3) Text: Ezra 3:1-6; 10-13 Introduction 1. First things first… This is a common saying… To remind us to make sure we get things in the proper order… We enjoyed a wonderful vacation in Weston, FL… But, we knew that we couldn’t just jump in the van and drive 6 ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Give It Up - First Things First

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Feb 5, 2008

There is a principle in the scriptures of keeping the first things first. That which is first in our life is important to God. Is God first in our finances? Relationships? Time? Marriage? Etc.? )Thoughts taken from a sermon series entitled Give It Up by P

Introduction Today- talk about giving- important topic in the Bible. Many of Jesus’ parables have to do with money. Attitude towards money-barometer-spiritual condition More important- money- principle- First Things First. Begin by watching this video- First things First As we talk about giving- I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Charismatic

Precious Stones- First Things First Series

Contributed by Ricardo Rodriguez on Jul 15, 2009

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Precious Stones First things First! 12/14/2006 - Marsing, ID Ricardo Rodriguez – pastor_rr@yahoo.com Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” “Mira que te mando que ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Denomination: Apostolic

One Thing: First Things First

Contributed by C Jordan on Sep 6, 2012

The one thing – the most important thing – that we can do in our Christian lives is to abide in Jesus in prayer, in the Word, and in His love.

ONE THING: FIRST THINGS FIRST VIDEO INTRO: Clip from City Slickers with Mitch and Curly discussing “One Thing.” This is an interesting movie because Mitch (Billy Crystal) is going through a mid-life crisis and finds his life is missing something, and goes looking for that ‘one thing’ – the secret ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-9

Denomination: *other

Spiritual Formations: First Things First

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 24, 2016

Three of the key spiritual formations are abiding in Jesus in prayer, abiding in the Word, and abiding in His love.

SPIRITUAL FORMATIONS #4: FIRST THINGS FIRST SPIRITUAL FORMATIONS QUOTE: “To live the spiritual life and to let God’s presence fill us takes constant prayer, and to move from our illusions and isolation back to that place in the heart where God continues to form us in the likeness of Christ takes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, John 15:1-3

Denomination: *other