Sermons on Gift Wrap:

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Joy Of Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 3, 2003

The sacrifice of Christ made our salvation a full and free gift; our personal sacrifice is the joyful response that makes ministry possible.

February 2, 2003 1Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. 2And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Thanks Be To God Series

Contributed by William Morris on Feb 6, 2003

This is the ninth and final message in a nine part series from Colossians. It deals with giving God prise and adoration for His gifts to us.

Sermon by: Dr. Todd Morris Text: Colossians 3: 15, 17; 4:1-2 Title: Give Thanks to God Date: August 18, 2002 Introduction: An attitude of gratitude changes everything. It will be a sweeter home when those that abide there have a spirit of thankfulness. A thankful heart is a powerful influence ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Advent Iii, Year B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Dec 5, 2002

Paul exhorts us to "rejoice always." True joy and rejoicing is a gift recieved vis-a-vis our relationship with Christ.

Sermon for Advent III, Yr B Dec 15, 2002 Based on I Thess 5:16 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson A woman was sitting on her living room couch one day when a black snake slithered past. The woman, who was deathly afraid of snakes, dashed to the bathroom to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Denomination: Lutheran

"One And Many" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 8, 2003

We are one and united in Him, yet we are many, each gifted according to grace (#12 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ‘s gift.” According to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-7

Denomination: Orthodox

"Construction Equipment" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 6, 2003

God gave gifts for the building up of the Church. Apostles prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers. (#14 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Orthodox

"The Test Of Trustworthiness"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Sep 15, 2003

Are you trustworthy with the gift of God’s Word (I THESS. 2:4)? Authentic faith will value what God says.

"THE TEST OF TRUSTWORTHINESS" www.dennisdeese.com JAMES 1:19--27 Are you trustworthy with the gift of God’s Word (I THESS. 2:4)? Authentic faith will value what God says. There are (3) three coinciding aspects of trustworthiness directly related to God’s Word. Do you pass the test ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Prayer, The Pathway To Blessing Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 11, 2002

Do we realize that we have a wonderful gift, it is called prayer. I revamped this from a 1996 message I did.

INTRODUCTION • How many times have we wondered why God has not blessed us in a certain way? How many times have you asked God for something from your heart only to feel that God kicked dirt in your face or that He did not hear you? • When you asked God and felt rejected, did you ever sit back and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Lindsey Mann on Jul 24, 2002

When the prodigal returned he was given five very special gifts: they each symbolise what we have in Christ as believers.

THE PRODIGAL SON Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Jesus was responding to the criticisms of the spiritual leaders of Israel. He had been eating with sinners. He did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is In Your Hand Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 14, 2005

Our call to service means using whatever gifts and opportunities God places in our hands. Nothing more; nothing less.

What’s In Your Hand? Exodus 3-4 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Introduction: A college professor, an avowed atheist, told his class that he intended to prove to them that God didn’t exist. Addressing the ceiling he shouted: "God, if you are real, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From God, With Love

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Apr 17, 2005

A Baptist pastor provides Scriptural support for what he believes are the five greatest gifts God has given to His children.

FROM GOD, WITH LOVE “…keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude, verse 24. All of us would agree with James that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24

Denomination: Baptist

Moral Issues: Capital Punishment Series

Contributed by Rob Harbison on May 10, 2001

Life is a precious gift of God. Does that mean we cannot destroy it or that we must hold men accountable for destroying it?

INTRO: The death penalty receives much criticism from unbelievers and believers. Often those who claim to be Christians oppose it more vehemently. People reach very different conclusions about this subject based on the same principle—the sanctity of human life. Some say that because life is such ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Abuse Of Tongues

Contributed by George Rennau on Sep 26, 2006

If God can’t trust us to function in this most basic gift correctly he is not going to give us anything more...

THE ABUSE OF TONGUES I Cor. 14:1-25 As Pentecostals we tend to look upon 1 Cor 12 and 14 as instruction for Pentecostal worship The reality is that it is really correction not instruction. The problem that needed correction was their unbridled use of tongues in church which is specifically ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Freely

Contributed by Joe Tillman on Oct 31, 2005

Is it not amazing to turn on the t.v. and see so many teachings of God’s word and all for a love gift or love offering?

In Matthew 10:8 we see that Jesus was about to send out the disciples out to share this message 10:7"The kingdom of heaven is near. 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.Freely you have received, freely give." In this world of television and radio ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Babble Of Babel Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 10, 2003

God judges man’s pride by confusing language. The gift of tongues in Acts is seen as the beginning of the removal of that curse through Christ.

Genesis 10:1-11:9 March 2, 2003 I watched a special recently on the history channel. The special was comparing the civilizations of the ancient world. They particularly focused in upon the fact that pyramid building was a common thread among civilizations that were distinct and distant from each ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:4-11

Denomination: Baptist