Sermons on Gift Wrap:

The Three Seekers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

Surely one of the great stories of Christmas is the account of the visit of the Wise Men from the East. This delightful tale of strange men from some faraway land who brought Christmas presents to the baby Jesus is filled with mystery and intrigue.

The Three Seekers In our series that we’re calling Christmas Characters, we looked at Herod two weeks ago: - Herod was preoccupied with power. - Herod was preoccupied with possessions. - Herod was preoccupied with prestige. - Herod was preoccupied with paranoia. Last week we focused on Mary, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Unwrapping God's Peace Series

Contributed by John Harvey on Dec 16, 2004

As the shepherds were told by the angels of the birth of Jesus, they had to make a decision to act on the information. We too must look for God in everyday events, know that God’s plan is for peace and then do what God tells us.

“Unwrapping God’s Peace” 12/19/04 Intro: Only 5 shopping days left until Christmas! Are you finished? Do you have to face the crowds at the mall? How about the traffic? What parties do you still have left to buy a “white elephant” gift for? Sometimes it seems like Christmas will never get here. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Tomb Speaks Of Life

Contributed by David Anderson on Apr 21, 2001

The open tomb proclaims that death is defeated.

Easter SONrise Service “The Tomb Speaks of Life” Mark 16:1-7 CHRIST IS RISEN! He is risen as He said. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ–grace, mercy and peace be unto you, fro God our Father, and our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Prince Of Peace

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 25, 2001

God’s peace is granted to us through His Son

When I was a young boy growing up we had a family tradition of collecting all our Christmas cards and hanging them on the wall. Of course at that point in my life the most important Christmas tradition was the tree and the presents. But the second strongest childhood memory of Christmas was the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Unimpressive Christmas

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 6, 2001

It is the very lack of pretense and privilege accompanying Jesus’ birth that makes him more attractive as you get to know Him.

12-20-98 INTRODUCTION Chuck Swindoll writes of a commercial venture by one of the largest department stores in the nation. It proved to be disastrously unsuccessful. Their idea was a doll in the form of baby Jesus. It was advertised as being unbreakable, washable and cuddly. It was packaged ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2, Luke 2:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Road To Bethlehem

Contributed by Ken Crow on Dec 4, 2010

This morning what we are looking for can still be found in the events that occurred in Bethlehem, Judea over two thousand years ago.

The Road To Bethlehem Luke 2:1-4 (King James Version) Pastor Ken Crow Luke 2 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Different Expectations Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 13, 2010

Jesus didn't fit John's idea of what the Messiah would be like. Jesus stressed love rather than judgment. Jesus moves in surprising ways and communicates God's grace in unexpected situations.

Matthew 11:2-11 “Different Expectations” INTRODUCTION The family gathers around the newborn’s bassinette. They marvel at this squirming gift of life, and give thanks for health and wholeness. As they gaze upon the baby’s features they wonder what the child will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling And Election Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 14, 2020

Predestination. Election. Free will. These are some of the most hotly debated doctrines in the church. We think we have to be in one camp or the other. But is that true? Let's find out together.

You can listen to the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling • Threw away the rent check. Before you judge me, how many gift cards got thrown out at Christmas time in the wrapping paper at your house? • So easy to overlook or lose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:2-13, Matthew 22:14, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, Acts 10:34, 1 Peter 1:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bottom Of The Totem Pole

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 21, 2021

A sermon for the Sundays after Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 25

January 17, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 9:30-37 The Bottom of the Totem Pole Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There’s a phrase: the bottom of the totem pole. Totem poles are wooden monuments made by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Is Your Nathanael?

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 10, 2020

No doubt the book of John is regarded as the book of love. John the disciple who was “the son of thunder” encountered love and that changed his life and apparently his approach to life which he demonstrated in all his writings

“Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.” John 1: ...read more

Scripture: John 1:45-46, John 1:40-45

Denomination: Pentecostal

Devoted To Teaching Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon will explore the devotion of the early church, particularly focusing on their commitment to teaching, and how modern believers can emulate this devotion in their own faith lives.

Welcome church! Today, we are beginning a new four-week series together called Devoted. Throughout this series we’re going to look into the lives and routines of the early church as seen in Acts 2:42-47. As you may know, the early church understood something about gathering together that churches ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, 2 Timothy 3:16

Topics: Devotion, Biblical Teaching, Early Church

Sermon Series: Devoted

Even Me

Contributed by La Juana Morris on Sep 16, 2004

The Lord Can Use Even Me

I was sitting in church Sunday morning and for some reason or other I began thinking about string. Now don’t ask me why. Yeah I know it is not a typical thought – but then again you don’t have a typical pastor. But anyway, sitting on a pew at St. Peters, listening to the choir my mind began ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Methodist

God's Pattern For Fatherhood

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 18, 2002

God is very interested in men becoming good fathers. Here in this passage we find some of the leading characteristics of a successful father.

ILLUSTRATION: (From "It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It" by Robert Fulghum) It was Molly’s, age 7, job to pack the lunches for her family. She would put in the sandwiches, cookies, fruit and so on in a paper bag. One day, in addition to the paper bag she usually packed for her father, she gave ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Silent Night? Holy Night!

Contributed by Lin Smalec on Dec 21, 2005

A Christmas Eve sermon based upon the Christmas carol.

Rev. Lin Smalec Salem Church, Waynesboro, PA “SILENT NIGHT? HOLY NIGHT!” Christmas Eve, 24 December 2005 When you hear the Christmas story, you get a picture in your head of what things must have looked like at the birth of Jesus. Sometimes it’s interesting to find out how others ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational