Sermons on Gifts From The Magi:

Why We Preach On Giving

Contributed by Mike Garner on Aug 15, 2006

Why is it so hard for pastors to preach about giving? Why is it so hard for church members to hear about giving? Here are 3 reasons why preachers should NOT apologize for a sermon on giving - from a layperson!

What is On Your Mind? One of the most intriguing challenges for anyone who steps behind one of these (pulpits) is trying to figure out what¡¦s going on in your minds. What are you thinking as we speak? It¡¦s not always easy to read. But there is one time where it¡¦s really not all that hard to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas - Three Christmas Gifts To God

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 25, 2005

The prophet Micah is asking, "What is it that God really wants from us? What should we be offering to God?" I wonder, what gifts should we be giving to God this Christmas?

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2015) TEXT: Micah 6:6 8 A. This morning we are going to be looking at a very interesting passage of scripture found in the Old Testament. In it, the prophet Micah is asking, "Just what is it that God really wants from us? What ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Romans 12:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does Evil Come From God, Or From Us?

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jan 10, 2002

The death of the innocent children in Bethlehem tells us much about evil in the world, and what we can offer the non-believers.

The Holy Innocents (The Eve of) Does Evil come from God, or from Us? Preached at Saint John the Evangelist, Cold Lake Octave of Epiphany, Evening Prayer, 10 January 2002 Matthew 2:13-18, Revelation 21:1-7 Collect: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose children suffered at the hands of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18, Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Open Up And Say Ah!

Contributed by Tony Searles on Apr 17, 2002

God can & will open doors for us in ministry, but we must remember to keep our focus on Him. We cannot afford to look at those things which would deter us from God’s will.

Stand & Read - Rev. 3:7-13 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: [8] ’I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, James 4:10

Denomination: Other

Not What She Wanted

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jun 9, 2009

Sometimes the Best Gift is the Gift you didn’t want that is when it comes from God. This sets the stage for the Christmas Event. Christmas only truly happens when we receive his gift and use it.

A Sunday School teacher once asked her class of children: “What is Christmas a time for” Many of the kids gave the usual answers – Jesus’ birthday, a time of joy, presents…but one child responded with a unique and unusual answer, “Christmas is a time for sportsmanship.” “Sportmanship?,” asked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Steps For Exercising The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

We should make sure they are from the Holy Spirit and not our own will and determination. If we don’t have the fruit of the Spirit, but have the fruit of the flesh, then we really need to question, the source of our “gift.”

Opening illustration: Have you ever felt torn in two or more directions when considering how to serve in your church or what job to take? Since you probably can’t do everything you’re asked to do, how do you decide which opportunities for service are best suited for you? Many will be able to relate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Gifts Do You Bring (Epiphany)

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 30, 2007

It is in loving others – it is in sharing our gifts – that we become free to receive the most precious gift of all – the grace, love, and mercy of Christ in our own lives.

What Gifts Do You Bring? Matthew 2:1-12 Introduction One of the most appealing Christmas stories is that of Amal and the Night Visitors. The three wise men are on the way to Bethlehem, and they come to the home of a poor woman who has a little boy named Amal. Amal is crippled; he could not walk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 2:11-12

Denomination: Christian Church

The Real Star Trek

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Jan 5, 2009

The Magi are our models for approaching God.

The First Sunday after Christmas January 4, 2008 St. Andrew’s Anglican Church The Rev. M. Anthony Seel, Jr. Matthew 2:1-12 The Real Star Trek In 1966, Star Trek was first aired, but it lasted only three seasons. It was in syndication during the 70s that the show’s popularity grew. Then there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

A Gift For Those Who Need Purpose Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Dec 29, 2011

This is the first sermon in a series that examines some of the overlooked gifts that God gave us that first Christmas. This message looks at the gift of purpose.

We all have the desire to find that unexpected gift for those in our lives. We want to give a gift that causes their eyes to light up and causes them to say, “Wow!” It’s a quest that so many embark on each year at this time. We know that by giving joy to another, we will in turn receive joy. This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fly High - Acts Part 8 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 27, 2006

The book of Acts showed that Jesus used ordinary men like Peter who were filled with the Spirit to heal people and even raise people from the dead so that “Power evangelism” would break out and lead multitudes to the Lord.

“Fly High” – Acts part 8 On the lighter side of life: It’s all in how you see yourself (picture) Thesis: The book of Acts showed that Jesus used ordinary men like Peter who were filled with the Spirit to heal people and even raise people from the dead so that “Power evangelism” would break out ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Experiencing Generosity

Contributed by Dean O'bryan on Apr 2, 2007

I attended a conference sponsored by the Generous Giving organization and our Baptist General Conference. This is the second message I delivered after that conference, this one based on 2 Corinthians 9. I borrowed the significantly from Jim Cunningham’s

Trinity Baptist Church April 1, 2007 Experiencing Generosity 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (the introduction and part of first segment was borrowed from Jim Cunningham’s message: "Not in Polite Company") In our culture, there are some things we just don’t discuss with others -- at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

34. The New Covenant Series

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Nov 5, 2018

God through grace, provides the means from within Israel to fulfill the Covenant agreement from the side of man

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 34 – THE NEW COVENANT] This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:6, John 10:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26, Ephesians 2:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Greatest Gift Is God's Love In Action. John 3:16

Contributed by David Cramer on Dec 19, 2024

The greatest gift we can give or receive in any season is from the Lord our God.

The Greatest Gift. God's love in action. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God. I will never be the same. I will ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Move From Fear To Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 16, 2003

The Holy Spirit helps you overcome your fear of exceeding your gifts, your physical energies or your family’s ability to cope with extra attention. Moses struggled with such fears until the Lord spoke to him saying, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him

Illustration:After a preacher died and went to heaven, he noticed that a New York cabdriver had been given a higher place than he had. "I don’t understand," he complained to St. Peter. "I devoted my entire life to my congregation." "Our policy is to reward results," explained St. Peter. "Now ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Two Offerings

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Sep 12, 2002

Cain’s offering and Abel’s offering look similar on the surface but are distinguished from one another on the basis of the faith in their hearts. The great question this story asks is where our offerings fall, closer to Cain’s or closer to Abel’s?

Pentecost 17 A Genesis 4:1-16 A Tale of Two Offerings 09/15/02 The powerful, faith assuring epistle of Romans which we have been reading this past summer and from which our epistle is taken today, draws near to its close with the following words of chapter 15. “everything that is written in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran