Sermons on Hidden Mystery:

Why Is This Baby Immanuel?

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 23, 2010

Christmas is so much more than a birth, even a miraculous birth. The name Immanuel reveals the mystery of Christmas. A) Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin. B) Because he is our Jesus, come to save us.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Theme: Why Is This Baby Immanuel? A. Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin B. Because he is our Jesus, come to save us Season: Advent 4a Date: December 19, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Is-This-Baby-Immanuel_-Matthew1_18-25.html ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Biblical Fasting

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 24, 2017

Fasting has been misused by mystics and sometimes remained a mystery to many committed Christians. Although opinions are mixed on the issue, I believe we can carve out a Biblical position that, while perhaps incomplete, will lay a good foundation.

Biblical Fasting (Matthew 9: 14-15) 1. This is perhaps the most awful pun you will hear. 2. Mahatma Gandhi went around barefoot quite often, and eventually his soles turned very tough and thick. Of course he also was a devout Hindu. Later in life he also fasted a lot, becoming thin and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Word Of Life Celebrated Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 1, 2021

John says, “We write this to make our joy complete. He presents Jesus as the source of the completed life. John says, “and the life was manifested.” Jesus is not a mysterious entity that is evasive, he is real, and Christians find their joy through him.

Reality shows continue to draw people’s attention. . . In an article, 10 Reality Shows That Aren't Real At All (And 10 That Totally Are), Chris Littlechild, talks about how they claim to be real; however, “the producers are just looking to stir up drama with fake moments. These shows are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas News: The Angels Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

We need to be seized once more by heavenly realities – just as Zechariah was. We need to experience something like a shock to our smug certainties that whittle God down to a manageable size and leave us underwhelmed by the mysteries of eternity.

Angels have fallen on hard times these days. Hardly anyone thinks about them anymore…except at Christmas, of course. But even at that, people don’t much believe in them. Although…I knew a woman – a member of this church at one time: She told me that she had actually seen an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Does It Mean To Be Commissioned?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 6, 2023

Isaiah’s perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God’s significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

Isaiah 6:1-13 The image of absolution that Isaiah gives advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Did Jesus Die? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 24, 2004

Since we need to talk about the Passion film with our friends, we have to be prepared to answer their questions. It’s a mystery to non-believers: Why did Christ have to suffer so? Why did He have to die?

Sarcastic reviews. Late night jokes. Hateful criticism. Promises to ban him from work in Hollywood. Mel Gibson has faced all that and more over the last year. All because of the making of The Passion of the Christ. Why all the controversy? The brutality? R-rated slasher movies come out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 22:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Treasures

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 26, 2017

The kingdom of heaven is like treasures old and new.

Intro, Purpose & Plan Do we have any special treasures? Do we own heirlooms from distant lands? Are our families among our greatest treasures? Do we treat the things of God as our greatest treasures of all? Let’s look at some special aspects of the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Of All - Agape Love

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 30, 2019

This sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. It speaks of the supremacy of agape love. It shares what agape love is and what agape love is not.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 John 4:7 Theme: Love - Agape Love Title: The Greatest of All - AGAPE LOVE INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about love - "agape" love in particular. There ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 John 4:7

Denomination: Nazarene

Seeds Left Behind

Contributed by James May on Aug 9, 2005

Have we left behind, hidden in the dark corners of our hearts, some seed of sin that will come back to test us? God told Israel to kill all their enemies, but they didn’t, and those enemies came back to be the tool that God used against them to prove the

Seeds Left Behind By Pastor Jim May Judges 3:1-9, "Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doubting God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 5, 2012

When we doubt God we can so easily get sucked into focusing on ourselves; badmouthing God; make believe that God has a hidden evil agenda for us which is completely false and start polluting the minds of others thus bringing depravity not only on ourselve

Opening illustration: G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Things That Are Above

Contributed by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Aug 2, 2012

Out of grace and mercy and great kindness, God gathers our burning, blazing life; he glorifies it for the sake of Jesus Christ; he builds it up new and good in that hidden world where the line of death that separates us from God has been taken away.

(Read Colossians 3:1-4.) Dear congregation, it is as if our whole life were carried, raised up, and protected in these words. Say what you will against this “Seek the things that are above.” You may suspect that those who are constantly seeking things above may lose contact with the ground under ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

The Disaster Of The Dark Lamp - Matthew 6:22-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 4, 2024

Your hidden attitudes and your way of looking at things will color all the data before it reaches your brain, so that you will never see things properly unless you have a generous, honest outlook. This message will alert your soul to the deadly dangers of greedy attitudes.

Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and eating destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and eating do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

Worthless Clouds Without Water Carried By The Changing Winds –jude 1 Verse 12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Jude continues his description of the false teachers using metaphors to describe them. This follow on from hidden reefs and we now have empty clouds without water, useless in promise and leaving bitter failure. Many people are left hurt, and without hope, and fleeced and betrayed.

WORTHLESS CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER CARRIED BY THE CHANGING WINDS –Jude 1 verse 12 In our last message we were looking at these false teachers Jude was battling when he urged his readers to contend for the faith. They had to be positive, and a lazy and don’t care less approach would achieve nothing. ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, Ezekiel 34:1-8, Zechariah 11:15-17, Acts 20:28-30, Deuteronomy 32:9-10, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Corinthians 12:25, Ephesians 4:14, John 4:13-15, John 7:37-38, Hebrews 10:22, James 3:11-12, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"What God Wants!"

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Sep 27, 2010

You’re a Christian, now what? Is understanding the mind and will of God for your life still a mystery? Are you puzzled by big words like – discipleship? Do you love the Lord and want to honor Him with your life? But how? Have you asked should I serve m

Cornerstone Church September 25/26, 2010 “WHAT GOD WANTS!” Romans 12:1-2 Illustration from Exodus “If you buy a Hebrew servant, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Experiencing Hardship And Heartbreak Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 16, 2022

The story of Naomi and Ruth is about how, as the old hymn says, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." As dark and bleak as things looked in Naomi's life, little did she know that God was at work to bring blessings, to her and through her.

A. How many of you have ever had a bad day? Certainly, all of us have had bad days. Right? 1. Let’s have a little fun by starting with some “You know you’ve having a bad day when…” sayings: a. Your horn sticks on the highway behind 32 Hell’s Angels on their motorcycles. b. Your birthday cake ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ