Sermons on Human Effort:

Christmas Presence - John The Baptist

Contributed by Tim Hedberg on Dec 10, 2007

A Christmas Presence for Baby Jesus.

For the next 4 Sundays we are going to be spending our time preparing for Christmas by becoming familiar with those people God invited to be at his son’s birth. When God decided the time was right, he birthed his son in the flesh to be Immanuel - "God with us" and when he did he sent out some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Joy In Serving Christ Part Ii Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 17, 2007

Why does God command us to work for rewards? Whom will Christ reward?

Finding Joy in Serving Christ Part II II Timothy 4:8 Purpose: To describe the importance of loving Christ. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in their future rewards from Christ, or surrender to Christ. REVIEW: 1:1-2:13 I. How Should a Christian React to Stress? 2:14-26 II. How Should a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Born To Die Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 3, 2004

Some may lament Jesus’ death as a great tragedy. But Jesus’ death was not a tragedy. This sermon notes five reasons why Jesus’ death was not a tragedy.

Scripture If you were here last week, you may recall me saying that the word advent means “coming.” Advent signifies the period preceding the birth of Jesus when the Church anticipates the coming of the promised Messiah. The purpose of Advent is to help worshipers understand the events preceding ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:9-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Baby On The Way: A Birth Announcement

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 6, 2004

An announcement usually has: the baby’s name, date and time of birth, weight , length, and place, siblings, and of course the parents’ names. Let’s look at these things about Jesus that we might understand His birth better.

A Baby on the Way: A Birth Announcement Luke 1:26-38 Luke 2:1-8 INTRODUCTION... Howard Hendricks, quoted in Homemade, September, 1989 A little boy asked his mother where he came from, and also where she had come from as a baby. His mother gave him a tall tale about a beautiful white-feathered ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Messages Of The Angels

Contributed by John Gerald on Dec 7, 2004

One of the Christmas Messages - the part angels had in the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.

THE MESSAGES OF THE ANGELS I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,(The sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy) 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Born Of The Virgin Mary Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 8, 2004

This sermon looks at the Virgin Birth of Jesus by examining the biblical statements, our Confessional Statement, the attacks, and the importance of the Virgin Birth of Jesus.

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. This is the third in a series of Advent messages on “The Marvel of Christmas.” My sermon is titled “Born of the Virgin Mary.” Let us read Matthew 1:18-25: "18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Emmanuel: God With Us

Contributed by Sam Greene on Dec 9, 2004

This sermon explores the significance of Jesus’ title: Emmanuel.

What is so significant about Emmanuel: God With Us? •Notice the word ’with’ (Gr. prep. met-ah’)- a preposition properly denoting accompaniment; in the same way the instrmentalists accompany our singing. •Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Baptist

They Shall Call Him Emmanuel

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Dec 9, 2004

IN THIS SERMON WE SEE THE MIRACLE THAT THIS NAME IMPLIES, THE MYSTERY THAT THIS NAME IMPLIES, AND THE MEANING THAT THIS NAME IMPLIES.

THEY SHALL CALL HIM EMMANUEL Matthew 1:23 Before the advent of the Christmas carol, celebrations of Christmas had become so depraved and rowdy that the observance of the joyous season was once forbidden by the English Parliament. The meaning of Christmas had become lost in a maelstrom of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Baptist

Gabriel Announces Jesus' Birth

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 20, 2004

ADVENT 4(B) - The angel Gabriel announces Jesus’ birth: Jesus would be Mary’s Son and Jesus is still God’s true Son.

GABRIEL ANNOUNCES JESUS’ BIRTH (Outline) LUKE 1:26-38 - December 19, 2004 - Advent 4 INTRO: Today’s text presents some memorable verses that you may have already noticed. One reminds us the Lord is with you. What a mystery / miracle that GOD is with US! Another notable verse states: For ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

From Riches To Rags

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Dec 1, 2006

Jesus left His glorious position and endured humilation so that He might make us rich beyond measure.

FROM RICHES TO RAGS II Corinthians 8:9 “FROM RAGS TO RICHES.” That’s a common American expression, isn’t it? We know what it means---someone began life in virtual poverty and grew to become wealthy and/or successful. They did on their own. They did it through sheer determination, industry ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Nature Of Chistmas Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 1, 2006

Christmas doesn’t come from a store it comes from God.

The Nature of Christmas Text: Matt. 1:18-25 Introduction 1. Illustration: "Fa-who-for-ay; da-who-dor-ay; welcome, Christmas, come this way; Fa-who-for-ay; da-who-dor-ay; welcome, Christmas, Christmas day." They continue, singing, "Christmas day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

The Presence Of Freedom

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Dec 9, 2006

Freedom from the tyranny of evil came to us in the Person of Jesus Christ! God did not save us when Jesus died on the cross. He saved us when Jesus was born.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt made an important speech before Congress on January 6, 1941. After the war was over, he shared his vision of all people enjoying four basic freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Warren Wiersbe, conference speaker, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

Why Me, Lord?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 4, 2005

A look at the trials in our lives, why we have them, how we should use them, and keeping a proper perspective as we go through them.

How many of us have found ourselves with burdens that affect our lives? In reality, we all have our hardships, don’t we? Have you ever wondered why God lets His children suffer such unpleasantries? Let me give you a little hint. It has to do with our huge egos that think we are the ones in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Denomination: *other

Jesus The Light Of The World

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 7, 2005

Jesus came as a light to lighten the nations, he called people to be a church who would continue to share the good news with others, and his coming was accompanied by miraculous events that heralded the end to all suffering and the creation of a new heave

One of the things I hate is turning on the TV just after a movie or a weekly drama has started, so I’ve missed those opening few scenes where the story is set up, where perhaps the main characters are introduced; where the crime is committed or the tensions between characters is highlighted. If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25

Denomination: Anglican

A Place Of Beginning

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 10, 2005

Beginnings are very important. However, they usually start very, very small.

A Place of Beginning Micah 5:2 -- “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Matthew 2:1 -- “Now when Jesus was born in ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Pentecostal