Sermons on Luke 2:7-3:32:

The Journey From Bethlehem To Nazareth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We have our dreams for a perfect Christmas, but don't feel God has failed you if your dreams aren't met. Imagine how Mary's dreams for having a perfect birth for her baby were disrupted.

If we made a list of what it would take to make a perfect Christmas, it would be quite a list. Of course all the family needs to be together, all at the same time. Just that can be really complicated. For us, as near as we can tell, we’ll have one son coming in on the afternoon of the 25th and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Not Such A Silent Night

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

If your Christmas isn't coming together the way you would like, remember that our God is a God for the rough times, too. Look what Mary went through on the first Christmas.

If a good fairy appeared and said you could make a list to put together your perfect Christmas, what would you put on your list? Every year around Christmas time we get several chances to watch various versions of Charles Dickens’ classic story about Ebenezer Scrooge and the various spirits of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

The Angels' Celebration

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

When we think of the wonder of what God did at Christmas, we just have to celebrate.

We love the quietness and intimacy of many parts of the Christmas story. The arrangements are made by angel messengers, who appear very privately, to Mary, face to face, and to Joseph in a dream. Mary ponders the wonder of it all, deep in her heart. A peasant couple quietly slips into Bethlehem, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Shepherds?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

It was lowly shepherds who got the most impressive announcement about the birth of the Messiah. That tells us a lot about the God we serve.

I think the presence of the shepherds has to be one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story. They don’t say much. They don’t do much. But it sure was important to God that they be there for the birth of Jesus. And that says a lot. When the time came to tell Zechariah about the birth of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 57:15

The Christ In A Manger

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We have heard the story so often that it seems obvious that Christ was born in a manger. But that would have been shocking to the world of that day.

I always enjoy the chance to meet people from different cultures and learn how 2 people from 2 different cultures can look at the same event and see it differently. Years ago, we lived in New Delhi India. Kathy and I had to take a bus to a shop in the old city, so I brought my Bible along to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11-12

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We might read a Christmas card that says "Peace on Earth" and not think anything of it. But the hope of God's peace is revolutionary.

In years past at Christmas time you would see the phrase, “Peace on Earth,” quite a bit. It might be on a banner in a store window or on Christmas cards or decorations in someone’s front yard. We did get one Christmas card with the phrase, but not as many as in years past. As the years go by we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Dedicating Our Children To The Lord

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We share in Mary and Joseph's desire to give our kids the best possible spiritual foundations

I want all of us who are parents to think back to a time when you presented one of your children for baptism. What was it that you were asking God to do when you brought your child for baptism? Grandparents, if it’s fresher to think about your feelings at the birth of a grandchild, do that. What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

The Price Of Peace

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

At Christmas time we may dare to dream about peace on earth, but it doesn't last long. In Jesus, God showed us the way to true peace and it is not cheap.

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Jesus Grew

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

Have you been saved? Great. But that's only the beginning. Jesus had to learn obedience and effective ministry. Are you on the path to becoming a useful disciple for God?

Last week we looked at a touching moment in Jesus’ infancy. His parents brought their infant son to the temple to be dedicated to God. They wanted nothing but God’s best for their special son. And in the temple God brought them across the path of one of his true saints, Simeon, who loved their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40

His Father's Business

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

Even for Mary, Joseph and Jesus there were some messy family days. But that may be a necessary, healthy part of letting our teens grow up.

Have you ever found yourself in the situation where someone really impresses you, and you ask yourself, “I wonder what that person was like as a child?” You might be impressed with them for good things, or bad things. But you wonder about their childhood. For centuries Jesus has impressed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Patience And Perseverance (Epiphany 4 Candlemas)

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

The readings of Simeon and Anna speak of Jesus being presented in the temple as a child. Each character are examples of patience and perseverance.

Patience and Perseverance Epiphany 4 Candlemas When I was a kid, my least favorite Church service of the year occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. You see, I grew up in a pastor's home, and my grandfather's church had a Sunday night service every week. I wanted to watch the Super Bowl instead of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Episcopal

Worth Dying For? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 14, 2020

Easter sermon that asks "Who would you die for?" and, more importantly, in the shadow of the cross, "Who would die for you?"

Hanging on the cross … between Heaven and earth … what did Jesus see? He saw two other men … criminals … one to His left and one on His right … being crucified with Him. He saw His Roman executioners gambling over his clothing, indifferent to His suffering. He saw the religious leaders, who ...read more

Scripture: John 19:19-30, Matthew 27:42, Matthew 27:40, Matthew 10:37-39, Luke 2:34-35, Mark 10:29-30, Revelation 7:9, Romans 12:10-18, Romans 5:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

How Jesus Survived A Quarantine And Came Out Stronger Part 1 Series

Contributed by Greg Stier on Apr 20, 2020

For us, as Christians, it helps to realize that we are not alone. As a matter of fact, our founder, Jesus Christ himself, was himself under a 40 day self-quarantine. What can we learn from him?

Right now it we are in the middle of, what feels like, a global quarantine. Countries around the world have locked down and shelter-in-place laws are in play in cities from Paris to Portland. When will it end? The world is getting stir crazy! For us, as Christians, it helps to realize that we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-14, Luke 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

John the Baptist told people to make preparations to meet Jesus that were very different from our preparations for Christmas.

I hope we are all making some progress towards being ready for Christmas. We know the drill, decorations, shopping, Christmas cards, wrapping presents, cooking, and so on. Today we meet John the Baptist, who gives us a very different list of things we need to do to be ready to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

John The Baptist: Challenge For A Deeper Life

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

John the Baptist didn't follow in his father's footsteps as a priest in the temple. He challenged people to break out of normality and live radically new lives.

(John, entering from the back, in costume, down the center aisle.) Wake up, everybody! God’s Messiah is coming! That’s really good news! Get ready! Things have got to change around here! God’s blessings are coming for you! But you have to be ready! Clean it up, folks! (John standing in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18