Sermons on Mary Pondered:

Ruth And Naomi Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 24, 2023

Ruth became the great grandmother of King David. She was in the family genealogy of Mary and Jesus. She experienced personal redemption and was part of the greatest redemption story of all history.

You can’t make this story up. The story of Ruth is way too far-fetched to be manmade. The likely author of the book of Ruth is Samuel, who was a contemporary with Ruth as both lived in the days when judges ruled. There is just no way Samuel would come up with the idea on his own to include Ruth ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Miraculous Birth Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Jan 23, 2024

This sermon explores the idea of God wanting to bring something to birth in our lives, similar to Mary birthing Jesus, and discusses the faith and overcoming obstacles required for such a miraculous event.

Every year, on December 23, we celebrate the anniversary of one of the greatest plays the NFL has ever seen. It was dubbed “The Immaculate Reception” by Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope, and the phrase has stuck ever since. The name, of course, is a play on words derived from a doctrine of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, John 1:11-13

Topics: Miraculous Birth, Overcoming Obstacles

Deliverance From Disappointment Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 7, 2006

The first Christmas came with disappointment. When Joseph heard the words, "Mary is pregnant," he must have felt the disappointment you and I have felt. But God had a message for Joe! And he has one for your disappointment too!

SERIES: HOW CHRISTMAS HEALS OUR HURTS “Disappointment’s Deliverance” Matthew 1:18-25 A few years ago, I was approached by the leadership of a small group Melissa and I were in. They had questions and concerns regarding choices Melissa and I were making, specifically, Melissa’s working outside of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

Power, Love And Self-Discipline (Part One Of Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 31, 2023

At a men's retreat I noticed the verse on the back of the shirt of the guy sitting ahead of me. 2 Tim. 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." I pondered that and wondered how power, love and self-discipline counter fear.

POWER, LOVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE (part one) The back of Sergii's shirt at the Men's Retreat. 2 Tim. 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 1) No fear! 2 Tim. 1:5-7, "I have been reminded of your sincere ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 1:5-12, 2 Timothy 4:14-18, Psalm 121:1-2, Philippians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Repentance Series

Contributed by Norest Hoko on Sep 20, 2025

One day in my study I read and and pondered on the verse of Scripture, John 3:1-3 , Where a Pharisee Nicodemus went to Jesus to confirm that truly Jesus was sent from God.What surprised me was Jesus' reply that "no man unless he is born again will see the kingdom of God"

I’ve been reflecting on a powerful truth: two men can receive the same divine revelation, yet have completely different spiritual conditions. This is strikingly illustrated in the lives of two very different people: Peter, a simple fisherman, and Nicodemus, a highly educated teacher of the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21, Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 3:11

Bible References For The Birth Of Jesus

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Dec 24, 2022

Part of the Christmas story is found in Luke 1-2 and the rest is found in Matthew 1-2. This is an outline of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.

The Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story News for Zacharias Luke 1:1-25 Message for Mary Luke 1:26-38 Mary Visited Elisabeth, John Leapt 1:39-45 Mary’s Song Luke 1:46-56 John (the Baptist) Born Luke 1:57-66 Zacharias Prophesied Luke 1:67-80 News for Joseph Matthew ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Original Christmas Emotion

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 27, 2002

Four times in the Christmas Story we encounter fearful people of God: Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. In all cases, they are comforted by God’s angels. And they are told, “fear not”.

Christmas Eve message—the Original Christmas Emotion Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts If we were contestants on the game show Family Feud and were asked to list words associated with Christmas, we might include some of the following—joy, peace, goodwill, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:8-12, Luke 1:26-29

Denomination: Congregational

#6 Long Waits And Sudden Answers! Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 9, 2003

Mary and Martha waited 4 DAYS, ---96 HOURS, --- 5,760 MINUTES, ---345,600 SECONDS --- but Jesus knew what he was doing.Good Waiting grows faith.

LONG WAITS AND SUDDEN ANSWERS! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.  Kyfingers@aol.com This is part #6 on waiting. 1. Waiting and Patience -- the dirty words? ; 2. Habakkuk’s Waiting Room; 3. Danger of waiting and spiritual rust; 4. The five levels of waiting; 5. Waiting with Joy and gladness 6. Long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus And Dallas Cowboys Jackets

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Dec 27, 2003

Christmas 1: Mary and Joseph had settled into the normal routines of life. But when Jesus was 12 years old, they were reminded of Who Jesus was and what He came to do.

About 22 years ago we lived in Virginia Beach, VA. On one occasion, Sofi and I went to the mall with our, then, 2 young sons – one was 6 the other about 4 years of age. Sofi thought that I had the kids, and I thought that she had them. And before we knew it, we had become separated from our younger ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are Blessed Of God When

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Dec 17, 2003

Mary and Elizabeth were two women who were blessed in a special way by God. In this text, we will look at qualities of their life that will help us to be blessed by God in a special way.

As we are in this Advent season, it is a season of blessings. Of course the greatest blessing that we could possibly have is the blessing of eternal life that was made possible by Christ coming into the world and paying the price for our sins on the cross so that we could be in fellowship ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Church Of God

Something Is Going On In The Shadows

Contributed by Craig Benner on Sep 29, 2007

God spoke of the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost at work in the life of Mary to bring about the birth of the Son of God. Get in the shadows of God and see what great thing could happen.

Somethings going on in the Shadows Luke 1:34,35 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas - Risking Your Reputation By Obeying God!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 15, 2007

Joseph had made a biblical, lawful and compassionate decision to quietly divorce Mary, but obeying God was more important to him than protecting his reputation. How about you?

Joseph was a “righteous man” (1:19). He knew what was right and he was ready to act upon it. Joseph was engaged to Mary but they were not yet living together (1:18) and of course that immediately sounds strange to most 21st century people. Engaged but not living together! Yet there is even more to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Anglican

Confused By God's Favor

Contributed by John Appling on Dec 22, 2008

Mary is described in this passage as highly favored by God. But this favor didn’t result in an easy time. We need to understand God’s thoughts if we are not going to struggle in life.

Confused by God’s favor – by John Appling Luke 1:26-38 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Inn Hospitality"

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Nov 30, 2014

This is a deeper look at the translation "no room for them in the inn." It is not about there not being enough "space for lodging' but turns to become more about there not being enough "hospitality" for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

“the inn hospitality” “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (NKJV) Intro: There has been much deliberation and speculation over the whereabouts ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph's Dream Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 5, 2016

Joseph and Mary had no say over the name of their first child. He was not named for anyone else, not for what character was hoped for him, but for the purpose for which he was born in the first place.

Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph’s Dream 12/1/02 D. Marion Clark Introduction “What’s in a name?” so questions Juliet. There may be much in a name. Some of us are named after loved and respected family members. We carry in our name the remembrance of someone else. Others of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed