Sermons on Mary The Sister Of Lazarus:

Not My Favorite Christmas

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Pause and imagine Joseph explaining everything to his parents. “Yes, mom, as I told you earlier. Mary is a good young lady, and we didn’t do anything. She is “with child” because of the Holy Spirit, and I didn’t lay a hand on her. I know it’s hard to believe, but I promise you it’s true.”

No one wants to miss the magic of Christmas. And no one wants to have anything less than a fantastic Christmas holiday experience. Christmas is this wonderful time of year, and we want to spread that unmitigated joy to everyone! But there are just some Christmases that we don’t have the joy that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherds Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 8, 2021

God’s grace rests on those who embrace His Son by faith. God makes peace through the cross of His Son. The only people who get the peace are people who grasp God’s grace.

Nothing quite says “Tis the Season” like your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie marathon! If you have never watched a Hallmark Christmas movie, then here are the essential ingredients: • A small-town Christmas festival; • Lots of Christmas decorations; • PG level of romantic flirtation; • Lots of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Father Of Another's Son

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jun 4, 2016

To establish that Joseph was the father of another’s son. He took upon himself a bride, which was with child by another. This lesson honors and commends men like Joseph, who became fathers of another’s son! It also deals with the human drama; of a perceived betrayal of Mary, to her marriage vows.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Joseph’s Bride 2. Joseph’s Burden 3. Joseph’s Blessing Remarks. 1. This lesson deals with a just and honorable man, that took upon himself to be the father of another’s son, a child that was not his own through conception. There are many men like Joseph today in our modern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:25-56, Matthew 1:18-25, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Herod And The Wise Men Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 9, 2021

The wise men were religious outsiders who traveled a good distance while the religious insiders were sitting on the front porch of Bethlehem but failed to take another step. The religious insiders watched the religious outsiders pass right by them.

Today, we begin a short Christmas series entitled The Characters of Christmas. All throughout the story of Christmas, there are major and minor characters who play an important role in making the story of Christmas great theatre. Now, I love to watch a good movie, and I imagine many of you are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Outside The Comfort Zone

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Dec 24, 2001

First Sunday after Christmas, Year A -- God had Mary and Joseph take Jesus down to Egypt. When God sometimes takes us out of our comfort zone, it is part of his gracious plan for us in Christ.

Here we are at the end of one year and ready to begin another. The readings for this morning are for the First Sunday after Christmas, and the Gospel tells us about the trip that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus took down to Egypt. It wasn’t a vacation. They weren’t just “going south for the winter.” They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11-23, Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Horoscope Of Jesus

Contributed by David Smith on Jan 8, 2007

What must Mary have thought when she first opened the door and found a group of Iranian astrologers, there to celebrate the birth of her son? These characters seem so inappropriate in the Christmas narrative, but maybe that’s the point?

The Xmas season is over! We’ve wished each other a Merry Xmas AND a Happy New Year, and now the festive season is PAST. The holidays (for most of us) are over. The time for singing carols and wishing peace and goodwill to all is finished. The presents have been handed out. The cards have all been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Over The River And Through The Wood Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

The theme is final preparations. This worship experience will focus on the excitement and stress of the final week before the big event. Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey to Bethlehem. We have last-minute shopping and dinner plans to make. And in

The Crandles are not as bad as we thought. They have decided to have a Merry Christmas by putting forth the effort to get along and enjoy each other. What about you? How are your Christmas plans coming? Are you getting excited? Or, is worry and fear getting a grip on you? As you travel “Over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Scandalous Christmas

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 22, 2007

Joseph, the step-dad of Jesus, was faced with a very tough decision: What to do with a pregnant fiance. Joseph journeyed far in his spirit to come to a place where he could make a home for Jesus with his wife Mary.

Sermon for CATM and for Retirement Suites by the Lake –December 22 and 23, 2007 Advent IV – Joseph Made a Home for Jesus – Matthew 2:18-25 Advent: Love A Salvation Army woman was informed by a policeman that a local ordinance would prevent her from ringing her bells to invite contributions. She ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meditations On The Birth Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Dec 2, 2007

1. NAMES OF CHRIST 2. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD 3. SPIRITUAL STATURE OF MARY 4. DELIVERANCE FROM OUR ENEMIES 5. THE FAVOUR OF GOD 6. FULFILLING OUR PURPOSE ON EARTH 7. LIVING LIKE CHRIST

MEDITATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF CHRIST ******************************************* OUTLINE 1. NAMES OF CHRIST 2. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD 3. SPIRITUAL STATURE OF MARY 4. DELIVERANCE FROM OUR ENEMIES 5. THE FAVOUR OF GOD 6. FULFILLING OUR PURPOSE ON EARTH 7. LIVING LIKE CHRIST THE ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Faces Of Christmas - The Face Of Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 17, 2010

What can we learn about Faith from Mary? She exhibited faith in a way that glorifies the Lord. She found favor with God, but her circumstances did not seem great and yet she found contentment and peace.

The Face of Faith - Mary The Faces of Christmas Series Luke 1:26-45, 2:1-7 Faith Accepts altered Expectations (Luke 1:38) Faith Believes without Seeing (Luke 1:45) Faith finds Contentment despite Circumstances (Luke 2:1-7) Intro Slide Has anyone ever had dreams of their future? Not real dreams, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Grace When He Disrupts Your Life

Contributed by Sean Lester on Dec 24, 2013

When God's plan intersects with yours, life can be seriously disrupted. In this story, Joseph the husband of Mary reminds us that our lives are arranged by God and that often isn't easy. But, God's grace is also evident.

God’s Grace when Disrupting Life Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Concise outline: When God's plan intersects with you plans, the disruption to your life can be dramatic and traumatic, as was the case with Joseph. But, we also see God's grace at work in the midst of the shattering the happiness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Hangover Blues

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 27, 2023

Christmas busy-ness can leave us unfocused and exhausted. Joseph & Mary show us how to get back to work, reconnect with friends, and set new goals and work on them. Let's be transformed!

CHRISTMAS HANGOVER BLUES Matt. 2:19-23 INTRODUCTION A. SONG: “The 12 Pains (not ‘Days’) of Christmas,” by Bob Rivers; 1. “The first thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me, Is finding a Christmas tree.” 2. “The second thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me: Rigging up the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Simeon: A Lesson In Waiting & Obedience

Contributed by Tj Long Jr on Jan 1, 2024

Simeon and Anna are faithfully waiting but without the obedience of Joseph and Mary, the promises of God would've been delayed. We must be diligent as disciple-makers because to bring people the good news, to bring Jesus to them.

Christmas is over and now we have 358 days until Christmas 2024. If I was a child I’d be a little depressed about having to wait so long Christmas to come back around again. As I was growing up there were many things I felt like I waited on; a girl to like me, for me to be taller, for me to get my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:20-44

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

The Spiritual Motherhood Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

To become mothers of Christ, we must internalize and make Mary's prayer our own: "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

The spiritual motherhood of Christ is an exalted state attained by embracing a resounding "yes" to God, even in the face of seemingly impossible demands, echoing the divine calling that turned Mary into a virgin mother. To become mothers of Christ, we must internalize and make Mary's ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Other

Make The Most Of Our Visits With God

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 21, 2025

Abraham and Sarah, and Martha and Mary received the one thing they needed—God’s presence in their lives through his Word. Let’s ask God the Holy Spirit to do the same thing for us today and every day.

God came to visit them. In two of our Scripture readings for this Sunday two pairs of believers hosted God in their homes (well, to be exact one was a tent). Abraham and Sarah welcomed the LORD God who took on a human body to be able to visit them on a personal level. They heard God’s promises ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran