Sermons on Mithra:

Answering Rob Bell's Myths About The Resurrection

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 16, 2014

Was the Resurrection a Myth concocted out of many ancient stories? Rob Bell seems to think so.

Recently, I watched a video from a preacher named Rob Bell. He has attained a certain level of popularity recently due to his book Love Wins, which many evangelicals have denounced as a purely universalistic treatment of important Scriptural texts. Now, I may soon deal with Rob Bell’s claims ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas - A Christian Holiday?

Contributed by Donna Kazenske on Dec 1, 2003

People of all ages have celebrated Christmas throughout the centuries, but where did it originate? Are the roots of Christmas really as Christian as many believe or are they pagan? Is Christmas really the day of Christ’s birth?

By: Donna J. Kazenske People of all ages have celebrated Christmas throughout the centuries, but where did it originate? Are the roots of Christmas really as Christian as many believe or are they pagan? Is Christmas really the day of Christ’s birth? If Christmas is truly a Christian holiday, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:2-5, Luke 2:8

Denomination: *other

What Do The Magi's Gifts Mean Today?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 2, 2021

The gifts that the magi presented to the baby Jesus have metaphorical meaning. What do they mean today?

The story about the three magi visiting the baby Yeshua is a problematic story. If such an event took place, why is it only found in Matthew's Gospel? The idea of three magi traveling from Persia to Judea is fascinating. The narrative says that they followed the Bethlehem star. Many people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"what Do The Magi's Gifts Mean Today?”

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 2, 2022

What do the Magi's gifts mean to us today. What can we offer yo Jesus to show him our love?

Matt. 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 1magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

My Christmas Dilemma

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 4, 2022

Some pros and cons of Christmas.

I am not a big fan of Christmas, mainly because it is not in the Bible. Family and friends outnumber me, so I go along with Christmas festivities but not wholeheartedly. I have difficulty celebrating it as the birthday of Jesus. For one reason, Christians did not celebrate Christmas for at least ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Us Go To Bethlehem And Find The Faith Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Mark Roper on Dec 17, 2008

Today our Christmas traditions have evolved from the different ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Immigrants have brought their customs with them, and as a result we have a great diversity of customs, traditions, and fantasy’s that obscures t

Let Us Go to Bethlehem and Find the Faith of Christmas Luke 2:15-20 It is hard to imagine not celebrating Christmas, yet during the infancy of America Christmas was banned and for a time, and even illegal. How did we get to where we are now? Christmas evolved out of the old Roman festival of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Seeing Is Believing

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 29, 2024

John's disciples ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. The answer is to look at what works Jesus did and make that determination. Do we see Jesus in today's world?

Seeing is Believing Luke 7:18-23 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 7:18 -23 The disciples of John also reported to him about all these things. 19 And after summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?” 20 When the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23

Denomination: United Methodist

It's About Time Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005

3rd in series on Galatians 4:4, describing how Jesus came at just the right time. This shows that the time was right SPIRITUALLY - He fulfills our needs as the Law never could.

Galatians 3:23-4:7 – It’s About Time When was Jesus born? The one that Isaiah called Wonderful - when was this child born, and when was this Son given? There are many ways to answer that question. Was Jesus born on December 25th? For about 1800 years, that has been the date assigned to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Follow Or Not To Follow

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

Who do you follower? Two followers of Jesus could be discussing an issue that appears to be allowed in the Bible? An even larger question is what do you do when two pathways are before you??

The LORD gave us His Word as a guide for us to have a spotless life. There are so many rules and regulations that it is virtually impossible to live on Earth and not break a code here and there. The LORD established forgiveness into His system because He was aware that this would indeed happen. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Reflection D.3 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. The Rider On The White Horse.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 8, 2020

Who is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6? Some say Jesus, some say the antichrist! And there are many other suggestions. We look at the possibilities.

Today we meet ‘the four horsemen’. The first of the horsemen is described as follows (Rev. 6:2): And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. Who is this? Why is he conquering? When will it happen? ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:2

Denomination: Baptist

A Gift For The New Year

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 13, 2017

Use the principles of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus in Christmas to prepare the way for the new year.

1. I am not a big fan of Christmas – there are theological issues in which a pagan story of Mithras became the basis for the date of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. [Similar for Easter] a. Jesus’ birth is mentioned but not specifically when b. Jewish people tend not to celebrate ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Religious Authority

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 24, 2022

Jesus demonstrated that the religious authorities did not have the authority to create laws for the people which violated God's Torah.

Religious Authority John 5:1-18 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 5:1 After these things there was aa feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem by athe sheep gate a pool, which is called bin 1Hebrew 2Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Love

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Jan 5, 2011

There are many nativity stories. Matthew has one too. Every story has its own focus. Matthew focuses on David's lineage, fulfilled prophecies, Jesus' name​ and love.

Many Nativity stories - Matthew has one too - every story has its own focus - Mark starts with grown-up Jesus getting baptized by John​, heading right into ministry and his final days in Jerusalem​ - Luke makes sure he has the history right, dating it while Quirinius was governor of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Congregational

Christmas Eve: The Gift Of Love

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 21, 2007

Christmas Eve. Focus: Jesus is the gift of Christmas.

A professor of mine from seminary told us this story: When he was a young man, all of 23, he had the opportunity to take a summer tour of Europe as a graduation present, he was from a well to do family. He traveled about Europe by train, boat and sometimes by bicycle. Finally he ended up on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Putting The Easter Back Into Christmas

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 26, 2003

Jesus came at the right time. We need to be careful not to bi-pass Bethlehem.

Putting the Easter Back in Christmas, Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts I’ve been reading about how Japan celebrates Christmas, which has become a major event over there. They put up decorations, exchange presents, send cards, sing yuletide songs, decorate ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4

Denomination: Congregational