Sermons on Preparation For Ministry:

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

A Time Of Transition Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Mar 4, 2008

Life is full of turning points. Times of change that prepare us for the road ahead and fulfill God’s purposes in our life. The arrest of John the Baptist leads Jesus into a place of transition. Jesus goes to Galilee and begins to preach a message of

A Time of Transition Mark 1:14-15 March 9, 2008 Mark 1:14a (HCSB) After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee… Time to Leave - Turning points - Circumstances that God uses to redirect - Focus - Energy - Actions - These circumstances may be good or bad - The Holy Spirit gives ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

God himself laid the foundation for Jesus' ministry through the work of John the Baptist. Our life will be a waste if we don't build on God's foundation.

Well, are you all ready for Christmas? Shopping done? Wrapping done? Tree up? Decorating done? Christmas cards done? Cooking done? Me, neither. Feel exhausted just thinking about it? All those jobs that are part of preparing for Christmas can make December a very hectic month. And there is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

The Thessalonians #11

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

The British Railways were looking for a way to test locomotive windshields when they heard about an unusual test cannon that The British Airways had used to test their windshields.

This cannon fired birds, with great force, into the windshields of passenger jets to insure designs and materials were up to par. They were glad to let the railway borrow their cannon to test the train windshields. Just before the test run, British Railways sent someone out to buy a dead chicken ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor Is The Church's Theologian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2015

Pastor's are responsible to prepare themselves to present theology, making it a joy to the flock.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Prepare For Immortal Combat Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 15, 2004

We need vital lifegiving relationships in order to win against Satan’s schemes.

Prepare for Immortal Combat Matthew 10:1-16; 24-25 Introduction: We hear a great deal of video games and TV shows talking about mortal combat, and this simply refers to a fight to the death. This is supposed to be the apex of all battles, but this morning I want to remind you that immortal combat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Preparation For Jesus Coming (Advent)

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 3, 2022

We say that we are ready, but Are we Truly Ready? Have we done everything possible within our abilities to DO what GOD has commanded of us? HE is faithful as HE has promised, to help us. Let us examine what it is to prepare.

2022.12.04. Stewards of the Mysteries Prepare for THE WAY William Akehurst, HSWC Advent: Hope, Preparation, Joy, Love 2nd Sunday: Preparation We as servants of Christ, are stewards of the Mysteries of GOD. We must prepare and be prepared. ADVENT Preparation is turning to GOD in Trust, placing ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, 1 Peter 3:15, John 14:6, Hebrews 12:1-2, John 3:16-17, Matthew 26:41, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 24:42, Hebrews 10:23-25, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 1, 2006

Based on Isaiah 40:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-12, this is a Sermon for any Sunday in Advent. It’s thesis is that to truly be prepared for Christmas and the Return of Jesus one must be born again and explains how the Holy Spirit enables that to happen.

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD --Isaiah 40:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-12 Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ in celebration of His nativity and anticipation of His Return. The message of John the Baptizer, who prepared Judea for the First Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Survivorman Part 2

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

Livin’ Thru The Dry Times. Learn survival lessons and tips.

SurvivorMan Pt. 2 I. Introduction One of the lessons that I won’t spend any time on but want to mention to you after that clip is that are times in the dry moments of your life that you have to do things you wouldn’t normally do. There is a flip side to that as well. There are times in the dry ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Ministry Of John The Baptist

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 25, 2013

Ministry is not what we do as much as who we are in Christ. True ministry is rooted in Christ and reflects Christ in everything we do.

Jerry Jenkins, the writer of the Left Behind series, says a real writer is someone who cannot not write. One of the professors of theology at a major Christian college said that if you can do anything else do not go into the ministry. What both were saying is that behind our labor is a passion to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Prepare To Meet...isaiah Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Oct 23, 2007

This is a preview sermon to help prepare the congregation for the upcoming sermon series on Isaiah. It contains some historical and socio-political information to put Isaiah into context.

PREPARE TO MEET…ISAIAH If I say that “the Lord spoke to me” one might understand that I heard an audible voice. For some that might be the case but for me it means that God puts thoughts in my head when I pray. When I was praying this week the Lord spoke to me. He said, “Plow deeply.” A picture ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

Preparing For The Next Leader

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 18, 2023

This message emphasizes the importance of listening for Gods' leading when preparing to change leadership roles.

Last week we began by talking about mentoring and how we affect other people's lives. We saw how Jethro impacted Moses’ life in his ministry. Moses’ ministry changed in his methods and I'm sure that he was grateful for Jethro's advice. People impact our lives sometimes more than we ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 27:12-23, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Psalm 90:12

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The Holy Day

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jan 5, 2019

Advent is a time a preparation. A time to prepare to celebrate the birth of our savior, and to prepare our hearts and minds for the second coming of Christ

Christmas is 16 days away. Does your pulse go up when you hear that? You have 16 days to buy your gifts, wrap them, finish decorating, plan and shop for a meal, finalize any travel plans, and or clean your house before your company arrives. Christmas will be here before you know it, and almost ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-8, Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Interpreting The Ministry Of Jesus

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Aug 21, 2007

Being a follower of Jesus will bring us into conflict with those who are not his followers. However, being his follower means that we are called to help others to interpret his ministry so that they might become his follower too.

On and off, for the past 19 years Moira and I have been delighted to be able to spend time at her parents’ time-share apartment in Spain. The weather is predictably hot and the sun shines brightly! However, I was careless in packing my case. I was disappointed to arrive in Spain and discover that I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Anglican

Story Of Three Ministries

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Aug 5, 2014

This is a sermon about "YOUR" ministry and how "YOU" play a role in God's plan.

STORY OF THREE MINISTRIES Text: Mark 1:2-11 Mark 1:2-11 shows us about three ministries, how God works with ministers. First, God had a plan. I don't say 'God has a plan', because God had it planned long ago. God has a big plan and a bunch of smaller plans. We see here, for example, that Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:2-11

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ