Sermons on Second Advent:

Friend Of The Shut Out Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 20, 2009

We are not shut out: Jesus includes us by giving us knowledge, by giving us a place in His mission, and by paying the price to see that we are included in the Kingdom.

A number of years ago I saw a very provocative poster. It was a depiction of the doors of Washington. Nothing more than a series of doors, arranged in rows on the poster, probably twenty or twenty-five, all photographs of various doors in this city. Some of them were beautifully simple doorways ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Friend Of The Hopeful Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 22, 2009

In fearful times, there are also signs of hope. Some turn everything into a sign of fear and conflict. Others can see hope if they allow others to succeed. The child Jesus is a sign of such hope.

"The time of fear is over; now comes the time of hope." These words were spoken in the most unlikely of situations. A French novelist, Tristan Bernard, and his wife, were being put into prison by the Gestapo, after the Nazis had overrun France. They were being sent to a concentration camp; ...read more

Scripture: John 3:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

Friend Of The Full Heart Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 23, 2009

Christmas is a time for full hearts: weary, guilty, anxious, sad -- past, present, and future. Mary felt the same things, but Christ comes to forgive our past, empower our present, and assure our future.

Christmas is an emotional time. All kinds of feelings are involved with the celebration of Christmas. If you don’t feel some tension, some excitement, or some pressure, something at this time of the year, you are either dead or you’ve been watching the Redskins, which is about the same thing. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Earning The Right To Be Heard

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 27, 2009

Jesus is God’s way of earning the right to be heard. He comes to where we live, and he experiences what we experience. He is therefore credible.

I invite you to eavesdrop with me this morning. Listen and we can overhear some conversations. Overheard in the grocery store aisle: a mother and a little girl, shopping dangerously close to the candies, the cookies and the other goodies. The little girl saying, "I want these and I want those and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Name Above All Names

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 2, 2009

If the name is Jesus, everything is in that name! His name is the source of our salvation. His name is the hope of our hearts. His name can lift the greatest burdens. His name can comfort the broken heart ... His Name is above all names.

Opening illustration: Well, in the Bible, names are very important and they are significant in other cultures as well. Talking about the Mexican Indians, and somehow or another something of their culture comes up, and the face is very important to an Indian, just as it is in the Orient, we know of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Is Coming!

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

Has God changed your plans lately? Did you fully expect one thing to happen only to find your plans were changed by circumstances beyond your control? It just might be that God is orchestrating your life the same way he did in the lives of Joseph and Mar

The Baby is coming! Luke 2:1-5 It was October 1, 1984 I was sound asleep when suddenly I awoke at 3:00am to the sound of running water. I was 27 years old at the time and my wife Fran was just 21. We were expecting our first child and our due date was October 3rd 1984. We had taken prenatal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Aint No Power Like Resurrection Power

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 8, 2010

Easter Sermon on the Power of The Resurrection

Ain’t No Power Like Resurrection Power Luke 24:1-12 I. INTRODUCTION A. A day of good news 1. There seems to be plenty of bad news these days. 2. This is a day of Good News. 3. It is resurrection day. 4. Without the Resurrection of Jesus, there could be no Good News. B. The events leading ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A "Reasonable" Believer? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Feb 26, 2010

How often do we miss out on what God has for us b/c we use the ’excuse’ that we have OTHER responsibilities?

Sermon Brief Date Written: February 10, 2010 Date Preached: February 14, 2010 Where Preached: Oak Park (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: Series on the Holy Spirit - The Great Adventure Sermon Title: Are You A Reasonable Believer! - Part 2 of 6 Sermon Text: John 14:12, Neh ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Wise Enough To Seek Him Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Nov 2, 2010

Matthew now introduces us to a fascinating part of the story of the birth of Jesus by introducing a group of mysterious travelers who have come seeking Jesus. There are three things in this story that proved that they really were “Wise men."

“Wise Enough to Seek Him” Matthew 2: 1-12 For many of us the joy and anticipation of the season has been reduced to figuring out what we can afford to give our loved ones. It is from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecy: A Root Of Hope! Series

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Nov 30, 2010

This sermon is about the prophecy about Jesus birth, coming from the root of Jesse, and that he brought hope to the Gentiles! So to we have a root of hope in Jesus in our time!

(secondary text: Romans 15:9-12) When a member of my congregation, 18 year old Heidi was thrown from a car back in May, and suffered a head injury it was a real miracle that she recovered and was soon in rehab at Crystus Santa Rosa. She was learning to walk again through rehab and therapy and a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

The Amazing Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 5, 2010

Many people know or knew God in a partial sense, but through Jesus Christ we can know him deeply.

The Amazing Jesus Christ (John 1:14-18) 1. Most people know that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, but they really do not understand as much as we think they do. In a small Southern town there was a "Nativity Scene" that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Is This Baby Immanuel?

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 23, 2010

Christmas is so much more than a birth, even a miraculous birth. The name Immanuel reveals the mystery of Christmas. A) Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin. B) Because he is our Jesus, come to save us.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Theme: Why Is This Baby Immanuel? A. Because he's our God in the flesh, born of the virgin B. Because he is our Jesus, come to save us Season: Advent 4a Date: December 19, 2010 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Why-Is-This-Baby-Immanuel_-Matthew1_18-25.html ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Mary’s Secret For A Merry Christmas

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 20, 2009

Mary rejoiced in God, her Savior. That’s where we want our Christmas joy to come from as well. Parts: A. Recognize our lowliness. B. Rejoice in his greatness.

Text: Luke 1:39-55 Theme: Mary’s Secret for a Merry Christmas A. Recognize our lowliness B. Rejoice in his greatness Season: Advent 4c Date: December 20, 2009 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Mary_s-Secret-for-a-Merry-Christmas-Luke1_39-55.html Grace and peace to you from God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Anticipating Grief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2010

A grief anticipating what will happen is difficult, but can be handled if we ask and accept forgiveness. When the grief is fulfilled, then we are ready to do what our hearts tell us. God suffered anticipating grief and so understands.

Only someone who has done some grieving can help those who now grieve. A hundred "I’m sorries" and a thousand "I know how you feels" are worthless when you feel profound grief. You need at your side someone who has been through loss. And if yours is anticipating grief; that is, if yours is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough For Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 2, 2010

Every now and then something happens, after a long struggle, to give us a breakthrough. So with God in Christ, planning from the foundation of time for the cross and achieving a breakthrough victory at the empty tomb. So count nothing impossible.

Every now and again, in human history, we achieve a breakthrough. Something which we have worked for, hoped for, fought and died for, finally happens. There has been struggle and agony and seemingly endless defeat, but suddenly it all works out. That’s called a breakthrough. You know the feeling. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Baptist