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His Presence Or Presents?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 15, 2009

During Christmas season we often say, “God’s presence is more important than presents.” But the amount of time and effort we spend on shopping for gifts may indicate otherwise. So, what would Christmas be like if we truly celebrated God’s presence?

Opening illustration: Oswald Chambers once wrote: “It is not God’s promises we need, it is [God] Himself.” At Christmastime we often say, “God’s presence is more important than presents.” But the amount of time and effort we spend on shopping for gifts may indicate otherwise. In certain parts of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:24-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thankfulness

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 23, 2011

"Thanks" is a word we probably don’t say often enough. And being thankful is an attitude we probably don’t have enough. Unfortunately, when Thanksgiving is over we typically move from being thankful to being materialistic when the Christmas shopping seaso

THANKFULNESS INTRODUCTION: Rudyard Kipling was one of the few old writers who had opportunity to enjoy his success while he lived. One time a newspaper reporter came up to him and said, "Mr. Kipling, I just read that somebody calculated that the money you make from your writings amounts to over a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mixing It Up Series

Contributed by Josh Foster on Mar 18, 2014

Advent is not so much about shopping; it’s not so much about lists and baking and decorations. Rather, Advent points us to the One who came and will come again. A ‘ready life’ is one lived through the power of His Spirit to serve Him in holiness.

Why Christmas Is a Big Deal: Mixing It Up Scripture Text: Luke 1.68-79 Advent Reading: Luke 1.68-79, Advent-Peace INTRODUCTION The Bible is full-of-examples of God-calling people to do things that appeared to be a little-strange …or goofy, …or surprising. I think it just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79

Denomination: Nazarene

What Are You Worried About? - Matthew 6:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Your Father (not nature) feeds billions of birds every day and you are worth far more than the birds, therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

It's Not About Me Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 31, 2005

How do you view yourself? It’s an important question. And if you don’t answer this questions biblically, you will an unhappy person. You’ll drink too much or eat too much or eat too little or work too much or shop too much or please people too much bec

When I was growing up, I felt like I just didn’t fit in – I didn’t belong. My dad was a part-time pastor of a very small rural church on a mountain 45 minutes north of Chattanooga. His other job was at a rat-infested factory in downtown Chattanooga. My mom had to work as a clerk at Kroger’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

Motivational Atrocity-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 9, 2019

1 of ? Amos declared God’s wrath to be justified/warranted due to nationally motivated atrocities. Why/When/How do nationally motivated atrocities move God to anger & retribution? National atrocity motivates God’s retribution when that nation endorses...

MOTIVATIONAL ATROCITY-I—Amos 1:3--2:5 OR--Indefensible National Atrocities/Pride Attention: The Pastor’s Cat… A pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his yard & then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The 12 Days Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 22, 2015

When you view the Christmas story in Scripture, it almost seems like God didn't invest much in Jesus' birth. Lowly parent, born in a barn, laid in a manger, announced to mere shepherds. Is there something about this gift of Christ that we're missing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc00HVmkaXY (acapella – fade out at 3:00) Did you notice how much fun those guys had singing that song? That’s the way it ought to be because Christmas is a fun time of the year. There’s another Christmas song that says that Christmas is the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift That Redeems Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 18, 2021

Anna told others that "the redemption of Jerusalem" had come. And that's what Jesus had come to do - redeem the lost. But what does "redeem" mean, and why should it matter to us?

OPEN: Christmas is a busy season for most people. There are the decorations, bright lights, Christmas caroling, and all kinds of family gatherings, Church and school activities it can wear a person out. One woman, for example waited until last minute to send out her Christmas cards. She had 49 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38, Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 7, 2020

The first chapter of Ephesians is dedicated to telling the Christians there how pretty they are to God. Why would Paul spend all that ink and paper on this topic? And what can that mean to us?

I read once about a nursing home worker who would go from room to room taking care of the needs of the residents. On day she was in the room of one of the residents when the woman looked up at her and said “My but you’re pretty!” The attendant blushed. She was “plump” and “overweight and wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14, John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Never Forgets

Contributed by Mark Engler on Nov 2, 2002

God knew us before He ever created us. He knew that we would make mistakes; He knew that we would forget Him at times. He knows how much He hates sin and He knew how much He would love us. What a wonderful God we have! That He gave His only begotten S

“God Never Forgets” Judges 2:11-16 INTRO: As we go through life we meet many people along the way and we learn many, many things don’t we? I would say in the time that we are in school as children is the time we meet most of the people and we learn most of the things we know. Now one might ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

5 Questions Part 1: Do I Have The Right Attitude About Money

Contributed by Troy Bohn on Oct 18, 2000

Heb 12:1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Heb 12:1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (NKJ) This past Wednesday evening, for those of you who were not here, I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Downsizing Part 1: The Wet Paper Sack Series

Contributed by Travis Voeltz on Jul 16, 2019

If you only take this away today, remember the Words in verse 3 put no confidence in the flesh and verse 1 rejoice in the Lord.

Downsizing Part 1: Wet Paper Sack Open Joseph Segel is a name that may not immediately be familiar to you, but what he founded in 1986 probably is. Quality Value Convenience is the name of his creation, but you probably know it better by its acronym: QVC. Since its original broadcast in ’86, when ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

God Cares For The Lonely Series

Contributed by Stan Rodda on Aug 19, 2005

Loneliness is a problem for many people. The answer sounds simple, turn to God.

God Cares for the Lonely! Let me ask you a question; how many of you have ever gone grocery shopping while you were hungry? How many of you learned your lesson for grocery shopping while you were hungry? What did you do while you were shopping? You saw the Twinkies and you were hungry so you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Answered Prayer

Contributed by Casey Sabella on Jan 21, 2016

Jesus promised our prayers would be answered. So why do so many go unanswered?

All religions emphasize prayer. Buddhists pray. Muslims pray. Hindus pray. What makes Christians unique is that we expect and receive results from our prayers because we are praying to the living God. Scripture: John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Getting Into Your Boat….

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 25, 2012

Can I call the above incident divine encounter? As I was reading this portion of the Bible, I got transfixed! I fondly remembered my encounter with Jesus!

Jesus getting into your boat…. Luke 5:3”He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.” Can I call the above incident divine encounter? As I was reading this portion of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal