Sermons on Stephen Langton:

Please Use The Servant Entrance

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 23, 2020

We naturally want to be in control of our lives and focus on taking care of ourselves first. But Jesus set the example of being a servant.

If you were to ask me what my favorite TV show is right now, I think I would have to answer “West Wing.” I’m really enjoying the opportunity to see something of the inner workings of the white house and how policies come together. Today’s text, the story of the birth of Jesus, leaves me thinking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Philippians 2:7, Matthew 20:26, Matthew 23:11

A Tale Of Two Kings

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

There would have appeared to be no contest in a contest between the great King Herod and the little baby Jesus. But Jesus' power of humility and holiness and obedience to God, displayed at Christmas was greater then and continues today.

Our text for this morning is Luke 2:1-7, the story of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You’ve probably heard it many, many times before. Can there be anything new in it, any way that this ancient text relates to our world today? Let’s see. I encourage you to open your Bible to it as Linda ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

The Journey From Bethlehem To Nazareth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We have our dreams for a perfect Christmas, but don't feel God has failed you if your dreams aren't met. Imagine how Mary's dreams for having a perfect birth for her baby were disrupted.

If we made a list of what it would take to make a perfect Christmas, it would be quite a list. Of course all the family needs to be together, all at the same time. Just that can be really complicated. For us, as near as we can tell, we’ll have one son coming in on the afternoon of the 25th and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Not Such A Silent Night

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

If your Christmas isn't coming together the way you would like, remember that our God is a God for the rough times, too. Look what Mary went through on the first Christmas.

If a good fairy appeared and said you could make a list to put together your perfect Christmas, what would you put on your list? Every year around Christmas time we get several chances to watch various versions of Charles Dickens’ classic story about Ebenezer Scrooge and the various spirits of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

The Angels' Celebration

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

When we think of the wonder of what God did at Christmas, we just have to celebrate.

We love the quietness and intimacy of many parts of the Christmas story. The arrangements are made by angel messengers, who appear very privately, to Mary, face to face, and to Joseph in a dream. Mary ponders the wonder of it all, deep in her heart. A peasant couple quietly slips into Bethlehem, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Shepherds?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

It was lowly shepherds who got the most impressive announcement about the birth of the Messiah. That tells us a lot about the God we serve.

I think the presence of the shepherds has to be one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story. They don’t say much. They don’t do much. But it sure was important to God that they be there for the birth of Jesus. And that says a lot. When the time came to tell Zechariah about the birth of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 57:15

The Christ In A Manger

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We have heard the story so often that it seems obvious that Christ was born in a manger. But that would have been shocking to the world of that day.

I always enjoy the chance to meet people from different cultures and learn how 2 people from 2 different cultures can look at the same event and see it differently. Years ago, we lived in New Delhi India. Kathy and I had to take a bus to a shop in the old city, so I brought my Bible along to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11-12

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We might read a Christmas card that says "Peace on Earth" and not think anything of it. But the hope of God's peace is revolutionary.

In years past at Christmas time you would see the phrase, “Peace on Earth,” quite a bit. It might be on a banner in a store window or on Christmas cards or decorations in someone’s front yard. We did get one Christmas card with the phrase, but not as many as in years past. As the years go by we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Dedicating Our Children To The Lord

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We share in Mary and Joseph's desire to give our kids the best possible spiritual foundations

I want all of us who are parents to think back to a time when you presented one of your children for baptism. What was it that you were asking God to do when you brought your child for baptism? Grandparents, if it’s fresher to think about your feelings at the birth of a grandchild, do that. What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

The Price Of Peace

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

At Christmas time we may dare to dream about peace on earth, but it doesn't last long. In Jesus, God showed us the way to true peace and it is not cheap.

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Jesus Grew

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

Have you been saved? Great. But that's only the beginning. Jesus had to learn obedience and effective ministry. Are you on the path to becoming a useful disciple for God?

Last week we looked at a touching moment in Jesus’ infancy. His parents brought their infant son to the temple to be dedicated to God. They wanted nothing but God’s best for their special son. And in the temple God brought them across the path of one of his true saints, Simeon, who loved their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40

His Father's Business

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 26, 2020

Even for Mary, Joseph and Jesus there were some messy family days. But that may be a necessary, healthy part of letting our teens grow up.

Have you ever found yourself in the situation where someone really impresses you, and you ask yourself, “I wonder what that person was like as a child?” You might be impressed with them for good things, or bad things. But you wonder about their childhood. For centuries Jesus has impressed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Palm Sunday - 2020 - Thy Kingdom Come - The Lord's Prayer - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 4, 2020

Should we be celebrating with the disciples who were waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David" or should we be weeping over Jerusalem like Jesus? This naturally combines with "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done ..." from the Lord's prayer.

(This is a shorter sermon used on Facebook Live during the Coronavirus pandemic) What is today? Today is Palm Sunday, the day we set aside to remember what many call “The Triumphal Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem. Where do we find that? Matthew 21:1-11 As you look that up in your Bibles to read ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-16, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 119:2-3, Luke 19:37-44

Denomination: Nazarene

Good Friday 2020 - For God So Greatly Loved The World

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 8, 2020

This is an interactive service of dialog, Scripture and music focusing on the cross and on the fact that God sent Jesus for everyone of the people involved in that one 24 hour period that changed the world forever.

This is not so much a sermon but an entire service of dialog, Scripture and music all mixed together. It is of a limited "cast" due to the nature of broadcasting on FB Live. Only two people needed if one can play a guitar or other instrument. All music is Public Domain so licensing is not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Matthew 27:24-26, Mark 15:21-41, John 3:16-18, John 19:38-42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Resurrection Sunday 2020 - The Resurrection ... A Wall Or A Gate

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 17, 2020

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is either fact or fiction. If it is fiction we are all lost in our sin. If it is fact then our eternal destiny pivots on whether we believe it or not.

The Resurrection – A Wall or A Gate Please open your Bibles to Matthew 28:1-7 which Pastor Karenlee will be reading and teaching from in a few minutes. We hope many of you were able to join us for our Good Friday service. It was good to remember all that happened between the Passover Meal, which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-7, 1 John 1:1-4, Luke 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13-15, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene