Sermons on The Leaven Of Herod:

Contrasting Christmases

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 20, 2022

This message reveals a contrast seen within the Christmas story, a contrast between those who are ready and willing to receive the good news, like the shepherds and the Magi, or Wise Men, and those who are not, like King Herod and the religious leaders of that day. Come and See.

Contrasting Christmases Psalm 1; Luke 2; Matthew 2 Someone has said that life is full of contrasts, and as far as I can determine, they are right. But most of these contrasts are self-determined. Psalm chapter one deals with the main contrast, the one that determines all the rest. It involves the ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Jesus' Birth & Childhood

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2023

Let's look at the beginning of Jesus' life, his refugee status and move to Nazareth.

Let’s look at Matthew, a catechism or instruction book for new Christians. Preparing for Jesus (Matthew 1) Read Matthew 1. Let’s learn about Jesus' birth and John the Baptist. Abbreviated Genealogy Why did Matthew abbreviate this genealogy? The lineage in 1 Chronicles 6:3–14 is abridged in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Just And Unjust Societies In Olden Times

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 1, 2023

Do we respect the law of God or not?

Saturday of the 17th week in Course 2023 Our OT reading today continues the narrative of the Book of Leviticus, the main tradition of the Hebrew priestly class, in a sense the memories of the tribe of Levi. We need to remember that Moses and Aaron were members of that class; we need also to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12, Leviticus 25:1-17

Denomination: Catholic

The Wicked Generation

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 15, 2022

John the Baptizer wasted no time in telling Herod that it was wrong for him to have his brother Phillip’s wife saying that it was not lawful. John went to prison for being the prophet God called him to be and not the puppet that Herod wanted him to be.

THE WICKED GENERATION Text: Matthew 11:1 – 19, 25- 30 N. T. Wright once said that “… wicked people don’t like a message of judgment because they think the message is aimed at them, (and rightly so) while good people don’t like a message of mercy because they think (wrongly) that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19, Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: United Methodist

The Night Of Darkness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 12, 2004

1st Person portrayal of Peter during his imprisonment by Herod and his angelic deliverance.

(Setting: Peter is kneeling. His wrists are in chains - plastic chains wrapped twice around the wrists with the end held in the palm of each hand. The stage is dark and the lights are bro’t up to half power on this section of the stage.) (These first words are mournful, reflecting the despair that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Look At The Nativity

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Dec 14, 2009

Sermon using a nativity set as illustration, added a nutcracker to represent Herod and a dragon to represent Satan

A New Look at the Nativity Intro: Anyone get up to go shopping on Friday morning? I did...GPS deal, directionally challenged. Also looking for the right nativity set...did you know Walmart no longer carries these? Thankfully I did find one, a very special...unable to find in your local ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Empire Strikes Back Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 27, 2008

Exposition of Acts 12:1-17 regarding the attack of Herod on the church and the churches response to persecution

Text: Acts 12:1-17, Title: The Empire Strikes Back, Date/Place: NRBC, 3/30/08, AM A. Opening illustration: Ignatius Kung was ordained as a Bishop of Shanghai in 1949, shortly after the communists took over China. The Chinese government pressured him to align his loyalties to the "Chinese Catholic ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

First Appearance Before Pilate Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 12, 2020

Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They need Pilate to give Jesus the death sentence, since the Jews no longer have that authority. Pilate interviews Christ and announces that he is innocent.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (31) First Appearance Before Pilate Scripture: Matthew 27:2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38 (focal passage) Tom Lowe 2/13/2008 Time: Friday of Jesus’ Final Week Place: Jerusalem Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Baptist

The King Of Kings Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 21, 2008

There are worldly kings trying to battle against the King of kings and His kingdom as demonstrated by Herod’s attempts to fight against the newborn king and His Kingdom. What can we learn from this battle between kings for our own lives today?

The King of kings The Battle between kings The purpose for the battle Selfish ambition vs. Sacrificial atonement The weapons of the battle Military might vs. Heavenly Help The results of the battle Empty & False victory vs. Eternal & Fulfilling Victory Slide I always love seeing the kids when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Threatening Baby

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Dec 6, 2002

Herod was threatened by the Baby Jesus. Are we threatened by Christ? Afraid he might rule our lives?

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why John The Baptist?

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 3, 2003

Why did God call and entrust his message to John the Baptist rather than Herod or the priests

Thornage 07-12-03 Luke 3:1-8 The mission of John the Baptist Have you ever wondered why God spoke to an uncouth fellow like John the Baptist rather than to the “great and good” like King Herod or the High Priest Caiaphas. Conventional wisdom would dictate ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Christmas According To The Magi

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jan 18, 2007

The reactions of Herod, the religious leaders, and the Magi to the birth of Jesus mirror people’s responses to Jesus today.

How “Wise” Are You? True and False Questions about the Wise Men Questions 1. The wise men arrived in Judea after Jesus had been born. 2. The Bible says that there were three wise men. 3. The wise men went directly to Bethlehem when they arrived in Judea. 4. The wise men were kings. 5. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Candlelighting Sermon: The Responses To The First Christmas

Contributed by Roy Hartzell on Dec 19, 2016

The innkeeper's, shepherds', Herod's,religious leaders', wise men's, and Mary's response to Jesus' birth in poem and Hymn.

The Responses To The First Christmas (adapted from “A Savior Has Been Born” by Melvin Newland; sermoncentral.com) Lk 2:1-20 In the last 15-20 years we have seen a lot of change in how people of this country respond to Christmas. There seems to more and more avoidance of the use of the name of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Three Wise Men Outsmarting A Shrewd King

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Jan 5, 2020

Seeing God, Herod the Tyrant and Three Magi "Seekers" and what that means to us today!

Message/Devotion January 5, 2020 Matthew 2:1-12 Three Wise Men Outsmarting A Shrewd King The Reading Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Celebrations, Worship, And Weeping Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Dec 5, 2023

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

Matthew 2:1-23 1.After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2.And asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3.When King Herod heard this he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 2:10, Matthew 2:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God