Sermons on The Leaven Of Herod:

Christmas Significa Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 11, 2021

The real beauty and power of Christmas is how it is as mundane as it is holy, secular as it is sacred, temporal as it is eternal, physical as it is spiritual, worldly as it is heavenly … and this is by design.

Today’s scripture reading reminds me of Christmas hymns like “Angles We Have Heard on High” in which the angels “sweetly sing o’er the plans” (UMH, verse 1; p.238) or “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” … “glory to the newborn King” (UMH, verse 1; p. 240). Songs like these beautifully capture the drama ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-15

Denomination: United Methodist

The Dark Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 16, 2008

Herod was among the first few to hear the Christmas message, but he was too bent on doing his own will, too wrapped up in himself, and too caught up by power and control, to see the light.

Matthew reminds us that Jesus did not enter the world with sparkling lights and soothing carols. • Jesus along with his family begins his life as a refugee in need of asylum. • King Herod was part of the backdrop of this first Christmas play, together with the singing angels, the happy shepherds ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Different Direction (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jan 10, 2014

Hearing about birth of Jesus does not produce the same emotion in all that witness the events that surround the birth of baby Jesus. When Herod The King Heard This, He Was Troubled, And All Jerusalem With Him.

Matthew 2:1-12- 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 we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoicing When You Want Fiery Justice Instead!! Series

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 16, 2023

John the Baptist sits in jail, waiting for Justice to rain down upon Herod. Meanwhile Christ preaches Good News, rather than wrath. How can we rejoice when there is no justice in this world?

Good Morning! As someone who grew up in a liturgical church, I realize that Lent and Advent can be easy to confuse. I say the wrong name quite a bit and might accidentally say the wrong name this morning. That’s one of those pastor cliches. My pastor, from our parish down in Baltimore, kept putting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 8, 2022

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. Let's look at Jesus' parables in Matthew.

Why did Jesus preach in parables? It’s because people really don’t want the truth. “All of them have stubborn minds! They refuse to listen; they cover their eyes. They cannot see or hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15 CEV) Shepherds We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Hated Christmas

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Today we are going to talk about a real person, an individual who plays an important part in the Bible's account of Jesus' birth, but who is seldom mentioned in Christmas programs or sermons. His name is King Herod.

The man who hated Christmas. Who am I talking about? Is it Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser whose motto for Christmas was "bah-humbug"? Or is it The Grinch, the creature who tries to steal Christmas because he can't stand to see people happy? Well, neither. Today we are going to talk about a real ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18, Luke 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Weaving A Woeful Web

Contributed by Craig Benner on May 13, 2011

Did you hear about the man who created a trap and then became the prey of his own invention. Herod is a prime example of that man. Unfortunately, there are many others in this world who are doing the very same thing.

The Weaving of a Woeful Web Mark 6:14-29 (Matt. 14:1-9) Jesus was going around working miracles and wonders. Everyone was taking notice. Many were speaking up and expressing their opinion of who they believed that He was. Some believed Him to be a prophet, others said that He was Elijah. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Birth Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 23, 2022

The prophecies of Jesus’ birth unfold one after another in Jesus’ lineage and his birthplace. God can bring about his purposes through Herod and through Caesar Augustus. Nothing is too difficult for God.

You probably know what it is like to be busy at Christmas. I just read about someone who got so busy during the Christmas holidays that they did not have time to buy Christmas cards and send them out as scheduled. It came to the last minute, and then they felt rushed to get their cards out. They ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

"O Worship The King, The New Born King

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 3, 2008

There were two reactions to the birth of Jesus. The Wisemen came and worshiped. Herod was disturbed and sought to kill the child, others were indifferent. Modern nations and some world religions are still afraid of the infant born in the manger at Bethl

In Jesus Holy Name January 6, 2008 Epiphany Matthew 2:1-3 Redeemer “O Worship the King, The New Born King” In the Lutheran Hymnal there is a hymn with a similar title as the one chose for the message today. The words of the hymn, “O Worship the King”, could well have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Finding Out Who Really Cares Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 6, 2008

Who really cares? NOT those who are full of fear, like Herod. But those who believe from the beginning and who give gifts for the future, like the wise men; and those who sacrifice to protect, like Joseph.

Some people have friends. Some people have enemies. Most people have acquaintances. But everybody has people you do business with. The people you do business with -- usually, that’s not an intimate relationship. It’s distant, it’s limited to transactions. We deal with people who may not even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Yuletide Messenger Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jan 12, 2010

n the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesth

Some of you may remember the answer to the question: ’What is green, has four legs, and if it falls on you from a tree and hits you it will kill you?’ The answer, of course, is a billiard table, though some of you may have been wondering whether the answer was ’Christmas’’, which is also green ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-2

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Wise Men Who Missed The Savior Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 27, 2015

Matthew 2 not only describes the Wise Men from the East who sought the Messiah, but the "wise men" from the West, Herod's advisors who missed the Savior. This sermon speaks of salvation of the lost and the lordship of Christ for the saved.

The “Wise Men” Who Missed the Savior Series: Christmas Chuck Sligh December 27, 2015 Adapted from a skeletal outline in Preach for a Year, #2, by Roger Campbell. A PowerPoint presentation for this sermon is available upon request by emailing me at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

From Egypt To Nazareth With Jesus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 17, 2017

It was an angel that told Joseph of the danger to Jesus. He was told to flee to Egypt and also that he would be told when it was safe to return. With Herod dead, the pressure was off and it was now safe for Joseph to take his family home.

-4 BC- Egypt and Nazareth (14) From Egypt to Nazareth with Jesus Matthew 2: 19-23, Luke 2:39 Hosea 11:1 says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” God’s son was down in Egypt, but He can’t stay there. He can’t grow up in the Egyptian culture like Moses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Before The Unbelieving

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 10, 2018

On the Path to the Cross, Jesus stood before Pilate and Herod. A Biblical examination of their dealing with Jesus will allow the Holy Spirit to give us a clear understanding of unrepentant mankind's response to God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Before the Unbelieving Before Pilate, Herod and the Crowd: On the Path to the Cross, Jesus stood before Pilate and Herod. A Biblical examination of their dealing with Jesus will allow the Holy Spirit to give us a clear understanding of unrepentant mankind's response to God's redemptive ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He’s A Chain Breaker!

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 7, 2018

God’s in the business of setting captives free. Throughout the Bible He's freeing prisoners. In Acts 12 we see God answer intense prayer to free Peter from Herod's clutches. He's a chain-breaker!

HE’S A CHAIN BREAKER! Acts 12:1-17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. An airline company was disturbed over a high percentage of accidents so they decided to eliminate human errors by building a completely computerized plane. 2. On its maiden voyage, the plane was filled with passengers. "Ladies and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God