Sermons on Worship Anointing:

The Boy Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 4, 2005

The mystery of the incarnation helps us to know: 1. God’s strength is in his apparent weakness. 2. Jesus understands the human condition. 3. God’s desire is to be with us.

A new trend is literally turning a longstanding Christmas tradition on its head. Hammacher Schlemmer, a retail company based in New York, is offering a unique yuletide decoration: the Upside-Down Christmas Tree. The tree is seven feet tall and pre-lit with over 800 commercial grade lights, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:39-52

Denomination: Methodist

Hunches And High Hopes

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 5, 2005

We all have baggage in our lives, so what do you do when you want to get rid of your spiritual baggage? By interacting with an unnamed woman in Mark 5:24-31 Jesus demonstrates that He is the One who can remove all our baggage.

Congregation of the Lord, Going to the airport is an interesting exercise … especially when you stand near the baggage counters. Here you will see business people – focussed, efficient, having clear goals for the day. They have come from interstate for an important meeting. It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Flood Assurance (Revised)

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Dec 7, 2005

The question is not, "Why do bad things happen." The better question is, "Why were we spared." And the answer? Because we have a God who loves us!

Title: Flood Assurance Text: Luke 13:1-5, but it only makes sense in the context of Luke 12:54-57,1-9. FCF: We are all judged and worthy of death, but God be praised we have an advocate who pleads to give us more time. SO: I want my congregation to feel sympathy for the people of New Orleans, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope Of Life

Contributed by James Jack on Dec 14, 2005

The hope we have in Christ is a living hope that will never perish, spoil or fade.

1 Peter 1:3-12 You might have heard the old saying “where there’s life, there’s hope”. That saying tells us how important hope is to people, because if we reverse it, it says “where there’s hope, there’s life” – which means that where there’s no hope, there’s death. As humans, we live on hope. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Anglican

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Erik Estep on Dec 15, 2005

What is it you’re looking forward to this Christmas? What kind of gift would you like to get? There’s a gift just waiting for you that can transform your life.

Intro: It’s always exciting thinking @ X-mas. For me, one of the fun parts of X-mas is just watching my kids get excited @ it. Let me share w/you some letters kids wrote to Santa Claus. -“Dear Santa Claus, when you come to my house there will be cookies for you. But if you are real hungry ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

How To Respond To God Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Dec 15, 2005

How Mary’s response to God’s enlightenment is an example to us all on how to respond to God.

How to Respond to God Part 3 of 4 in the series, Christmas Calms Our Fears Last week we reflected on the pronouncement of the angel to Zechariah that the prayers of he and his wife Elizabeth had been heard and that they were going to have a son. Let’s pick up the story in the first chapter of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:26-56

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: A World Without Jesus Would Be A Darker World Series

Contributed by Scott Weber on Dec 16, 2005

The is the second of a series that coincided with the release of the film "Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." It explores the question, "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born." I used the book by the same title written by D. James Kennedy and J

What If It Was Always Winter And Never Christmas? (What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?) Part #2 – December 18 – “A world without Jesus would be a darker world” I read about how Japan celebrates Christmas, which has become a major event over there. They put up decorations, exchange presents, send ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

His Name Is...mighty God

Contributed by Brian Harrell on Dec 19, 2005

Jesus would be known as the Mighty God! Let’s not let the world assasinate Jesus and replace Him with some weak substitute who can barely save us. He is the Mighty God! Limitless, not subject to our rules, a defeater of Satan and the overcomer of death! D

His name shall be…the mighty God. In Isaiah’s day it was extremely dark. The nation had sunk into their own version of a famine. It wasn’t a famine of food exactly, it was a famine of hope and it was a famine of God. In fact they had turned to everything but God in their despair. Isn’t it funny ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-6, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Church Of God

Consequences Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2003

Jesus gave Barabbas the chance not just for a shortened sentence, but for a rebuilt life. When we break the law, we will face consequences; but our experiences can become the basis for redemption from what has happened to us.

Let’s play Jeopardy this morning. I’ll be Alex, you can be the contestants. The category is institutions. The answer is: The following people all spent time in this kind of institution: the prophet Jeremiah; Al Capone; the apostle Paul; Marion Barry; Bugsy Siegel; Nelson Mandela; John Dillinger; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Carry Me Back To Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 18, 2003

Nostalgia is a fatal disease, because the burdens of the past are idolatrous and wearisome, and will bring us down with them. But remember who God is and what His purpose is.

This past February I received a diagnosis, and, I’m sorry to say, it’s serious. I have a disease, commonly fatal. If it is not treated, it will destroy me, and I will gradually lose my abilities. I’m telling you about it, because, if we do not take some protective efforts, it will become ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:1-4, Isaiah 46:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Praisefest In Jerusalem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

Without Christ we are just ordinary people, ordinary creation, who don’t experience the extraordinary hand of a living God. Without Christ we are without joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, patience, and the strength to live the life it was meant to be.

The PraiseFest in Jerusalem Scripture References: Luke 19:35 – 40; Matthew 21:8 –11; Mark 11:8 - 10 Introduction The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Nation Under God

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on May 19, 2003

As a nation there should be one song we sing in harmony and that’s the song of praise. We owe a lot to the invisible yet very visible God who continues to make His mark in everyway

One Nation Under God Scripture Reference: Psalm 33:1-12 Introduction Last nights final of the U.S. Open Tennis championship was an awesome display of power and skill. Venus and Serena Williams served balls upwards of over 100 mph. These were two sisters, ranked number one and number two in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-12, Psalm 31:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 26, 2003

There is a kind of death in family life today. Jesus offers unconditional compassion, used His authority to give life, and gives us as gifts to one another.

One sweltering afternoon, on the dirty streets of a dangerous section of New Orleans, a man approached a woman with some papers in his hand. He asked Helen if she would agree to write letters to a man on death row at Angola prison. Helen agreed, rather absent-mindedly. She was used to people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is Not Fair Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 29, 2003

Life seems unfair to the disappointed, the cheated, the cynical. It was unfair to compel Simon to carry the cross -- injustice piled on. But God uses injustice to stir His people to action, to help us get beyond mere survival, to give us to one another.

Life is not fair. It just isn’t. The playwright MacLeish has his character “J.B.” scream out something we are all afraid to say, but it might be true: “If God is God, He is not good; if God is good, He is not God.” What an awesome thing to think, let alone speak! “If God is God, He is not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

The 29th Chapter Of Acts!

Contributed by Michael Milton on Jun 6, 2003

A sermon for Pentecost, this message seeks to lift out the expository truths of Acts 2.1-21 and apply them for contemporary life.

Introduction to the Scripture I leave our series on Mark this week for a message on Pentecost and next week for a message on FatherÕs Day. FatherÕs Day is a holiday we know about, but many of us may have no idea what Pentecost is all about much less that it could be a holiday! Last week, one of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed