Written within a year of his conversion, Charles Wesley penned my favorite Christmas Hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". The song begins with the story of the angels proclaiming Christ’s birth to the shepherds in Luke 2, then Wesley filled the song with the reasons the angels sang out in joy. One of my favorite… Continue reading Advent: The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Tag: Advent
Advent: The Announcement (Matt 1 & Luke 1)
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year “with those kids jingle-belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer”. Its music is joyful and triumphant! It’s a time for adding events to your calendar and for checking your Christmas gift list. As you are preparing your calendar and wallet/purse for Christmas, make sure… Continue reading Advent: The Announcement (Matt 1 & Luke 1)
Advent: God is Love (1 John 4:8)
In April of 1975, the #1 song in America was Minnie Riperton’s “Loving You”. It began with this line: “Loving you is easy because you’re beautiful.” Not because you are nice, not because you are kind, but because you are beautiful. This is actually a consistent theme in modern music. Turn on “Top 40” radio… Continue reading Advent: God is Love (1 John 4:8)
Advent: Joy (Philippians 4:4)
God wants you to rejoice. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, we are told to “rejoice always” and in Philippians 4:4 we are told to “rejoice in the Lord always.” Don't feel like rejoicing today? I understand. But consider Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in… Continue reading Advent: Joy (Philippians 4:4)
Advent: Hope in Dark Days (1 Tim 4:10)
The sun does not stop shining when dark clouds pass in front of it; it just becomes harder to see. Dark clouds of despair can make it harder for us to see Jesus, but His steadfast love never ceases. Set your hope in Jesus and you will come safely through all the storms of this… Continue reading Advent: Hope in Dark Days (1 Tim 4:10)
Advent: Hope (1 Tim 4:10)
Over 2000 years ago everything changed. It changed because “God sent His one and only Son so that all who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus, the Son of God, would live a perfectly righteous life and give up His life in order to save people from their… Continue reading Advent: Hope (1 Tim 4:10)
Noel (John 3:16)
Over 2000 years ago everything changed. It changed because “God sent His one and only Son so that all who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus, the Son of God, would live a perfectly righteous life and give up His life in order to save people from their… Continue reading Noel (John 3:16)
Advent: Love (John 3:16)
Turn on the radio at any time of day and you will undoubtedly hear songs about love. The problem, however, is that the “love” they sing about is actually lust. It is selfish music. It is music that has devolved into an obsession about how someone looks and about how someone makes you feel. It… Continue reading Advent: Love (John 3:16)
Advent: Jesse’s Stump (Isaiah 11:1-10)
By the time this sermon is over, I pray that you will never be able look at a stump the same way again. I pray that every stump you see will cause you to pause and give thanks to God for providing you with hope because you remember that God does not reject His people… Continue reading Advent: Jesse’s Stump (Isaiah 11:1-10)
The Virgin Birth (Matt 1:18-25 & Luke 1:26-38)
(Audio not available) 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). This prophesy was fulfilled when Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to tell her: “you… Continue reading The Virgin Birth (Matt 1:18-25 & Luke 1:26-38)
