Sermons on Advent
We come this week to the most difficult and tragic part of the Christmas story, an event known as “the slaughter of the innocents.” In fact, this is one of the most difficult and tragic texts in all of Scripture, and it raises some very difficult questions: Why this way? How could God let this […]
In this second week of advent, we come to the familiar story of the angels appearing to the shepherds. Once again, a scene we know well – but put yourself there: Amid lowly, simple shepherds who suddenly see the glory of God. The angel may say, “Do not be afraid,” but for them, at least at […]
This first text for our advent season, along with parallel details in Luke 1, tells a familiar story – and one that is easy to romanticize. An angel appears (twice), makes some announcements, and Mary and Joseph respond with faith, with joy, and (in Mary’s case) with song. But think about the details. Put yourself there. […]
Christmas is such a time of longing – and waiting. We look forward with expectancy. We are excited about what is to come. But we also have within us a longing for something we have lost; for something wonderful to be restored. The Bible tells us that “we all have sinned – and fall short of the […]
Peace. We long for it personally and as a world-wide community. We sing about, march for it, and call for it in our blogs. But it always seems to elude us, and may now seem further away than ever before. Into that longing comes today’s text — a surprising announcement to a surprising audience. What […]
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
We have three great needs from God, and Jesus alone can fulfill the three roles that meet those needs and that bring us back to the One who loves us at the cost of His own life. Text: Matthew 1:1-17
We associate the Christmas story with angels, shepherds, donkeys, and a cute little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. All of that is true, and it is part of the story – but there is another part. A part that tells of a Savior who came to die and a boy who would grow up to […]
Simeon is a man whose life offers much to instruct us. He is living in light of a coming Messiah. He sees Jesus for who He is – and so Simeon sees life for how it really is. His song and his faith show us the way to receiving the Savior the way we should […]
A great theme throughout Scripture is God’s promise of peace to His people. But we see so little peace around us, and often we feel so little peace within us. What does this promise of peace mean, and how can we know it in our lives? Luke 2:8-20