Matthew 1:1-17 O Christ-Family Tree We all have family trees which we perhaps talk about during the holidays. We spend time with the family, and ultimately stories about the family and ancestors come up. In this part of the Gospel of Matthew, we have what is called a genealogy, or a family tree. In this case, we are looking at the Christ-Family Tree. We begin with two main figures in the family history of Jesus Christ: Jesus is the Son... Read more
Matthew 1:18-25 Getting God’s Help This Christmas Matthew 1:18-25 Getting God’s Help This Christmas is a sermon on help we can receive during Christmastime. We are going to take a journey this morning. A journey toward Christmas. Just as Mary and Joseph had a physical journey on their way to Bethlehem, they also had a spiritual journey in which they learned how to trust in God’s help. “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary... Read more
God’s returning Kingdom will be ruled by the right PERSON: Jesus (He is both human and divine.) (11:1-2) Jesus comes from the same “stump” as David. “Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1, HCSB) Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of... Read more
Happy Holidays, folks. I know you want me to say: “Merry Christmas” and I would agree with you. However, I want to also tell you that as Christians we need to show people that the times of holidays (which are holy days in God’s view) should also be happy. The problem is that our situation is not very happy. Like in the times of Isaiah, the people around us sense that times here are not very happy. The economy is... Read more
Worship God with Joy Because He Is Near You December 10, 2013 Zephaniah, in the midst of sharing prophetic announcements to God’s people shares an intimate portrait of God. He gives us the picture of God which we may not be too familiar. God is a God of Joy. God is a God of Delight. There is therefore reason to worship God. We can sing, shout, and rejoice as the people of God. “Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly,... Read more
Trinity Protection Agency “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2, HCSB) December 9, 2013 As Christians, we are on a faith journey. The journey can be dangerous. Anyone who is separated as a temporary resident away from their homeland will feel anxious on the journey. However, we have protection. This “Trinity... Read more
Temporary Residents on a Journey Temporary Residents on a Journey is a simple thought reflection from 1 Peter 1:1 contrasting the difference between temporary residents and citizens on Earth and Heaven. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen” (1 Peter 1:1, HCSB) Peter calls his audience temporary residents. A temporary resident is someone without citizenship in the place they live. Instead, they are considered a temporary resident –... Read more
Matthew 24:32-44 Jesus Christ Is Coming to Town Matthew 24:32-44 Jesus Christ Is Coming to Town is a sermon about how Jesus is coming back for His Second Coming. IMAGE #1 – Fig Tree (This Generation) (24:32) No one knows the “day or the hour” (24:36), BUT we should know the “times and seasons” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, Hebrews 10:24) What is the length of time for this generation? (Genesis 5:32,7:6; Genesis 6:3; Genesis 15:13,16) Notice that it says that it... Read more
Isaiah 2:1-5 Sharing Hope in a Hopeless World The origins of this sermon came from my Lectionary reflection “Sharing Hope in a Hopeless World.” Are the nations “streaming” to God’s House? (Isaiah 2:2) You look around at the culture and see Godlessness in a seemingly hopeless world. Are the “many peoples” joining together to go to God’s house to get God’s instruction on a matter? (Isaiah 2:3) You look around at the people and see people abandoning God’s house and... Read more
Jealousy of the Holy Spirit and Keeping God’s Attention November 26, 2013 Year A The Scripture says that the Spirit yearns jealously. Exodus 20:5 refers to the jealousy of God. God is a jealous God. Isaiah 42:8 and Isaiah 48:11 both say that God does not share His glory. So there is this sense that God is jealous and does not want His attention in our lives taken away from someone or something else. The Spirit wants us to focus... Read more
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