Sermons on Advent (Page 2)
“My Soul Glorifies the Lord” (Magnificat)
Mary praises God for His plans and her part within it. This beautiful prayer expounds the way in which God is doing a new thing in Jesus, but also speaks prophetically about the upside-down kingdom coming with this new humble king. (Luke 1:46-55) SERMON OUTLINE “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.’” (Luke 1:46-48) Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)…
“May It Be Unto Me As You Have Said” (Fiat Mihi)
Mary’s simple statement of surrender opens wide to us the wonders of the incarnation. Mary is a reassured and revered figure in the story of salvation, but also serves as an example of humble responsiveness and receptivity to God in our lives. (Luke 1:38) SERMON OUTLINE “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38) The Miracle of God’s Plan for the World (Luke 1:26-33) The gift of a greeting from God’s messenger…
His Resurrection Brings Hope
Jesus’ second and third predictions of His death also point toward the resurrection that will come through the Messiah. This brings into focus the life that comes through Jesus to a world overcome with death. (Matthew 17:22-23;20:17-19) Sermon Outline “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” (Matthew 17:22-23) Jesus’ Three Predictions First prediction (Matthew 16:21) – in Caesarea…
His Healing by Faith
Jesus’ turn toward Jerusalem is framed by two stories of healing. This brings into focus the healing that comes through Jesus to a world turned upside-down with pain. (Matthew 17:14-20; 20:29-34) Sermon Outline “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) The Faith Problem (Matthew 17:14-20) The father and son: I want to believe The disciples: I thought I believed The teachers of the law: I won’t believe The…
His Glory Brings Joy
At the Transfiguration we receive a glimpse of the glory of Jesus that is seen nowhere else in the Gospels before the resurrection. This brings into focus the glory that comes through Jesus to a world turned inside-out with humiliation. (Matthew 17:1-13) Sermon Outline “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:5) A…
His Suffering Brings Peace
Jesus’ predicts His death the first time in an unsettling passage that makes clear redemption will come at a cost. The redemptive suffering of Jesus brings into focus how much a world needs meaning in what can often seem like meaningless suffering. (Matthew 16:21-28) Sermon Outline “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and that he must be killed and on the third day raised to life.”…
Messiah, Magi, and the Nations
One of the promises about the Messiah was that the nations would stream toward him. This vividly happens in the story of the magi, or wise men, who came to visit Jesus, setting of the wild fury of Herod Antipas. Matthew 2:1-12 SERMON OUTLINE “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew…
Mary
Looking at the birth of Jesus through the eyes and experience of Mary. Matthew 1:18-25 SERMON OUTLINE “’The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23) The Obedience of Mary Her place in the genealogy Contrast with Eve The Role of the Holy Spirit God is fully holy and Mary is honored Parallel with Genesis Dignity of the body in the incarnation Mary the Virgin Mother…
Joseph
Looking at the birth of Jesus through the eyes and experience of Joseph. Matthew 1:18-25 SERMON OUTLINE “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” (Matthew 1:20) Joseph the Upright (Matthew 1:18-19) righteous – “faithful to the law” merciful Joseph the Dreamer (Matthew 1:20-23) dreams of Joseph (1:20-21; 2:13;…
Women of Faith
This week will give attention to notable women in Jesus’ line—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba—with some discussion of redemption. Matthew 1:1-17, esp. 1:3, 5-6 SERMON OUTLINE The Point The Gospel, the story of the Bible, and the story of Jesus is for everyone. Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30) Canaanite Widow “Unredeemed” Rahab (Joshua 2:1-7) Amorite Harlot “Unclean” Ruth (Book of Ruth) Moabite Widow “Unredeemed” Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2, 3; 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11-31, 2:13-19) Canaanite Victim “Unclean” The Point The Gospel, the story…
Men of Faith and the Exile
A word about the genealogy of Jesus and why it is important. This week will give attention to three man in Jesus’ line—Abraham, David, and Josiah—with some discussion of the exile. Matthew 1:1-17, esp. 1:2, 6, 11-12 SERMON OUTLINE “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1) The Genealogy of Jesus Matthew’s structure: 3 groupings of 14 generation Differences between Matthew and Luke Matthew’s goal in the genealogy: to show…
The Perfect King
Psalm 72 brings us into direct address of God on behalf of the king, who is described both as powerful to rule the nations and to bring justice and mercy. The king is blessed in order to be a blessing to the nations and ultimately to bless God through his reign. SERMON OUTLINE “Then all the nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.” (Psalm 72:17b) Praying for a Just and Right Ruler (Psalm 72:1-4, 12-14)…