UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 2
29 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 3
27 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
29 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas Eve/Day
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Thomas Willadsen
Bethany Peerbolte
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Ron Love
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For December 8, 2019:
- Repentance That Matters by Tom Willadsen — John reminds the people that it is not who they are but what they do, the fruits of their repentance that matters. “You’ve got to walk the walk,” John insists.
- Second Thoughts: Letting the Sucker Do Its Work by Bethany Peerbolte — The line of Jesse is not dead. It has just enough energy to send up one more change for survival.
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Ron Love
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 11:1-10
Of the Advent readings, this is one of my favorites. The prophet proclaims that one from the root of Jesse will come and the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him. Righteousness will come into the world. People, nations, even animals that war with one another will be at peace. All will be blessed, from the smallest child to the oldest adult. Mercy and justice will reign. That is the hope, the promise.
Of the Advent readings, this is one of my favorites. The prophet proclaims that one from the root of Jesse will come and the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him. Righteousness will come into the world. People, nations, even animals that war with one another will be at peace. All will be blessed, from the smallest child to the oldest adult. Mercy and justice will reign. That is the hope, the promise.
David Kalas
Broadly speaking, we human beings turn to two solutions to try to make things better. Whether it is an organization, a family, a church, or a nation, there is always room for improvement, always some yearning for things to be even better than they are. And we generally seek those improvements by trying to find either the right system or the right person.
Revolutions are usually about trying to find the right system. Elections are about trying to find the right person. And human beings seem to have an endless reservoir of optimism when it comes to new systems and new leaders.
Revolutions are usually about trying to find the right system. Elections are about trying to find the right person. And human beings seem to have an endless reservoir of optimism when it comes to new systems and new leaders.
StoryShare
David O. Bales
Contents
"Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom" by David O. Bales
"Prayer For Righteous Government" by David O. Bales
* * * * * * * *
Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom
by David O. Bales
Isaiah 11:1-10
"Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom" by David O. Bales
"Prayer For Righteous Government" by David O. Bales
* * * * * * * *
Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom
by David O. Bales
Isaiah 11:1-10
CSSPlus
Bethany Peerbolte
Matthew introduces John the Baptist, the person who God has sent to prepare the people for Jesus. John’s teaching is the first sign that the Messiah is coming, everyone should be listening closely. John’s fashion choices make it hard for some people, though. His dirty camel hair toga and general unkempt appearance is not what we expect a great teacher to look like. This is a warning to us all that God’s voice may not always come from the people from whom we expect.
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
Roddy was plunged into gloom. It was that time of year again - the time of the annual nativity play. Roddy hated it. For a start, he had only once been chosen to actually feature in the play. That was the year he had to wear his dressing gown with a stupid tea towel on his head, and say one line: "Look! Let us follow that shining star!" Only he'd pointed to the star and forgotten the words. The audience had started to laugh, and the teacher said afterwards that "the whole feel of the play had been lost." Roddy was never invited to be in the play again.
SermonStudio
Don M. Aycock
A man who lives in Hollywood tells this to friends who come to visit: "When you are in Hollywood, don't miss Hollywood." He reminds his guests that his town is much more than a movie set. They won't see stars giving autographs or movie crews with cameras whirring.
In a similar way the scriptures seem to say to us, "At Christmas, don't miss Christmas." It is easy to miss, isn't it? We can get so busy that the season passes over us like a plane at night, heard but not really seen. And what, during this season, do we need not to miss?
In a similar way the scriptures seem to say to us, "At Christmas, don't miss Christmas." It is easy to miss, isn't it? We can get so busy that the season passes over us like a plane at night, heard but not really seen. And what, during this season, do we need not to miss?