"I believe; help my unbelief!"
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
In today’s sermon, I want to address three important questions that today’s scripture helps to answer: First, the what… What is Christmas? What does it mean? Second, the how… How does Jesus fulfill the meaning of Christmas. And, third, the what now… How do we live our lives now in light of Christmas—more specifically, what can we learn from Joseph about living in light of Christmas?
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Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11
I want to make three points in today’s sermon: Point Number One, doubt is a perfectly normal part of a believer’s life. Point Number Two, there’s a deeper, more subtle kind of doubt to which Christians are especially susceptible. Point Number Three, overcoming this doubt helps us reinterpret life’s disappointments.
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Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-9
Today’s sermon is about what Isaiah refers to as “the fear of the Lord.” But “fear of the Lord” can be easily misunderstood. So I want to make two points about it. In Point Number One, I want to talk about the bad kind of fear. Then, in Point Number Two, I want to talk about the good and healthy kind of fear.
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Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44
On this First Sunday of Advent, I feel a little like “the Grinch who stole Christmas.” Like the Whos in Whoville, your Christmas decorations are out, your tree is trimmed, you’ve strung your Christmas lights, you’re singing Christmas songs. And if the presents aren’t yet wrapped and put under the tree, you’re at least well on your way… You are in the midst of buying Christmas presents.
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Scripture: Luke 23:33-43
You probably didn’t know this, but today is the “New Year’s Eve.” I know that sounds strange, but the Christian calendar doesn’t exactly match the calendar that we use. So today is the last Sunday of the Christian year—a special Sunday known as “Christ the King.” Next week, the first Sunday of Advent, begins a new year. But on this last Sunday of the year, we traditionally focus on the important truth that Christ is the world’s one and only, true king. And to make that point, churches like ours—and many others of different denominations around the world—are preaching today’s scripture from Luke’s gospel.
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