“Blessed is He Whose Hope is in the LORD”

December 13, 2017September 25, 2019 BigSpringsAdvent, Christmas, Luke 1, Psalm 146, Song of Mary

Psalm 146:1-10; Luke 1:46-55 December 10, 2017 • Download this sermon (PDF) Beloved Congregation of Christ: Daily, we are faced with many choices, and one of the most important choices is whom to trust: other people (including ourselves), or God. Most of the time, even Christians choose the first, whether consciously or unconsciously. It’s our hearts over our minds. We know that the Bible commands us to trust the LORD rather than other people. In the past, we used to trust politicians who run our nation. For the most part,…

Advent Christmas Christmas Hymns KSYC Program

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”

December 10, 2017September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, Isaiah 11, Lily of the Valley, Rose of Sharon, Song of Solomon 2

Isaiah 11:1; Song of Solomon 2:1 December 10, 2017 (KSYC) Download this article (PDF) This hymn was originally published in Germany in the 1590s by an unknown Roman Catholic hymnwriter. The focus of the hymn was Mary, whom the hymnwriter praises as the “rose of Sharon” in Song of Solomon 2:1, “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” This is a wrong interpretation of this verse. The Song of Solomon is a song between a husband and wife. Since the Bible is centered on the…

Malachi Mark Sermons

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

November 29, 2017September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, John the Baptizer, Malachi 3, Mark 1, messenger of the covenant, white as snow

Malachi 3:1-5; Mark 1:1-8 November 26, 2017 12:30pm • Download this sermon (PDF) Beloved Congregation of Christ: Imagine listening to Christmas music from September to January. Imagine singing “Winter Wonderland” in 80-degree heat. It will be fitting then to sing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” But if you were in the Philippines, these would not be imagining, but real. As early as November, children go caroling for money singing, “O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.” In many parts of California, just dreaming of…

Christmas Sermons

Christmas in the Psalms

November 16, 2017September 25, 2019 BigSpringsAdvent, Christmas, Psalms

Join us this Advent and Christmas season as we praise Jesus who was born to save us from our sins! December 3 Psalm 74:1-23; Luke 1:67-80 “Remember Your Congregation” December 10 Psalm 146; Luke 1:46-55 “Blessed is He Whose Hope is in the Lord” December 17 Psalm 85; Matthew 1:18-23 “Restore Us Again, O God of Our Salvation” December 24 Psalm 98; Luke 2:8-14 “Break Forth into Joyous Song!” December 31 Psalm 10; Matthew 2:16-18 “Break the Arm of the Wicked!”

Christmas Isaiah Luke

“Glory to God!”

December 25, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, glory to God, Isaiah 52, Luke 2, peace on earth

Isaiah 52:7; Luke 2:14 December 25, 2016 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: “Today this message [of peace] goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace.” So preached Pope Francis on Christmas day this year. Citing our text about peace on earth, he went on to call for peace in Syria, Palestinian territories, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, South Sudan, Congo, Ukraine and Myanmar, places where war and terrorism seem…

Worship

Liturgy for December 25, 2016

December 24, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, December 25 2016, Festival of Lessons & Carols

On this Lord’s Day, which happens to be Christmas Day as well, I’ve incorporated into the worship service a Festival of Lessons and Carols. The service will be the same as our regular service every Sunday, but will have seven lessons consisting of Scripture readings with short introductions to the readings, followed by hymns related to the first coming of Christ. Here’s our bulletin. Click the image to enlarge it.

Sermons

“What Child is This?”

December 23, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, Everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:6, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor

December 23, 2016 When the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus on that first Christmas night 2,000 years ago, they said, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). This is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, which says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” What kind of child is this? Isaiah 9 continues, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting…

Christmas Luke Psalms Sermons

A Tale of Two Conceptions

December 18, 2016September 25, 2019 BigSpringsChristmas, conceived by the Holy Spirit, God-Bearer, Luke 1, Mother of God, Psalm 51, Song of Mary

Psalm 51:5; Luke 1:30-35 (texts); Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 14 December 18, 2016 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: To most evangelicals, “Virgin Mary” or “Mary, Mother of God” are easily dismissed as Catholic ideas. But the title, “Mother of God,” is both early and a mistranslation. It was used of Mary as early as the mid-3rd century, and the Greek term used, Theotokos, is literally, “God-Bearer” or “Birth Giver of God,” not “Mother of God.” The controversy over the title Theotokos began when Nestorius, bishop of…

Christmas Sermons

“That Where I Am You May Be Also”

December 13, 2015September 25, 2019 BigSpringsAdvent, Christmas, Gospel of John, Isaiah 33, John 14, Second Coming

Isaiah 33:13-16; John 14:1-7, 15-18 (text) December 13, 2015 • Download this sermon (PDF) Congregation of Christ: In 1949, Ira Stanphill composed a song entitled “Mansion Over the Hilltop” that was made popular by Elvis Presley. This song is based upon the misleading translation and mistaken interpretation of Jesus’ promise in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many monai.” The King James Bible translates the Greek word monai into “mansions,” which in 1611, simply meant “dwelling-places.” Sadly, even though the word “mansion” has a very different meaning today,…

Christmas Sermons

Christmas in the Gospel of John

December 10, 2015September 25, 2019 BigSpringsAdvent 2015, Christmas, Gospel of John, sermon series

Our Advent 2015 sermon series: Date Sermon Title Texts November 29 True Food and True Drink from Heaven Numbers 11:4-13; John 1:14; 6:51-59 December 6 “I AM the Light of the World” Isaiah 9:1-7; John 1:1-9; 8:12 December 13 “That Where I am You May be Also” Isaiah 33:13-16; John 14:1-7, 15-18 December 20 The King-Priest is Worshiped at His Birth Psalm 45:6-9; Matthew 2:7-12; John 19:38-42; Text: John 19:39-40