Sermons About Bethlehem
Shepherds and Fish
Your feeling of inadequacy and being ordinary is another way God assures you that He is present in your life. God uses the ordinary in order to connect with the human race and accomplish His purposes. He takes you just as you are and turns you into an extraordinary participant in proclaiming the Good News just like He did with the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. Their initial reaction of fear turned into joy and expediency. God also used an ordinary feeding trough and a little town called Bethlehem as the Divine was introduced among men. The Bible also uses the theme of fish several times to illustrate God’s obsession with the ordinary when relating to people, as in the feeding of the five thousand in Luke 9. Little becomes much when placed in the Master’s hand.
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Generations of Prayer Usher in the Greatest Movements in History
“HOW TO PRAY” ADVENT SERIES Generations of Prayer Usher in the Greatest Movements in History Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 The World Setting: (verses 1-3) Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman Empire for 45 years. (30 BC – 14 AD) He was a brilliant, gifted, remarkable leader. He was worshipped as a god. He ordered a census to be taken of the entire Roman Empire. Everyone has to register in their ancestral town. The National Setting: (verses 4,5) Joseph and Mary went from their home town, Nazareth, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, to register. Micah’s Prophecy: (Micah 5:2) Was spoken 700 years before Jesus is born. A ruler will be born in Bethlehem who has been alive forever. He will shepherd my people Israel. The Personal Setting: This very pregnant 13-15 year old girl is leaving home with her teenage husband to take a 3 day trip to Bethlehem. She is going to give birth with no mother present, no family, just a teenaged husband. The place of birth was a manger (feeding trough). There was no room in the inn. She wrapped him in cloths (swaddling). The importance of the night witnesses: shepherds and angels What is God’s personal word to us? Generations of prayer come together for God’s greatest movements to happen. God can and will do it again! The way of Jesus to change the world is very different. He came all the way down to bring about change. Look in the mirror of power. How do you see yourself?
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First to Worship
How do you respond when your enemies fall in worship before the Lord? That question might sound like a hypothetical debate for us today, but for the original readers of Matthew’s gospel account they had to face it head on. The very first people to engage in formal worship of the newborn king were from “the east.” We might call them the “Babylonian worship team.” The enemies and oppressors of the Jews were on their face in worship. Wow! What a paradigm shift! Key Passages: Matthew 2:1 & Isaiah 49:6
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To Us a Child is born: The Birth of the Savior Jesus christ
A Child was born in Bethlehem. This child Jesus was foretold,This Child was announced by angels,and this Child Jesus brought us salvation. There is a little fuzz at the beginning, but it does clear up.
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Follow the Star
Join Pastor Duane as he helps us celebrate Advent and Christmas by looking at the theme "Christmas Presence. This week, Follow the Star.
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The Humility of Rejoicing
Selected Scriptures On this Second Sunday of Advent we pay particular attention to the great humility displayed in the birth of the Savior. Born in an obscure village, in a cave used to house animals, Jesus the Great King was certainly not given the reception He deserved. And we learn from this that, in God's Kingdom, humility always precedes honor. We also learn that, when God dwells in the midst of humility, the humble becomes honored and exalted.
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His Name Shall Be Called Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)
We consider the miracle and mystery of God become flesh, the birth of the very Son of God in an insignificant town through a series of amazing miracles. Jesus is the son of David whose rule will be forever. All things are under his rule and authority -- we must live under his rule and authority here and now.
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Wise (Man) Living
The Magi were foreigners who practiced astrology, sorcery, divination, etc. And yet look at the effort they put into finding the Messiah! If only we would also put such energy and enthusiasm in our search to know Christ!
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