Word of Salvation – Vol.51 No.48 – December 2006   Jesus' Origin and Name   An Advent Sermon by Rev John De Jongh on Matthew 1:18-25 Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 7 Suggested Hymns:  BoW 251; 253; 385; Rej 376; 477   Dear Congregation. It's interesting to look closely at the genealogy Matthew records at the beginning of his gospel. We often skip over genealogies like this one, but we shouldn't, because Biblical genealogies often make some very significant points. The genealogy in Matthew 1 is very important. Last time we looked at this passage we saw that this genealogy implies that Jesus...

Word of Salvation – Vol.51 No.47 – December 2006   A Fresh Start   An Advent Sermon by Rev John De Jongh on Matthew 1:1-17 Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:4-9 Suggested Hymns:  BoW 250; 72a; 252:1-3; Rej 457   Dear Congregation. There was a series on TV a while ago called 'Always Greener' or something like that. It was about one family from the city and another one from the country who swapped places. They both felt they needed a change, a new start. In a far deeper and more important way, a world fallen into sin needs a fresh start. It...

Word of Salvation – Vol.52 No.7 - February 2007   Prepare For The Messiah   A Sermon by Rev John De Jongh on Matthew 3:1-12 Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Matthew 3:1-12   Dear Congregation. Introduction: What do you do when something big is about to happen, some dramatic change? Don't you prepare for it, so that you're ready when it comes? Kids, you know how that works. It's like when you know you're heading off to the beach, or the pool. What do you do? Don't you get your swimmers on, grab a towel, get your toys, your board - you...

Word of Salvation - Vol.48 No.47 - December 2003   What Could Be More Of A Sign?   Advent Sermon by Rev S Bajema on Luke 2:7b  Scripture Readings: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 7:1-17   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The scene described to us in our text is a sign. For 'sign' is the special word used to describe what happened in both Scripture readings. In Luke 2 verse 12 the angel tells the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And this had also been...

Word of Salvation - Vol.48 No.46 - December 2003   What Could Be More of A Miracle? Advent Sermon by Rev S Bajema on Luke 1:39-45   Scripture Readings: Romans 13:8-14; Luke 1:26-45   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you believe in miracles? Well, we answer, of course we do! After all, we believe in God, don't we? Perhaps, however, you're a little more careful. You need to know more precisely what is meant by a miracle? You need to check it out. You go to the Oxford Dictionary, which says that a miracle is "a marvellous event due...

Word of Salvation – Vol.52 No.45 – December 2007   Promises, Promises   Sermon by Rev. Dr. Steve Voorwinde on Luke 1:67-80 Scripture Readings: Luke 1:5-25; 57-80   Introduction One of the sad facts of life is that we live in a world of broken promises. Just recently (2006) there was another state election in Victoria. Before we went to the polls we were literally bombarded with promises. Every time we went to the letter box it was stuffed with promises from political hopefuls wanting our vote. And yet very few of us believed them. Promises, promises and more promises, but...

Word of Salvation - Vol.50 No.46 - December 2005   Accepting the Lord's Way in Faith An Advent Sermon by Rev Martin Geluk on Luke 1:38   Scripture Readings:  Luke 1:26-38 Suggested Hymns:  BoW: 252:1,6,7; 336:1,4,5; 244; 150-a:1, 2   Dear Congregation. We have in our text the words Mary spoke to the angel who informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. She said, "May it be to me as you have said", which can also be translated as "May it be to me according to your word." Essentially Mary's response was a response...

Word of Salvation - Vol.48 No.45 - December 2003   Waiting , Waiting, Waiting - Or: Waiting for Deliverance Advent Sermon by Rev P Abetz on Exodus 4:29 - 5:21   Scripture Readings: Exodus 1:6-14; 4:29 - 5:21 Suggested Hymns: BoW 250; 520   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of my pet hates is ringing up a business or Government department and being put on hold. I hear those familiar words: all our operators are busy at the moment. Your call is important to us, please hold. Often I think - If it was that important to you, you...

Word of Salvation – Vol.51 No.45 – December 2006   The King From Judah   An Advent Sermon by Rev John Haverland on Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12 Scripture Readings:  Isaiah 11; Matthew 1:1-6, 15-21   Theme: Jacob prophesies about the King coming from Judah who would establish a world-wide rule of blessing. Purpose: To direct us to trust, honour and serve Jesus as the King who is ruling.   Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Around this time of the year you hear a lot of Christmas carols being sung or played. You hear them in the shopping malls and in supermarkets and...