Sermons on Alabaster Box:

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In A Lonely Dark Cave

Contributed by Larry Breeden on Oct 3, 2006

When all alone and in need of help. Life maybe be dark and lonely like a cave. But God is for us

In a Lonely Dark Cave Ps 142 INTRO: King’s David’s circumstances & emotions A. David has been promised good things, but hasn’t received them yet 1. Been ordained of God by the Prophet Samuel He is to be King of all Israel a. to have power, influence. Wealth, life of comfort, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Anoints Jesus

Contributed by Michael Grant on Oct 18, 2016

What does true worship look like?

Mary Anoints Jesus - Mark 14:3-9 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Break Me Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 14, 2022

When I pray “break me” I am committing to serve Jesus regardless of the cost

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Growing By Doing The Unpopular

Contributed by Francis Camacho on Jul 10, 2002

We could grow and rise beyond our situation when we do the unpopular. Based on the example of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, we can do these 4 actions so we can grow.

Growing by Doing the Unpopular Matthew 26:6-13 6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they became indignant and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Spiderman Ii Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

All of us need someone who believes in us more than we believe in ourselves.

Spiderman II: Taking Responsibility 04.26.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional concludes the God @ the Box Office series. To check out old evotionals, visit the evotional archive in the resources section @ www.theaterchurch.com. I love different superheroes for different reasons. Let me ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Heart

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 19, 2018

Even wonder if it is possible to be holy as God is holy? Peter made this statement but did he truly believe that a fallen people could ever fulfill this command? It is possible to be holy but only for those who have been given a new heart!

GOD’S LAWS WRITTEN ON A NEW HEART Jeremiah 31:33 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Ever wonder if it is possible to obey the command to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16)? Even though Adam and Eve who walked and talked with God in paradise only had four simple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Asking God To Bless Me--A Preview Of The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 25, 2002

To help apply what this Jabez prayer challenges a church family to do-and an individual’s role in that challenge

“Asking God to Bless Me!” --Preview of the Jabez Territory (The Challenges of the Prayer of Jabez Part 1 of 6) (Much of this message was developed from Bruce Wilkinson’s presentation on Visionary Leadership at the “Walk Thru Life with Purpose” Conference in Largo, FL, Feb. 5-7, 2002.) [I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7, 1 Chronicles 4:10

Denomination: Methodist

The Nameless Woman

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Jun 29, 2010

In this passage we meet a woman without a name, or a named sin. But we get to put our name in the story, and our sin, and see how our God reacts to us in love

Luke 7:36-8:3 We really don’t know much about her. We don’t know her name. We don’t know what she did. But the people living her town knew both. They knew all about her sins, whatever they were, they were public, and they were shameful. You are free to use your imagination ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Power Over Storms Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Jun 13, 2011

Jesus has dinner with a Pharisee and forgives a sinful woman

Forgiven The Middle East is an extremely conservative, extremely religious area. For a woman to leave the house without her hair up, hair covered, and face hidden behind a veil would have been extremely shameful. Women were not valued at this time, they were not well respected or considered ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: *other

Losing The Battle To Win The War

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Jun 10, 2002

A easy alliterated outline that people remember on Monday. Story of winning life’s war

Losing the Battle to Win the War 1 Samuel 17:28-54 (sorry Illustrations are not fleshed out) Intro: David said, “I want to fight God’s War, not his own battle. We may win momentary battles in life, but lose war (success, kids, marriage) How did David win the war... 1.) RECONGIZED THE REAL ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:28-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worship Like A Girl! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 28, 2009

It is an insult that is still used today on playgrounds across the globe. Little boys testing their strength and dexterity against one another revert back to this proverbial slap in the face by throwing down the gauntlet of this time proven stab. However

“Like a Girl” Part 4 – Worship Like A Girl I. Introduction One of the greatest insults you could say to a guy is that you throw like a girl, run like a girl but over the next few weeks I want to reevaluate what was once an insult and make it instead a challenge. Fight like a girl. Pray like a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-47

Denomination: Pentecostal

'tis The Season To Be Extravagant Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 4, 2015

There is much excess and waste in the church especially in the west. It is time for us to be excessive in worship, forgiveness, caring for others, self-control, stewardship and thankfulness. Learn the difference between sinful excess and righteous exces

Intro: A woman bought an extravagant dress, and the husband asked why did it have to be so expensive, She said the devil made me buy it, The husband asked, why didn’t you say get behind me Satan?, The woman said, I did and he said it looked as good in the front as it did in the back, so I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Helping The Poor And Prophetic Seed

Contributed by Nnaemeka Durueke on Jun 1, 2016

THE BLESSINGS WITH A PROPHET CANNOT BE POURED OUT UNTIL THERE IS A STIRRING OF THE ANOINTING THEN A RELEASE AND RECEIVE ACTIONS TAKE PLACE.

TOPIC: BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF PROSPERITY LESSON V: HELPING THE POOR & THE PROPHETIC SEED. TEXT: GAL 2:10, PROV 4:1, JAMES 1:27, MATT 25:35 The apostles of the early church had a lot on their minds in Jerusalem, they were facing persecutions & trials yet they kept their eyes focused on one of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Anointing Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Feb 21, 2008

Mark contrasts the full commitment of Mary with Judas who moves his commitment to Jesus aside in favor of something else. We all know how that turned out.

A man was shopping for a valentines day gift for his wife and as he passed the cosmetics counter it occurred to him that perfume would be the perfect gift. So he asked the sales representative to show him some of the most popular brands of perfume. The first bottle she brought out was $150. “That’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational