Sermons on Alabaster Jar:

Dead Flies In A Nation Series

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 18, 2025

America did not begin in perfection — but it began in fear of God. Our earliest laws quoted Scripture. But dead flies do not fall all at once. The jar spoils slowly.

🪰 DEAD FLIES IN A NATION (National Decay) SEEING THE BIG PICTURE TEXT Ecclesiastes 10:1 “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor…” PROLOGUE: A NATION ONCE FRAGRANT America did not begin in perfection — but it began in fear of God. Our earliest ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1, Proverbs 14:34, Proverbs 28:15, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 59:14, Habakkuk 1:4, Ecclesiastes 9:18, Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 6:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Provides In Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Henry Trocino Jr. on Jun 22, 2017

Part 4 of the Sermon Series, "God of Elisha"

The brief account of the widow’s oil illustrates Yahweh’s blessing of those who are faithful to the Mosaic Law. Yahweh provides a means of income for the widow, a “pastor’s wife,” and her family. In the miracle of the widow’s oil, we learn valuable lessons on how to receive God’s blessing of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7, Leviticus 25:39, Micah 2:9, Psalm 121:1, James 2:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Strength Beyond Self: Receiving The Power Of God

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Sep 29, 2025

In contrast to the self-reliant grit our culture so often advocates, this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that true and lasting strength comes from allowing God's "power" to work in and through our human fragility.

Over the past several Sundays, we have been working through a sermon series on Paul’s letter to the early church in Philippi—a now ruined city in north east Greece. As we’ve worked through this series (which we are concluding today), we’ve seen how this little letter is overflowing with faith, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-13, 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Do What You Can And God Will Do The Rest : Do What Is Possible And God Will

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jan 20, 2012

The Lord wants us to do what we can and He will do the rest. When we do what is possible then God will do the impossible. When we give what we have then God can use it to perform miracles. The Lord does not ask to do what we cannot do .

DO WHAT YOU CAN AND GOD WILL DO THE REST : DO WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND GOD WILL DO WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE OUTLINE THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD - EXAMPLES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT 1. MARY OF BETHANY POURED PRECIOUS OINTMENT ON JESUS . JESUS COMMENDED HER AND SAID SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD AND THAT IT ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Experiencing A Greater Anointing Of God’s Power - Lessons From Three Women Of The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Feb 19, 2021

Jesus said that there is only one thing necessary in the life of a Born-Again Christian.

It isn't the "Great Commission" – to go into the world and make disciples of all nations…. (Matthew 28:19). It isn't having more "faith in God" (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). It isn't reading the Word of God (1 Timothy 3:15). It isn't prayer (1 Thessalonians ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, John 1:1, John 3:16, John 17:3, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 3:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Having A Bad Hair Day? Series

Contributed by John Gullick on Aug 29, 2011

a sermon that uses Matthew chapter 26 to help folk understand a world apparantly gone wild.

Matthew 26 You thought you had a bad day? We all have bad hair days – Maybe you are having one today but consider this story from Lt Cliff Judkins. It had all started in the brilliant sunlight 20,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean as I nudged my F-8 Crusader jet into position behind the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mary Magdalene Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Jan 25, 2021

Women as well as men were credible witnesses to the gospel and were commissioned to preach it to all with whom they came into contact.

Women who followed Jesus Mary Magdalene. The Roman occupation of Israel (63 BCE.) was part of a long line of invasions beginning with the Babylonians (539 BC), then the Persians and the Greeks and later on others. The Jewish identity rested on stories of the Patriarchs--Abraham, Isaac and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Trusting God In Trying Times Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 18, 2025

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way.

Trusting God in Trying Times Psalm 56 Rev. Brian Bill August 16-17, 2025 I’ve shared this true story on Facebook before. I may have also shared it in a sermon, but it bears repeating. Over 15 years ago, on a Saturday night as I was preparing to get my much-needed beauty rest, I heard a clarion ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

If It's Not Broke, Break It!

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

The tru test of worship is a willingness to give God our very best.

Verses 1 and 2 constructs a tapestry of sorts to draw the reader into the events that were taking place in the backdrop of setting of the little house in Bethany. For if ancient Jews had hanging in their kitchens calendars, then highlighted in red would be the day of Passover. Passover to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Widow Of Zarephath

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 1, 2024

Elijah went to the right widow, but she had no provisions to provide for the prophet. She just had a handful of flour in a bin and a little oil in a jar to make one last meal before dying.

Elijah went to the right widow, but she had no provisions to provide for the prophet. She just had a handful of flour in a bin and a little oil in a jar to make one last meal before dying. She was getting ready to eat her last meal and then die. God said He commanded the widow, but the widow was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:9

Breaking The Box

Contributed by Mark Lindsey on Nov 20, 2025

This woman brought a precious ointment in an alabaster box. This expensive perfume was costly but she was willing to give it. It will always cost you something to truly worship the Lord. If your worship costs you nothing, then your worship is worth nothing.

“BREAKING THE BOX” LUKE 7:36-50 Many times in the Bible when a certain woman is mentioned she is often symbolic of the church. In Luke 15, we have the woman who had ten coins and lost them. It is a picture of the church as she lights the light, cleans the house, and searches diligently for what is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiven People Forgive People Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

This morning, we come to the fifth petition – forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. This is the only petition with a human response and the only one that Jesus actually elaborates on. The first part of this verse is incredible news. The second part is terrifying.

Forgiven People Forgive People Matthew 6:12 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams First Baptist Church of Chenoa 3-24-19 Drama: Hey, I’m praying here! Review Each week, I’ve been reviewing all that we have studied in these last few weeks. This morning, I’m going to just encourage you to go to Chenoa ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman Who Annointed Jesus Feet Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 13, 2020

Jesus went to a party but I don't think anyone had any fun

The woman who anointed Jesus feet Luke 7:36-50 Just about every second Saturday, a man called Ken who was especially given to neatness went to the barbershop for a haircut. He liked this particular barber but this barber had a way of really getting under his skin. And this one Saturday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Innocents

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 10, 2006

This jarring episode is just as much a part of the Christmas season as the manger scene. Though grim, the fate of the Innocents shows us how and why we share the hope they had in Christ’s second advent

Psalm 124, Jeremiah 3:15-17, Revelation 21:1-7, Matthew 2:13-18 The Holy Innocents The Gospel lesson that is read today is actually from the lectionary for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which in the liturgical calendar is celebrated on December 28 – four days ago. The Book of Common Prayer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Breaking Our Flask

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 1, 2022

Some people, like Judas, are ignoring God's call, as they are too busy making their life in this world secure. Like the woman who broke her alabaster flask, we must break our flesh so the good things of God can pour out of us.

Henry Ward Beecher once said, “In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.”(1) Our passages of Scripture for this morning speak of sacrifice. One definition of sacrifice is “to offer to God in homage or worship,” and another one is “to destroy, surrender, or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist