Sermons on Alabaster Offering:

Batteries Not Included #5 Christmas Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Dec 14, 2020

Jesus wants you to be the herald of His presence and shepherd only those who have experienced the grace Jesus offers can. As a result of his birth, death and resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit will sustain you as you go to do His bidding in the places you live, work and play!

Four weeks ago, we began a new series entitled: Batteries Not Included. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting play with your new toys and finding out the package had this hidden line - batteries not included. We started this series by talking about the Hope, given in the understanding we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Titus 3:4-7, Job 38:7, Exodus 40:34, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Will We Come To Jesus? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 31, 2014

Jesus never offered the easy way; he never gave us a quick-fix solution to life. However, He says is that He is WORTH it … and we have a choice to make, will we submit all that we are and come to Him - or choose to deny Him for our own selfish desires?

How will we come to Jesus? Mark 10:1-31 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” - Today we continue to see something very unique to Mark’s Gospel -- The glory of God is revealed; as is the Christian’s glory in Him -- In our service to God is where we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparation For Ministry 2: Understanding Power Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 11, 2021

The devil's offer of giving to Jesus authority over all the nations might have seemed like an easy shortcut to fulfill his calling, but of course, Jesus saw through the temptation of power. He saw power far above coercion. He saw the power of love and servanthood.

When you hear me say the word, “power,” I’ll bet it can stir up all sorts of feelings inside. On one hand it may bring memories of a time when someone used power over you in a painful and destructive way and you cringe a bit inside. On the other hand it may stir up a hope of having power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Long Live King Solomon! Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 26, 2022

Solomon had all the advantages life could offer. He had a God- fearing home with his father being a man after God’s own heart. He inherited wealth and he was privilege to the best education. Wholehearted devotion to God was required. Long live King Solomon!

There are some people who are born into a privileged situation. Their parents can afford to send them to Harvard. We call this being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Another way to put is what my friend said to me, you are one of God’s spoiled children. But if anyone was ever born with a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

4 Christmas Gifts You Don’t Have To Wait To Open

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 13, 2025

There are many gifts we'll receive we really don't care for. But this Christmas, God offers you gifts of His love, healing, forgiveness, and inner joy. And these best gifts you don't have to wait until December 25 to open!

4 CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TO OPEN Matthew 2:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: WHEN JOSEPH WENT ROGUE 1. The Director of the Christmas play was nervous when she cast Jimmy, the middle-school class clown, as Joseph in the Christmas Pageant. 2. Her fears were realized when Jimmy decided ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Encourage: The Power Of Gathering Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Aug 19, 2024

Christians were never meant to journey alone. The church provides essential encouragement through fellowship offering mutual support, worship lifting our spirits, and shared experiences strengthening our bonds. We need to actively encourage one another, following the early church's example.

Introduction Video Ill.: Iron — FreeBridge Media We need each other. We were not made to walk through this life alone. I believe that is one of the reasons that the early church gathered so frequently and so often. I believe that is why they were devoted together.   In Acts 2:42, we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Psalm 95:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worshiping At The Temple Of Aphrodite Series

Contributed by Darian Catron on Feb 21, 2025

Aphrodite, like so much of what the world worships, is a false god offering a very false and imperfect form of love. Versus the one true God that we believe in representing TRUE LOVE. Today we are going to be studying “The Love Chapter,” as it is called. 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last two Sundays we have been exploring what the Bible says about love… specifically the kind of love that God demonstrates for us, gives to us, and is for us. We talked about how there are different forms of love, some very shallow and feeling based, some that are more ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Perfect Will Of God

Contributed by Christian Jones on Jun 3, 2023

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul offers us profound insights into aligning our lives with God's divine purpose. Let us turn our attention to Romans 12:1-2, where we will uncover the significance of surrendering ourselves to God and experiencing His perfect will.

I. A Call to Surrender (Romans 12:1) The passage begins with a powerful call to surrender. Paul urges us, by the mercies of God, to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This call goes beyond mere outward acts of worship. It encompasses our entire being—our thoughts, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let God Do The Finger Pointing

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 7, 2023

If finger pointing is impolite and it is so often connected to self-centered, sinful behavior why does God do it? God does this so that when sinners see their lost condition he can point them to the cross of his Son. There forgiveness is found. There salvation and eternal life are offered.

“Finger pointing.” What thoughts do those two words bring to your mind? For the most part they are probably negative thoughts. At a very early age we are taught not to point at people. It’s considered impolite. As we get older we experience finger pointing in many different ways. If we had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Joyful Confidence In The Midst Of Trouble - Psalm 119:143 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 15, 2024

Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 offers a profound answer: God's Word. This verse teaches us that even in the heaviest of times, joy and strength are found in God's commands.

Joyful Confidence in the Midst of Trouble” Key Verse: “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.” (Psalm 119:143, NLT) Introduction: Transformed by Truth Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:143, John 16:33, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do I Really Have A Choice?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2000

When we are offered great choices, although we think we have no real freedom, we can choose to live emotionally, we can choose to give and affirm life for the most vulnerable in our society, and we can always choose to receive God’s gift of eternal life.

“Do I really have a choice?” That question was posed the other day by one of our teenagers. She was talking about whether she had to go to school. She felt cornered. She felt boxed in. She was speaking for a great many of us. We feel as though we really do not have any choice about many ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Is Grace A License To Sin?

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

IS GRACE A LICENSE TO SIN SINCE WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER GRACE? GRACE HAS FREED US FROM BEING SLAVES TO SIN AND NOW HAS MADE US SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (looking at individual acts of sin) (Images in chaps 6-7: baptism, offering, slavery, marriage) 1.

IS GRACE A LICENSE TO SIN SINCE WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER GRACE? GRACE HAS FREED US FROM BEING SLAVES TO SIN AND NOW HAS MADE US SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (looking at individual acts of sin) (Images in chaps 6-7: baptism, offering, slavery, marriage) 1. Sin Should No Longer Be An ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You're Invited! Rsvp Required!

Contributed by Dean Shriver on Jun 1, 2006

It’s unusual to get an invitation from the White House. I suppose it’s more unusual still to turn that invitation down. But a far greater invitation has, in fact, been offered to you and to me. Matthew 22:1-14 tells us about it. It is an invitation th

January 15, 2006 YOU’RE INVITED! RSVP REQUIRED! Matthew 22:1-14 In the mid-1980’s my Aunt Vivian received an invitation to attend a rose-garden ceremony with President Reagan at the White House. I found the invitation a couple of years ago when I was looking through a box of old documents and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Test Of Endurance

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 2, 2003

Jesus has been very busy in ministry and opposition is becoming stronger against him. He needed to withdraw. Jesus is tired, away from home, among non-Jewish people, one of which was a woman who had very little to offer to Him, but who wouldn’t go away.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Have you ever been frustrated by a test or an exam that was unclear or needlessly confusing? I have and I am reminded of a story that I read this week in this regard. A guy was taking a class in ornithology (ôr´nə-thŏlʹə-jē), the study of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

A Spiritual 'second Wind' [depression / Discouragement / Quitting / Storms] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 20, 2005

The Gulf Coast doesn’t want a 2nd wind, but the Apostle Paul needed a spiritual one, and so do we at times. *3 promises God gave Paul and offers us to help us keep on keeping on. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint template.

A Spiritual Second Wind Acts 18:1-11 I suppose all of us at some time or another get depressed, or want to give up and quit. In the heat of a moment we’ll say, "I’ll just leave this job, this church, or this family, and they’ll miss me…they’ll wish they had treated me different!" Often we have ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-11

Denomination: Baptist