Sermons on An Ancient Clay Cylinder:

Echoes That Will Not Die

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 3, 2009

In the song of the angels we hear echoes of our ancient problems -- meaning, sin, peace -- all of which are dealt with in the coming of Christ.

The drama of Christmas is focused on a starlit night at a manger, on a mother and a babe, on the small things of life. And yet it is also wide open to eternity, it is a window into past and present and future. The drama of Christmas seems to play on such ordinary things. Tax legislation; taxes, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Thermodynamics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 4, 2012

We grow and multiply through faith, oppression, and obedience as God's ancient people did when they experienced harsh treatment in Egypt.

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village. They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence, and one of them asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.” ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Learning From Leah

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 31, 2006

Out of Leah’s offspring came the Ancient of Days! Sometimes it’s the present hardships in life that drive us to Jesus!

Learning from Your Hurts Text: Genesis 29:16-19, 26-35 Leah wasn’t much to look at, but God’s hand was upon her and that’s all that matters! She was different, and she knew it. As we read we see that Jacob loved and adore Rachel. Imagine for a moment, being in a house where you are always ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Holy Communion: Better Than Manna

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Mar 19, 2017

Holy Communion is a better super food than ancient grains like teff and fonio. It's even better than manna!

Teff. Kamut. Fonio. Freekeh. What are they? Islands in the South Pacific? Lesser known classical composers? Inuit words for various kinds of snow? The answer is none of the above. Gourmet cooks and health nuts will tell you that teff, kamut, fonio, and freekeh are ancient grains that are much ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

After Christmas - Then What? Series

Contributed by Walter Swaim on Dec 28, 2018

Those in the true ancient story of the first Christmas were forever altered by it and their lives centered around the One whom it is all about.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER CHRISTMAS? Matthew 2 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: 360 days till Christmas! What happens after Christmas? - sounds, lights, music of Christmas are over - decorations put away in boxes/tubs in the garage/attic - programs, company parties and gift ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:12-23

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience (Deuteronomy 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 22, 2024

Are we obedient under the new covenant or disobedient as was ancient Israel under the old? Let's review Deuteronomy 4.

What are biblical descriptions of divisions of the law? Were the Ten Commandments a covenant? Were they to personally teach their children and grandchildren or just send them to children’s church? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 4. Did the law (torah) contain commandments, statutes and judgments? Was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Annual Feasts (Deuteronomy 16)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2025

Are modified forms of Israel's ancient feasts still observed by Christians? Let's look at Deuteronomy 16.

What annual reminders of important events did God teach Israel? Are we free to observe annual reminders of Christ? Are modified forms of the ancient festivals still observed by many Christians? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 16. Was Passover originally a remembrance of the Exodus from Egyptian slavery? ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Transformed By Truth: What Does It Mean To "Tabernacle With God?” Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 18, 2024

The word “tabernacle” might sound ancient, but its significance is as relevant today as it was in biblical times and it speaks to the heart of our relationship with God.

Transformed by Truth: What Does It Mean to “Tabernacle with God?” Introduction Today, we’re going to explore a topic that speaks to the very heart of our relationship with God—what it means to “tabernacle” with Him. The word “tabernacle” might sound ancient, but its significance is as relevant ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, Exodus 25:8, Hebrews 9:11-12, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Revelation 21:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jubilee Economics (Leviticus 25)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 28, 2024

Can we learn any economic principles from the ancient Jubilee of Israel? Let's look at Leviticus 25.

The Bible introduces us to jubilism, a unique system designed by God to protect the weak and create economic justice for all. It begins with equal distribution of the land into private hands. Did the jubilee economic system provide a way for people to get out of poverty? Did it act as an equalizer ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Queen's Gambit

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 18, 2025

Chess is a two-player, ancient board game of challenge and strategy played on an 8x8 checkered board with 64 squares.

José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera, a Cuban chess player once remarked: "In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Proverbs 16:8-9, Colossians 3:23-24

The Glory Of Living Dirt

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 26, 2021

We are God's dirt - what does that mean? Genesis 2:7 reveals to us some amazing things...

Scripture: Genesis 2:7; Psalm 8 Theme: Humankind Title: The Glory of Living Dirt INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about humans. In other words I want to talk to you today about you, me and everyone else that has lived, is alive ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, Psalm 139:13-15, Isaiah 64:8, John 12:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

The Man Who Was Not Born Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

How did man begin? Verse 7 makes it clear that he was not born, but was formed. He was molded as clay in the potter's hand. He was a product of what already existed.

An old preacher from the back woods was teaching a class of children about how God created man. He said, "In the beginning there was just nothin at all. One day God was fooling around with some mud, and before you knew it he had a man. He put that man up against a fence to dry there in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-17

Job's Vindication And Ours Series

Contributed by Michael Milton on Aug 29, 2001

In the midst of the enigmatic suffering and pain of this life, the Good News of the Gospel, as ancient as Job, is that we shall one day have new bodies.

THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION: JOB’S VINDICATION AND OURS Paul’s Teaching on the Reality of Resurrected Bodies Job 19.21-27; 1 Corinthians 15.35-49 Introduction As we continue to soak in the glorious truths related to the reality of the Resurrection, we come to verses 35-49. I can’t read ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-39, Job 19:21-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Olympic Sport

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Sep 11, 2004

Paul often compared our living the Christian life to the athletes who participated in the ancient Olympic games. This lesson examines those similarities.

Do you have the fever yet? No, not the flu! Do you have Olympic fever, yet? August 13th marks the beginning of Olympic competitions in Athens, Greece! 10,500 athletes from 202 nations will be gathering for the games. Upwards of a couple million will travel to watch the contests. Amazingly, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanks

Contributed by Billy Kangas on Jun 21, 2007

Just as ancient offerings were said to ascend to the heavens, so also a life lived in praise connects us with God in powerful ways.

2,186,230 Can anyone guess what that number represents? 2,186,230 any Ideas? 2,186,230 this is the number of people who were in Jail, or Prison in the United States alone in June 2005 (the most recent statistics I could find). Each person incarcerated in our system today is there because the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational