Sermons on Ancient Near East:

The Pearl Of Greatest Price

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 5, 2017

This is a study of the Pearl of Great Price -- Jesus Christ. It's also a study of the Merchant who's seeking fine pearls. We also look at the ancient practice of pearl diving & how those pearls were traded until they reached the civilized world.

THE PEARL OF GREATEST PRICE Matt. 13:44-46 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Too Many Kids -- Katlyn Yoder 1. Desperate for a child, a couple asked their priest to pray for them. "I'm going on sabbatical to Rome," he replied. "I'll light a candle in St. Peter's for you." 2. When the priest returned three ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Standing Strong Against Evil

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 28, 2016

It’s not enough to rely on our saved status as Christians. We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in fleeing temptation, in battling temptation, in staying above reproach. We can learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, the ancient Israelites.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Standing Strong Against Evil Last week we looked at how Jesus withstood temptation from Satan in the wilderness. Today we follow up with a related passage from the Apostle Paul, encouraging us to stand strong against evil. Someone once wrote, “Learning from your own ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Warning To The Worthless - Matthew 5:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 8, 2024

Salt had a lot of uses in the ancient world. Which one of them did Jesus have in mind when he used the analogy of salt and light? This message will give you both insight and motivation on how to be a good witness at work and in the world.

Matthew 5:13-19 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard: The Ranking System Of The Kingdom Of God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Sep 12, 2022

Today we’re in the vineyard. We’re in the grape fields. Very important in ancient times. Very important today, the wine and juice industry is huge. But we’re in the vineyard again. Last few weeks we’ve been in the vineyard.

Today we’re in the vineyard. We’re in the grape fields. Very important in ancient times. Very important today, the wine and juice industry is huge. But we’re in the vineyard again. Last few weeks we’ve been in the vineyard. Jesus as we know very often used common practices to explain deep spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Is Our North Star

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 26, 2025

In ancient times, mariners & explorers traveled by using fixed lights in the sky to guide them across great expanses of oceans or lands. GPS may get you to an EARTHLY destination but only Jesus will get you to your HEAVENLY destination!

JESUS IS OUR NORTH STAR Ps. 119:89 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There was a husband that died. He left his wife $20,000. After the funeral, his wife told her friend that she was totally broke. She said, “I thought you said he left you $20,000?” 2. “I did, but I spent $5,000 on the funeral and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:89

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Tomb Is Empty

Contributed by Chris Jordan on Apr 2, 2002

Because Jesus rose from the dead – so will we. We can look our ancient enemy death, straight in the eye and say, I’m not scared of you.Christians don’t stay in their tombs when they die. Neither are they meant to live in tombs while they are alive.

Easter 31/03/02 The Tomb is Empty - Matt. 28:1-10 Chris Jordan Tombs, graves, cemeteries, burial places Every town in Australia – from major cities to your average one horse – 4 pub outback town They call them the dead center of town In my family, we have a running joke that when we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

It’s Not Nice To Confuse The Saints Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 18, 2015

A study of the book of Ester chapter 3 verses 1 through 15

Ester 3: 1 – 15 It’s Not Nice To Confuse The Saints 1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s ...read more

Scripture: Esther 3:1-15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When An Angel Crashes

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Apr 22, 2007

On April 21, 2007, a Blue Angels jet crashed near Beaufort, South Carolina. Sometimes Angels (church leaders, pastors, etc.) do crash. How to cope and what to learn when an Angel crashes.

I. ANGELS DO CRASH A. Blue Angels – April 21, 2007 – Beaufort, South Carolina 1. Pilot killed 2. Destruction & Injury in its path B. Spiritually, Angels Do Crash 1. Revelation 8:10 and Revelation 9:1 a. the identity of the “fallen star” has been debated b. what is clear is that the “fallen ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:10-11

Denomination: Church Of God

The Ark Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Jun 9, 2011

This series of 6 messages looks at the design of the tabernacle as a template for drawing near to God. The Ark of the Covenant is all about intimacy with God. In the Holy of Holies we learn to LEAN on God, LISTEN to God and LOVE Him.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT A few years ago a man in Dayton, Ohio, found a unique way to propose to his girlfriend. He hired an airplane to fly over the city towing a banner that read, "Judy, I love you. Will you marry me?" Judy accepted his proposal by asking, "How can you say no to love like that?" ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-23

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Absurdity Of The Incarnation

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 17, 2012

A sermon on 1 Timothy 3:16 focusing on the incarnation (Mostly taken from Max Lucado's book, God Came Near, and also at: http://maxlucado.com/read/topical/gods-greatest-surprise/)

HoHum: In one verse Paul reminds Timothy of the gospel in all its fullness. Tries to cover the whole gospel. Some songs try to do that: You came from heaven to earth, to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

’tis The Season To Worship Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 16, 2010

I want us to consider several scriptures in regard to worshiping Christ. 1- In worship we give back to Christ 2- In worship we serve Christ 3- In worship we draw near to God

INTRO.- Man is worshiping being. We all worship something or someone. ILL. - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes recently bought a new home in California. One day they were have a heated argument about family finances. (I don’t know why, however) Tom said, "If it weren’t for my money, this house ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Have Come To Seek And Save The Lost Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 9, 2014

The account of Jesus calling Matthew to be a disciple and His encounter with Zacchaeus are so similar even though one occurs at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and the other near the end. the consistency of Jesus' ministry was amazingly focused-salvation

Review of what we’ve covered so far this Lenten season: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (foundation of the church) Jesus came to bring abundant life Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets Jesus came to bring a sword Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

The Sacrifice Of Fools

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Oct 4, 2017

Eccl 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. What is the sacrifice of fools?

THE SACRIFICE OF FOOLS Ecclesiastes 5:1 Christians have nearly abandoned the word "fool," and replaced it with various synonyms. The reason is found in Matthew 5:22, where Jesus says, "...whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the hell of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, Proverbs 14:7, Romans 1:21-23, Matthew 23:17, Romans 12:16, Romans 12:3, 1 Samuel 15:1-23, Leviticus 10:9-10, Leviticus 6:13, Leviticus 10:1-3, Genesis 4:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, Hebrews 13:16, James 1:26-27, Ephesians 5:15-17, Romans 12:1, Ecclesiastes 5:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 18:6-7, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 15:3-9, Isaiah 29:13-14, Isaiah 1:11-15, Proverbs 26:1-5, Ecclesiastes 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Of Jabez Series

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Aug 5, 2021

During some of the darkest days of the American Revolution, after the Continental Army had experienced several defeats, a farmer who lived near General George Washington’s camp decided to pay the soldiers a visit.

Prayer of Jabez Psalm 86 1. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 During some of the darkest days of the American Revolution, after the Continental Army had experienced several defeats, a farmer who lived near General George Washington’s camp decided to pay the soldiers a visit. As he approached the tents his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"hello, My Name Is Debt" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 15, 2021

We meet individuals in a variety of places. We come to church and we don’t know the person seated near us so we introduce ourselves. Hello my name is and we shake hands.

“Hello my name is Debt” Luke 16:1-14 We meet individuals in a variety of places. We come to church and we don’t know the person seated near us so we introduce ourselves. Hello my name is and we shake hands. Perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-14

Denomination: Baptist