Sermons on Ancient Near East:

Wedding Ceremony & The Lords Return

Contributed by Maximiliano Zapata on Jun 19, 2001

The Lords Return is painted for us in the beautiful picture of ancient Hebrew Wedding Custom

It seems that during this time of year more couples choose to get married than at any other. And with all the wedding ceremonies going on You know there are many different kinds of wedding ceremonies as there are the number of different kinds of people who get married. For instance, in Baltic ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:9, Revelation 19:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is The Handwriting On The Wall?

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Apr 1, 2007

This sermon takes a look back at ancient Babylon and compares it to modern day America.

Introduction: Most of you here tonight have probably heard the phrase or expression “The handwriting is on the wall” before. But what some of you many not realize is that the phrase originated from an event that is recorded in the Bible. Turn with me if you will to Daniel 5:1-6. (NIV) On March ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Pride Goes Before A Fall

Contributed by Grant Sisson on May 20, 2010

The course of modern American history parallels that of ancient Israel. This is a wake-up call!

Daniel Chapter 4 Grant S. Sisson, MSCP, CI We will return to the book of Daniel today. We diverted course last week for Mother’s Day, and we may divert again for Memorial Day, but we’ll keep after it until we get through Daniel. Chapter four contains an interesting story of the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:1-27

A Complaining Church

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 15, 2022

A common problem in ancient Israel was complaining. Times haven’t really changed.

A common problem in ancient Israel was complaining. Times haven’t really changed. “Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Behold The Crocus!

Contributed by John Pingel on May 18, 2020

Isaiah speaks of the crocus, lending hope to the people of ancient Israel and to us as well

Behold the Crocus!” Isaiah 35: 1,2 Writing in 700 B.C. about the return of the people Israel to their homeland following what would be a time of Exile in Babylon, the prophet spoke about the desert bursting into bloom. But he doesn’t just speak in broad terms about “flowers”—he speaks ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1

Denomination: Lutheran

Slaughtering The Innocent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2016

A homily considering the choice we must make when Christ comes near.

“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Different Kind Of Legacy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2009

Our legacy is not in monuments, but in a spiritual and relational community, one which is ultimately redemptive. Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Reston, VA

The older I become the more interested I am in those who have gone before me. Before I join my ancestors out there, I’d like to know more about them. It might make for some very interesting conversation up on Cloud Nine if I know about not only my parents and my grandparents, but also some of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

God's Watching On Mondays Too

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Feb 4, 2002

Worship is not intended as a burden through which we meet the obligations of God. Worship is God’s gift that prepares us to live the life of service to God’s kingdom.

God’s Watching On Mondays Too / Micah 6:1-8 Epiphany 4, Year A; Downsville Baptist Church; 3 February 2002 As we are in the midst of worship this morning, I suppose we would be quite alarmed if a lawyer walked into the church and presented a court summons to our church. Downsville Baptist ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Thee Downfall Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 11, 2020

The Lord despises idolatry because when your heart is divided, you cannot be loyal to him.

The Downfall Jeffery Anselmi / General The King: The Rise and Fall of Solomon / Sin; Obedience and Disobedience / 1 Kings 11:1–13 The Lord despises idolatry, because when your heart is divided, you cannot be loyal to him. INTRODUCTION • The story of Solomon is tragic yet common. • Solomon's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Elijah, Ahab And Obadiah: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 6, 2000

Things look bad for Israel; then, God's man comes from the East (can you hear the spurs jingle?)

Following the reign of King David, his son, Solomon reigned in wisdom and the strength of God for approximately 30-35 years before his own apostasy and decline. After Solomon, the Kings of Israel all did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forsook His ways to serve idols, and led the people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-19

Denomination: Orthodox

The Quest For Eden

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on May 14, 2010

Eden is not a place but an experience. It is not a garden in the East but a garden of the soul. The human spirit is always on a quest for something more, something better.

The Quest for Eden Genesis 1:26 – 2:3 INTRO When people ask us about our charges as pastors and we speak of our time in Bermuda the response is generally the same – “that's tough but somebody has to do it.” No doubt the idyllic island with its Aqua Ocean, towering palm ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Orienting Ourselves Toward Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 18, 2010

From earliest times, the Church has worshiped in the direction of the east, toward the coming Christ, rather than toward Jerusalem.

December 21, 2010 Monday of 4th week in Advent Spirit of the Liturgy Isaiah told Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord YOUR God. Ask anything you like.” So Ahaz piously responded, “no, I will not ask for a sign. I will not put the Lord to the test.” And Isaiah, in obvious ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Catholic

Sarah Dies (Genesis 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 30, 2024

Such honor for a departed wife! Such honor and respect between parties in the Middle East! Let's look at Genesis 23.

Abraham and Sarah had their ups and downs. She encouraged him to have a baby by their housekeeper. They suffered greatly because of it. Abraham deceived two kings and was tested probably more than many of us could handle in offering his son. Yet in the end, their marriage survived. They had an ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nahum Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 14, 2022

Nahum was a minor prophet whose Prophecy is recorded in the Tanakh, also called the Hebrew Bible and The Old Testament. He wrote about the end of the Assyrian Empire and its capital city, Nineveh, in a vivid poetic style.

Nahum was a minor prophet whose Prophecy is recorded in the Tanakh, also called the Hebrew Bible and The Old Testament. He wrote about the end of the Assyrian Empire and its capital city, Nineveh, in a vivid poetic style. Life Little is known about Nahum's personal history. His name means ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

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