Sermons on Ancient Near East:

Understanding Baptism

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

There's a lot of confusion in the religious world regarding baptism. In this lesson, we'll survey the NT teaching on the ancient practice and learn the why's behind doing it.

The words of Ananias in Acts 22:16 are simple to understand. There’s nothing complicated about them. Nothing complex or ambiguous; “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” And yet the religious world of today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16

Denomination: *other

Gleaning In The Right Field Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

As impoverished women in that ancient culture, Naomi and Ruth had few options for earning a living. Naomi desires for her to glean in the relative, Boaz's field.

I. The Cousin of Naomi 1. Ruth 2:1 2. Naomi has a kinsman of the family of Elimelech whose name was Boaz. 3. He was a mighty man of wealth. 4. Boaz was mighty in fortune, fame and in fight. 5. Boaz was not a weakling. II. The Consent for Gleaning 1. Ruth 2:2 2. The first change is seen in the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Jerusalem Council [part 1] Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

The Council of Jerusalem was held in Jerusalem around AD 50. It is unique among the ancient pre-ecumenical councils, because many considered it to be the prototype and forerunner of future councils.

The Jerusalem Council This article is about the 1st-century Council of early Christianity. Contents Details About the Council of Jerusalem Date c. 50 Accepted by most Christian denominations Next Council Ancient church councils (pre-ecumenical) and the First Council of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:14

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Give Thanks To The Lord - 1 Chronicles 16:34 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 2, 2025

The goodness of God and His never-ending love is not just ancient poetry—it is the Gospel truth that points us directly to Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and reigning.

Go! And Give Thanks to the Lord - 1 Chronicles 16:34 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT): “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Introduction: Church, today we are going to anchor ourselves in one of the most repeated declarations of Scripture: “Give thanks to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 34:8, Romans 5:8, Lamentations 3:22-23, Colossians 3:17, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Promised Rest (The Fourth Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 4, 2001

How the fourth commandment commanding observance of the sabbath applies to Christians.

We’ve got to learn to slow down before it kills us. In 1991 economist Juliet Schor wrote a book called "The Overworked American," where she demonstrated that work hours and stress are at an all time high for us (Bass 1). Today’s full-time employee works an average of 163 more hours than employees ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-14, Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beauty In The Desert

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 30, 2018

A study in the book of Exodus 26: 1 – 37

Exodus 26: 1 – 37 Beauty in the desert 26 “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Why Us? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Sep 5, 2021

The proof of God’s love and His faithfulness to His Covenant is People is the fact that they are still around despite every effort that’s been made over the centuries and millennia to not only eliminate them from “the River to the Sea” but off the face of the earth.

“Why me?” Have you ever sung that song? The refrain goes something like this: “Why do bad things always happen to me?” I was singing that song one day when a man came up to me and said, “Why not you? Are you special?” Yep. I am special. And so are you … which is why bad things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:17-18, Zechariah 9:2-3, Genesis 17:1-8, Deuteronomy 7:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Angels Among Us Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 28, 2014

All of us can tell stories of near death experiences. I’ve always thought that there were angels watching over us, keeping us safe, out of harms way.

Giant Mysteries Series “Angels Among Us” (Inspired by Ron Philip’s book Unexplained Mysteries of Heaven & Earth) May 11, 2014 Chester FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Each of us could tell our own incredible story of something that happened to us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Impact Of Sin (Lessons From Cain And Abel)

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 29, 2025

Many view this book with skepticism, claiming it’s an allegory or myth that’s been fabricated by the ancients to explain their existence and reason for being, but I believe this book to be a literal, historical record...

The Impact of Sin (Lessons from Cain and Abel) Ge 4:1-16 Our Sunday School lesson today takes us all the way back to the beginning of the Bible, the book of Genesis. It’s the name given to this first book because this first book speaks of the beginnings or origins of all things, which is what the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

Life After Death: Law, Eternity, And The Changed Mind

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

There are two pieces, at least two parts of the human experience that every human will partake of: being born, and dying. That's right. The death rate for humans is 100%. I don't think people like to be reminded of that. It's a shocking thing to consider in fact.

There are two pieces, at least two parts of the human experience that every human will partake of: being born, and dying. That's right. The death rate for humans is 100%. I don't think people like to be reminded of that. It's a shocking thing to consider in fact. We all like to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-6, Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Exodus 20:2-17, Romans 3:20, James 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Go! And Look For The Beauty In The Brokenness Of This World Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 7, 2025

The world is filled with both splendour and suffering, beauty and brokenness. It can be challenging to see God’s hand at work in the chaos, but as believers, we are called to recognise His grace and redemption even amidst pain.

Go! And Look for the Beauty in the Brokenness of This World Introduction Today, we will explore a profound truth: Go! and look for the beauty in the brokenness of this world. The world is filled with both splendour and suffering, beauty and brokenness. It can be challenging to see God’s hand at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 61:1, Genesis 50:20, Romans 5:3-4, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Psalm 147:3, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A High View Of God

Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Dec 27, 2011

"A High View of God" is an exposition of Isaiah 6:1-8, which records Isaiah's life-changing vision of God in the temple and subsequent call to prophetic ministry. The point of this sermon is that your view of God is everything! Isaiah's vision teaches thr

A HIGH VIEW OF GOD Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah 6 records Isaiah’s life-transforming vision of God and subsequent call to prophetic ministry. It is arguably one of the most well-known passages in Isaiah’s prophecy. And rightfully so, for it contains the dramatic testimony of a sinful man who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Out Of The Box (The Second Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 10, 2001

God is passionate about us worshipping him accurately and on his terms.

It was an exciting week at our house. Our tadpoles changed into frogs this week, so we’ve all be reflecting on the wonder of metaphorphasis. You see, with four boys in our home we don’t have pet dogs and cats, but we end up with iguanas, skinks, lizards, and most recently a corn snake and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introduction To Exodus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2021

Exodus tells the story of God's deliverance of his chosen people from bondage, the journey from Egypt to Sinai, the giving of the law to Moses, and the dwelling of God's presence with his people in the Tabernacle.

Tom Lowe 6/21/2021 GOD GIVES MOSES THE POWER TO PART THE RED SEA. Title: INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS Introduction to Exodus Exodus, the second book in the Torah, begins where Genesis ended—with the children of Israel living in Egypt. The original Hebrew title of the book, "and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Grace

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Dec 11, 2021

Have you peered intently into the gift of grace and if you have how will this amazing gift this Christmas transform not only your life but those living near you?

The Gift of Grace 1 Peter 1:10-13 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 I remember when I was a small boy how much I looked forward to Christmas morning! I shared a room with one of my brothers and either myself or both of us would plan on visiting the tree while everyone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-13

Denomination: Baptist