Sermons on Costly Pearl:

Pure Worship Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 19, 2014

This precious story tells us what is expected in pure worship of our King.

• During the tenure of the great orator Henry Ward Beecher, a visiting minister (Beecher's brother) once substituted for the popular pastor. A large audience had already assembled to hear Beecher, and when the substitute pastor stepped into the pulpit, several disappointed listeners began to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Is Too Much?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 25, 2022

The American industrialist, Henry Ford, was once asked to donate money for the construction of a new medical facility.

The billionaire pledged to donate $5,000. The next day in the newspaper, the headline read, "Henry Ford contributes $50,000 to the local hospital." The irate Ford was on the phone immediately to complain to the fund-raiser that he had been misunderstood. The fund-raiser replied that ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

#56 Lavish Love Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 7, 2021

Just before the Passion of Christ, Mark tells us a story of extravagant love shown to Jesus by Mary who models for us the kind of love we should show to our Savior.

#56 Lavish Love Series: Mark Chuck Sligh November 7, 2021 NOTE: The conclusion of this message was adapted from David Dykes’ sermon on the same text on SermonCentral.com. It’s worth reading his whole sermon. TEXT: Mark 14:1-11 – “After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Let It Out!

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 5, 2020

Last week in my sermon on showing appreciation made me think of the biblical accounts where people were not restrained in showing their appreciation or excitement. Let's see what we can learn from some of the ones who did that.

LET IT OUT! Last week in my sermon on showing appreciation, I had mentioned what Jesus said to the Ephesian church in Rev. 2 about how they had forsaken their first love and they needed to repent and do the things they were doing in the beginning. I talked about how we may need to rekindle the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12-23, 1 Chronicles 15:27, Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rich In Poverty Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

There are rich Christians who live in utter poverty says Jesus. But to the church in Smyrna He says, "I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich!" So you have in the judgment of Jesus your poor Christians who are rich, and your rich Christians who are poor.

One of the great paradoxes of life is the fact that the poor can be richer than the rich. Poverty is no necessary hindrance to being wealthy. Wealth, on the other hand, is no guarantee of being truly rich. Even rich Christians are often not rich just because they have wealth. Charles Schultz, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

The Christ Of The Crisis

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 30, 2020

The example of Paul and Silas in jail reveals how the disciples of Jesus are to respond in a crisis.

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Count The Cost Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 18, 2025

If you want Jesus to teach you how to change your world, rank Him first in your life, risk your life for Him, renounce all you have, and remain committed to Him.

Men in Black is a comedy about two special agents who work for Men in Black, an underground agency created to protect earth from dangerous extraterrestrials. In this scene, Agent K (played by Tommy Lee Jones) tries to recruit a New York City cop (played by Will Smith) to the agency. Take a look ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, Matthew 5:13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Would Abraham Do?

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

Muslims, Jews, and Christians all map their traditions back to Abraham. He was the son of Terah, a descendant of Noah’s son Shem. Genesis 11:10. (Strong’s Concordance) The Hebrew word “uhbrahaym” Abraham is a personal name meaning “father of a multitude.”

What Would Abraham Do? “This is the history of Terah’s family.” Genesis 11:27-32 (NLT) Intro: Muslims, Jews, and Christians all map their traditions back to Abraham. He was the son of Terah, a descendant of Noah’s son Shem. Genesis 11:10. (Strong’s Concordance) The Hebrew word “uhbrahaym” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love That Looks Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 13, 2025

Love that looks like Jesus acts first, sacrifices deeply, and never gives up — it is the antidote to a world filled with hate.

### **Introduction** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper - Shortened Music Lyric Video - Less Like Me by Zach Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hawc0emHq8c The last two weeks, we have been walking through a short series called Less Like Me: More Like Jesus, inspired by Zach Williams’ powerful ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Ephesians 3:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Is God In This Crisis?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 14, 2002

A message in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks-spiritual anchors for your soul in a changing world.

Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 4 A river brings joy to the city of our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:25-29, Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Rooting Out Rot Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2007

Assessing and addressing the rot in evangelical churches requires a return to biblical holiness.

JAMES 1:19-21 ROOTING OUT ROT “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

For Such A Time As This Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 29, 2020

In Esther, we will learn that God is at work in spite of appearances. Often it is behind the scenes, quietly weaving circumstances together in order to bring about His will for our good and His glory.

For Such a Time as This Esther 1:1-9 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 07-12-2020 Silence! I walked into the small chapel on the campus on the church that I served at in Florida, fell on my knees, and wept hysterically. Mr dream job in Florida had turned into a nightmare and ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Fragrance Of Love Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 4, 2025

Is our worship "bland blah-de-blah" or "love untamed, worship unashamed"

If you enter St Barnabas Church in Jehricho North Oxford you may be struck by the beautiful cut-glass mural on the left (north) side of the nave. It depicts many important saints, martyrs and angels of the Christian tradition, with the words of the Te Deum Laudamus underneath. It is absolutely ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8, Isaiah 43:16-21, Genesis 28:17

Denomination: Anglican

If It's Not Broke, Break It!

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

The tru test of worship is a willingness to give God our very best.

Verses 1 and 2 constructs a tapestry of sorts to draw the reader into the events that were taking place in the backdrop of setting of the little house in Bethany. For if ancient Jews had hanging in their kitchens calendars, then highlighted in red would be the day of Passover. Passover to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Changing Your Atmosphere

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 2, 2002

You are in control of the atmosphere you live in, You have the power within you to create The atmosphere that God dwells in.

Mark 14:3-9 3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, Mark 14:3-19

Denomination: Pentecostal