Sermons on First Century Jews:

Ezra: A First Person Reflection (Part 2)

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jan 20, 2017

Ezra reflects on the Exile, the Return, and the future

WWelcome back. It’s good to see you again. For those who were not here last week, I will introduce myself again. I am Ezra. I am, by vocation, a priest and a scribe, a record keeper. I am also a teacher of the Law. I served the Lord during the Restoration, the most exciting time in our history ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Visit Of The Wisemen Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 15, 2017

The wise men came to Jerusalem during the time when Herod was king. One thing that Herod did not want was competition. When these wise men showed up in Jerusalem, it created quite a stir and Herod had his curiosity peaked.

-4 BC- Jerusalem and Bethlehem Visit of the Wisemen (Numbers 24:17) Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:1) The wise men came to Jerusalem during the time when Herod was king. One thing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Complexity Of Christmas

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

We often see the first Christmas though rose colored glasses tinted by centuries of tradition. But the plain facts are that Mary and Joseph had a very difficult time with all the events surrounding that first Christmas.

Approaching the Christmas season in 1972, Fred Putman decided to have a evening in front of a cozy fire. He used two boxes of matches, one pint of started fluid, and the Sunday addition of the New York Times, and still could not get the fireplace burning. Bent on romance by fire-light, he decided ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:18-45

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 7b Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 19, 2018

Part 7B under Functions in the New Testament church deals with those functions that Paul styles as first, second, and third; that is, apostles, prophets, and teachers. What are their functions, and were they only for the earliest Christians, or all ages?

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, Acts 18:24-26, Matthew 7:28-29, Galatians 1:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, Ephesians 3:4-5, Hebrews 1:1-2, Ephesians 3:1-7, Acts 21:10-11, Galatians 1:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Understanding Revelation #2 Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Aug 14, 2008

God wants us to understand the message of the Book of Revelation. What significance does what Jesus wrote to these churches in the first century have to our lives today?

REVELATION CHAPTER 2-3: SEVEN LETTERS FROM JESUS TO THE CHURCHES Part #1 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-28

Denomination: *other

Realized Christianity Series

Contributed by Tim Bond on May 27, 2004

With a great sense of urgency, and a deep and abiding faith, the first century church grew and developed quickly. The same resources must be utilized by the contemporary church.

A friend of mine, Brett Kays, some time back noticed some things that are true of scenes in almost every movie or TV show. If you determined reality according to the way Hollywood defined it, you could be very confused. According to Hollywood: • All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-47, Colossians 1:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Wrong With Jesus

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 28, 2019

The problems and issues that people had with Jesus in the first century are the same problems and issues we have today. Jesus is simply out of step with the times.

What’s Wrong With Jesus January 27, 2018 Luke 14:25-35 John 6:60-66 If you were to ask some people what’s wrong with Jesus, you might get responses such as 1) He’s too narrow-minded, 2) He can’t be the Son of God), 3) He expects too much of people, 4) He offends people, and 5) He’s no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, John 6:60-66

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Your Heavenly Father Takes Care Of You, So Place First Things First Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Mar 7, 2011

Worry steals us away from seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness. With birds and lilies, Jesus brings home how great our heavenly Father's care is. So why worry? Parts: A. How great his care for you!. B. Seek his kingdom and his righteousness.

Text: Matthew 6:24-34 Theme: Your heavenly Father Takes Care of You, So Place First Things First A. How great his care for you! B. Seek his kingdom and his righteousness Season: Epiphany 8a Date: February 27, 2011 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Will Be First Off The Mark? What Hypocrite Will Throw The First Stone? Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 9, 2022

The woman taken in adultery is story that brings out the worst in hypocrisy, judgemental hate and accusation. Yet it is a beautiful account of forgiveness. It has so many lessons to apply to life in this world.

WHO WILL BE FIRST OFF THE MARK? WHAT HYPOCRITE WILL THROW THE FIRST STONE? PART 2 SERIES - THE CHARACTERS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY – John 8 v 1-11 PART 2 [The account of the woman taken in adultery continues. This is Part 2 of the message.] Earlier, I said that adultery ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 John 1:8-10, John 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crowns And Rewards

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Oct 20, 2018

When the disciples approach Jesus about spots in his Kingdom, he turns things upside down

A friend of mine this week said something that has resonated with me. She said that in her family, she was the designated worrier. Now, I admit, she has much in her life to be worried about, but that is her story. Our stories are different, but I can’t help but wonder if we have a designated ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 20:20-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Gospel Demands Courage Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 16, 2021

We’re going to looking inside a first-century Roman courtroom. And as I love a good legal drama as much as anyone, I’m eager to tell the story

You’ve Got the Time is taking 28 minutes a day to listen to the New Testament on mp3. You’ll cover the entire New Testament in just forty days. 28 minutes a day for forty days – it’s just that simple. I’m preaching on selected Scriptures throughout the forty days as you listen. As with last week’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-27, Hebrews 11:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding Revelation #3 Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Aug 22, 2008

God wants us to understand the message of the Book of Revelation. What significance does what Jesus wrote to these churches in the first century have to our lives today?

REVELATION CHAPTER 3: Seven Letters from Jesus Part #2: QUESTION: What significance does what Jesus wrote to these churches in the first century have to our lives today? The Church in Sardis “1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ’These things says He who has the seven Spirits of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-22

Denomination: *other

The God Of Hope

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 12, 2022

Even though the English word “hope’ may have an element of uncertainty in it, the Greek word in the New Testament always speaks of a sure expectation of some good outcome or positive result. There is a certainty in the hope given in the biblical record.

Alba 7-10-2022 THE GOD OF HOPE Romans 15:7-13 In one of Charles Shulz's Peanut’s cartoons, Lucy and Linus are sitting in front of the television set when Lucy says to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water.” Linus looks surprised, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"I Am Reconciled" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Feb 11, 2014

The reconciliation we see today due to Christ's death has both a horizontal and vertical aspect to it. Vertically God has reconciled all mankind to himself, and horizontally he has reconciled all mankind to each other through the blood of Christ.

“I Am Reconciled” (Eph 2:11-22) Here’s the attitude of the first century Jewish religious man: “Thank you God for not making me a Gentile, and thank you God for not making me a female”. The pious Jew was ever aware of the privilege they had inherited, and frankly they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

A Gift For Those Who Need Hope Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Dec 29, 2011

This is the second sermon in a series that examines some of the overlooked gifts that God gave us that first Christmas. This message looks at the gift of hope.

Charles Schultz highlighted the importance of hope in one of his “Peanuts” comic strips. Lucy and Linus were sitting in front of the television set when Lucy said to Linus, "Go get me a glass of water." Linus looked surprised, "Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ