Sermons on Like A Costly Pearl:

The Vision Thing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 28, 2025

Living for Jesus means seeing him as clearly as possible and longing to be as much like him as possible.

Peter was not big on writing letters. He certainly couldn’t hold a candle to Paul, whose pen never seemed to stop, sending letters all over Asia, explaining, encouraging, correcting. But of course being under house arrest made letter writing the best way to keep in touch with all the churches Paul ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Together: One Vision, One Church, One Purpose PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

This sermon explores Ephesians 4, emphasizing the importance of unity, purpose, and Christ-like behavior in building a strong, cohesive Christian community.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters. Isn't it a blessing to gather together in the presence of our Lord? To find solace in the sanctuary of His grace, to bask in the warmth of His love, and to seek wisdom from His word? Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound revelation, an understanding ...read more

Topics: Church Unity, Living Like Jesus

Counting The Cost Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 17, 2021

It’s costly to follow Christ, but the cost is worth it.

This week I was working on this message at a McDonald’s when I met a man who told me to keep the sermon short. Did one of you put him up to this? Before leaving, he passed along some words of wisdom: “The brain can only absorb what the seat can endure.” I’m going to take that to heart today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage: When Was Your Last Tune Up? Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Oct 24, 2004

Long and lasting marriages require work and are costly, but are worth it all.

Life in the Fast Lane Marriage: When Was Your Last Tune Up? Hebrews 13:4 Woodlawn Baptist Church October 24, 2004 Introduction Do you perform regular maintenance on your vehicles? The truck I am driving now belonged to my father-in-law. He bought it new in 1989, and took great care of it. Today ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Baptist

What's Next? What Is Heaven Like? Series

Contributed by Dennis Mcconnaughhay on Aug 31, 2009

What’s Next after we die? What is Heaven Like? Heaven is an Awesome Place! Part 2 of 7

INTRODUCTION Special Music – I Can Only Imagine… 1. I Can Only Imagine… • (eg) It’s as if we are unable to see -- and have never seen the sunset and yet, a friend, who has seen and experienced a sunset, is trying to tell us what it looks like. • Or we have never seen the Grand Canyon… never ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can You Afford?

Contributed by Christopher Raiford on Sep 18, 2004

When it comes to discipleship Jesus reminds us that it is very costly.

Luke 14:25-33 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like A Fishing Net Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 18, 2010

This is my fourth sermon in the series and looks at how we are to be productive as we act as God's kingdom here.

It seems strange to mix the sacred with the everyday, to describe the eternal with the ordinary, the infinite with the finite. And yet that is exactly what Jesus did when looking for a way to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven, a treasure in a field, a merchant looking for a pearl the tiniest of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-52

Denomination: Wesleyan

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem To Be

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 9, 2015

God is waiting in the weeds of our lives to bind up our wounds and mend the disease that separates us from ourselves and one another and from all that is holy.

Have you ever tried to describe a difficult or abstract concept to someone, especially when you know that the person you are speaking to doesn’t know anything about what you are talking about? If you have, you know what Jesus is trying to do in these five parables from Matthew’s Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Anglican

Go! And Make Disciples Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 18, 2025

Discipleship is the heart of the Christian life. It is not just about believing the right things—it is about becoming like the right One: Jesus Christ.

Go! And Make Disciples Like Jesus Introduction: A Call to More Than Belief Discipleship is the heart of the Christian life. It is not just about believing the right things—it is about becoming like the right One: Jesus Christ. Today, we hear again the call of Christ—not only to come to Him, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 8:29, Matthew 11:29, Luke 9:23-24, Mark 8:34-35, Matthew 16:24-25, Colossians 1:16-17, John 14:16-17, Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:5-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is God Really Like? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, God regrets your rebellion but loves you so much he will let you walk out of fellowship with him. But He is also a God who runs to you when you return and restores you when you repent.

What is God Really Like? Luke 15:11-24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION What is God really like? Some people think the most important question of life is “Do you believe in God?” But a more important question is “What kind of God do you believe in?” There is something worse than being an atheist - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Being Victorious Like Nehemiah

Contributed by John Gullick on Nov 24, 2000

A sermon that looks at some of the things that pave the way to the victory Nehemiah experiences.

Victory - This morning on the overhead screen you can see the New Zealand Athlete of the century winning a victory in a running race. Victory is something that is greatly sought after in so many fields of human endevour. Recently the American Political machinery has almost ground to a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Praying Like Paul For The Church

Contributed by Richard Wilson on Nov 19, 2001

Paul gives us a strong example of how to pray for the church.

Praying Like Paul For The Church Colossians 1:9-11 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Now Act Like It! Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Dec 15, 2001

Having spelled out the benefits of salvation, Peter calls on the Church to act like the special people they are.

Now Act like It! Text: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Introduction The Owner’s Manual of my car gives special instructions for the type of fuel & oil and how to operate my vehicle Now I can operate my car without following the guidelines in the owners manual but I do so at my own peril. The Bible is the ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Life Is Like A Baseball Game

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 19, 2002

The Cal Ripken Jr. World Series of baseball has invaded Mattoon, IL, and life is somewhat similar to a baseball game.

LIFE IS LIKE A BASEBALL GAME I Cor. 9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." INTRO.- ILL.- In the popular 1994 movie "Forrest Gump," Forrest with an IQ of 74 said, "Mama ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Know A Noah Like Faith Series

Contributed by Thomas Monroe on Sep 28, 2002

A look at the life of Noah and his qualifications for Hebrews 11

To Know a Noah Like Faith Genesis 6-9 “Everything I need to know I learned from Noah” What can we learn from the life of Noah before, during, and after the call to build the Ark? I. Before the Call’s Inception: A. He stood out among a wicked people (6:5): 1. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:1-5, Hebrews 11:7

Denomination: Baptist