Sermons on Star In The East:

Zacchaeus: Searching For Jesus

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army INTRODUCTION As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus. I. ZACH: THE PROFILE OF A NORMAL GUY Zach represents every person who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Fear Not, Just Trust Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 7, 2019

In many ways, Mary is the star of the Christmas Story, outside of her son of Course. This message looks at what the Angel was asking of her when he said, "Do not be afraid."

Have you ever been afraid at Christmas time? Maybe as a child you were afraid of Santa? Or maybe you were afraid that you hadn’t made the good list and you were afraid Santa wouldn’t come. Or perhaps it was a rough year financially and you were afraid that you would let your family down at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Great Thou Art!

Contributed by Abimbola Salu on Jul 3, 2023

“Oh Lord, my God When I, in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed

“Oh Lord, my God When I, in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9, Job 38:3-41

Denomination: Baptist

To Boldly Go Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 30, 2023

Our God doesn't believe in "No-Win Scenarios"... and neither should we. How do we avoid getting caught in the trap of believing God can't win the day?

Back in the 1960s, there was a ground-breaking show that premiered on NBC, and the opening monologue was spoken by Captain James T. Kirk every week: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Appropriating The Mind Of Christ In Light Of His Coming Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 12, 2010

Every day reports coming from the Middle East point to the unfolding of events that lead us to believe the rapture of the church is but moments away. Sometimes, my skin even bristles with an almost electric charge as I think of closeness and imminence of

APPROPRIATING THE MIND OF CHRIST IN LIGHT OF HIS COMING 2 PETER 4:1-11 INTRODUCTION: Every day reports coming from the Middle East point to the unfolding of events that lead us to believe the rapture of the church is but moments away. Sometimes, my skin even bristles with an almost electric ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Patience Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 12, 2016

Christians are being martyred all across the Middle East in countries that once tolerated them. Churches are being destroyed and brought to rubble. Entire Christian communities are being wiped out and even crucifixion is back. Can we patiently wait?

Patience 2 Peter 3 For many of us patience is a virtue that is difficult to cultivate in our hustle bustle society. The world moves at the speed of the internet while many of us are left trying to keep up. I’m reminded of that old ketchup commercial for Heinz were two small boys are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spirit Of Anti-Christmas

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 7, 2011

Let us also beware of the spirit of anti-Christmas that prevails during this season and pursue to alienate ourselves from it. Just as the heavenly hosts, the shepherds in the fields of Judea and the magi’s from the East joined together to celebrate the bi

Opening illustration: When Secret Service agents train bank tellers to identify counterfeit bills, they show them both fake money and real money, and they study both. To detect a counterfeit problem, they must look for the differences in the genuine bill compared to the counterfeit—and not the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ancient City Of Damascus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 7, 2022

Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C., Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. It was the center of a flourishing craft industry, specializing in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history.

Ancient City of Damascus Founded in the 3rd millennium B.C., Damascus is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. It was the center of a flourishing craft industry, specializing in swords and lace. The city has some 125 monuments from different periods of its history – one of the most ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

"our Shield And Protector!"

Contributed by Grady H Moore on Mar 10, 2022

As a boy growing up in a small east Texas town, I well-remember walking to town for groceries on Saturday’s. It was about a two-mile, round-trip. As a single-parent, our mom was struggling to raise two small boys.

"Our Shield and Protector" Psalms 3 As a boy growing up in a small east Texas town, I well-remember walking to town for groceries on Saturday’s. It was about a two-mile, ...read more

Message In Jude – The Enoch Passage – Jude 1 V 13-16 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

This message today will be in 4 sections and they will be - The “wandering stars” or “comets”; “The Book of Enoch”; “The Second Coming”; “the ungodly”. The ground covered will be most interesting though it is so diverse. This account so relevant to us right now.

MESSAGE IN JUDE – THE ENOCH PASSAGE – Jude 1 v 13-16 We are steadily working through the book of Jude who was the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is defending the faith being destroyed by false teachers. Much of his letter is spent exposing these reprobate men who preach false doctrine ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:13-16, Revelation 6:1, Matthew 24:27-31, Matthew 24:37-39, Revelation 19:11-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Peter 3:7, Colossians 4:6, Titus 2:12-14, Romans 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Revelation 22:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Part 4 - Genesis 20:1-18 - But It's Not My Fault! I Didn't Do It! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Aug 23, 2010

Abimelech, probably thinking that he can form an alliance with Abraham who is a wealthy man, decides to take Sarah into his harem. Abimelech may be the CO-STAR in this movie but he deserves the Oscar.

Part 4 - Genesis 20:1-18 - BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I DIDN'T DO IT! "IT'S NOT MY FAULT! I DIDN'T DO IT!" I remember my protests fell on deaf ears and I was made to go to my room without dinner until I confessed. My mother insisted that it was me, probably because of the lie my sister told her. I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Leadership Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Jun 7, 2012

Some groups put The Pastor on a pedestal as God’s annointed, a spiritual super-star to be admired and honored. In our passage today Paul sarcastically shreds this un-Christlike view of leadership.

Spiritual Leadership 1 Corinthians 4 Most American Christians are soft. Our crosses are pretty jewelry, not instruments of brutal death. They warmly decorate our houses rather than warning of suffering. Particularly in the suburban Bible Belt, our versions of Christianity depict sanitized pictures ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Christmas Disguised Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 27, 2023

When we think about the Christmas account, those who are familiar with it, we think about bright stars, stables, shepherds, and angels singing. That is how we think about the story.

When we think about the Christmas account, those who are familiar with it, we think about bright stars, stables, shepherds, and angels singing. That is how we think about the story. However, the Matthew account is different. He doesn't go into a lot of details. Listen to how he describes this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Nativity Story: The Hope Of The Wise Men

Contributed by C. Raymond Van Pletsen on Oct 30, 2006

The Magi followed the directions of God’s Word to Jesus and submitted to Him as their King. We should follow in their footsteps!

THE HOPE OF THE WISE MEN Matthew 2:1-12 The Main Idea The Magi followed the directions of God’s Word to Jesus and submitted to Him as their King. We should follow in their footsteps! Outline GOD IS THE SOURCE OF HOPE The Magi were looking forward to the coming of the King of the Jews ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ Who Comes To Deliver Us From Fear

Contributed by William Baeta on Dec 4, 2003

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear…Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your h

Theme: Christ who comes to deliver us from fear Text: Jer. 33:14-16; 1 Thess. 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 God never hides from His people what He is about to do on earth. Instead He always sends some signals or signs that are designed to warn us and get us prepared for what He is about to do. Before the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed