Sermons on Futility Of Idolatry:

You Call This Worship?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Feb 7, 2011

1) True worship is persistent, not sporadic. 2) True worship is done for others, not for oneself. 3) True worship is beneficial, not futile.

I have a confession to make. I haven’t eaten a tasty store-bought or restaurant-made pizza since coming to Canada. The crusts are consistently too dry or too doughy. The pepperoni is too greasy and too salty. And the pizza sauce is too sweet. It’s not as bad as the pizza I had in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Win Over Your Worry Series

Contributed by Steve Meenho Kang on Feb 28, 2017

In order to win over our worry, we must realize the futility of worry, set our priorities in order, and learn to live in the present.

Win Over Your Worry The Habits of Happiness Part 5 Matthew 6:25-34 We all want to be happy. I bet there is no single person who intentionally chooses to be unhappy. However, so many people in this world are not happy for one reason or another. In order to be happy, this is what we have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fighting For A Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Seeking security and significance outside of God is futile, and we should instead trust in God's promises and presence to lead us into His best.

Good morning, church family! Today we are going to dive into two passages from Genesis. We'll be looking at Genesis 25:21-26 and Genesis 28:13-15, focusing on the futility of fighting for security and success without God, the struggle for significance and security in life, and trusting God to bring ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:21-26, Genesis 28:13-15

Topics: Struggle, Security, Success

"The Rich Young Ruler"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 9, 2002

Jesus reveals this young man’s idolatry and calls him to turn from easy believism to true conversion.

"The Rich Young Ruler" Rev Dr Robert G Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts A respectable, clean-cut young man comes to Jesus, interested in religion. Mark calls him a ruler, and many Bible scholars think he was a leader in the synagogue, sort of like a deacon or a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Mark 10:10-17, Galatians 5:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

Do You Love Me? A Haunting Question For A Busy Church

Contributed by Tom Lawson on Jan 6, 2001

An inductive sermon exploring the idolatry of our (often Christian) busyness in light to the need for "Sabbath times" of relationship-building

DO YOU LOVE ME? A Haunting Question for a Busy Church John 21:15-17 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15 I love my wife Linda. I do. Now, to be honest, there are times that I do not enjoy being with her. But I do love her. To be painfully honest, she’s not a very exciting person for me to talk. There ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17, Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Narnia: Playing With Fire

Contributed by Raymond Blacketer on Nov 24, 2005

A Sermon on the holiness of God amidst a people of stiff necks who tend toward idolatry and seek to domesticate God.

INTRODUCTION: Not to be Bargained With One of the volumes of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia is the creation story of the world of Narnia, where animals talk; a land ruled by the Christ-like Lion Aslan. In this book, called The Magician’s Nephew, a little boy named Digory, whose mother is dying, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Gospel Of I Or Christ Crucified Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Nov 13, 2013

Christian Idolatry was alive and well in Corinth and its live and well today watch Paul address the gospel of I.

1Corinthians 1:10 - 17 The Gospel of I or the Gospel of Christ Crucified? One of the letters primary concerns in the church at Corinth is their own spiritual pride & immaturity, it had led them to value outward appearance, eloquence of rhetoric, the wisdom of words over and above the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Halting Between Two Opinions Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Nov 15, 2015

This is a message that is from the Elijah series. It deals with compromising spiritual life because of the peer pressure that comes in association with idolatry.

1 Kings 18:17-21 (KJV) And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? [18] And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lessons From Jeremiah – Part 10 – Two Treacherous Sisters Polluted The Land Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 3, 2024

The heart of God yearned for repentance and Israel's return from idolatry. Israel was carried away in judgement, and Judah did not learn. It was so joined to idolatry that God kept likening it to an adulterous wife He would receive back if the nation repented. Faithless, treacherous Judah.

LESSONS FROM JEREMIAH – PART 10 – TWO TREACHEROUS SISTERS POLLUTED THE LAND PART 10 - Jeremiah 3:5 – 3:13 CHAPTER 3 [A]. TREACHEROUS ISRAEL INFLUENCED TREACHEROUS JUDAH TO IDOLATARY {{Jeremiah 3:6-7 Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what FAITHLESS ISRAEL ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:6-7, Jeremiah 3:8-10, Jeremiah 3:11-13, Matthew 11:21-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

(3) Who Is The Father To You? Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 2, 2025

John 5 - Bethesda Pool. This message reveals Jesus as the Father’s mercy, ending futility, exposing empty religion, and granting forgiveness and wholeness.

Introduction: Have you ever missed a sign? I have. One time I was rushing through the airport, ticket in hand, suitcase dragging behind me. I cleared security, found my gate, and sat down to wait. After a few minutes I started listening to the announcements — and realized everybody around me was ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:14, John 5:1-9, Isaiah 35:6, Matthew 11:5, John 14:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Doing Those Things That Please God, Part 1 (Matthew 6:1-15)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 13, 2024

Our look at the Sermon on the Mount continues as we read about Jesus' teachings on good works, the importance of authentic prayer, and the futility of worry.

Matthew 6 teaches about the life of faith that should characterize a true follower of God. In this chapter, Jesus stresses the importance of proper motives about giving, prayer, and fasting; three common and legitimate ways to practice righteousness which can become easily compromised due to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-34, Luke 6:20-49, Luke 11:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Control Issue Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 2, 2000

The second in a series on the 10 Commandments dealing with how the human craving to be in control translates to making graven images, idolatry, worshiping the work of our hands.

One of the Christmas cards I got this year wasn’t really a Christmas card. It wasn’t even a Hannukah card. It was a Solstice card. It came from an old friend of mine named Sally who sang soprano in my medieval chamber vocals ensemble and taught me Middle Eastern dancing. (That’s belly dancing, to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5, Deuteronomy 5:8-10, Deuteronomy 4:15-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Righteousness Before God

Contributed by Charles Scott on Aug 2, 2008

Civilizations rise and fall as well as personal lives because of the quality of the relationship institutions and individuals sustain with God. God is merciful to those who approach him in humility and receive His graces joyfully.

RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE GOD - LUKE 18:9 Luke 19:41 Why do civilizations fail? Why do great cities fall to their enemies? Jesus wept over Jerusalem as he foresaw that the city was doomed to yet a 3rd visitation by her enemies. He saw that once again the engines of war would surround the city, the ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Problem Of Sin

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Apr 19, 2009

Part of the "good news" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that we are sinners. If we are sinners than we are not victims and there is a solution to our problem.

Introduction Reading Book: The Reason for God, Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller. It answers many questions we ask about God/faith. How can a loving God send people to hell? How can one religion be right- others wrong? Author- presents- rational case for belief in God. He provides ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Charismatic

Self-Discipline Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 18, 2009

To run the race Christ has set before us such that we reach the finish line and receive the prize, we need to exercise self-discipline all along the way.

SERIES: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR A HEALTHY & HOLY CHURCH: A Study in 1 Corinthians Applied To The Church Today III. MAINTAINING PROPER DIET & EXERCISE B.) FREEDOM TO CHOOSE FITNESS “SELF-DISCIPLINE” (1 Cor. 10:1-22) Rev. Todd G. Leupold, Perth Bible Church, May 17, 2009 AM INTRODUCTION: Last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

Denomination: Baptist