Sermons on Idols In The Temple:

Treasure This

Contributed by John Barr on Feb 26, 2003

People are seeking. Many think they must abandon the past to move forward. Others think they must idol worship the past to have honor for the future. The truth is neither. Mary pondered and treasured the things concerning Jesus. Maybe we can learn a

Treasure’s Abounding Luke 2:19;51 This week has been filled with many activities moving toward closure. As I packed boxes, officiated at a funeral, planned a baby dedication sermon and service I was thinking, reflecting and rejoicing. Today we do 3 things that call for celebration. 1) ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19, Luke 2:51

Denomination: Church Of God

I Can Define God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We try to limit God by turning to religion instead of relationship. The issue is in our own integrity. The world understands the power of God better than we do! The loss of our idols is fatal, but in Christ ther

She was obviously tired of discussing the issue. The wrangling had gone on long enough. Neither side was about to give in to the other. It was time for somebody to settle this matter. So she drew herself up to her full five feet two; she threw her shoulders back; and with that certain toss of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon - Part 6 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 13, 2014

The final part of the Gideon saga - Gideon kills the two kings, refuses to lead Israel, makes an idol of an ephod of gold, lives in peace and has seventy sons by many wives and a concubine. What can we learn from the account of Gideon?

We've finally arrived at the end of the saga of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. Judges 8:18-35 Recount the story of Zebah, Zalmunna and Gideon’s brothers. Who were the men you killed in Tabor? Kill ‘em, son … Kill us yourself, if you’re man enough! Gideon is ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:18-35

Denomination: Nazarene

Becoming World Class Christians Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

God was the God of Israel and Jonah wanted to keep it that way. He did not want every Tom, Dick, and Harry of the pagan world finding out about the real God. Let them perish with their stupid man-made idols. That is what they deserve.

Trying to be a world class Christian can be a world class pain. Ralph Hult learned this the hard way. This Nebraska born Swede at age 32 went to Africa as a missionary, but on his first furlough in 1926 he was told there was no money to send him back. So he started a fruit farm near ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:10

Yesterday Once More

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 7, 2026

Ezra 1

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (EZRA 1) The old Scot calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.” “Dad, what are you talking about?’ the son gasps. “We can’t stand ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One In Christ

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Aug 13, 2018

Like the Ephesians we live in an increasingly pagan world. Satan has provided us with lots of ,temple of Diana like, competitors. In spite of this, Like the Ephesians, Christ has made us to be His one body.

One in Christ Ephesians 2:11-21 July 22, 2018 The early church was faced with the challenge of preaching the saving Gospel to Jews and non Jews who had vastly different cultures, vastly different values, and incompatible religious backgrounds. Additionally the non Jews had few morals. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Word Or Deed? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 11, 2022

I would like to share with you about the two sons whom Jesus mentioned in his parable after the cleansing of the Temple at Jerusalem. Words or deeds? It is the straight forward question raised by God to everyone who reads this parable.

Theme: Word or Deed? Text: Matthew 21:28-33 Introduction: On this Holy Monday, I would like to share with you about the two sons whom Jesus mentioned in his parable after the cleansing of the Temple at Jerusalem. Words or deeds? It is the straight forward question raised by God to everyone who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-33

Denomination: Methodist

Holiness

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Mar 11, 2002

Explains that holiness is more than righteous actions, but is being specially set apart as the Temple of God and for the purpose of sharing the Good News. Also shows that the means of attaining holiness is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit of God.

“Holiness” As someone who has grown up Pentecostal, I am very familiar with the term “holiness.” I’ve heard sermons on holiness from before the time I could even say the word. And I hear all kinds of people quoting “Be holy as I am holy” After all, several times God did say that to his people. And ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 29:36, 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Meaningful And Meaningless Worship Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 30, 2022

This sermon focuses on Solomon's somewhat cynical view of Temple worshipers along with his corrective: to "stand in awe of God" and how it applies to our modern day church services.

I would like to open today’s sermon with a question. Why do we even bother to go to church? I imagine if I was to ask everybody, I would probably get different answers. I think some go out of tradition. Some go because they are feeling pressure from a spouse. Others might be feeling a sense ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:1-7, Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Challenges To/For Public Worship-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 6, 2015

2 of 7. Jesus made it plain that the temple worship had become tainted with improprieties. Public Worship is to be free from impropriety. But What is consonant with public worship? A challenge to (harmonious)public worship is its...

CHALLENGES To/For PUBLIC WORSHIP-II—John 2:12-25 DYNAMICS Of PUBLIC WORSHIP Attention: Legend of ‘FB’s BBQ & Grill’— The local Southern Baptist Church(First Baptist) needed to pay off their long-standing indebtedness. The leadership, losing their patience, decided ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Advent 2015 - Week 3 - Mary

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 15, 2015

The events of Jesus' conception, birth, presentation at the temple, the shepherds and the Wisemen are all swirling around in Mary's head. What could they mean? Some seem contradictory. What does it mean that she treasured and pondered them in her heart?

Read Luke 2:8-20 and Luke 2:41-52 (from an actual Bible!) What do these two accounts have in common? Luke 2:19, 51b (LEB) “But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering them in her heart.” “And [Jesus’] mother treasured all these things in her heart.” To ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Nazarene

We Are Not Ignorant Of Satan’s Devices Or Schemes – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 28, 2023

Satan neither rests nor ceases his wickedness and intrusion into every human institution. We are not ignorant of his schemes. Here we consider Education decay, Satan’s part in Religion, the wedges of Division, and Prayer in Schools.

WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF SATAN’S DEVICES OR SCHEMES – PART 2 We will continue the examination of the means Satan uses to bring destruction on people and nations. God says we are not ignorant of how Satan works – {{2Corinthians 2:11 “in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, FOR WE ARE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:11, Proverbs 22:6, Colossians 2:23, Acts 15:37-39, Revelation 18:4-5, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, Galatians 5:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revival, Reform, Renewal

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 12, 2003

For Reformation Sunday, and a followup to a week of revival services: revival is good, reformation is better, but renewal is what God is really aiming at.

My great-uncle, Ed Weber, drove an ancient car. I doubt if you’ve ever heard of its brand name. He drove a Terraplane. Anybody remember the Terraplane? Well, dearie, if you do, then you are much older than I, because my great-uncle’s Terraplane was already ancient when I was a boy. It had been ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 23:25, Zephaniah 3:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Reform, Revival, Or Renewal

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 24, 2009

(Reformation Sunday). It is good to reform how we do church, using the Bible as our basis; it is good to revive our spiritual energies. But best of all is to renew ourselves for mission.

My great-uncle, Ed Weber, drove an ancient car. I doubt if you’ve ever heard of its brand name. He drove a Terraplane. Anybody remember the Terraplane? Well, dearie, if you do, then you are much older than I, because my great-uncle’s Terraplane was already ancient when I was a boy. It had been ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Imitator

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

It was customary in Hosea’s day for people to rejoice at harvest time. Israel, however, was commanded not to do so, because she attributed the abundance she experienced to the idols she worshiped, instead of God who sent it (v. l). Because of her spiritua

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: President Calvin Coolidge invited some people from his hometown to dinner at the White House. Since they did not know how to behave at such an occasion, they thought the best policy would be just to do what the President did. The time came for serving coffee. The ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist