Sermons on Modern Idols:

Chosen To Obey Series

Contributed by Jeff Ecklund on Jul 28, 2011

This is a series on finding our purpose and identity in God. Focused on how to build a local church and the elements that release true purpose in the face of our cultures fascination and idolizing individualism.

Chosen to Obey HOTL 2011 (Release to Purpose Series) Open with continuing on: Gathering the lost and broken to Christ Restoring to Wholeness Releasing to Purpose 1 Peter 1:1 Overview of Peter: Most people I think can relate to Peter… A common man, common education ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-25

Denomination: *other

Protecting Families In An Ungodly Culture Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 23, 2018

In an ungodly culture, Jacob (and we too) protects his family, not by withdrawing into a cocoon or fighting the culture wars," but by eliminating idols, prioritizing worship, and renewing the vision of the family.

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY IN AN UNGODLY CULTURE—Genesis 33:18-35:15 Is it more difficult to raise a godly family today than it used to be? The world seems more dangerous: drugs, school shootings, abuse and rape. Social media allows bullying and peer pressure to come to our families, 24/7. The media ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When God Seems Slow

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 25, 2025

When God seems slow, fear builds idols. Trust Jesus, who breaks our false gods and restores us to the only Savior worth waiting for.

Introduction — The Silence That Feels Dangerous They waited. Moses went up the mountain to talk with God. Israel watched him go until he was only a speck on the slope…and then he disappeared into the cloud of glory. The first day, there was awe. The third day, curiosity. By day ten…whispers. By ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1, Exodus 32:6, Romans 12:2, Luke 23:34, 1 Corinthians 10:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Scarecrow And The Pelican – Very Apt Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2022

The message begins with the insanity of idolatry. Idols are no more than scarecrows in a cucumber field. In great distress David resembled a pelican in the wilderness. Applications are drawn from these two objects to Christian living and personal affliction.

THE SCARECROW AND THE PELICAN – VERY APT PART 1 - A SCARECROW IN A CUCUMBER FIELD {{Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:1-5, Jeremiah 10:6-10, Psalm 102:1-13, Jonah 2:5-7, Psalm 61:1-4, Psalm 77:1-10, Psalm 102:19-28, Psalm 107:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Wants The Best For Us

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

In our modern society, some of the Ten Commandments are ridiculed, & others ignored. But I think this 7th Commandment is actually hated by many.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. Today is Valentine’s Day, a special day, a day in which much emphasis is placed on romantic love. But if you listen, you’ll discover that the world gives very mixed messages about the nature of love & the ways to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Plea To Reutrn To God

Contributed by Arthur Horne on Nov 18, 2000

Using the Old Testament Prophets to show a modern day need of returning to the Lord that so obviously birthed this nation called the United States

Probably nowhere in the Bible is the tenderness of the relationship between the Lord and His subjects better demonstrated than in these two passages. In Ezekiel 16 the Lord wonderfully reminds Israel of the way that He founded the nation. A people not loved by anyone. He demonstrates this by using ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Heresies Confronted By The Early Church Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 2, 2001

Many modern errors stem from the early heresies. This study looks at what the teachers of heresy believed and how the church refuted these doctrines.

Heresies and Heretics in the Early Church Early church fathers focused much energy on refuting heretical views that infiltrated the church. The majority of the Trinity quotes were written in response to heresy being taught within the church. A heresy is simply a doctrine that strays from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-3, Hebrews 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Truth In Advertising

Contributed by William Mouser on Jun 26, 2005

Unlike modern promoters of goods and services, who shade the truth, Jesus’ commissioning of his disciples was candid and complete -- with both warnings and promises.

Truth in Advertising Ps. 89:1-18, Micah 7:1-7, Romans 6:3-11, Matt. 10:34-42 Some years ago there was a film about a group of crazy people – I think that was the title of the film: Crazy People – in which a group of patients in a mental institution began to write advertising. As I recall, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-42

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Am I Suppose To Do With My Life?

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Jul 23, 2006

Modern trend is that people are postponing major decisions in life. People have little direction. True calling is to serve God with spiritual gifts.

What Am I Suppose To Do With My Life? People today don’t know what they want to do with their lives. Despite all of our wealth, education, and opportunity people are constantly searching for happiness and fulfillment. Their journey never seems to end because they are reluctant to grow up and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-14

Denomination: Orthodox

Somewhere Else

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 5, 2009

Making room for God in our busy lives can enable us to cope with the stresses and business of living in our hectic, modern world.

Somewhere Else Intro: In 1975 I assumed my duties as the Pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in South Bend, IN. I was delighted to see new Bibles carefully placed in every pew. I opened one to see what version it was and in huge large, red letters these words were stamped inside the front ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When We Are Called To Those Who Are Hostile

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

After being abused and accused by his fellow Jews, Jeremiah’s counsel was sought and ignored. Modern believers need to take note.

If I hadn’t had a similar, though less lethal, experience, I probably wouldn’t relate to that scene in “The Godfather” where the old Mafioso tells the young boss how the traitor would try to kill him after his death. With me, we were in a nice restaurant in San Francisco (my executive editor and I) ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 37:13-21

Denomination: *other

Begging At The Gate

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Oct 19, 2008

The gate could be prettier than the Temple – it is another paradox of modern religion. Big gates, large ways coming trough, but no salvation at the gate.

Just look at him: an ordinary beggar, one among thousands who filled Jerusalem streets... And today was just another day, no better and no worse then all the other days that had made up the life of this poor crippled beggar. Who was he, we don’t know. The Bible reveals nothing about his life up to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Life From Death? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 4, 2010

Modern day Sadducees still teach that a bodily resurrection is unbelievable. For what 3 reasons do they reject a teaching that is so obviously Biblical?

(This was the last in our series "The Upside Down Teachings of Jesus" and to emphasize that theme, we played the video "Blindness" found through sermoncentral. If you’ve not seen it it is worth the time to prevue it’s powerful message). OPEN: His name was Roger Williams and he was a famous 17th ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 3: The Year Of Jubilee Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number 3 in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at the year of Jubilee and its implications both social and spiritual.

Introduction In a recent Peanuts cartoon, Lucy approaches Charlie Brown with a paper and pen and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame”. Then she goes to Shroeder with the same paper and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame”. Finally she comes to Linus: “Here, sign ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 4: Righteousness Being Restored Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number 4 in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at Moses restoring rigtheousness and what it means for revival today.

Introduction I want to start this morning by using a quote from a Methodist. When you work around the church a while it comes quite naturally, the laughter of cynical disbelief. In 1986 the United Methodist General Conference, on the last day of two weeks of meetings, passed a resolution that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-6, Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Denomination: Holiness