Sermons on Pagan Festivals:

Living In The Joy Of The Lord

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 1, 2014

“Joy, which was the small publicity of the Pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian”. - G.K. Chesterton This message looks at the avenues and barriers to living in the joy of the Lord.

Sermon for CATM – June 1, 2014 – Living in the Joy of the Lord - Nehemiah 8:1-10 Robert Louis Stevenson once entered in his diary what he considered to be an extraordinary thing. He said, "I have been to Church today, and (Surprisingly) I am not depressed." I hope that your ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Troubled Dreamer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Here is a pagan king and God communicates to him in a dream. He may not have listened to a prophet, but a dream is so personal that he cannot refuse to pay attention.

When John Wesley returned to England from his fruitless visit to America, he learned that on another ship in the harbor his friend Whitefield was about to sail to America. This depressed Wesley for he had hoped to have fellowship with Whitefield. Early in the morning he sent a message by boat to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-18

Pursuing The Call Part 8 How The Good-News Affects Christ-Followers Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Oct 26, 2019

When Paul came to Ephesus in Acts 19, the city was locked in a stronghold of pagan superstition. But within two years of ministry in Ephesus, Satan’s stronghold was crumbling.

ACTS Pursuing The Call – Part 7 Dr. Tom Bartlett August 11, 2019 Acts 19:21-41 OUTLINE How the Good-News affects Christ-followers Acts 19:21-41 (ESV) THE GOSPEL HAS A PROFOUND AFFECT ON . . . How we think about money Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia ...read more

Denomination: Other

See What Jesus Does For His Faithful Ones

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 7, 2024

If Elijah’s prophetic gift would not bring the whole people back to proper worship and right living, then he would exercise it for only one pagan family:

Thirty-second Sunday in Course 2024 Today’s Scripture readings have a laser-focus on the plight of the poor—especially widows and orphans—and the care that God wants to give them. That care, of course, is usually through the ministry of those who follow the second greatest commandment, “Love your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Catholic

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

A Wife For Isaac (Genesis 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2024

How did it happen that the Lord provided a distant believing wife for Isaac, rather than a neighboring pagan wife? Let's look at Genesis 24.

How would we find a marriage partner? Would we choose a pagan or unbeliever who is close by or seek a fellow believer even if they come from far away? Would we follow a believing parent’s advice or ignore their wisdom and make our own choice? Do we trust that God can also provide for us? Let’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Spirit Filled Confession Of Faith

Contributed by Christopher Martin on May 31, 2009

A sermon for the festival of Pentecost, Series B. Preached 5/31/2009 @ Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Audubon, Iowa. It was also Confirmation Sunday at Our Saviour’s.

This morning we have two very important things going on as a part of our worship service. The most obvious is that today is Confirmation Sunday. For the last two years, Jake, Samantha, Ethan, Elizabeth, Emily, Miranda, and Lexie have gone through careful instruction with me in the basics of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Just Another Thanksgiving

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Dec 16, 2008

Our holiday experiences have become a routine just like Israel’s feast and festivals. God has come to hate these celebrations because of our lack of true remembrance.

I. What’s giving Thanks all about A. The pilgrims did it 1. In 1621, the pilgrims celebrated the first harvest at Plymouth 2. To them, it was a religious holiday celebrating all that God gave them The Pilgrim Proclamation of 1623 Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-15

Denomination: *other

Learning From The Passover (Exodus 12:1-28) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 12, 2022

The Passover is not "our" festival. But there are things about it, that we should learn and carry over to how we "observe" the Lord's supper.

This morning, we find ourselves in Exodus 12. Here, Pharaoh is about to finally, forever be popped like a tick. Every Egyptian firstborn, from human to cow, will be killed. After this, Yahweh will give his people freedom, and lead them toward the promised land. Now, Yahweh knows that we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-28, 1 Corinthians 10:21, John 1:36, John 6:4, Philippians 3:19-20, John 6:43-59, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34  (view more)  (view less)

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Make The Right Choice

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Aug 27, 2002

Pentecost 14(B) - AUGUST 25, 2002 - Believers make the right choice when they forsake false gods and follow the true God.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE JOSHUA 24:1,2a;14-18 AUGUST 25, 2002 1Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Halloween - Understanding It's Origins And Practices

Contributed by Cris Willis on Dec 27, 2007

The festivities on Halloween were once the Christian’s way of laughing at death and evil, something we can do in certain hope of Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness. The opportunity for the Christian Church lies in how we treat the holiday “Hallo

“Understanding the History and Practice of Halloween” Text: II Corinthians 6:11-18; Ephesians 5:3-16 Introduction: Since the eighth century Christians have celebrated All Saints’ Day on November 1 to celebrate the known and unknown Christian Saints. Saints are not just those whom the Church has ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

Denomination: Church Of God

The Man Who Listened To Fools Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2011

The Bible tells us to seek advice. But not all advice is good advice. It pays to pay attention to whom you pay attention to. But how do I know the difference between good advice and bad?

OPEN: In my files I have the following pieces of advice that you may want to consider: · Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. · Never buy a car you can't push. · When everything's coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane. · Find out what you don't do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not That He Really Had Need, For He Had Learned Contentment (Lesson #34) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 30, 2020

Paul generously expressed his gratitude for the gift which the Philippians had sent to him (v. 10). He knew that he had always been in their thoughts but circumstances had up till now given them no opportunity to show their appreciation of him.

Date: 8/27/19 Lesson #34 Title: Not That He Really Had Need, For He Had Learned Contentment • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” are shown as endnotes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Scripture: (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV) whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

We Are His Offspring

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2024

God created mankind, and He gives us our being. Thus, we must not segregate on the basis of race or sex. Flowing from the knowledge of God's creation, and having given His Word, we discover that not all cultures are equal, though all people have opportunity to know God.

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-28

Denomination: Baptist