Sermons on Pagan Festivals:

Love Makes The Simple Complex Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

Many Christians had no problem with relating to their pagan family and friends by eating this meat offered to idols. Life would have been so simple if other Christians had not taken an opposite view.

Dr. James H. Robinson, a great black preacher in New York, tells of how he use to sit on the steps of the public library in Knoxville. He would watch the white people go in, and he would be filled with resentment because he wanted to read and learn, but the doors were closed to blacks. He came ...read more

Following In The Steps Of James

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Jul 21, 2021

A Patronal festival sermon that looks at some of the qualities of James, and how we can be inspired to seek out own gifts (illustration found on http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/e/evangelism.htm)

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Anglican

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 26, 2020

When we look at how God instructed the Israelites to celebrate TWO harvest festivals we find there is a lot we can apply to how we thank God for his goodness to us. There are some surprises!

Today we’re celebrating Harvest Festival. This year, coronavirus restrictions have resulted in a rather muted celebration. We aren’t meeting at church and we don’t have the usual piles of food to give to the food bank, or a beautiful harvest loaf. I’m going to take a look at some passages and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:9-13, Exodus 23:16, Deuteronomy 16:13, Deuteronomy 16:16

Denomination: Baptist

How Halloween Can Help Christians

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 27, 2001

Halloween reminds Christians of several things and what we can do to help others think about death and life

How Halloween Can Help Christians By Rev. Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC 16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Heathen Believers (The Magi) Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 28, 2020

Do some Christians disbelieve God? Let’s see how non-Christians can put some long-time believers to shame. Let’s look at the failure of many believers and the faith of novices in Matthew 2:1-12.

Intro: Do some Christians disbelieve God? Goal: Let’s see how non-Christians can put some long-time believers to shame. Plan: Let’s look at the failure of many believers and the faith of novices in Matthew 2:1-12. The Herods Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Talking To God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2002

Uses someone to act for God (on a microphone interacting with the speaker) for good effect.

(Preacher) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (voice off stage with booming bass and reverb) "(pause)Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES? WHAT DO YOU WANT JEFF?" "Who is this?" "WHO DO YOU THINK IT IS? "Well, not too many people I know sound like this!" "I SHOULD HOPE NOT" "Come on now, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Lord, He's Done It Again!

Contributed by Marlene Mcniece on Apr 23, 2019

I am a Certified Lay Minister in the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. This sermon was written for a Wednesday Worship service on 4-24-19. It combines elements of Easter and of the Festival of God's Creation.

“Good Lord, He’s Done it Again!” Sunday was the day we celebrated the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection! Sunday was an extra special day in our Church year! But every day of our lives is special as we remember the miracles of God’s love, of salvation, of eternal life; every day that we feel the ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:2-11, Revelation 11:18

The Original Home Alone

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 13, 2024

Jesus was left behind at His Father's House by Mary and Joseph after the Festival. How often do we leave Jesus behind as well? Why did Jesus stay behind? Find out.

12.29.24 Luke 2:41–52 (EHV) 41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. 43 When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Repent - The First Message Of Lord Jesus Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 3, 2021

In this period of 400 years when the Lord chose to remain silent, everything in the temple continued as it always had. The rituals of worship, sacrifices, feasts and festivals were carried out with regularity, but the dismal part was that the Lord was not in it. Why?

Repent - The first message of Lord Jesus Matthew 3:1-2:“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (RSV) Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-2, Matthew 4:17

Denomination: Other

The Beginning Of The Year Is Changed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 25, 2022

The feast of the Passover was instituted as a memorial to Israel's deliverance from Egypt and their adoption as Jehovah's nation. Passover is a festival that laid the foundation of the nation, Israel's birth, into a new relationship with God.

THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS CHANGED INTRODUCTION What follows is brought into connection with the giving of the law at Sinai and in the fields of Moab and is distinguished concerning the former as the first or foundation law for the congregation of Jehovah. The creation of Israel as the people of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 40:2

Denomination: Baptist

"God's Glorious Gospel Glows In The Dark”

Contributed by Daniel Schroeder on Dec 29, 2001

Christmas lights and decorations still up means you are celebrating Christmas, the Gentile Christmas - Epiphany. On this festival we celebrate that the Savior born in Bethlehem shines out good news to all nations that he is the Savior of all.

“God’s Glorious Gospel Glows In The Dark” I. Lighting up the sin-darkened world II. Attracting people from all nations Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I suppose its not too late to find people still celebrating the Christmas season in Jackson. Yes, you probably have seen a few ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Rivers Of Living Waters Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 20, 2008

Tabernacles was a popular festival rich in symbolism. It was a memorial to the wilderness journey & God’s provision of water from a rock. The water poured on the sacrificial rock altar of the temple represented the life giving water flowing from God.

JOHN 7:37-39 RIVERS OF LIVING WATER [Deuteronomy 31:9-13] Tabernacles was a popular festival rich in symbolism. Each day of the feast of booths included a water ceremony in which a procession of priests descended to the south border of the city to the Gihon Spring (which flowed ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39, John 37:7-39, John 8:1-11, Revelation 22:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The True Meaning Of Easter Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 7, 2015

Easter is a Christian holiday. It is the most special of all Christian holidays. What makes it so special? Easter was converted from a pagan holiday to the most glorious holy day of all! So what is Easter?

The True Meaning of Easter Dr. Lewis Gregory 1. Why is EASTER so special? Easter is a Christian holiday. It is the most special of all Christian holidays. What makes it so special? Three very notable events occurred which make Easter the most significant holy day of all—the death, burial, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth Resting (In The Will Of God) Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2010

Ruth has given up everything from her pagan past and has cast herself completely on the God of Israel. She is truly, in the words of verse 11, a “woman of noble character.”

“Pain is inevitable; misery is optional.” We learn from the Book of Ruth how to overcome bitterness and emptiness through a steadfast faith. Ruth chose a pathway that changed her life and the course of history. We’re not sure how much time has transpired between chapters 2 & ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Denomination: Congregational

Sunny Side Sermon Iii: Who You Listen To Makes A Big Difference Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 1, 2020

In our fallen world, many voices vie for the attention of the masses - and pagan voices seem to be the loudest - but mature people of faith value their spiritual well-being and pay attention to Him who is the Truth and the Life.

WHO YOU LISTEN TO MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD SPIRITUALLY Have you seen any ghosts lately? Thirty-four percent of Americans believe in ghosts, and fifty-six percent believe ghosts are spirits of the dead. Did you ever live in a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-18