Sermons on Pagan Festivals:

The Cross Satisfies God Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Jan 25, 2010

The original idea of propitiation came from the pagans.The Christian meaning is much richer as we shall see today. Before we explore what Christian propitiation looks like we have to understand why God needs to be satisfied.

Isaiah 53:7-11 Purpose: To explain why God's wrath must be assuaged before forgiveness is possible. Aim: I want the listener to glory in what Christ did to absorb God's wrath against our sin. INTRODUCTION: I won't ask for a raise of hands, but men have any of you ever forgotten your anniversary ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Freedom Of Light Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 6, 2014

How did God get a self-sufficient, highly educated pagan and atheist to change his life around? And what do we need to know and do to take part in this miracle of conversion that takes place with men like Phil Robertson?

OPEN: ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4r4sXmqmo] - from "time marks" 4:48 to 8:45. We opened the sermon with this video cut from a CBN TV interview with Phil and Kay Robertson. After we played the clip, I entered the auditorium dressed in camouflage hunting gear. After reading the text and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

What Difference Does The Resurrection Make? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Pagans expected nothing to happen after a person dies. Jews expected the faithful to be resurrected at the end of time. And Christians have felt that not only has Christ risen from the grave but His resurrection guarantees His follower's resurrection.

Happy Resurrection Day to Cross Church! Maybe you grew up thinking miracles happened a long time ago, if at all. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to both ancient miracles and modern ones. But if you’re looking for a miracle, you need not look any further than the empty ...read more

Scripture: John 5:28-29, Romans 6:5-11, 2 Timothy 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Idolatry Is Not Dead Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

We tend to dismiss idolatry because we think only of those who have visible forms of idols. This is still a part of our world, and it is amazing that people in the modern century have been just as foolish as were the pagans in the days of the prophets.

Does it ever bother you that good things that should happen don't, and bad things that shouldn't happen do? Dr. Larry Crabb whose book Inside Out was a great seller tells of the parents who decided to enroll their 13 year daughter in a Christian school. One of the teachers introduced ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-23

The Christmas That Wasn't Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jan 1, 2021

The first Christmas was the Christmas that wasn't--at least in Jerusalem, the city that the Great King and Messiah came to save, and to rule from. Pagan visitors from far away had to tell them of the great thing that had happened in their midst.

Back in November, Jeanie and I received a newsletter from an organization called SAT-7. SAT, I assume stands for satellite, because that is the means by which they broadcast the Gospel via television programs into Muslim dominated countries in the Middle East. SAT-7 is the largest provider of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-15, Numbers 24:16-17, Daniel 9:24-26, Romans 6:23, John 1:11-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

How's Your Karma?

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Nov 3, 2007

A look at Israel’s history of (sinfully) worshipping the pagan gods of those people around them, its implications, and how Israel kept doing it again and again. The sermon compares this with how our contemporary society falls into this same trap (karma,

HOW’S YOUR KARMA? An Exploration of the Danger of New Age Mysticism in American Society Based upon the teaching of Isaiah 1:10-18 Stephen H. Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church—Elk Grove, CA November 4, 2007—23rd Sunday After Pentecost A few months ago I did something that really upset my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Mission Awareness

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 28, 2008

Jesus did not restrict himself to the wealthy or the healthy. He did not restrict himself to those he knew but reached out to people of all nationalities of His time. He reached out to religious and non-religious people to Jews and Gentiles, to pagans and

Mission Awareness Sunday Today we celebrate the Call to Missions with Presbyterian Churches across Canada. It is an opportunity for us to focus on what God has called us to and the success and continued need for us to be vigilant in our efforts since the world remains a place that needs the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Magnanimity Of God’s Love

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and the festive songs. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas—the gifts, the food, the joy. But do we ever stop to reflect on the true weight of this season?

The Magnanimity of God’s Love December 22, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Psalm 24:3-10 John 1:14, 3:16 Introduction: The Tension of Christmas As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:3-10, John 1:14, John 3:16

Denomination: Brethren

Scrooges: Man’s Personal Power To Thwart God’s Plan Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

It is amazing how understanding a person and a historical event gives a different way of looking at history. I enjoy reality fiction, especially in movies. For example, “The Man Who Invented Christmas” appears to be a fantasy movie. It is reality fiction. The story tells how Charles Dickens ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

(7) The Church At Pergamos

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 28, 2016

Worldliness has swept into the church. There are some who still hold to the truth of separation, but the majority are content, like Lot to seek the best of both this world and the one to come.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 5-12-2015 Lesson 7: The Church at Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV) 12 “To ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Prescription For A Depressed Saint

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 17, 2016

Elijah was probably the most celebrated and revered of all Old Testament prophets. He lived during a time when people were chasing after false gods, worshiping idols and dabbling in all kinds of pagan and occultist stuff. God chose Elijah . . .

Friday, August 12, 2016 Prescription for a Depressed Saint I need to tell you up front that I am an expert on this subject. I used to be ashamed and did all I could to hide it from others. But that’s another sermon. For now, just accept that I know what I am talking about. I’ll begin ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Mother Of The Year - A Canaanite Woman

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 17, 2018

In this passage we see a gentile woman from a pagan land showing the humility and faith that is honored by the Lord. And at the same time we see Jesus closest disciples showing dishonor to the same woman. May we read and learn from this great passage.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 4:24-25

Denomination: Nazarene

2nd Commandment- Idol Worship

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Dec 5, 2019

Idol Worship Was Rampant Among The Nations Surrounding Israel. Most Of Those Nations Had Carved Images To Which They Bowed, Sacrificed, And Performed Various Acts Of Worship.The Israelites Were Strictly Warned To Keep Themselves Separate From The Pagan Nations .

Exodus 20:4–5 NKJV “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go In Peace? Naaman Healed

Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Jun 25, 2003

Naaman has just told Elisha that he will be going back to his Pagan land and will visit a temple of the god Rimmon. He will bow down right smack in the midst of active idol worship in the temple. Wow! Elisha said, "go in peace" to that?

Read: 2 Kings 5:19 “Go in peace,” Elisha said. Here we find one of the greatest miracles of the Bible. Naaman is healed of Leprosy. It is a feel good story that makes us all warm and fuzzy inside. We can read it, feel blessed, and move right along to the next story when Elisha causes an axe ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:19, Luke 4:27

Denomination: Baptist