Sermons on Pagan Festivals:

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

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

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

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 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

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

The Lions In Daniel's Den Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 15, 2006

Daniel gives us a great example of how we ought to live and behave. Just as he was a child of God living in a foreign, pagan culture, you and I are children of God living in a culture that is becoming less and less Christian with each passing day.

INTRODUCTION The title of this series from Daniel is “Turning Chaos into Character.” In chapter one, Daniel refused to eat the king’s rich food. He went on what I call the “Daniel Diet.” In chapter two, the king saw a vision of a multi-metallic statue representing Gentile Kingdoms. Here in chapter ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

There Is A Shift Coming Series

Contributed by Jamie Wright on Mar 3, 2004

Guess what, we are not in a parade. This isn’t some holiday festival here in the kingdom of God. We are in a battle! You can’t face the battle as long as you are on the bottle! God uses life’s bruises! He has the ability to reverse the curse. He can

Don’t Give Up the Battle! There’s a Shift Coming! Pastor Jamie Wright Maranatha Fellowship Church Feb 18, 2004 Wed Bible Study Guess what, we are not in a parade. This isn’t some holiday festival here in the kingdom of God. We are in a battle! You can’t face the battle as long as you are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:37, Mark 5:22-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Because God's Contracts Don't Expire Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Nov 23, 2009

Before our Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., I was prompted at 5:30 AM Saturday morning to change my planned sermon text to consider Israel’s harvest festival. This sermon is full of details, to be avoided by those who don’t like teaching in preaching.

This sermon needs a disclaimer and it doesn’t need to be one of those bits of legalese that we see in 6 point type in a print ad, appears briefly in barely legible type at the bottom of a television screen, or is read as rapidly as possible by a radio announcer: “Offer listed is manufacturer’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: *other

Are You An Achan In The Camp?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 18, 2020

Careful what you hoard or desire unless you are a hindrance to victory instead of part of the victory.

Joshua 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. 20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:19-21

Denomination: Baptist