Sermons on Pagan Festivals:

Halloween: Strangers & Pilgrims In This World

Contributed by Bobby Bodenhamer on Oct 30, 2010

In this sermon I draw upon the history of Halloween as being influenced by the doctrine of death and resurrection. I have included a full article about Halloween (Halloween: A Christian Perspective) that I found in The Wall Street Journal.

Strangers & Pilgrims in this World 1 Peter 1:1-9 v. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, v. 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: *other

What Are You Thirsty For?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 20, 2020

A sermon of comfort in the midst of a coming epidemic.

3.22.20 Psalm 42:1-5 As a doe pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and appear before God? My tears have been food for me day and night, while people are saying to me all day, “Where is your God?” I am overcome ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

The Feasts Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on May 29, 2025

The thing we cannot do was accomplished on our behalf by Christ, through his sacrifice. Through our faith in that sacrifice and the transformational relationship that occurs as a result, we become holy and set-apart in the eyes of God.

May 31, 2025 Today we are wrapping up the book of Leviticus and we begin with the Feasts/Festivals of chapter 23. Yahweh begins by restating the Sabbath Commandment – once again setting the 7th day apart from all other special days or events. Next, He designated 6 feasts/festivals that Israel ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29, Luke 22:7-20, John 6:51, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Matthew 27:52-53, Ephesians 4:8, Romans 6:4-5, John 4:35, Acts 2:1-5, Acts 2:41, John 1:14, Zechariah 14:16, Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation 21:3, 1 Peter 2:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Story Of Jonah - A Tragic Hero With A Fatal Flaw Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The story of Jonah is a satiric masterpiece. The book of Jonah is unique in that it humorously recounts the adventures of a prophet who struggled against his divine commission. This really is a handbook on how not to be a prophet.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In his book, True Heroism in a World of Celebrity Counterfeits, Dick Keyes writes that a celebrity is "one who is famous and well publicized," well known "apart from how they became known. Celebrity itself is indifferent to moral character," he adds. One can be ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:3

Dare To Discipline

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

Church discipline is a very unpleasant thing - But because we love God, because we love His church, because we love the people who are a part of it, it is something we need to be willing to do

Fifteen years ago, next week, I was called to become the pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church, Wentworth, Wisconsin. As I began my first full-time ministry position, my rookie season, I found myself facing a couple of situations which were probably as difficult as any that I have dealt with the last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Jesus Came To Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 25, 2005

When we come to church, remember to get to the right focus - God, and get to the right agenda - prayer, communion with God.

We are looking at a rare glimpse of Jesus today – His anger over something He is passionate about. It pays for us to take note. If it can drive Him to behave in such a way, it must be something we need to take note of today. The Temple was a good thing. God commanded the people of Israel to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My God Rides The Clouds

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 20, 2012

MY God Rides the Clouds 1) To save me; 2) To empower me

“MY dad rides a Harley.” You’ll probably never hear my daughters say that. Mr. Stuht’s boys, on the other hand, can make that boast. What is it about Harley bikes that makes many ooh and aah when they find out that the person they are talking to is an owner of one those ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:26-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Immanuel -God Is With Us Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

Jesus came to overcome those who are opposed to God. So we can have confidence, not in our own ability to overcome those who oppose the gospel, but in the God who sent his only Son as both a sign of his love for us and as the means by which that love coul

There are times when we find it hard to trust God to look after us. There are times when we think our situation is so bad there’s no way out. There are other times when we think we know the best solution to our problems so we don’t bother to ask God for help. All three of those statements were ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Denomination: Anglican

"Finding Comfort From God While We Comfort Others" Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Jan 10, 2011

As Christians we can find strength in our weakness. And God promises through His Scriptures that He will remain faithful and comfort us when we are discouraged in times of trial.

A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under an eight-point buck. "Where’s Harry?" he was asked. "Harry had a stroke of some kind. He’s a couple of miles back up the trail." "You left Harry lying there, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Christian Church

Anna: The Realization Of Christmas (Christmas Eve Candlelight Service) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 9, 2020

Anna was a woman of devout faith. The coming of the messiah brought great hope. This year we need that hope more than ever

Introduction If you have followed us over the last few months, you know that we are deep into the study of the Gospel of Luke. So on this Christmas eve, I wanted to take a moment and bring a concluding thought to Luke’s Birth Narrative in his Gospel. It is here we find a woman with a remarkable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-39, Luke 2:38-40

Denomination: Brethren

Daniel: The Wise Will Be All Right Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

God knows the future. Even if we don't know the future, we can be wise about how we live. At the end of God's future, we will be all right--ALL right--righteous in glory.

THE WISE WILL BE ALL RIGHT—Daniel 10-12 ***The 2010 movie, “The Kids Are All Right,” was about two women who married, with each having children by the same sperm donor. They raised their kids together. The plot takes crazy twists and turns, as one of the women has an affair with the sperm donor, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-16, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Passover Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 9, 2023

The Passing over of the Angel of God over the land of Egypt is known as Passover. While he passes over he would spare the houses of Israelites because of their coverage by the blood.

Exodus 12:1-28 - The Passover Introduction: Exodus 12 and 13 constitute a single literary unit as both describe Jehovah's Passover. These chapters have instructions for the preparation, observations, readiness to leave, and passing on to future generations as an ordinance. The description ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-28

Denomination: Methodist

Divided Loyalties Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Nov 5, 2007

There is a ’kairos’ moment when we must plough up sinful hearts and seek the Lord God - as Hosea challenged the people to do.

Hosea 10.1-15 Divided Loyalties If you were to ask Taylor “What does Daddy hate most?” she would, I hope, tell you that I hate lies. The old saying “You can watch a thief but not a liar” is so true. At what point do you believe someone after they have lied to you? When do you start to trust ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:1-15

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Is Having The Spirit Supposed To Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 15, 2021

Jesus cries out on the last day of the Feast. This is a big message and He gives us insight into what will happen when He is glorified: streams of living water flowing from His believers through the Spirit. But, sadly, we today are not experiencing that the way that we should.

INTRO: - This is a climactic moment. We’ve been talking the last few weeks about this extended scene that happens at the Feast of Tabernacles. There have been debates and discussions. There have been misunderstandings and confusion. Now we come to a moment when Jesus has something to shout ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

Rules For Farming, Work, Rest, Worship, And Cooking (Exodus 23:10-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 17, 2022

Animals, servants, and the land need a break. Don't come before God empty-handed. When you celebrate harvest, celebrate God.

Today, we work our way through Exodus 23:10-19. This is another one of those passages where we will find ourselves being pulled in lots of different directions. God sort of hops around, from one topic to another. And we will have to do our best to hop with him, and keep up. Part of me wonders ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:10-19, Matthew 6:11, Leviticus 25:18-22, Exodus 31:15-17, Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:18, Colossians 2:16-17  (view more)  (view less)