Sermons on Pagan Neighbors:

"Samson's Fury & Infatuation" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 25, 2002

Samson is a tragic hero of Scripture, especially gifted but ensnared by the pagan culture, which captured him morally and then literally. He was a man of great physical strength but ethical weakness.

“Samson’s Fury & Infatuation”, Judges chapters 13-15 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Introduction Samson is a tragic hero of the Bible. He was especially gifted but he became ensnared by the pagan culture, which captured him morally and then literally. ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Rocky - Preparing For The Fight Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2003

Why did Jesus take His disciples to Caesarea Philippi? Why go to a pagan, idolatrous city to ask His disciples the most important question of His ministry?

OPEN: I read once the story of a young black man in the ghettos. He was fortunate in that he had both of his parents, and they struggled to make ends meet. But for his birthday that year they had scraped together enough money to pay for a brand new bicycle. A few days later someone stole it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real Faith Always Wins

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Aug 6, 2016

All the wise men of Babylon had one thing in common, none of them had any real faith in their pagan gods, none, that is, but four Hebrew boys

Real Faith Always wins. Daniel 2:1-30 all the so called wise men of Babylon had one thing in common, none of them had any real faith in their pagan gods. None that ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Idolatry: Today’s Idols Are More In The Self Than On The Shelf.

Contributed by Mark Roper on Mar 25, 2018

Idolatry is not just a pagan issue. It is not just an Old Testament or Jewish issue. • It’s a human issue. • It’s a heart issue • It’s a relationship issue.

Idolatry Topic: Idolatry is not just a pagan issue. It is not just an Old Testament or Jewish issue. • It’s a human issue. • It’s a heart issue • It’s a relationship issue. • An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand. IDOLATRY EXTENDS BEYOND THE WORSHIP OF IMAGES AND ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

You Are A Witness!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 9, 2020

In the 5th chapter of 2 Kings, during the time of the prophet Elisha, there is a story about a pagan general & a Jewish slave girl that is a powerful example of an effective witness.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: 2 Kings 5:1-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ILL. This week I read a story told by Bobby Stults on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Providence In The World Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 21, 2021

We see it so clearly in Esther, how God used pagans for His purpose, but it was not new. God has always worked outside of Israel, for His providence is universal.

Time magazine covered the extravagance of the Shaw Of Iran back in 1971. It was the 2500th year anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. Nine kings and five queens were there, along with princes and princesses, and 16 presidents. It was a high class elegant affair ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-9

Getting Life Right: Re-Cycling Relationships Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 18, 2020

1) Break the Cycle of Retribution, 2) Start a New Cycle of Love. "What goes around comes around" is not the final answer. Love graciously as God loves.

Getting Life Right: RE-CYCLING RELATIONSHIPS—Matthew 5:38-48 Most relationships follow a simple rule: “What goes around comes around.” If interactions between people are going in a positive direction, the relationship thrives, with reciprocal affirmation, encouragement, cooperation, and kindness. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Love Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 20, 2021

No doubt there were many acts of helping and kindness, neighbors checking in on neighbors that we will never hear about. We call the people who do these kinds of things “Good Samaritans.” One writer said the parable of the Good Samaritan “is one of the most gripping that Jesus ever told...

How To Love Luke 10:25-37 Introduction This has been an incredible week across the US … and unfortunately with much destruction and many deaths. Over 70% of the United States were covered in snow. As we thaw out from the frozen weather experience we hear many stories of care and service. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

El "Décimo Primer" Mandamiento Series

Contributed by Carlos Camarena on Apr 7, 2003

The "eleventh" commandment: James’ discussion of Jesus’ most neglected commandment: "love your neighbor as you love your self."

El “décimo primer” mandamiento Texto: Santiago 2:8-13 Lectura Bíblica: Levítico 19:15-18 Por Carlos C. Camarena I. Introducción A. En un mundo donde los “ismos” (favoritismo, nepotismo, racismo, etc) vienen marginando a miembros de la sociedad, tales “ismos,” de acuerdo a Santiago (ver Sant ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:15-18, James 2:8-13

Denomination: Adventist

First Class Treatment Series

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Nov 14, 2008

Showing partiality to the rich not only violates the 2nd commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself," it is breaking the whole law

Here’s a typical scenario for you at Narita Airport. Let’s say John and Chihoko are flying to JFK. I’m the purser or the head steward. I’m at the door to greet the passengers when they come on the 777. I see Chihoko dressed in very fine clothes. She is like the person we just read about. She ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Beatitudes: "How To Be" Attitudes

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jan 31, 2005

The Beatitudes: "How to Be" Attitudes 1) Toward God 2) Toward our neighbor 3) Toward our opponents

Have you ever played Balderdash? It’s a game where you guess the meaning of obscure words. Take the word “pleach” for example. Does “pleach” mean 1) a peach scented bleach, 2) the curved handle of a plough, or 3) the interweaving of tree branches? The correct answer is # 3. Pleach is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Double Or Nothing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

Ignorance of God’s character and law often renders our loving feelings toward our neighbors empty or misguided.

There used to be a terrific program on PBS called the Religion and Ethics Weekly. They covered everything from Pentecostals to the Pope. I’ve seen programs on Jews and Buddhists and Hindus and Islam. One time they reported on a rise in Hindu fundamentalism. I wasn’t paying as much attention as I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed