Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

A Troubled Dreamer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Here is a pagan king and God communicates to him in a dream. He may not have listened to a prophet, but a dream is so personal that he cannot refuse to pay attention.

When John Wesley returned to England from his fruitless visit to America, he learned that on another ship in the harbor his friend Whitefield was about to sail to America. This depressed Wesley for he had hoped to have fellowship with Whitefield. Early in the morning he sent a message by boat to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-18

See What Jesus Does For His Faithful Ones

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 7, 2024

If Elijah’s prophetic gift would not bring the whole people back to proper worship and right living, then he would exercise it for only one pagan family:

Thirty-second Sunday in Course 2024 Today’s Scripture readings have a laser-focus on the plight of the poor—especially widows and orphans—and the care that God wants to give them. That care, of course, is usually through the ministry of those who follow the second greatest commandment, “Love your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Catholic

A Wife For Isaac (Genesis 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 3, 2024

How did it happen that the Lord provided a distant believing wife for Isaac, rather than a neighboring pagan wife? Let's look at Genesis 24.

How would we find a marriage partner? Would we choose a pagan or unbeliever who is close by or seek a fellow believer even if they come from far away? Would we follow a believing parent’s advice or ignore their wisdom and make our own choice? Do we trust that God can also provide for us? Let’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deadwood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

What have you substituted in your life in exchange for God’s power? Is it rituals? Family activities, Spiritual mountaintop memories? Church duties?

I visited one of our members in the nursing home. He told me that he didn’t have long to live because of his diagnosis of cancer. So I inquired of his wisdom so I could perhaps glean some jewels of knowledge to help me along my life journey. One question that I asked him, was “What one thing would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jump For Joy Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 20, 2013

Many have the view of the Christian life as boring, lifeless, full of duty, ritual, and restriction.yet the picture painted in Scripture is radically opposite of this view.

“Guidelines for Christmas: Jump for Joy” Is. 35; Lk. 1:11-25 The Sunday School class for 7 year olds was barely underway when one little boy suddenly exclaimed to the teacher, “Can we hurry up? This is boring!” Immediately the little girl to his left gave him a sharp ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Act Of Worship

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Indrani Baboolal on Sep 7, 2022

Worship to the true and Living God has a main attribute and that is Holiness and Righteousness. Worship is not a ritual, it is a condition of the heart each and every day of our lives.

SCRIPTURE Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship.” INTRODUCTION: Man was created to worship God. The Psalmist said in Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Simplicity Of Christ

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 22, 2024

People are inundated with enough mess without having Christianity or a so-called form of it piling more complex standards, rituals, and obligations upon them.

The Simplicity of Christ By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING:- When we look around and see the asinine events that are taking place we realize our world of today is in utter turmoil as people strive for preeminence and superior individuality, we can quickly become overwhelmed with all the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Romans 12:1-21, Romans 12:8

Denomination: Apostolic

Too Consecrated To Be Wasted

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 14, 2025

Consecration is a divine separation — a setting apart for God’s holy purposes. It is not merely a religious ritual but a total dedication of life, desires, and actions to the Lord.

TOO CONSECRATED TO BE WASTED By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 2:20-21 Key Verse: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21, KJV) Supporting Texts: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 17, 2021

Every December, hundreds of millions of people and even billions of people worldwide celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Is Jesus happy with that? Was Jesus really born on December 25th?

Intro: What would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts! Let's read Isaiah 1:10-18: "10 Hear the word of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18, 1 Chronicles 24:7-19, John 14:15, John 14:23-24, Matthew 22:37-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Does Not Need Your Cain

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 24, 2018

Too many professing Christians believe Christ needs a little help to finish His work. They are like the Judiazers Paul fought and like Cain who wanted God to accept His work rather than having the faith of Abel.

Act 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-32, Galatians 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Equal Rights And Marriage

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Mar 30, 2013

The objection to all the fuss people are raising over equal rights in marriage hinges on the proposition that marriage is primarily a secular institution regulated by a non-Christian government and therefore it is something Christians should not get all w

EQUAL RIGHTS AND MARRIAGE ILLUSTRATION There was a young man who was about to enter high school. The guidance counselor called him into her office and asked him if he would prefer the agricultural or the vocational section. The young man explained to her that he wanted to be put in the academic ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:4

Denomination: Christian Church

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

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

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