Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

Living In The Joy Of The Lord

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 1, 2014

“Joy, which was the small publicity of the Pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian”. - G.K. Chesterton This message looks at the avenues and barriers to living in the joy of the Lord.

Sermon for CATM – June 1, 2014 – Living in the Joy of the Lord - Nehemiah 8:1-10 Robert Louis Stevenson once entered in his diary what he considered to be an extraordinary thing. He said, "I have been to Church today, and (Surprisingly) I am not depressed." I hope that your ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

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

Pursuing The Call Part 8 How The Good-News Affects Christ-Followers Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Oct 26, 2019

When Paul came to Ephesus in Acts 19, the city was locked in a stronghold of pagan superstition. But within two years of ministry in Ephesus, Satan’s stronghold was crumbling.

ACTS Pursuing The Call – Part 7 Dr. Tom Bartlett August 11, 2019 Acts 19:21-41 OUTLINE How the Good-News affects Christ-followers Acts 19:21-41 (ESV) THE GOSPEL HAS A PROFOUND AFFECT ON . . . How we think about money Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia ...read more

Denomination: Other

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

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

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

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

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

An Offer To God

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Mar 27, 2009

God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ritual; He wants us, and our praise to Him needs to reflect true righteousness and thanksgiving.

An Offer to God Griffith Baptist Church – 3/29/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 50 Key verse: Psalms 50:23 – Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Premise: God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

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

When Daniel's World Changed Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 7, 2016

By studying Daniel, we will get a glimpse of a man who lived and thrived in a pagan culture. Daniel instructs us how we should live in our culture today.

Think with me to the year 1996. That was 20 years ago. Much has changed in 29 years! Do you remember your cell phone from 1996? Not everyone had a cell phone back then. They were fairly large, and they looked like, well, a telephone, with a receiver for your ear, a mouth piece, and.... an ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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