Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

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

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

The Christmas Ex-Perience

Contributed by Danny Janes on Dec 7, 2012

"Merry Xmas!" Whenever you try to take "Christ" out of "Christmas" -- all you have left are "Xs". Excesses, Exhaustion, and Exchanges. But we were made for Expectation, Exaltation, and Examination.

THE CHRISTMAS X-PERIENCE Text: John 1:1-14 (Suggested opening video: Christmas With A Capital C) There are many beautiful traditions and practices that have come to be associated with Christmas. And many of them aren’t what you would call “Christian traditions or practices” ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

Known In Hell!

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 11, 2022

The 7 sons of Sceva made an important discovery: God's warriors are known in Hell! We should aspire to be such stalwarts for Christ that word about us begins circulating in the underworld; "Watch out for that one!" Let's put a little fear in the enemy!

KNOWN IN HELL! Acts 19:10-16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: “When the Attack-Dog became Afraid” 1. Elizabeth Bennett told of her friend, a deputy with the sheriff’s department canine division. One evening, the deputy was dispatched to the scene of a possible burglary, where he discovered the back door ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:10-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Community Wide Thanksgiving Service

Contributed by Travis Markes on Jan 17, 2007

Sermon preached at Community Wide Thanksgiving Service

COMMUNITY WIDE THANKSGIVING SERVICE We are much like the little boy who was given an orange by a man. The boy’s mother asked, “What do you say to the nice man?” The little boy thought and handed the orange back and said, “Peel it.” Cute little story but the truth is that many of us have forgotten ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 5:16-25 - Message 20 – Walking By The Spirit Embracing The Fruit Of The Spirit – Not The Deeds Of The Flesh Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 26, 2024

Walk by the Spirit is the secret of the Christian life. In this message we look at the well-known verses connected with the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. God’s appointed way to walk is by the Spirit, and NO OTHER way is acceptable; the walk of faith through the Spirit.

THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 5:16-25 - MESSAGE 20 – WALKING BY THE SPIRIT EMBRACING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – NOT THE DEEDS OF THE FLESH [A]. WALKING BY THE SPIRIT OPPOSES THE FLESH {{Galatians 5:16 “I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh,”}} The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16, Genesis 5:22, Genesis 6:9, Genesis 48:15, Isaiah 30:21, Mark 7:5, Matthew 7:13-14, John 14:16-17, John 16:8, Galatians 5:17, Psalm 119:105, Galatians 5:18, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 9:21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Isaiah 5:20-21, Galatians 5:22-24, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:25, 1 Thessalonians 2:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trinity 4 - The Green Eyed Monster? Series

Contributed by Stephen Fournier on Oct 31, 2012

Message on the Triune Nature of God

THE TRINITY IV The Green Eyed Monster? 10/21/12 I believe that most of you have heard jealousy defined as “The green eyed monster”. The phrase comes from the Shakespearian play Othello. It is uttered by the nemesis of Othello, Iago (ya-go), he states to Othello, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-6

Denomination: Bible Church

Rev'd Up Pt 4 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 7, 2018

We need to get Rev’d Up for Jesus’ Second Coming as we look at what is happening to our society and world. Many are saying the time is near and Revelation tells us to be ready at a moment’s notice. So, let’s get Rev’d up and be ready to meet Jesus! Let’s

Series: Revelation Thesis: We need to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ daily because it makes the difference whether you will decide to die for Christ daily or literally for Him in the end. Key verse of Revelation: Text: Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pass The Peas

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Aug 5, 2009

When you have finished one year and begin a new one, what can you do for good luck in the year to come? Our society has a variety of good luck rituals.

Pass The Peas Psalm 65:1-4 SCRIPTURE: " Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

Authentic Authority Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 27, 2009

Controversy tore the early church. Judaizers taught that Gentile Christians had to submit to Jewish ritual laws & traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Paul confronted this issue.

GALATIONS 1: 1-5 AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY A family, carefully executing their escape plan, dashes for the border at midnight...a man standing outside prison walls, gulping fresh air, awash in the new sun...a young woman with every trace of the ravaging drug gone from her system...they are FREE! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Nurtured In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus was brought up in a family that actively participated in the religious traditions and rituals of their faith. Being brought up in the community of believers prepared Jesus for his earthly ministry.

Luke 2:41-52 “Nurtured in the Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed how quickly Christmas is celebrated and then forgotten? The stores have already started removing their Christmas decorations and replacing them with Valentines Day. The radio stations have stopped playing Christmas Carols, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Losing God In Religion Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 3, 2015

We lose God when we emphasize a ritual or object over and above our relationship with God. Don't expect God's blessings without repentance.

During a service at an old synagogue, when a particular prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The new rabbi didn't know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Week Two Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Lent is a ritual of the Church that leads us into the hope we have in Jesus. Fasting and Prayer are disciplines of Lent to bring about suffering to draw a person closer to God

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:13, Matthew 19:15, Luke 2:37, Jonah 3:5, Esther 4:1-4, Acts 13:2, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 4:13-25, 2 Samuel 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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