Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

Helpful Routines For A New Year

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 6, 2007

Jesus and his family went to the Passover Feast according to custom. It was a helpful routine and not an empty ritual for them. This talk offers four helpful routines for the Church: Praying, Eating, Worshipping and Serving Together (PEWS).

Luke 2: 41-52 Midnight mass – Church on Christmas Day – Presents all opened before 6am – No presents until after Christmas lunch – Turkey with all the trimmings – A family walk in the afternoon – A football match on Boxing Day – Turkey sandwiches for a week – New Year resolutions – A special diet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:42-52

Denomination: Anglican

Approaching Mount Zion

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

We need to be reminded that we come into the presence of God every time we worship.

Introduction: In a scene out of the book Tom Sawyer, Tom had gone to Sunday school and church at the demand of Aunt Polly. After Sunday school, Tom and his brother Sid went to the auditorium to sit under the watchful eye of Aunt Polly. Next we read Tom’s description of public worship. He says ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Amalek

Contributed by Rex Deckard on Mar 26, 2006

The Amalekites were despised by God who wanted to utterly destroy them. What did they represent, and why were they such an obstacle to the people of Israel? I believe that they were more than just another pagan nation, such as the Jebusites or Philistin

AMALEK Exodus 17:14 Pastor Rex Deckard Calvary Apostolic Church Des Moines, Iowa I. Introduction The Amalekites were despised by God who wanted to utterly destroy them. What did they represent, and why were they such an obstacle to the people of Israel? I believe that they were more than just ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

A National Repentance! Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 30, 2010

Sermon 18 of the series. Influenced by leaders of this new community, the priests and Levites, along with others in Jerusalem, had intermarried with the pagan population they had found living in the land. When Ezra learned this, he ripped his garments and

The Book of Ezra Study #18 (Ezra 10:9-44) A National Repentance! • The marriage problems in Ezra 9-10 began in this way. • In the seventh year of Artaxerxes (458 b.c.), Ezra led a second group of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, only to learn that a serious problem existed ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:9-44

Denomination: Baptist

Advent 2 2016 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 9, 2016

The Incarnation took immense planning; a righteous virgin and a carpenter from an obscure town, a pagan emperor taking a census, a journey, a manger, the family lineage. All of these had to be in place and timed perfectly. We serve a great God! PTL!!

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Please find this passage in your Bibles. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – sing the first verse A Cappella as the folks find the Scripture reading for the day. We love that little Christmas song, don’t we? Let’s go ahead and read from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Nazarene

We Are Not Ignorant Of Satan’s Devices Or Schemes – Part 5 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 30, 2023

We are not ignorant of the ways and means Satan uses to promote his corruption all over. This time we are talking about The MIND under attack; the Corruption of the Christian religion; the false religion of Islam; and the adoption of Paganism. These are serious issues.

WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF SATAN’S DEVICES OR SCHEMES – PART 5 This study continues with the next talk in the series where I look at the schemes I believe Satan uses to implement his hatred again God, against human beings, God’s creation, and against Christians. We look at several of these devices ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:6-7, Isaiah 9:2, Psalm 123:2, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 11:3, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free As A Bird

Contributed by William Yates on Apr 17, 2004

We read in Lev. 14 of the ritual that persons healed of leprosy would go through. One bird was sacrificed and another set free. We who are in Christ need to see ourselves as birds set free.

Free As A Bird Leviticus 14 Cleansing From Infectious Skin Diseases 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "These are the regulations for the diseased person at the time of his ceremonial cleansing, when he is brought to the priest: 3 The priest is to go outside the camp and examine him. If the person has ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:1-7

What Makes You Think You Can Come Here?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 17, 2010

Lent, 1986, Communion: We should never be intimidated from the Lord's Table by ritual, shame, or weakness. It is hosted by one who offers us mercy and grace, paid for by His blood; so come boldly.

In the South Africa of apartheid, I suppose, nearly anything is possible. And so I do not expect that this story, improbable as it sounds, is untrue. If anything, I expect it could be multiplied many, many times over. At any rate, the story is that one day an Afrikaner, one of the ruling class in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Famous Amos Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Mar 13, 2011

Israel was guilty of oppressing the poor and needy and perverting justice, despite ritually worshipping God in sacrifice and worship. Are our actions backed by an authentic heart? Are we displeasing God despite 'doing all the right things'?

"Famous Amos" What can we learn from this shepherd and fig-tender - turned - prophet? Given at Glorious King Jesus (GKJ), March 13, 2011 Sterling C. Franklin Text: Amos 5:1-27 (Read Text) Opening Prayer This is a very serious message from Amos! What were the people doing? We see here in the ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Old Testament Animal's Blood Purifies The Unclean

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Apr 18, 2014

To show that no more rituals and sacrifices needed in the New testament because JESUS had done it already all for us by His crucifixion and all we have to do is believe Him and accept the LORD as LORD and SAVIOR.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you purified and made holy in CHRIST? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that no more rituals and sacrifices needed in the New testament because JESUS had done it already all for us by His crucifixion and all we have to do is believe Him and accept the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Clean Hands Or Clean Heart? Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Jun 10, 2012

In this passage, Jesus is dealing with very religious people who allowed their traditions replace the authority of God’s Word. Jesus is not impressed with religious ritual or tradition, rather He is concerned with the condition of our hearts.

The Gospel of Mark #18 – “Clean Hands or Clean Heart?” Mark 7:1-23 Intro – 1. ILL – A man was watching the news one night when it was reported that a car was going the wrong direction on the freeway. The man knew his wife was on that freeway and became very concerned ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Rise And Fall Of King Saul

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 1, 2018

As we examine the events surrounding the reign of King Saul, we will learn three key lessons: #1 God sets a higher standard #2 God is calling #3 God desires relationship over ritual

I love family vacations. They are so much fun . . . creating family togetherness . . . building relationships . . . strengthening the bonds of familial love . . . creating memories that will last a life time. BUT . . . sometimes the road trip – especially if you have children – can be . . . well ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Approach God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 19, 2025

Approaching God is not merely a ritual but a privilege and a relationship. Whether with humility, confidence, prayer, worship, or repentance, each of these approaches allows us to draw near to God in a way that honors Him and opens the door for His grace.

HOW TO APPROACH GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Supporting Texts: Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 95:6, James 4:8, Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16, Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 95:6, James 4:8, Isaiah 55:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Mystery Of The Holy Communion

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 4, 2025

The Holy Communion is not a religious ritual to be taken lightly. It is a divine mystery with deep spiritual meaning, power, and blessing. When we partake of it with faith, reverence, and understanding, we receive life, healing, restoration, and intimacy with the Lord.

THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY COMMUNION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 Supporting Texts: Matthew 26:26-29, John 6:53-56, Luke 24:30-31, Exodus 12:1-14 INTRODUCTION: The Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a divine mystery instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No One Is Beyond The Pale For Jesus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 1, 2024

No Jewish rabbi would have touched Jairus's dead daughter and the woman with the issue of blood because that would make Him ritually impure, yet Jesus did so and brought healing. Why?

The Marcan Sandwich Story: Sermons and eggs As some of you may know, I have recently retired after 12 years as Vicar of the East Marshland Benefice in the Diocese of Ely As we were taking the bed apart in our bedroom I was surprised to find two baskets under the bed One with 3 eggs in and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Anglican