Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

Mother Of The Year - A Canaanite Woman

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 17, 2018

In this passage we see a gentile woman from a pagan land showing the humility and faith that is honored by the Lord. And at the same time we see Jesus closest disciples showing dishonor to the same woman. May we read and learn from this great passage.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 4:24-25

Denomination: Nazarene

Paul Teaches On Gender Identity In Worship Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 18, 2014

Paul taught that blurring the gender identity lines in worship leads to mixed messages and a mixed witness to the world around us...

Sermon Brief Date Written: August 16, 2014 Date Preached: August 17, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series in 1 Corinthians Sermon Title: Paul’s Emphasis on Gender & Christian Worship Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 [ESV] – read now DIM ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Hollywood Props Part 2 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 15, 2010

A study of chapter 13 verses 8 through 23

Ezekiel 13: 8 – 23 ‘Hollywood props’ Part 2 “8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:8-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Christ The Coming King

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 28, 2015

In Revelation 1:7-8 John presents five truths about His second coming and answers these questions in considering its 1) Necessity (Revelation 1:7a), 2) Glory (Revelation 1:7b), 3) Scope, Response (Revelation 1:7c), and 4) Certainty (Revelation 1:8).

As the end of the year approaches, it is natural to consider what comes next. We spend so much time considering the birth of Christ. But for every time the Bible mentions the first coming of Christ, it mentions the second coming 8 times. Despite the scoffers who deny the Second Coming (2 Pet. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:7-8

Denomination: Other

The Alpha & The Omega Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 7, 2018

1) Necessity (Revelation 1:7a), 2) Glory (Revelation 1:7b), 3) Scope, Response (Revelation 1:7c), and 4) Certainty (Revelation 1:8) of the Alpha & the Omega.

Productivity experts advise clients on ways to efficiently operate to maximize effectiveness. Stephen Covey, in his work: “The 7 habits of Highly Effectively People”, in habit 2, notes that people should: “Begin with the end in mind”. He said that “if your ladder is not leaning against the right ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:7-8

Denomination: Other

A New Way Of Thinking

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 2, 2013

A sermon on a Christian's call to live a sacrificial life.

Sermon Date 04-28-2013 A New Way of Thinking (Chuck Gohn) If you have your Bibles with you and would like to open up to Romans 12:1. As you know, we have been going through the four core values of worship, discipleship, outreach, and community. As I mentioned last week, we are going to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

A New Way Of Thinking

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Apr 22, 2021

This sermon focuses on Paul's command to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" as our "spiritual act of worship" and how it plays out in our everyday lives.

OUTLINE BOOK OF ROMANS BACKGROUND ROMANS 12:1-2 (BREAKDOWN) o “Therefore” – a Transition word o “I urge you brothers” – an encouragement to come along side o “In view of God’s mercy” – Mercy summarizes first 11 chapters e.g., Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10) o “Offer your bodies a living sacrifice holy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church

Ezra: Finding Help From The Hand Of God

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 14, 2017

All events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders for him. Ezra means help from God

EZRA: FINDING HELP FROM THE HAND OF GOD Ezra 7:6-10 NASB In every aspect, all events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Matthew 2:1-12 Birth Of Jesus And The Star

Contributed by William D. Brown on Dec 11, 2012

Let me say first of all that we don't believe that Dec.25th was the month or date that Jesus was born. December 25th became popular as the date for Christmas, not because Christ was born on that day, but because it was already popular in pagan religio

Matthew 2:1-12 BIRTH OF JESUS AND THE STAR 12-15-12 Today and probably next time as well, we'll be talking and thinking on the birth of Jesus. Let me say first of all that we don't believe that Dec.25th was the month or date that Jesus was born. December 25th ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Bethel: The Prophet Who Never Came Back Home

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 30, 2020

The prophet who cried out against Jeroboam's pagan altar in Bethel was on his way back home but stopped for a rest. Maybe he shouldn't have done this--he never made it back to his home alive.

Preface In the Old Testament, sometimes the Lord gives us a look at the successes of His prophets, but sometimes we get another view. Some prophets were murdered. like Uriah, who fled to Egypt, but was brought back to Judah and executed (see Jeremiah 26:20-23). Other prophets were more or less ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Deceived By Sight: The Danger Of Forgetting To Ask

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 24, 2025

Highlighting the irony that pagan Gibeonites acted in fear of God's reputation while Israel did not, this sermon on Joshua 9 warns that we fail when we rely on our own perception instead of seeking God's counsel.

Introduction: The Two Enemies In our spiritual walk, we face two kinds of enemies. First, there is the enemy that comes like a roaring lion—the open, obvious, and frontal assault. This is the threat we see coming, the persecution, the direct temptation. After Israel’s great victory at Jericho, all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Explaining The Meaning Of Being Justified By Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Too many people assume that the process involves going to church, learning to cite particular creeds or observing certain rituals. However, Paul teaches the Romans in this passage how Abraham was justified (established as right before God and acquitted fr

How To Be Justified By Faith (Rom. 4:1-8) Illustration:God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity. Augustine. 1. Have you ever considered how to explain to another person the process of being justified by faith? Too ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Be Justified By Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 13, 2003

Too many people assume that the process involves going to church, learning to cite particular creeds or observing certain rituals. However, Paul teaches the Romans in this passage how Abraham was justified (established as right before God and acquitted fr

How To Be Justified By Faith (Rom. 4:1-8) Illustration:God does not expect us to submit our faith to him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity. Augustine. 1. Have you ever considered how to explain to another person the process of being justified by faith? Too ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dishonoring The Lord

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 1, 2011

The lesson for us in this Bible study is very clear and simple – God as our Father and Master is never pleased with just any religious ceremonies, formalities and rituals. God would only accept the best of the time, abilities, talents, and offerings from

Intro: The Lord is great (Psa. 145:3) over all the earth. Here, God’s people failed to properly honor Him. Since Israel was supposed to fear God and love Him wholeheartedly (Deut. 6:3, 5), the severity of her spiritual condition was truly alarming. Again, the Lord reminds and rebukes Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-10

Denomination: *other

What Doth The Lord Require Of Thee

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 13, 2021

God has brought a charge against His people, and the charge is the same that He brings to us today. Their religion and their worship had become nothing but emptiness and meaningless rituals. All of it had become unrelated to their character and unrelated to their daily life.

They were deeply religious. They were very faithful in performing the acts of worship, but they were empty and meaningless. They had no affect whatsoever on the character of those who worship and on their daily walk and activities. As we go through this life serving God, we need to be careful not ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Baptist