Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

The Christian God Is A Bit Unusual, Isn't He? Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Oct 22, 2024

Crossing yourself may seem a bit weird to Christians who don't do it- a strange ancient (perhaps slightly superstitious) ritual. But at the heart of it are two great biblical truths - perhaps the two greatest truthes of all.

[This sermon was preached at St Barnabas Northolt Sunday 20th October 2024 - Trinity 21 Year B (Proper 24)] ………………………………………………........................................................................................................................ [Making the sign of the Cross] We meet in the name ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 5:1-10, Romans 3:22-23, Mark 10:25-45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Go! And Praise With A Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 18, 2025

The longest chapter in the Bible is not about laws and rituals—it is about delight in God's Word. Psalm 119 is a heart-felt celebration of God's truth, written by someone who deeply loved and honoured the Scriptures.

Go! And Praise with a Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Duration: 30 minutes Opening Prayer Lord, as we open Your Word today, open our hearts. Let Your truth be planted deep within us. Shape our thoughts, stir our affections, and strengthen our obedience. May Jesus Christ be glorified in all we say and do. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:7, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, Psalm 51:17, John 1:14, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, And Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 11, 2025

The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, try harder, live better. Yet, deep inside, every honest person knows this truth: we cannot wash ourselves clean.

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, and Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Introduction Church, let me begin with a question that strikes at the very heart of our humanity: “How do you make yourself clean before a holy God?” The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalm 51:7, John 3:5, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Observe The Birth Of Christ

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 15, 2020

Today we will examine the Scriptures and see how the first Christmas was observed and I hope we will walk away with six principals we can apply in our lives as we seek to celebrate the birth of the Savior this year.

How do you celebrate Christmas? How did you observe this holiday last year? Did you purchase presents for your loved-ones? Did you serve dinner in your home or were invited to a friend or family member’s home for dinner? Did you attend a church service? Now someone at this point may be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:15-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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

Hosea And The Atonement

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 1, 2019

The picture of the atonement in Hosea 3:4.

Hosea and the atonement. Hosea 3:4 The excesses of the carnival of Christmas and New Year are over and now the period of abstinence has begun. This period is leading up to Christianity’s most holy day, Easter, is the 40-day period called Lent, when pledges are made to give up everything from ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

End Of Your Prayer Is The Beginning Of Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 17, 2020

Living a prayer life is as important as the effective prayer time we have with God. Prayer is more than a ritual, it is building a relationship with the most important being in the universe. That’s why this topic is important than all other prayer teachings.

Our prayer life is examined by our fruitfulness in life. A sponge soaked in oil when it is squeezed spills out oil, and a sponge soaked in water, when squeezed, give out water. What goes inside comes out. If through prayer you have allowed God to work out in your life, godliness and spiritual gifts ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:22, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Out Of The Heart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2018

Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says?

Prelude Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says? What defiles us? Let’s look at Matthew 15:10-20 and see what Jesus has to say about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus I'm Just Not Feeling It #1 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 25, 2019

If the Church has just become another obligation or routine, then listen up. If the church has stopped being a holy place, a place to worship the king, a time of encouragement and instead it has become just another ritual of an unfulfilling life. Then listen to this.

Today we begin a new series based on the book of Philippians call, “Jesus, I’m just not feeling it.” The line itself is the number one breakup line between couples. It is also very appropriate for those in the church because a recent study (Reveal- willowcreek) reports that as many as 25% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pay Back Part 1 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 13, 2010

A study of chapter 7 verses 1 through 18

Ezekiel 7: 1 – 18 ‘Pay back’ Part 1 1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. 3 Now the end has come upon you, and I will send My ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 7:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Paul’s Mars Hill Sermon Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 23, 2022

What's going on here? Paul preaches a message without using Scripture? He quotes from an inscription on a pagan shrine? No follow up for the new believers in Athens? We better take a closer look at Paul's Mars Hill sermon.

The context of Paul’s Mars Hill Sermon When we look at Paul’s Mars Hill sermon given in Athens in Acts 17, he is well into his second missionary journey. His plans were changed early in the journey when the Holy Spirit kept him from preaching the word in Asia and then he received his Macedonian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Speaking Truth And Confronting Sinners In Christian Life Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 6, 2025

As believers, we are not immune to the temptations and desires of the flesh.

As believers, we are not immune to the temptations and desires of the flesh. However, those who are born of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit are empowered to overcome sinful desires and live a godly lifestyle. To rebuke those who sin, one should ideally be holy and have a strong moral ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27, 2 Timothy 3:5