Sermons on Pagan Ritual:

What Happens In Vegas Won’t Stay In Vegas

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2009

Sin in the life of a child of God will be exposed by the Father who loves us too much to permit us to hide our sin.

“In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And when Tamar was told, ‘Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,’ she took off her widow’s garments ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Things They're Doing In Church Today Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Sep 11, 2015

Jeans, falling down, gifts, music. The modern church does look a little different, you have to admit

THINGS THEY'RE DOING IN CHURCH TODAY 27. Gifts Or No Gifts? Whether there are gifts of the Spirit in the church today is not decided by what men believe about the subject, but the fact remains that there is a wide variety of opinions about it. Among the two billion persons calling themselves ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

In this chapter God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship of God with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone down hill spiritually and morally, breaking the laws God had given to them. The

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: He made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions which would become the pillars of the new government. He assumed the earnestness of a man weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Fleeing Fugitive Faces Frightened Fellows Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 6, 2008

Ceasing their prayers, the frightened sailors took up a time honored ritual of casting lots. When the lots fell to Jonah, he knew he had to confess. He ran from God-but he could not run now: it was time for the truth.

JONAH 1:7 FLEEING FUGITIVE FACES FRIGHTENED FELLOWS I. FAILURE: A. Fates. B. Faith. C. Fanaticism. II. FINDINGS: A. Facts? B. Fortitude? C. Focus? III. FIXATION: A. Foreigner. B. Feelings. C. Forlornness. The scene before us in these first seven verses of Jonah, Chapter One ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Meaning Of The Last Supper

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we are going to observe Communion...the Lord's Supper. For some this is a very sacred time with great meaning and importance. For others, it is just a ritual we go through that wouldn't be missed if we never d

THE MEANING OF THE LAST SUPPER LUKE 22:14 20 Knowing that the weather forecast for today was pretty rough, and knowing that many would not make it here this morning, I decided late last night that I would do something different than I had planned. Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

"This Do In Remembrance Of Me”

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 21, 2024

This do in Remembrance of Me is more than a mental snapshot of something that happed in the past. It is more than a sentimental emotion that places a smile on your face or causes you to perform a ritual out of tradition, but true remembrance affects every aspect of our senses.

“This Do In Remembrance of Me” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Something my wife and I enjoy doing is having an elegant dinner experience like the Chef’s Table on the cruise ship or the exclusive private Chef’s Dinner experience. This is different than just a nice restaurant dinner ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Genesis 1:26-29, Genesis 2:9

Denomination: Apostolic

The Veil Torn

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

When Jesus died, God Himself tore the temple curtain from top to bottom—forever removing every barrier between His holiness and our hearts. The way into His presence is wide open, not by our efforts or rituals, but by the finished work of Christ.

Introduction – A Wall Comes Down, A Veil Is Rent Down I still remember the summer of 1964 when our family crossed from West Germany into East. We were crammed into a Volkswagen bus—my parents up front, four sisters and two brothers jammed shoulder to shoulder. The youngest, little Sarah, was still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-22, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Witness At The Well

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 25, 2008

Jesus ministry to the Woman at the Well shows how to bring the message of God’s healing love to individuals; his efforts in Samaria changed a life, then Samaria, then Ephesus and resonates today in every nation where the Gospel is preached.

JOHN 4__1-42 THE WITNESS FROM THE SAMARITAN WELL A cartoon pictures a medieval Crusader, standing in full armor and holding his shield. He also held his long sharp spear at the throat of a prisoner on the ground. The prisoner on the ground struggles to say, “Tell me more about your Christianity. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-38

Denomination: Anglican

Lord Of The Sabbath - Servant Of Mercy - Matthew 12:1-21 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 3, 2025

JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and compassion over condemnation. JESUS redefines true Sabbath rest, corrects legalistic distortions, and fulfills the Servant prophecy with a ministry of gentle justice and mercy.

2025.05.04.Sermon Notes. Matthew 12.1-21 LORD OF THE SABBATH-SERVANT OF MERCY William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, BIG IDEA: JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Has Been Passed On To Us!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 10, 2001

I wonder how we would feel if we were standing in the shoes of those exiles, those ancient Jews? What do you think God would have told us to do, if we had been His people taken by force to live in a pagan society?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2015) ILL. In 597 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem. The invaders took the King prisoner, plundered the temple, & carried off 10,000 captives to spend the rest of their lives in a foreign land along ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:5-7, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Be A Spiritual Lion Tamer Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jan 4, 2021

What qualified David to be used so mightily by God that two pagan kings were converted to fear His God. The story of Daniel and the Lion's Den supplies us with many encouraging spiritual lessons about how to be the kind of man whom God fully supports!

One of my favorite verses is II Chronicles 16:9a: “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” It’s a verse that gives hope to any one and every one of us who would like to be used of the Lord that great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Colossians 3:16-17

Denomination: Bible Church

Psalm 121 - Trip Advisor Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 13, 2022

This sermon focuses on the concept of travel and the many resources that are available to help ensure a successful and safe trip, but more importantly how Psalm 121 becomes a guide for a safe and successful spiritual journey.

If you have traveling plans this summer, there are some helpful sites on the internet. There is Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak. One of my favorite travel sites is called Trip Advisor. Does anybody ever use Trip Advisor? Trip Advisor is a really useful travel site. I have been using it now for a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8, Hebrews 11:8, Ephesians 6:10-20, Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

Being Filled With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2001

Corinth was a congregation blessed with a multitude of gifts from the Spirit of God... and yet Paul told them they were unspiritual.

OPEN: I suspect that almost everyone knows who Bert and Ernie, the Cookie Monster and Big Bird are. They were among the muppet stars on a popular children’s show: Sesame Street. During the filming of each show, some lucky parents were allowed to bring their children on stage and be part of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Come Now And Let Us Reason Together

Contributed by Craig Stevenson on Mar 12, 2012

A in depth look at Isaiah 1

COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER! Yeshayahu/Isaiah 1 NOTE: יהוה = YHWH/Yahweh and יהושע = Yahushua (Proper Names for Creator and Saviour) Shalom family, Favour and peace be increased to you in the knowledge of Elohim and of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-31

Denomination: *other