Sermons on Sacrifice To Pagan Gods:

Costly Devotion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 10, 2013

Mary's act of devotion was costly but it was worth the price because costly devotion gets recognized, it gets remembered and it gets rewarded.

COSTLY DEVOTION John 12:1-11 1) Costly devotion is sacrificial (1-3). Weird word isn’t it-‘nard’. Doesn’t sound very expensive, does it? Sounds too close to lard. “Hey, honey, look what I bought for you; this perfume called Nard! I got you a whole pint of it!” ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ministry Is A Liability

Contributed by Heather Cook on Jan 4, 2019

A personal story of my first few years in ministry. I tie it into the fact that when you are doing effective ministry you will have enemies. Just as Christ did.

I was 21 when I first set foot in Connecticut Valley Seventh-Day-Adventist Church. I was nearly a month married, full of enthusiasm and excitement for the adventure of “real” life. Totally unprepared for the reality of it. I was well armed with a bevy of important and well-educated sounding ...read more

Scripture: John 7:6-7

Denomination: Adventist

My Cup Runs Over Lesson 9 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 1, 2019

The Shepherd’s relationship to me begins with His commitment.

A. RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING PSALM 23 1. The Shepherd’s relationship to me begins with His commitment. a. Possession. “His own sheep” (John 10:4). b. Sacrifice. “The good shepherd giveth His life” (John 10:11). c. Transforms. “He restoreth my soul” (Ps. 23:3). d. Care. “Calleth ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Sacrificial Perspective Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Selfishness does not care about the interests of others. It focuses on the self only. To give up this focus at all is to sacrifice some time, energy, thought, and possibly even some resources for the needs of others.

One of the major causes of human suffering is the fact that people see life from many different perspectives. While we were in Duluth we went to a park where we stood on a bridge and watched a bus load of junior boys and girls eat their lunch on the rocks below. A lovely stream flowed over the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Worship Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

To worship Jesus we must: risk the journey, know the word, and come with sacrifice and generosity.

December 11 Worship (Wise Men, Matthew 2:1-12) So what can we glean from this Christmas story about worship? 1. To worship Jesus, we must risk the journey vv.1-2 This Christmas, get past the glitz and glitter and presents and parties and become a genuine worshipper of the Messiah. Risk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And His Feet! Series

Contributed by Larry Vollink on Jan 29, 2021

Who has the most beautiful feet in the world -- The Bible tells me -- JESUS!

Can you imagine what was like for Mary to see the Son of God's feet for the first time as Jesus was just a new born baby? Holding and washing and protecting those little beautiful feet! Then watching him grow up as a little boy in a carpenter's shop, then as a teenager amazing his elders ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dearest Friend I Ever Had

Contributed by David Radcliff on Jul 1, 2016

Man was not made for solitude. He has a craving for fellowship and sympathy which can be satisfied only in the conscious possession of the affection of another. A true friend therefore, is one of the best of blessings. I rejoice that in Jesus we have a friend that stays closer than a brother.

THE DEAREST FRIEND I EVER HAD Proverbs 18:24 INTRODUCTION: Man was not made for solitude. He has a craving for fellowship and sympathy which can be satisfied only in the conscious possession of the affection of another. A true friend therefore, is one of the best of blessings. I rejoice that in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Denomination: Baptist

Love In Action

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Jul 10, 2025

Love is not just a word, it is something we choose to do. Love is action it's something we do. This message helps us learn to love like Jesus...

This message has personal real-life illustrations, feel free to use them as your own or modify them to suit your need. Illustration: The Burning Building Rescue One Time we got a call to a Structure fire, upon our arrival flames were coming out of the carport and side of the house probably about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Luke 15:11-32, John 21:15-17, Luke 23:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Me To Live Is

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 17, 2023

Are we really WWJD people or WWID?

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Just as Christ had no will of His own, but lived to fulfill the will of the Father we are to have no will or life of our own but to fulfill the will of Christ since we have His mind. Having His mind we should have His ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Discipleship - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Sep 25, 2024

The Cost of Discipleship - Part 2

The Cost of Discipleship – Part 2 September 29, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 14:25-35 www.mycrossway.org 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Brethren

What Every Woman Wants Her Man To Know Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 14, 2017

Men, this is what every woman wants you to know: 1. She wants and needs you to lead 5:22-24 2. She wants and needs your sacrifice 5:25-27 3. She wants and needs your tenderness 5:28-30

What Every Woman Wants Her Man to Know Ephesians 5:22-30 Men, this is what every woman wants you to know: 1. She wants and needs you to lead 5:22-24 2. She wants and needs your sacrifice 5:25-27 3. She wants and needs your tenderness 5:28-30 Be attentive in conversation Be gentle ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Remembering Those Who Died For Our Freedom

Contributed by S. Louis Rouse on May 26, 2013

Paying homage to those who died to secure or physical and spiritual freedom.

Today is Memorial Day.. it is a day that originally was set aside to honor those that had fallen in battle during the War Between the States.. both union and confederate. In the early 20th century it was expanded to recognize the fallen of all the wars involving our country. Since it occurs in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Servant Leadership Series

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 27, 2018

They learned to match their “I.Q. with their “I do;” if anybody wants to be first (a leader) the person has to be willing to serve all.

25B The apostles get a little seminar on servant leadership from Jesus in our Gospel today. They learned match their “I.Q. with their “I do;” if anybody wants to be first (a leader) the person has to be willing to serve all. In reality everyone is acknowledged as a leader because everyone has ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Catholic

Sacrificial Love

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 9, 2025

Sacrificial Love is about a love that cost you something. Hopefully people will see that giving of themselves is the kind of love that Jesus would have them give.

Sacrificial Love John 15:13 Introduction: The Greatest Act of Love A firefighter rushes into a burning building. A soldier shields his comrades from enemy fire. A mother works two or three jobs to put food on the table for her children. What do these people have in common? They embody sacrificial ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13, John 13:12-17, 1 John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Take Up Our Cross? - Sermon Of Proper 17 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Aug 28, 2020

How do we demonstrate our willingness to follow Christ in our lives - The illustration was found on the internet, but I am unsure of the original source

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Anglican