Sermons on Sacrifice To Pagan Gods:

Enduring To The End With Stephen

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 22, 2025

The Holy Spirit, who is given to all Christians through faith and sacramental participation, will give us strength.

December 26, 2025, Feast of St Stephen, protomartyr “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” These words from Psalm 31 sum up the last thoughts of the deacon Stephen as he was stoned to death by an enraged mob who were convinced Stephen was a Jewish heretic. He forgave his murderers, voiced ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:17-22, Colossians 1:24, Psalm 31:3-8, Psalm 31:16-17, Acts 6:8-10, Acts 7:54-59  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Passion To Pursue Christ Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 30, 2018

Message 10 from Philippians exploring Paul's passion to pursue Jesus above all.

"Passion to Pursue Jesus” Paul’s letter to the Jesus followers living in a Greek city called Philippi contains the necessary ingredients of a life of “Maintaining the Joy of the Lord No Matter What”. I. ADOPT THE RIGHT AXIS -- SUPERIOR PERSPECTIVE The Exaltation of Christ in Everything Passion to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14, Colossians 1:11-12, Ephesians 1:18-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why He Came Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Dec 20, 2010

Exposition of Heb 10:8-25 regarding the reasons that Jesus came to earth

Text: Hebrews 10:8-25, Title: Why He Came, Date/Place: NRBC, 12/19/10, PM A. Opening illustration: B. Background to passage: as we said this morning, the author is coming to a culmination that Christ is the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, the greatest high priest, mediating the best covenant, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:8-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Humiliation Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Dec 14, 2010

The true spirit of Christmas is humble self-sacrifice.

[If you would like to receive a free sermon each week by email, please contact jonrmcleod@yahoo.com.] MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon: What It Means To Follow Jesus

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 5, 2024

Jesus Changes Everything! Salvation was instant, but what does it mean to follow Jesus? How should we follow Jesus? Follow him when, where, how long? It is more than walking behind Him, it means obeying His commands and living our lives according to His Word.

Sermon: What it Means To Following Jesus Scripture Lesson: Luke 14:27-33 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:27-33, Matthew 16:24-26, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:29

Denomination: Methodist

The Cost Of Following Christ | Matthew 9:35-10:42 Series

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on May 13, 2025

The cost of following Christ will involve suffering and sacrifice. It will involve love and compassion for others. It will entail persecution and opposition from others. It will demand self-denial and humility -- all of these combined -- but the reward is eternal and permanent.

I used to run for our college varsity track team and I can recall the many months of training we would undergo just to compete in a division race. Two hours running before the sun is up and two hours more before the sun goes down. It was grueling. Our coach would pound us with circuit training, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judges 10 Jephtha Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2023

Jephthah was the son of a harlot, he was thrust out of his family by his half-brothers, became a soldier, then a military commander, and lastly became a Judge. The Lord used this person from a lowly position to deliver Israel from her enemies.

Text: Judges 10:6-12:7 Theme: Jephthah Episode Life of Jephtha: Jephthah was the son of a harlot, he was thrust out of his family by his half-brothers, became a soldier, then a military commander, and lastly became a Judge from 1087 to 1081 B.C. The Lord used this person from a lowly position to ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Is Your Life Sacrificial Or Superficial?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Nov 28, 2014

So many Christians believe if they were given the choice to renounce Jesus or die, that they would choose torture and death, but would they really? If we cannot make small sacrifices now, we cannot hope to make bigger ones later.

In this sermon, I also shared the Text Illustration: The Rich Family in Church by Eddie Ogan Read story of a martyr – short one. I chose the story of Nichomachus, from Foxes Book of Martyrs. You’re living your life for Jesus Christ, but are you ready AND willing to die for Him? Could ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:6

Denomination: Charismatic

The Greatest Thing A Mother Can Do

Contributed by Wayne Solomon on May 21, 2018

Mother's Day Sermon

Transformed Life Church Clermont FL Mothers’ Day May 13, 2018, 11:30am The Greatest thing a Mother can do 1 Samuel1: 24-28 24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28

Denomination: Church Of God

Deny Ourselves? Take Up The Cross? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Sep 27, 2011

This message is the sixth in a series that deals with some of the difficult sayings of Jesus. This message examines the meaning of denying yourself and taking up your cross.

Sacrifice is a word that has the ability to send shivers down the spines of the majority of us. Of course Christians have reconciled themselves to the idea that this is a part of following Jesus. I would venture to say that our understanding of the concept of sacrifice is much different than ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Suffering Servant

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Sep 14, 2012

Israel believed that the Messiah that was to come would be a conquering Messiah. The sermon discribes the Messiah as the Suffering Servant who offers the hearers an informative tongue and helps the people by being the Suffering Servant.

Isaiah 50:4-9 The Suffering Servant They longed for a victorious Messiah, not a suffering one. The image of the suffering servant went underground, as it were, lying dormant for centuries. Then, in a very dramatic scene early in his ministry, Jesus quoted from one of the servant ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Serving Jesus' Way Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 29, 2022

When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he broke cultural conventions but also provided an example for his followers to emulate.

Surprised by Underwhelming Expectations I rarely introduce myself as Pastor. It’s not that I don’t want people to know the role I play, but I don’t want my title to become a barrier. Sure, it may open some conversations, but it may also hinder others as people might think I’m some holy man - ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

When Peace Seems So Elusive Series

Contributed by David Simpson on Feb 4, 2021

It seems as if peace is so elusive for so many. In our nation and even here locally, so many are struggling to experience peace right now.

Sermon Lanier Christian Church January 24, 2021 David Simpson When Peace Seems So Elusive. Job 3:25-26 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil. It seems as if peace is so elusive for so many. In our ...read more

Scripture: Job 3:25-26, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 15:13, Psalm 34:14, Isaiah 53:5, John 16:33, Romans 16:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2013

An encouragement to raise up your 'monument' to past blessings.

"HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US". 1 Samuel 7:3-12. Monuments are historical markers which serve to remind us of the accomplishments, or the sacrifices, of those who came before us. They are boundary stones along the time-line, signalling, ‘Something significant happened here’. Or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ's Christmas Exchange

Contributed by Keith Peters on Jul 7, 2011

Evaluates what Christ was willing to sacrifice for us in the incarnation.

The First Christmas Exchange “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) REFLECTION: One of the few downsides of the Holiday Season is the inevitable ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Baptist