Playlist: Pagan Holidays (topic)
Satan's Pagan Holy Days
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim MyersPagan Holidays Pagan holidays are celebrations rooted in ancient traditions that often involve customs and rituals not aligned with Christian beliefs. These holidays include New Year's, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, St. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and birthdays. New Year's Celebration New Year's is one of the oldest and …
Christmas and Sun Worship
Sermonette by Mike FordChristmas, like many religious festivals in the so-called Christian world, is rooted in pagan traditions. A common thread runs through these celebrations, from Halloween to Easter, Mardi Gras to Valentine's Day, and even to Christmas, where pagan elements are evident. Satan has deceived the world into believing that observing …
Crazy or Christmas
Sermonette byWhen we worship God, we must worship in spirit and truth. Is there any truth in Christmas? There is no truth offered in Harper's Bible Dictionary to support the observance of Christmas, and certainly no command in the Bible to support it either. This should tell us which spirit Christmas comes from, and it's not God's. …
For the Love of the Truth
Sermonette by Ryan McClureChrist has never been in man's holidays, which are built on lies, and which teach children they cannot trust the veracity of their own parents.
Truth-Based Worship Vs Spiritual Confusion
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMany people, even after leaving God's church, return to celebrating Christmas, despite its well-known pagan origins. They willingly refuse to believe the truth, choosing instead to follow traditions rooted in lies, as their pleasure in unrighteousness blinds them to the reality of its deceptive nature. Christmas, a holiday …
Is Valentine's Day Really About Love?
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsToday, on God's Sabbath, His people worship Him in spirit and in truth and in love, while the world's people celebrate their pagan holiday in flesh and in lies and in lust. Sexual immorality has always been a key part of observing Saint Valentine's Day. The origins of Valentine's Day predate Christianity, stemming from pagan …
Appointments
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaMany professing Christians anticipate Easter and Christmas as significant holidays, yet neither is found observed in the Bible. In contrast, the Bible highlights holy days, referred to as the Lord's appointed times, which are observed in both Testaments and by the early church, including Gentile congregations. These appointed …
Something Fishy
Sermonette by Mike FordCatholics eat fish on Friday as a form of penance, commemorating Christ's supposed death on 'Good' Friday. During pagan Lent, eating fish on Friday is mandatory.
Truth (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn our day, people are enamored with holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Lent, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Holy Sunday, and Ascension Day. They cherish these celebrations, often ignoring the truth about their origins. Despite stumbling upon information that reveals the pagan roots of these days, such as Halloween's …
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIsrael's apostasy, as depicted in Hosea, is deeply tied to the adoption of pagan practices, which God condemns as a betrayal of His covenant. Among the sinful reasons for God's judgment is the use of symbols and holidays with pagan origins within professing Christian churches, reflecting the same hypocrisy seen in ancient …
Are God's Holy Days To Be Kept Today?
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsAttacks on God's holy feasts have persisted throughout history, with satan always ready to cloud, distort, and pervert them. Early in the New Testament church, some Gentile members began to disparage God's holy feasts, eventually viewing them as merely Jewish observances. Those who continued to observe feasts like Passover, …
Gray Areas in Human Reasoning
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn today's society, the celebration of pagan holidays like Christmas often falls into gray areas of human reasoning, marked by compromise and ignorance. Many justify participating in such holidays by claiming it does not dilute their beliefs, ignoring clear scriptural admonitions against adopting the ways of the Gentiles. This …
Frequencies
Sermon by Ryan McClureThere are many distractions in this world that can lead us astray, including pagan holidays that influence us throughout the year. Even if we are not intentionally tuning in to these frequencies, the sounds and messages we hear can affect us deeply. It is unfortunate that so many are drawn to the traditions of men, as many of …
Halloween
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEvery year, after the rejuvenation of the Feast, a sense of dread emerges as we face the holiday season from Halloween to New Year's Day and beyond. The growing emphasis on Halloween, with decorations appearing earlier each year, adds to this unease. Companies like Hallmark have expanded into Halloween décor and items, flooding …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the context of spiritual practices, the issue of pagan holidays emerges as a significant concern among early Christians, particularly in Galatia. There is a way that seems right to individuals, but it leads to spiritual death when it strays from God's truth. In Galatians 4, Paul addresses Gentile Christians who, having come …
Deception, Idolatry, and the Feast of Tabernacles
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the latter times, as warned in I Timothy 4:1, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Satan, the author of both overt and covert deceptions, has worked subtly over time to mislead people away from the path toward God's kingdom. While overt practices like séances or Ouija …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Samaritans, as a people with a syncretized religion, blended pagan practices with elements of God's Word, much like modern false Christianity. Their worship incorporated idols and pagan gods alongside a partial acceptance of the first five books of the Old Testament, while rejecting the rest. This mongrelized faith, a mix of …
John (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBelief profoundly shapes every aspect of our lives, determining our actions and choices. If we believe that holidays like Christmas and Easter are meant to honor or worship God, we will observe them. Often, we do this in ignorance before conversion, simply because we do not know any better and sincerely think it is the right …
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Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerTwo of Daniel's prophecies differ by 75 days, perhaps paralleling the 75 dramatic days between the resurrections of Lazarus and Jesus Christ.
Hope to the End (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The church must forcefully deal with the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or it too will succumb to the terrifying vortex of despair.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.
Tests of True Knowledge
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsA person who is puffed up parades his knowledge by exhibiting impatience, intolerance, or a false modesty, marginalizing what the uneducated in their minds.
Elements of Judgment (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The incorporation of pagan holidays such as Christmas and Easter into the worship practices of the Worldwide Church of God represents a significant drift from foundational principles. This shift reflects a broader trend of disregarding God's laws, allowing individuals to set their own religious agendas under the guise of …
Our Bread of Life
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe celebration of Easter by many Christian churches incorporates elements with deep pagan roots, which is a point of significant irony. The name 'Easter' itself originates from a Germanic goddess, akin to ancient deities like Ishtar, Isis, Ashtoreth, or Astarte, known as the 'queen of heaven' and revered by the Israelites …
Hosea's Prophecy (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIsrael's divided heart led her into spiritual adultery, as she claimed to worship God while multiplying false altars and dedicating sacred stones, contrary to His commands. This unfaithfulness mirrored the betrayal in marriage, where exclusivity is broken by a third party, reflecting Israel's pursuit of pagan practices and …
Are Things That Bad?
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)There are no hollow threats with God Almighty. God will destroy disobedient people with the diseases of Egypt, cutting down our life-expectancy.
Heavenly Citizenship (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAs citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are strangers, foreigners, aliens, or pilgrims to the world, but full-fledged citizens of God's Kingdom.
Don't Give Up!
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must reorient our focus onto God's Word and His message of hope, never giving up our quest for righteousness and integrity in the midst of immorality.
God's Sea of Glass (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsUnlike tumultuous waves, the sea of glass before God's throne is tranquil and serene. Before we can stand on this sea of glass, we must be set apart and cleansed.
Keeping Love Alive (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.
Samson and the Christian (Part 1)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSamson had what it took but made horrible mistakes and lapses in judgment. God can use people despite their flawed character.
Defining Logos (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Greek word 'logos' has been negatively loaded with unbiblical meanings. Its basic meaning is 'word' or 'saying,' yet it is really more complex.
How Our Joy May Be Full!
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJoy and gladness are gifts from God, resulting from Christ living His life in us and helping us to love the brethren. This love is perfected through suffering.
Prophets and Prophecy (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the 'Elijah to come.' We must apply duality of prophecy carefully and cautiously rather than indiscriminately.
What's So Bad About Valentines Day?
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughValentine's Day, observed on February 14th, carries deep pagan roots that predate Christianity by centuries. It originated as a Roman fertility and purification feast dedicated to the god Lupercus, associated with wolves, hunting, and fertility. This festival included bizarre rituals, such as young men or priests whipping women …
New Covenant Priesthood (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe adoption of pagan festivals like Christmas and Easter by congregations dominated by Gentiles marked a departure from the holy days observed by the apostolic church. These early believers, including Paul, continued to honor the Jewish festivals, recognizing their spiritual significance under the New Covenant. The apostles did …
Sabbathkeeping (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHow and why a person keeps the Sabbath determines whether this test commandment is really a sign between God and His people or an act of futility.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughNo part of God's Law has been 'done away'. Jesus came to magnify the law, giving it a far more penetrating, spiritual application. Man flounders without law.
A Place of Safety? (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe prophecies concerning the Man of Sin refer to a person with great political power with global significance rather than to a leader of a small church.
Psalm 23 (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.
The Commandments (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughA community can only be established upon a foundation of stability and truth. Our relationships must be based upon God's truth, producing faithfulness.
John (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn the context of discerning spiritual matters within the church, the influence of external forces like pagan holidays is evident in the decisions made by early church leaders. In Acts 15:19-20, the apostles, guided by spiritual discernment, instructed Gentile converts to abstain from things polluted by idols, alongside other …
John (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe overriding motivation for the individuals bringing to Jesus the woman caught in adultery was to trap Him, impaling Him on the horns of a dilemma.