Sermon on the Occult and the Paranormal
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesSermon on the Occult and the Paranormal
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE OCCULT AND THE PARANORMAL?
INTRODUCTION:
A. Our world seems to be infatuated by the mysterious
B. Many TV shows are geared around the paranormal
C. Many knowingly and unknowingly are involved in the occult
DISCUSSION:
A. SOME DEFINITIONS
1. Paranormal — A claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation
2. Occult — Pertaining to magic, astrology, to hid from sight or conceal. Occultism is a belief in or study of supernatural powers and the possibility them to human control
B. BIBLE TERMINOLOGY
1. Sorcerers
2. Wizards — conjurer of ghosts
3. Soothsayers — observers of time, fortune tellers
4. Charmers — using magic spells
5. Necromancer — inquiring of the dead
6. Enchanter — whispers of magic spells, interpreting omens
7. Familiar spirits
8. Divination — witchcraft
9. Consulter of familiar spirits
C. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE OCCULT?
1. Exodus 22:18
2. Leviticus 19:31
3. Leviticus 20:6
4. Deuteronomy 18:9-14
5. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
D. WHAT ABOUT ASTROLOGY AND ASTROLOGICAL FORECASTS / HOROSCOPES?
1. These astrological forecasts are very popular with millions of people
a. Most mainstream newspapers carry these forecasts
b. Many people plan their day around these forecasts
2. What does the Bible specifically say about this?
a. Isaiah 47:11-14
b. People are going to occult for their information on spiritual matters instead of the word of God
1) A fact clearly condemned in scripture
2) 2 Peter 1:3
E. THE NEW TESTAMENT’S VIEW ON THE OCCULT
1. Galatians 5:19-21
a. “sorcery”
b. “and things like these”
1) Similar in appearance and character
2) Thus, anything resembling “sorcery”
3) Have you ever thought about “water witching”?
a) The term itself should cause questions in our mind
b) It was originally called the “divine rod” in Germany in the late 1500s — where is got its start, and was declared “satanic” by those of that day
c) Much scientific research has been done showing that the finding of water by this method is only done by chance
c. “Will not inherit the kingdom of God”
1) Will be lost
2) Cannot go to heaven
2. Revelation 21:8
F. THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
1. The entertainment world has made a fortune making movies about the occult and the paranormal
a. This becomes a real problem when people cannot make a distinction between the true and the imagined
b. Thus, many have difficulty separating the moral from the immoral
c. What difference is there really in playing the part of a witch and playing the part of an adulterer — according to the Bible?
2. It is highly dangerous to expose our children for there is a great risk getting caught up the lies and evils of the occult
a. WICCA — a modern witchcraft religion
b. The Gothic craze is associated with the dark and the mysterious
3. Remember Galatians 5:21, “and things like these” — or, “and such like”
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
G. THE AGE OF MIRACLES IS PAST
1. There was magic and sorcery mentioned in the Bible, but these were no more than sleight of hand
a. Acts 8:8-11
b. He could not preform the miracle that Philip was doing by the power of the Holy Spirit
2. Demon possession and Spirit Divination were different
a. They were real, and was something that imitators, and self-professed sorcerers and charlatans, could not touch or cast out
b. The only way that demons could be cast our was by the power of the Holy Spirit
3. But the age of miracle is past
a. Acts 8:12-19
b. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
CONCLUSION:
A. The occult is forbidden in the Bible and there is no such thing as the paranormal
B. Christians must avoid these things to be pleasing to God