Sermons on Ceremony:

Seeking Help Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 24, 2022

Part of a Lenten Sermon Series on people in the gospels who seek out Jesus. This week reflects on a woman who has suffered for 12 years with a bleeding ailment. She approaches Jesus "Seeking Help."

March 23, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 5:24b-34 Seeking Help Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. As we continue the exploration of our Lenten theme of “Seekers,” tonight we consider one of the very frequent ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 17, 2017

We are not saved by a denomination or a religion but by a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. Jesus demands all of us not part of us when we come to Him.

Let there be Peace on Earth Many of you probably know this familiar song often heard this time of year; Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me; Let there be peace on earth, The peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father Brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Impossible Proposition

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 16, 2019

But we are persuaded better things of you.

THE IMPOSSIBLE PROPOSITION. Hebrews 5:11-6:9. The Hebrew Christians were not unfamiliar with persecution (Hebrews 10:32-35). Perhaps this was why some of them were inclined to fall away (Hebrews 6:6)? “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you,” the writer assures, “and things that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14, Hebrews 6:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Epiphany

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 9, 2019

The past perfect used in this way is known as “tenses of vision” or the “prophetic perfect.” Isaiah is assuring us that the message being proclaimed will surely come to pass.

A customer called the customer service line to complain about a power outage after a big storm, then stopped raging long enough to ask, “How will I know when my lights are back on?” The customer service agent remained silent for a second, debating about the best way to answer such an obvious, even ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Revelation Nineteen Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Oct 29, 2023

Jesus comes back!

This chapter opens with a great multitude in heaven giving praise. "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her ...read more

Your Time To Finish Well Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 1, 2023

Don't count time - make time count.

A. MEASURING TIME TO FINISH WELL 1. What is involved in finishing well? a. On time. b. Excellence. c. Cover all details. d. Includes all people involved. 2. You are registered for the race of life, and you are running. 3. You have been given gifts: a. Like money, spend it well. b. Like stocks and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14, Psalm 90:5-6, Psalm 90:12

Denomination: Baptist

Death Of Moses.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 11, 2023

The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua.

DEATH OF MOSES. Deuteronomy 34:1-12. DEUTERONOMY 34:1-4. Moses’ long ministry was drawing to an end, but the LORD had one last treat for His faithful servant before he died. Moses already knew that he would not be permitted to enter the promised land (cf. Deuteronomy 3:27), but the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Reception To Remember

Contributed by David Zachrich on Oct 6, 2023

It is the season of weddings for many couples and families. Jesus used the story of a wedding reception to remind us that regardless of the place or people, weddings are costly … in more ways than money. He invites us to one that we do not want to miss.

Friends in Christ, 1. It is the season of weddings! Last Sunday I substituted at Fairlawn Lutheran for Pastor Gau because his son was married on Saturday, and today I am with you as Pastor Tritten celebrates marriage for his son. Congratulations to both families – and, to you and your family ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, 2 Peter 3:9

Denomination: Lutheran

Completely Invested Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 1, 2019

This is the 20th sermon in the "Accounting" series from the Book of Ephesians.

Series: Accounting [#20] COMPLETELY INVESTED Ephesians 5:25-33 Introduction: In April 1863, in Columbus, Mississippi after decorating the graves of her 2 sons who served during the Civil War as Confederate soldiers, an elderly woman also decorated 2 mounds at the corner of the cemetery. An ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Message Before Governor Felix Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 9, 2022

We see that Paul is faithful to Jesus Christ in whatever his circumstance. He faced numerous attempts on his life. He was on trial and struck in the face. In all these hardships Paul remained steadfast and whenever he had the chance, he shared the gospel with Governor Felix.

The Background of Paul before Felix Here we find Paul in Caesarea standing before Felix the governor. Paul recently completed his third missionary journey and now he is beginning his Jerusalem to Rome ministry. Right before he went to Jerusalem, he stopped in Caesarea to visit Philip the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Confirmation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 22, 2022

Is confirmation biblical? Does it have anything to do with the biblical doctrine of laying on of hands?

Infant baptism is neither mandated nor forbidden in the New Testament but has forerunners in the Old Testament. In adult baptism, water and laying on of hands occur as one ceremony. Infant baptism often separates the use of water and laying on of hands by many years. The author of Hebrews teaches ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-2, Matthew 10:32, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Prepared And Ready Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 30, 2022

John the Baptist laid out a specific message that gives us the mission to bring confession and repentance into our life to keep us prepared and ready for the return of Jesus.

TRUE REPENTANCE HATES THE SIN, AND NOT MERELY THE PENALTY; AND IT HATES THE SIN MOST OF ALL BECAUSE IT HAS DISCOVERED AND HAS FELT GOD'S REDEEMING LOVE. I THINK BILLY GRAHAM MADE AN INTERESTING COMMENTARY ABOUT SINFULNESS AND HOW SUCH SINFULNESS HAS BEEN LIKE A DISEASE RUNNING RAMPANT IN OUR ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12, Malachi 3:1, 1 John 1:9, James 1:13-14, 1 Corinthians 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

To Grieve With God

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 2, 2022

What does it mean to lament? To lament means to feel sorrow, to mourn, to have a passionate expression of intense grief.

Jeremiah authored the book of Lamentations sometime after the fall of Jerusalem. His first book, Jeremiah, predicted Jerusalem’s destruction. Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” and the “prophet of a broken heart,” for he cried for Jerusalem. What caused his grief? The people had rejected ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:18, Lamentations 2:11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing Change — Making Room For Pure Religion

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Jun 1, 2025

Change is never easy. But in the Kingdom of God, change is often the doorway to growth. The Church has always been called to adapt—not by compromising truth, but by shedding old forms that no longer serve the mission.

“Embracing Change — Making Room for Pure Religion” Authentic Worship, Missional Evangelism, and the Call to Genuine Relationship Todays Scriptures: • James 1:27 • Matthew 4:19-22 • Acts 10:34-35 • John 4:23-24 • Matthew 28:18-20 Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call Change is never easy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 4:21, Matthew 4:22, Acts 10:34-35, John 4:23-24, Matthew 28:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God