Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Can’t Hit The Broadside Of A Barn

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 12, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 20: 1 – 42

1 Samuel 20: 1 – 42 Can’t hit the broadside of a barn 20 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and went and said to Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my iniquity, and what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” 2 So Jonathan said to him, “By no means! You shall not die! Indeed, ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Lessons From Patches And Wineskins Series

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Aug 11, 2008

The New Wine of Salvation bring true and lasting joy. If our wineskins are going to burst it should be because of our Joy spilling out into the world that Christ has made a difference in our heart and life.

LESSONS FROM PATCHES AND WINESKINS Mark 2:18-22 “Cynthia and I are into Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I know, I know... it doesn’t fit our image. Who really cares? We stopped worrying about our image years ago. We should be ashamed of ourselves? We aren’t. We should be better examples to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Dependence Day Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 1, 2004

Part 1 of 3 in a series titled "A Declaration of Dependence." This message looks at our need to depend upon God for salvation and has a patriotic flavor.

DEPENDENCE DAY Series: A Declaration of Dependence Philippians 3:2-11 July 4, 2004 Series Introduction: Today our nation celebrates Independence Day. But as a nation we are in danger of forgetting that we owe our independence to our dependence upon God. Our forefathers clearly recognized this ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-11

A Matter Of Death And Life

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Oct 8, 2001

Explains the meaning of baptism: that we are dead with Christ, but have new life in Him. Demonstrates that holiness and commitment to God are the result of this death and life.

"A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE" We’re here this morning really for two different but connected celebrations. But this morning we will celebrate these two ceremonies in the reverse order of what they are normally celebrated. In English, when something is very important we may use the saying, "It’s a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-12, Colossians 2:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Clean House Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 7, 2014

If we want to bear fruit for the glory of God this year, i.e., lead people to Christ on a regular basis and see their lives transformed for all eternity, then we must let Christ clean out the fruitless religion and we must get on our knees and pray.

A clergyman dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter says to this guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you into the Kingdom of Heaven?” The guy replies, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Cross-Culture (A Palm Sunday Sermon)

Contributed by Paul Newell on Mar 26, 2009

This sermon deals with the effect that Jesus’ cross had on three men: Simon the Cyrene, John the Apostle and Nicodemus, the quiet follower.

CROSS-Culture Palm Sunday 2009 – Communion Sunday I grew up in a fairly sheltered environment. Other than books at school I remember little, if any, interaction with anyone of another culture. My first encounter with a different culture was a kid I met at school. I don’t remember his name, but ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Halloween: Strangers & Pilgrims In This World

Contributed by Bobby Bodenhamer on Oct 30, 2010

In this sermon I draw upon the history of Halloween as being influenced by the doctrine of death and resurrection. I have included a full article about Halloween (Halloween: A Christian Perspective) that I found in The Wall Street Journal.

Strangers & Pilgrims in this World 1 Peter 1:1-9 v. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, v. 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: *other

The Return Of Evil Spirits Unto This Wicked Generation

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on May 7, 2023

We don’t need to have a Christian nation, government, educational system or culture to stand for holiness and thrive spiritually. Let’s stand for holiness not being conformed to the ideologies and modern day thinking of this wicked generation.

The Return of Evil Spirits Unto this Wicked Generation By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Nelson Mandela once said “You speak a language people know you speak to their head. You speak a language people understand you speak to their hearts”. It is my desire to speak to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:43-45, Matthew 13:10-13, Romans 1:21-32, Matthew 23:27-28, Isaiah 29:13, Leviticus 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic

Jeremiah's Temple Sermon

Contributed by John Nichols on Mar 5, 2007

Worship is not about appearing, it is an active, lively part of the complete sacrifice God desires from all who claim to be His.

Jeremiah’s Temple Sermon Jeremiah 7 Jeremiah wanted to know why…The temple in the Old Testament was characterized by beauty on the outside and on the inside. The temple had pure bronze columns, golden incense altars and lamp stands, wooden cherubim, each ten feet tall with outstretched wings. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-20, Jeremiah 7:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Truth That Will Set Us Free

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 9, 2015

If we look for it and listen for it, when we least expect it, a voice will say, “You are loved, you are affirmed, you are set free”. If we accept it, embrace it, trust in it, and let it penetrate every fibre of our being,

A preacher, who was newly called to a small country town, needed to mail a letter. Passing a young boy on the street, the pastor asked where he could find the post office. After getting his answer, the minister thanked the boy and said, “If you’ll come to my church this evening, you ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Lost Sons - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 18, 2019

Last week we took a look at the younger son found in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Today we'll be taking a look a the older son and always with our eyes fastened on the Father!!!

The Lost Sons (Part 2) Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … John 14:23-24 “Jesus said, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:21-32

Denomination: Nazarene

"What Does It Mean To Be The Church Of Jesus?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 1, 2018

A sermon about the importance of doing what we are supposed to be doing.

“What Does It Mean to be the Church of Jesus?” John 2:13-22 Recently I read an article in Christianity Today entitled “Boring Church Services Changed My Life.” The author writes that there was never a day in his life when he wasn’t going to church. His parents were both heavily involved in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: United Methodist

Bread Of Life

Contributed by Justin Dietel on Aug 20, 2024

Imagine this: You've just experienced something miraculous. You were part of a crowd of thousands, all of whom were fed from just five barley loaves and two small fish. There’s a sense of awe and excitement, and you can’t help but wonder,

Imagine this: You've just experienced something miraculous. You were part of a crowd of thousands, all of whom were fed from just five barley loaves and two small fish. There’s a sense of awe and excitement, and you can’t help but wonder, "Who is this man who can perform such ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

What Prayer Isn't

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 11, 2023

Even though we pray, we may wonder at times: “Why do I pray? What does it accomplish?” Along the way, we may pick up some misperceptions. I want to talk about what prayer isn’t.

The widow of the parable was pretty frustrated. In the Army, if soldiers feel they’ve been treated unfairly, they have several options: They can use their chain-of-command, see the Chaplain, contact Equal Opportunity, call the Inspector General’s office, or even write their Senator. We have the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

Prayer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 4, 2024

This sermon explores the power, purpose, and promise of prayer, guided by Jesus' model in the Lord's Prayer, to deepen our relationship with God.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. How wonderful it is to gather together in His name, to be in fellowship, and to share in the joy of the Lord. Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound understanding, a moment of spiritual discovery that will forever change our relationship ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Topics: Prayer, Jesus