Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Worship And Identity Part 2 Series

Contributed by C Vincent on Feb 12, 2010

Looking into the relationship God wants with us and the image refected of Himself through us.

Worship and Identity (part 2) JCC pm 07.02.10 Last we looked at the beginning where Adam and Eve had the perfect situation which was living in the presence of God They worshipped Him fully and knew intimacy with Him until the time Satan, disguised as a serpent, robbed them of that relationship We ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Trading Places"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 9, 2012

Jesus, essentially, trades places with a leper.

Mark 1:40-45 "Trading Places" We've been in Mark Chapter 1 for three weeks. There is a lot packed into this one chapter. We started in the synagogue where Jesus cast a demon out of a person. Then, "After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew" where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: United Methodist

Christ In Context

Contributed by Chris Surber on Mar 24, 2009

Christ came into our context and gave us the supreme example of living our lives of following Him within the context of where God has placed us!

Christianity in Context, Luke 4:4, I Corinthians 9:19-23 Introduction The Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Christian Church

God’s Special Revelation

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 27, 2016

A Christmas Sermon: philosophy, science, and religion can only take us to Jerusalem, it takes special revelation from God's word to find Jesus. Message taken from the Magi's journey.

Christmas – God’s Special Revelation Matthew 2:1-12 In a Peanut’s cartoon, Charlie Brown goes up to Lucy and says, “Someone said we should live each day as if it were the last day of our lives.” Lucy then runs out screaming, “Aaugh, this is the last day, this is it. I only have 24 hours left! ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Foursquare

Transforming Water Into Wine

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Jesus, takes the waters of our difficulties and transforms them into the wine of His grace and mercy.

TRANSFORMING WATER INTO WINE Text: John 2:1-11 John 2:1-12  On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  (2)  Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.  (3)  When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"The Prophet Meets The Messiah”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 6, 2022

When Joshua had the priest step into the Jordan River, they knew God was present, His promise. becoming reality. A new future, past gone but not forgotten. At the River Jordan, Jesus brings a new beginning. (Quotes from Leonard Sweet)

In Jesus Holy Name January 9, 2022 Luke 3:16,21-22 “The Prophet Meets the Messiah” “The Mystery of God” said Isaiah, “is a bittersweet mystery.” It is a mystery for all kinds of people. Those who are bitter against God, or so,for what they consider His lack of concern, and a mystery for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:19-21, Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus, The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 10, 2015

Jesus does not protect those he loves from bad things happening, but uses bad things to fulfill his plans for our lives. When we suffer, he is glad not because we are suffering, but because through suffering we have the chance to grow in faith.

A mother was once asked by a census-taker how many children she had. She replied, “Well, there’s Billy and Harry and Martha and…”. “Never mind the names,” the man interrupted, “Just give me the numbers”. The mother angrily replied, “They ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Foolish Words, Fierce Anger, And Wise Actions (1 Samuel 25:2-44)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Sep 16, 2024

David showed mercy to Saul, exercising grace and wisdom. However, the foolish words of a man named Nabal drove David to excessive anger. The intervention of Nabal's wife, Abigail, brought calm and reason to a situation that could have ended in tragedy.

The Bible describes David as "a man after God's own heart". His character and actions reflected a genuine desire to obey and love the LORD. As a result, he was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel, replacing the dynasty of Saul, whose rebellious and defiant actions resulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:2-13, Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ephesians 4:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Life We Live

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 14, 2005

The Gospel of Cross from Galatians calls for responsible, faithful freedom in Christ.

The Life We Live Galatians 2:20 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Introduction: Galatians is small but important. Martin Luther said he considered it the most important book in the New Testament. It contains only six chapters and one hundred ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tired Of Too Much Church Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 4, 2004

It is easy to be tired of church if church does not connect with integrity, compassion, or fundamental life change. But you will not grow weary if you will work for the good of all.

Several years ago I officiated at a wedding at National Cathedral. At the rehearsal an official of the Cathedral explained why the service would be held in just the Great Choir of the Cathedral, and not out on the main floor, and why we would have to be exactly on-time, no exceptions. He said that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

"The Source Of Our Confidence" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 25, 2008

Sermon 12 in a study in HEBREWS

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Orthodox

Cross-Contamination (Part One)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 1, 2020

When you hear cross-contamination, it's not referring to something good. But today I'd like to turn that around. Normally we would do our best to avoid cross-contamination, but when it pertains to the cross of Christ, it's best to encourage cross-contamination.

CROSS-CONTAMINATION (part one) By definition, cross-contamination is the process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect. You might typically hear this in reference to transferring bacteria between raw ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:7, Philippians 3:17-19, 1 Corinthians 1:11-21, Romans 1:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Broken To Be Made Whole

Contributed by Jack Martin on Jan 21, 2023

Growing up in the 50’s – Many things were taught to us as young kids that if I am honest were inaccurate or for lack of better words wrong and potentially dangerous both physically and Spiritually.

The Title for this morning’s message is - Broken to Be Whole (glow sticks) • I had done a series a few years back and one of the other topics was emptied to be filled. • Another was humbled to be exalted. Each actually a teaching of Jesus to his followers. My point is there are things ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Insulting God In Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2018

A study of Jesus' final rebuff of the temptations He faced after His baptism. He exulted in the worship of the Father. Just so, if we will be successful at rebuffing the tempter, it will be because we resort to the Living God, worshipping Him only.

“Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” [1] We know how to worship; we have the act down pat. Worship is a Psalm, an invocation, two hymns, prayer, two more hymns, a sermon and a closing hymn. Simple! Right? But, what if what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Sweat!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2020

Worship, true worship, worship that honours God, flows from the Spirit of God through the life of a follower of Christ who seeks to be pure and holy. True worship requires no effort on the part of the worshipper. Rather, it is the effortless response of that one who seeks the True and Living God.

“[The priests] shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.” [1] God is concerned about the smallest facet of the lives of His children. It is not an insignificant matter to speak of the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 44:18

Denomination: Baptist