Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Prepare To Meet Thy God

Contributed by Adam Deibert on Feb 11, 2005

Our first and foremost purpose in gathering together is to meet with Jesus. This is especially true when we come for Communion. (Best preached the week before Communion)

(Note: prior to preaching, discreetly place an empty chair on the platform, off to one side) •In the last few weeks, I’ve had several people call me about when we’re having Communion •It’s customary in the Seventh-day Adventist church to hold Communion on a quarterly basis; and those who have been ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:12-29

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Tearing Down The Strongholds Of Hell Part 1 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Tearing Down the Strongholds of Hell Acts 19:8-27 [2Co 10:4 NIV] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years because there was much work to be done there. He was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27

Denomination: Baptist

Preparations For Withstanding The Trials And Temptations Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 7, 2019

We have looked at how we are all affected by the trials and temptations of life. Now we look at preparing ourselves to be able to withstand those tribulations.

For the past few Sundays we have admitted that we all have trials and tribulations and temptations in our lives. We have seen how the trials strengthen us and make us more like Jesus. But James doesn’t just give explanations and facts about all these mishaps in our lives, he ends chapter one with ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Invited R.s.v.p.

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 11, 2025

This message proclaims God’s gracious invitation to salvation, pictured in Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast. It calls hearers to accept the free gift of Christ’s righteousness—the wedding garment—and to live daily in surrendered fellowship.

Introduction: The Search and the Invitation Picture the best church potluck you’ve ever attended. The tables sag under the weight of steaming casseroles, fragrant breads, fruit and desserts that dare you to try “just one bite.” Everyone brings something, but nobody goes hungry. Now imagine the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 19:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

You're Invited

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 21, 2025

God lovingly invites everyone to His eternal banquet; true acceptance means wearing Christ’s robe of righteousness, not our own efforts.

Section 1 – Introduction: The Search and the Invitation Picture the best church potluck you’ve ever attended. Tables sag under the weight of steaming casseroles, vege meatloaf, fragrant breads, and desserts that dare you to try “just one bite.” Everyone brings something, but nobody goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24, Isaiah 61:10, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Revelation 19:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Come And Eat

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 20, 2026

The risen Christ meets disoriented, ashamed people with presence, restores fellowship through shared life, and invites us to belong again at the table.

Part 1 — Hunger and Disorientation There is a particular kind of confusion that comes after everything you hoped for has already happened. It is not the confusion of despair. It is not the confusion of disbelief. It is the confusion of now what? That is where John 21 begins. The resurrection has ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14, Genesis 3:8-10, Genesis 2:25, Luke 15:20-24, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 8:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Sacredness Of Holy Communion Or Lord's Supper. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 27, 2025

In this sermon , we'll explore the biblical basis for this warning, the consequences of unworthy participation, and who should not partake in the Lord's Supper.

In Christian tradition, Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper, is a sacred ritual where believers partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. However, the Bible emphasizes the importance of approaching Communion in a worthy manner, warning against eating and drinking in an unworthy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:30, 1 Corinthians 11:27

Christmas Redefines Holiness

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Oct 28, 2014

A perspective on Matthew 2: 1-12. It is a review of Christmas with its powerful message of freedom and grace.

Matthew 2: 1-12 Christmas Redefines Holiness The festive season is over. The Christmas tree is gone and its decorations have been put away for another year. Our waistline has stopped expanding. Stress levels are generally lower since relative and friends have been catered for, and our minds are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Attitudes That Can Quench Revival

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Oct 18, 2000

Introduction: As we come closer and closer to the end of this age, we will have to as believers exercise major discernment.

Introduction: As we come closer and closer to the end of this age, we will have to as believers exercise major discernment. We must be freed from numerous things and one of those things is our inability to embrace our brothers and sisters of the various denominational Churches. What God is doing in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Worship Is What We Need

Contributed by Timothy Jones on Jan 13, 2003

Worship is about connecting with Jesus

WORSHIP IS WHAT WE WANT-Pastor Tim Jones John 4:21-24 REAL :In Jamaica last year, the Queen of England came to MoBay. I heard that she was riding in a SUV-very high off the ground-IT was difficult to get out of the vehicle-Most of the people in the entourage didn’t know what to do-should they ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24, John 4:21

Denomination: Holiness

Hinduism & 2nd Chances Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 16, 2003

Our “rebirth” is spiritual. We are born-again, not of flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. We don’t need another chance. This life isn’t a dress rehearsal for another life!

“Hinduism & 2nd Chances” Scripture> I Cor 8:4-6 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Hinduism is one of the oldest and most complex of all religions, and it takes many forms. It did not have a precise beginning or single founder but evolved over a period ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

Denomination: Congregational

Do You Know Him?

Contributed by Jim Parisi on Jun 29, 2002

How well do we know Him? How well do you know this person Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?

Do you know Him? HHM Pastor Jim Parisi 6-30-02 My question today I want to pose before you today is. How well do we know Him? How well do you know this person Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? I don’t mean like a guy you may have bumped into on the street. A mere acquaintance. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Love And Our Love Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 29, 2007

Love is the core of our faith

1 John 4:7-21 January 28, 2007 God’s Love and Ours John is coming to the end of his letter & it is this point that he brings it all together. You remember that he is arguing with a group who has left the church that we call proto-Gnostics. These people believed that we are saved, not ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: *other

Peter's Prejudices Purged Series

Contributed by Matthew Street on Oct 13, 2006

God challenges Peter’s prejudices in three ways firstly i. through a vision ii. through a personal encounter with Cornelius iii. By turning up himself in the person of the Holy Spirit.

How do we feel about those people who live at the other end of our road? How do we feel about those people who live on the new estate or come from the old village of Peasedown? How do we feel about people from Wellow, Midsomer Norton, Radstock or Combe Down. How do we feel about people from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-48

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Law...then And Now

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 2, 2009

How do the complex, often strange laws of the OT apply to today? What is the function of the law of God? And what does it mean to live lawfully when salvation is by grace?

What do we do with the Law? As we read the Law of Moses in the Old Testament, we come across some strange rules nearly no one practices today. A.J. Jacobs wrote an intriguing book, The Year of Living Biblically, a chronicle of his attempt to actually follow all the many laws of the Bible (easily ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Congregational