Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

Resurrection Unexpected

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 1, 2013

No one really expected the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we focus on the expectations of two of those who first saw Jesus: John and Mary. What they expected, and how Jesus actually met them, can help your relationship with Jesus too.

No one saw it coming. No one. On the Sunday following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ no one really expected what happened (or at least it they didn’t fully comprehend it). They should have. Shortly after confirming to His men that He was the Messiah, Jesus said: Mark 8:31 “The Son of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Does It Mean To Be Consecrated? Series

Contributed by Fred Waters on Jun 15, 2006

The Children of Israel stand on the edge of a new land, and a new experience. Can they be obedient? Can they trust God?

A Series of Sermons on Joshua 3&4 The Crossing of the Jordan by the Children of Israel. Series Overview Israel has been cleansed of the disobedience of the “Exodus generation” and is ready to move forward with God’s plan for His chosen nation. They are now to claim the Promised Land and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:5-6, Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Holiness

Stronger Than Superman Series

Contributed by James Bohrer on Jan 14, 2009

The power of Christ is insurmountable. He can withstand any pressure. He can defeat any enemy. We have no excuse for succumbing to the world when we are His sidekick!

HEBREWS STRONGER THAN SUPERMAN HEBREWS 1:1-4 PASTOR JIM BOHRER APRIL 6, 2008 Everyone loves a superhero. I remember being fascinated by the Old Black and White Superman. There would be a call for help and Clark Kent would rush from his desk to the hallway and make a quick change and hop on a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Fabulous Faith Or False Faith.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Feb 14, 2005

We are told in Hebrews 11: 6, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” It is not according to your fortune, your fame, and friends, but according to your faith in pleasing God. Jesus put a premium on faith.

Fabulous faith or false faith. James 2: 14 -- 26. 02/13/05 We have been talking about facing life with faith now for several Sundays. Faith is the key to pleasing God. We are told in Hebrews 11: 6, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” It is not according to your fortune, your ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Feast Of Firstfruits

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Oct 7, 2006

The first harvest festival of the Jewish year teaches us that God will give good things to us because of his nature, not because he has been manipulated, that he has first claim on everything and the resurrection of Christ is a promise that we too will be

Harvest is one of my most favourite Sundays in the year. The special songs, the display, the food donated to be used as food parcels for people in need of food through the year. The ancient Israelites were fortunate in that God had commanded them to have not one, but three harvest festivals a ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:9-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Sign Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 31, 2004

God renews His covenant with Abram in 2 ways--a name change, and a mark of ownership. Circumcision becomes Abraham’s signature on his new pact with God.

The Sign of the Covenant” Genesis 17:1-13 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts As we consider our needs and wants, we work out various ways to achieve them. Facing a new year, many of us will make resolutions. Abram had an understandable yearning for a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

'twas The Prayer Before Christmas

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2006

The prayer that changed the world.

LUKE 1:5-25 ‘TWAS THE PRAYER BEFORE CHRISTMAS In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-26

Denomination: Baptist

Warfare

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

We need to keep in mind that throughout this letter Paul is writing to a divided church, and a church that is being seduced by false teachers. These false teachers charged Paul with being very courageous when he wrote letters from a distance, but said t

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A custom of the natives in New Guinea is told. At certain times they have rituals, songs, and dances. They work themselves up into a frenzy and the ritual culminates in what are called “the murder songs,” in which they shout before God the names of the people they wish ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Discernment: Turning The Key Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 29, 2009

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT Having a key in your hand is useless, unless you know how to use that key.

At a former church, the day I started my job as an associate pastor I was given a set of keys to the church by one of the Trustees, Bill. Bill told me, “Peter, these are not all the keys to the church, we are only giving you four keys: One key to the church building, one key to your office, one key ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:23-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Personal Choice; My Loaded Gun

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 11, 2002

Our rights and responsibilities are like the tension on the trigger of a loaded gun; properly handled they are a blessing -- improperly handled they are dangerous.

February 10, 2002 1Now let¡¦s talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church. 2Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn¡¦t really ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Was Jesus Baptized? - 3:16 And Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 14, 2005

Why was Jesus baptized? Granted, Jesus said it was to "fulfill" all righteousness"... but what does that mean?

OPEN: A woman once took her 4-year-old daughter to a baptismal service at her church. Later that night, her daughter took all of her dolls into the bathtub with her and held her own “baptism.” As she dunked each doll under the water, she repeated, “Now I baptize you in the name of the Father, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Determines That Unity Is The Way! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 17, 2024

What did God do for us? Not only has He given us His Son, not only has He given us salvation in Christ, not only has He allowed us to be accepted - He brought unity to the church in the form of clarifying this is how people are saved!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 22 The Church Determines that Unity is the Way! Acts 15:1-22 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ahead, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-22, John 5:24, Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Murder He Spoke Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 23, 2014

Jesus was well known for upsetting people's "apple carts." In this sermon He challenges us to go beyond the obvious sin of murder and to dwell on anger, judgment, and provoking others.

Don’t you hate it when someone comes along and “upsets the apple cart?” This saying originated sometime in the 1800’s. The idea behind it was that a farmer had carefully loaded his cart with apples to take and sell at the market place. However, some clumsy oaf would come ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22

Denomination: Foursquare

Partners With God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Man tries to say there are saints and non-saints, but Paul says, all who are in Christ are saints. Man says, there are clergy and lay people. Paul says to the Philippians, you are partners with me in the Gospel.

Chuck Swindoll was told this true story of Joe Gibbs, head coach of the Washington Red Skins. Joe's friend Frank looked out the window one morning and there was his faithful Labrador Retriever sitting on the front porch with something hanging from the dog's jaws. A closer look revealed it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26