Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Change My Heart O God Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 19, 2011

Are we flexible or inflexible? Churches and Christians tend to lean more toward inflexibility with a “This is the way we’ve always done it" attitude.

A Jewish man moved into a Catholic neighborhood. Every Friday the Catholics went crazy because, while they were unhappily eating fish, the Jewish man was outside bar-b-cuing steaks. So the Catholics went to work to convert him. Finally by threats and pleading, the Catholics succeeded. They took ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Christian Church

What’s Up With Worship

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 5, 2012

DO WE COME TO CHURCH BECAUSE IT’S A HABIT? WE COME BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. THE END RESULT IS THAT THE EVENT IS IMPORTANT, NOT WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE EVENT. SO, WE SLOWLY AND INCREMENTALLY SLIP INTO A “GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS” KI

WHAT’S UP WITH WORSHIP INTRODUCTION: TRADITIONALLY, EVERY SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH OUR FAMILY OUT TO DINNER. THIS EVENT HAS BECOME HABITUAL; IT IS EXPECTED. IN FACT THERE IS ALMOST A MUTINY IF THERE IS EVEN THE HINT OF NOT GOING OUT. THE PLACE IS NOT IMPORTANT, THE EVENT IS IMPORTANT. SOMETIMES, JUST ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Earthly Sanctuary Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 4, 2017

This is the 3rd sermon in the series "Jesus Is Better- The Better Covenant".

Series: Jesus Is Better- The Better Covenant [#3] THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY Hebrews 9:1-10 Introduction: The main points in Hebrews are pretty simple: The superiority of Christ (Hebrews 1:10-7:28) and the superiority of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-10:18). In the transition passage of Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Year Of The Lord’s Favor

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 14, 2001

As we look at the life of Jesus we see that same thing happening over & over again. So consistently does it happen that we begin to wonder, "What is God trying to tell us?"

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. This is the first Sunday, the first day of a brand new year. I think that an appropriate scripture this morning would be Isaiah 61:1 3. In many of your bibles it is sub titled, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Immorality Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Aug 26, 2008

The ignorance of the Hebrews leads them to unfaithfulness. They are naive and think culture will not effect them spiritually. Let us overcome our ignorance and protect our faith.

The people of Israel are on the plains of Moab across the river Jordan about 10 miles southeast of Jericho, they are preparing to enter into the promise land. The Moabites want the Israelites to leave as they are afraid the people of Israel will desolate the land of produce, so their king, Balak, ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 25:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guideline #2: Worship God Together In Spirit And In Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Sep 23, 2003

Authentic worship is essential for any church to function in a God-honoring way. Authentic worship is discussed by honestly answering three important question.

SERIES: “GOD-GIVEN GUIDELINES FOR GROWING A GREAT CHURCH” (Material taken from Bob Russel’s When God Builds A Church) TEXT: JOHN 4:21-24 TITLE: GUIDELINE #2: “WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH” INTRODUCTION: A. After attending church one Sunday morning, a little ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Exaltation Factor Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 15, 2006

True worship draws people to Christ

(this message is a re-working of the 40 Days of Purpose message on worship) SERIES: “THE GROWTH FACTORS” TEXT: JOHN 4:20-24 TITLE: “THE EXALTATION FACTOR” INTRODUCTION: A. We’ve been studying in our series “The Growth Factors” for quite some time ...read more

Scripture: John 4:20-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Alive Beyond This Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 13, 2008

God wants to give us life beyond this life, for God is love and live is never diminished. It is not something we attain by knowledge, but by trust. Two sweatshirts are pulled on and off to illustrate two ways of thinking about life beyond this life.

God is love. So the Bible says, and that is, in a sense, all we need to know. God is love; and just as when you love someone you do not abandon them, so also the love of God, richer far than tongue or pen can ever tell, reaches to the highest height and to the lowest hell, and keeps on going ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

False Teachers Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Nov 3, 2016

What a false teacher looks like

2 Peter 2 - May 6, 2012 Turn with me this morning to the book of 2 Peter, chapter 2. We have been going through this book that we find at the end of the NT, five books before Revelation, the last book of the Bible. It is written by Peter, the bold fisherman who ended up leaving his nets and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recognizing False Teachers

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

Peter's description of False Teachers

2 Peter 2 - May 6, 2012 Turn with me this morning to the book of 2 Peter, chapter 2. We have been going through this book that we find at the end of the NT, five books before Revelation, the last book of the Bible. It is written by Peter, the bold fisherman who ended up leaving his nets and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"What We Believe About Salvation"

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 7, 2011

What does our church believe about salvation?

Our church’s confession of faith says this concerning what we say we believe about salvation: “The only way of salvation is by grace through faith in the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.” Today, we will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Be Thou Clean Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 21, 2009

To be clean we need to hear clean words, thoughts and ideas that enrich our spirits and enhance our minds and improve our condition and position with God.

Sunday, March 11, 2007 “Be Thou Clean” Text: Matthew 8: 1 – 4 Today we examine the second step in our walk with Jesus. Last week Jesus suggested to us to Come and rest awhile. This week he commands us to Be Thou Clean. Many of us misunderstand the commands of God. His commands are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Alarming Signs Of A Dead Churchs. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 22, 2025

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ addressed seven churches in Asia, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. To the church at Sardis, He said, "You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Revelation 3:1). This warning serves as a reminder that even churches with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 7:16

Time To Be Circumcised Again Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 27, 2005

Preparing ourselves for a new year of service by circumcising our lives inwardly

Luke 2:21-26 – Time to be Circumcised - AGAIN With the new year now upon us, we enter an interesting time where people begin to think about making a new start. New Year’s resolutions crop up all over the place. Listen to these New Year Resolutions from a cat … Cat’s New Year Resolutions o I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

Deceitful Heart Or Pure Heart

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 27, 2020

The Lord said through Jeremiah that the heart is deceitful above all things and Jesus said blessed are the pure in heart? Can both be true. Can the Lord change one into the other?

Deceitful Heart or Pure Heart? Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” And our memory refresher verse(s) for today is(are) ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Jeremiah 17:1, Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 7:7-24, Matthew 5:8, Psalm 73:1, Isaiah 6:1-5, Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 51:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 18:18-30, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 24:37, Genesis 6:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene