Sermons on Empty Ritual:

First Response Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 10, 2009

How do you respond when you’re hit with distressing news? Do you respond in anger? Do you respond in fear? Do you respond by immediately jumping up and trying to fix the problem? None of those responses were Nehemiah’s first response.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com A few years ago, I remember sitting in my office in Asheville, NC, one quiet Tuesday morning. Of course I was in uniform. As an Air Force recruiter, I spent most of my time in uniform. But as my office partner and I sat there that morning taking care of some ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

What It Takes To Be Heard By God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 5, 2009

If you want to be heard by God, make sure God and not others are your audience, make sure that it is really you who is speaking, and make sure to forgive and to receive forgiveness.

The morning worship service had reached an emotional climax during the pastor’s fervent prayer. He had carefully crafted it with fine liturgical phrases, hallowed by centuries of use. It was backed up by a throbbing organ, playing a hymn that gently drew worshipers back to thoughts of that amazing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life? Series

Contributed by Richard Goble on Jan 5, 2008

Eternal life comes to those who trust Christ completely.

Title: What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life? Series: The Harvest Is Ripe Text: Matthew 19:16-22 Introduction: Near Death Experiences The March 1985 issue of Omni magazine reported a study by Dr. Maurice Rawlings, cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee College of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

"Origins" Series

Contributed by H. Kevin Derr on Nov 2, 2016

Exploring the world of Genesis 1:1-10.

Genesis 1:1-2:3 “Origins” First Reading: Hebrews 1:10-12 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-10

Denomination: Brethren

Mana From Heaven -- Jesus Feeding The Five Thousand Series

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Jan 8, 2025

The four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John explain the many ways in which God provides us through the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.

I recall a day at Trinity College Theological School when, during a Homiletics Class, a mature-aged feminist student preparing for ministry challenged me. She demanded that I account for the disciples counting only the men to the exclusion of women and children in the story of Jesus feeding the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:10-17, Mark 6:30-44, Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Fire That Doesn't Burn

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 13, 2025

Jesus took the fire we deserved, finishing redemption completely—no tasks, no payment—just perfect grace from the fire that doesn’t burn.

I sometimes wonder what it would look like if Amazon started selling indulgences. “SoulPrime™ — Skip the wait for forgiveness! One-click grace, Prime-eligible!” Basic Mercy ships in three to five business days, or upgrade to Prime Grace™ for instant absolution with angelic delivery. And in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:14, Romans 1:17, 1 Peter 2:24, Luke 23:43, Revelation 21:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Josiah: When Reform Is Not Enough

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 28, 2007

True revival comes when there is: 1. A call to prayer. 2. A reemergence of God’s Word. 3. A sense of conviction and true repentance.

Josiah: When Reform Is Not Enough 2 Chronicles 34:16-21 The story of Josiah, King of Judah, is one of the most unusual in the Old Testament in many ways. He was only eight years old when he took the throne. He is one of the last kings to reign before the nation was overrun by the Babylonians. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus And The Sabbath

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 30, 2006

Message based on Jesus’ words regarding the Sabbath.

Jesus and the Sabbath Matthew 12:1-21 March 26, 2006 Introduction What do you think of when you think of the word, “Sabbath?” Do you think of church? Do you think of rest? Football on TV? Some of you might think of Black Sabbath, the heavy metal band of the 70’s and 80’s… Well, in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Unity In Community Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

Second in a series on Building community

The terrible attack on our land just a few days ago has had one tremendous positive result: Unity People are praying and singing together. Sports Stadiums filled with singing and praying people. Congress sang "God Bless America on the steps of the Capitol Building. Children have been praying in ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Listen! What Do You Hear

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Apr 17, 2003

Easter Sunday Sermon

Easter Sunday Mark 16:1-8 Listen ! What do you Hear?   16:1 ¶ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Sabbath Lessons

Contributed by David Berthiaume on Sep 20, 2002

Why in the world did God give us a "Sabbath"? There are some lessons we can learn from how Jesus observed the Sabbath while He was here.

I want to take you on a trip. This is not a trip to an exotic location or a place of tourism; it is a journey through time. I want to take you to the beginning. Close your eyes and imagine nothing. There is no noise, there is no smells, there is no light, and all of your senses sense nothing. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Adventist

Remember The Crowd Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 12, 2004

Go For the Gold: Becoming a Spiritual Champion. This is the 1st of 4 on an Olympics theme. Many sources were used including several on Sermon Central

Go For the Gold: Becoming a Spiritual Champion A great stadium is filled with earlier spiritual champions is the scene the writer of Hebrews paints to encourage you in your efforts. His challenge to “Remember the Crowd” is effective if you know something about who these spectators are. This ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Road Construction Ahead! Series

Contributed by Maurice Schaus on Dec 27, 2003

John the Baptist brings the word of the Lord: There’s Road Construction ahead! This is a sermon for Advent 2, Year B.

“Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go!” Although this isn’t a Christmas song, it certainly highlights two elements that play such a big part of many people’s holiday celebrations: traveling, and family. Our first and deepest memories of Christmas are often tied up in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

A World Upside Down

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 13, 2004

This is an advent sermon.

Imagine with me, if you would. You are an employee at a store. The store has had an incredible year; profits are through the roof. The store is having the best year ever. The CEO of the company announces a visit for next week. You are thrilled because you are going to get the recognition you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, Isaiah 61:8-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Downward Mobility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 6, 2009

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although He was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. “

I thought it was about time I began a sermon with a joke, and today’s passage did make me think of that story about the world’s leaders at prayer, asking God when their countries would repay their national debts. As the story goes, President Obama prays to God, asking when the US economy will ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican