Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Persevering Through Persecution Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 29, 2020

It's always better to obey God.

Persevering Through Persecution Acts 5:17-32 Rev. Brian Bill January 25-26, 2020 Look around you and find eight people. Go ahead and count until you locate eight individuals. By the time you go to sleep tonight, eight people around the world will have died for their devotion to follow Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Born To Die

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Dec 23, 2018

The Divine Purpose for the Divine Birth of Jesus

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Weekend Message/Devotion December 23, 2018 Born to Die Hebrews 10:5-10 This reading so illuminates and so magnifies the will of God and the mission of His Only Son that it needs to be more fully shared at this time of year. This reading is surely a Christmas message. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5, Psalm 40:6-8, Hebrews 10:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul To Crowd At Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 5, 2022

Paul had run an amazing race from the time he met Jesus on the Damascus Road to the time he addressed the crowd in Jerusalem, that wanted to kill him that day. His goal was to faithfully finish the race.

Context of Paul’s message at Jerusalem Acts 21:37-40 This message occurs at the conclusion of Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul had met with his key leaders to prepare for his exit and the conclusion of his third journey (Acts 20). He was ready to begin the next segment of his ministry, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Ark Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by James May on Apr 9, 2006

#4 in the series on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness Series Lesson Four- The “Ark Of The Covenant” By Pastor Jim May Exodus 25:10-22, "And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:10-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

After Salvation And Separation, What Comes Next? Series

Contributed by James May on May 7, 2006

#10 in the Nehemiah series. Being saved and separated unto the Lord isn’t the end of the journey; it’s the beginning. Where do we go from here?

The Book of Nehemiah Series #10 By Pastor Jim May After Salvation and Separation, What Comes Next? Nehemiah 7:1-5, "Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-73

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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 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

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

Pressing Into His Presence Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Sep 18, 2007

Worship is not merely a response to God, but it is also the pursuit of God. God pursues us, and yet for some odd reason, He seems to be just beyond our grasp when we seek Him. The pressing into His Presence is the choice of our will to worship Him.

Encountering God - Part 2 – Pressing Into His Presence Overview Last week, I laid a foundation for what I believe to be the biblical nature of worship, starting with the fact that God has created mankind to worship Him. That worship arises from a relationship with Him. The bible says in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Denomination: Baptist

Ready Because Of Christ

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 23, 2008

Easter Message reflecting on the fact that because of Christ we can be ready to face God when we die.

Ready Because of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 54-55 Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me: I shared this story the first Easter I was here, back in 2001, but we’ve got a number ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

United Like Family Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

"Be united in spirit” is used to describe souls that beat together, in tune with Christ and with each other. This word is made up of two words "sun" (together with) and psuchos (soul, self, inner life, or the seat of the feelings, desires,affections). So

Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together ---Vesta Kelly Philippians 2:1-4 (March 2) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10

Denomination: Baptist

How To Handle Discouragement

Contributed by Rommel Samaniego on May 2, 2008

Based on Ricks Warrens book Answers to life’s difficult questions. I only made it to a Sermonand added illustrations

HOW CAN I HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT? What can you do when you have the worlds deadliest decease? Cancer, is fatal but atleast the Doctor can tell you when your going to die… AIDS, right now with technology its not that Fatal (Magic Johnson), its not that contagious. Polio…Not really. Let me give ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Handle Discouragement

Contributed by Rommel Samaniego on May 15, 2008

A sermon on handling Discouragement. Based on Rick Warrens book, Answers to lifes difficult questions.

HOW CAN I HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT? What can you do when you have the worlds deadliest decease? Cancer, is fatal but atleast the Doctor can tell you when your going to die… AIDS, right now with technology its not that Fatal (Magic Johnson), its not that contagious. Polio…Not really. Let me give ...read more

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