Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Lenton Season

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Oct 22, 2007

What was lent supposed to remind us of? What does lent remind us of?

Some thoughts on the Lenten Season Lent, known to be the oldest ritual in Church. It came into existence as early as 130 AD. The observation of lent began as a season of penance, driven by the example set by Lord Jesus Christ during his 40 days of fasting in the desert where he overcame the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lost In The Crowd

Contributed by Tim Hedberg on Apr 24, 2006

The actions of the crowd and Jesus’ response.

Lost In the Crowd? John 12:12-18 April 9, 2006 There were 2 crowds there on the day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on the donkey. 2 Crowds. 1 crowd was in Jerusalem for historical reason. They had come from all over to recognize the annual religious festival of Passover. 2,700,000 people, ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Truth Or Tradition? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 30, 2007

Guess who’s come for a visit? It’s the big whigs from denominational headquarters. Isn’t it sad that Jesus had more problems w/ the religious than the lost? They made it all an outward matter and not an inward experience. Link inc. to text, audio, and Ppt

Truth or Tradition? Matthew 15:1-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TruthOrTradition.html Guess who popped in for a visit? It’s the scribes and Pharisees … the big whigs from denominational headquarters in Jerusalem. They are likely part of the Sanhedrin, the heavy hitters if you will. They have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement & Unity Series

Contributed by Paul Foster on Dec 26, 2014

Part of a sermon series on Galatians

Introduction In 1896, Henry Ford, who eventually invented the car, attended a company event where Thomas Edison (the great inventor of the light bulb) was the guest of honour. His friend introduced him to Edison as "the man trying to make a car that runs on gasoline." Edison asked young Henry Ford ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

A Higher Life

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2015

A higher Christian life is: 1. Faith in the Promises of God. 2. Consecration to the will of God 3. Fellowship in the presence of God 4. Testimony to the Honor of God 5. Warfare Against the Enemies of God 6. Victory in the Name of God

A Higher Life Hebrews 3:11-11 Introduction: Some people are content with limping along the fence. Others want to launch out into the deep. Where true revival is taking place, Christians become interested in doing more for Christ, not less. They are not content with living the same kind of a life ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:11

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism 2015

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 26, 2015

Baptism. Why do we observe the sacrament of believer baptism instead of infant baptism? Why do we celebrate the dedication of a child to God instead of baptizing them right then and there? We will attempt to answer these questions in this sermon.

(Illustration ...) Aman lived in a country where a person’s religion was stamped on their birth certificate. His said muslim. He grew up in a muslim household. He was taken each week to the mosque. He read the koran. He kept all of the religious observances that he knew of. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Power To Meet The World's Desperate Need Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2023

As God has authority over all of life, so Jesus has authority over all of life.

For the next 4 weeks we will be studying from the John 5. This chapter deals with the authority and power that Jesus has. In fact, chapter 5 reveals Jesus to be the Authority over all of life. Jesus is equal with God and that is claimed later on in this chapter. So, He is due the same worship, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens When God Controls Worship

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jul 24, 2004

There are some things that will happen when God is in control of our worship. This message examines some of these things.

What Happens When God Controls Worship John 4:23-24; Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8,10-13, 9:1-3 Introduction I. The Congregation is Edified (Neh. 8:1-3) A. When God controls our worship and the Word of God is proclaimed in the spirit and power of the Holy Spirit the body will be edified and built ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Acceptable Worship - Part 2

Contributed by Don Campbell on Dec 23, 2025

Jesus taught that acceptable worship must be in spirit and truth. "In spirit" does not mean "spirited" in the sense of animated or peppy.

ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP - Part 2 INTRODUCTION A. We discovered in lesson one that— 1. There are two ideas behind worship: to pay homage and serve. 2. There are three levels of worship: emotional, moral, and ceremonial. B. There was a woman who did all three (John 4:20). 1. The woman believed that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9, Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Dwelt Among Us! Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

A deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

He Dwelt Among Us! John 1:1-18 In the humble home of Maria and Robert, the essence of Christmas unfolds against the backdrop of struggle and resilience. Robert, with hemiplegia from a stroke a decade ago, relies on Maria's unwavering care. Despite her own challenges, Maria works as a maid to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Debt Free Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 11, 2018

Message 8 in our exposition of Colossians discussing our freedom in Christ.

Chico Alliance Church “Debt Free” III. Paul explains his personal ministry 1:24-2:5 A. The heart of the minister B. The heart of the ministry 1. Christ indwells us Paul clearly affirms that the basis of our citizenship in the kingdom of God’s beloved son is the presence of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-4, Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Jehovah Jireh - God Provides Series

Contributed by Roy Newton on Feb 3, 2011

This sermon examines the fourth petition of our Lord’s Pattern for Prayer, "Give us today the food we need", seeking to explore how God provides for us.

A PATTERN FOR PRAYER JEHOVAH JIREH – GOD PROVIDES ““That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A. B. C. Holy Name Of Jesus. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2024

January 1st, All Years.

Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8:1-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21 A). THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE. Numbers 6:22-27. Jews and Christians alike are familiar with the so-called Aaronic blessing of NUMBERS 6:24-26. Yet this blessing is not in the power of the priest to accomplish. Rather, ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8:1-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Skin Of A Reason Stuffed With A Lie Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

The parable of the great banquet is a picture of the invitation God extends to us to come to His eternal banquet of salvation–some accept and others refuse this great invitation.

Excuses: The Skin of a Reason Stuffed with a Lie Luke 14:12-24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION There is a difference between a reason and an excuse. There are times when we may have a legitimate reason for what we do or don’t do. An excuse is actually the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-24, Luke 7:16-24

Denomination: Baptist