Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Hedging Our Spiritual Bets

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 28, 2005

Focusing on John the Baptist’s preaching at the first advent, this sermon exhorts to preparation for the second advent.

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT Luke 3:1-17 “Hedging Our Spiritual Bets” In last Friday’s Wall Street Journal, there was a column by a fellow named Vincent Carrol. He is an editor for the Rocky Mountain News. Let me read you the first three paragraphs of his column. “On Christmas Eve, in line with my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-17

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Shall I Give To Jesus? Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Dec 11, 2006

In a season where giving requres so much time and energy, what time and energy has been laid aside to prepare the gifts we will bring to Jesus this Christmas?

INTRO. A. The Perfect Gift People all around the world at this time of the year go to all extremes to give the perfect Christmas Gift. Some even plan for the full year. Not only do we want the perfect gift but the perfect type of gift. You look at another’s personality, style of living, their ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Judgment Of God (Pt 1) Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Mar 7, 2008

The 5th in the series on Paul’s letter to Rome.

Romans – God’s Glorious Gospel Understanding the Judgment of God Romans 2:1-16 * It was on a Monday in 1994 that I first heard the news. Actually, that Monday was my Mom and Dad’s anniversary (June 13). From the news on the radio I heard, “Last night in Los Angeles the x-wife of O. J. Simpson and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Transformer

Contributed by John Beehler on Jan 13, 2004

Jesus is the “Transformer”, and through his abundant grace we are transformed from plain old water into the finest of wine.

Water into Wine A minister is driving and he’s stopped for speeding. The state trooper smells alcohol on his breath, and sees an empty wine bottle on the floor, and he says, “Sir, have you been drinking?” And the minister says, “Just water.” The trooper says, “Then why do I smell ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Follow Me

Contributed by Roger Shervington on Oct 16, 2003

A sermon to a group of seminary students on fishing and discipleship.

"Follow Me" A Sermon by Roger Shervington San Francisco Theological Seminary, Southern CaliforniaJohn 21:1-19 I. Introduction Good evening. Our New Testament reading from the lectionary this evening chronicles the final post-resurrection appearance of the risen Lord in the Gospel of John. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Passion Week Series

Contributed by Gary Moore on Feb 4, 2008

An outline of the events of the passion week.

PRELUDE TO THE PASSION WEEK 1. Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11.38-44) 2. The entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21.1-10; Luke 19.28-44) 3. The cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21.12-13) A SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS WITH THE RULING JEWS IN JERUSALEM. 1. The Chief Priests and Elders question His ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Denomination: Congregational

Forgiveness

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jan 11, 2005

The need for forgiveness

Intro: We talked last week about Colossians 3:1 - setting our minds on heavenly things. Yet, so often we focus on things on the earth. We are slow to do that which we know is right. One of the areas we struggle is in the area of offering forgiveness. Is there anyone you hold a grudge ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Empowered Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 1, 2010

Sufficient truth had already been revealed to Zechariah to encourage him & to enable him to encourage others. Zechariah though kept inquiring until God reveals that His Spirit will be poured forth through God's two anointed ones so that God's light shine

ZECHARIAH 4: 11-14 THE CHURCH EMPOWERED [Revelation 11:3-7-13] Sufficient truth had already been revealed to Zechariah to encourage him and to enable him to encourage others in the good work of building the Temple (which the remnant was by that time working on again, Haggai 1:14) and that ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Easter

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 3, 2010

No other holiday is as critical to the Christian faith as Easter. The very foundation of Christianity stands or crumbles on the truthfulness of the assertion that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

The Importance of Easter 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-19 Introduction: No other holiday is as critical to the Christian faith as Easter. The very foundation of Christianity stands or crumbles on the truthfulness of the assertion that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Easter is not about religious ritual or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Comes: No Fear

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 12, 2010

Christmas Day 1988: Jesus came into a world full of fears about economics, government, health, and the rest. Our pretty porcelain manger scenes are not realistic. But when Jesus comes today and works through us, He works to drive away all the fears that

A certain family, a number of years ago, as was their custom, lovingly and carefully set out their beautiful porcelain nativity scene for Christmas. They were so very proud of this delicate, fragile thing of beauty; they had paid a good deal of money for it on a trip to Europe, and its value could ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

A World Condemned: Pt. 2. When God Says Enough. Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Feb 12, 2014

God is a God of grace and mercy. He delights in pursuing sinners! What could make this God give up on a man and hand him over to his sin? Our text begins the answer to this question. A holy God must judge sin.

Salvation: Why? and How? or, SALVATION: ITS NEED AND PROVISION Romans Chapters One to Five Calvary Baptist Church Series Begins Sunday, September 30, 2012 Sermon 5: When God Says "Enough" November 11, 2012 Romans 1:24-27 INTRODUCTION: • In our 1st three sermons, we were in the section of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Repeat After Me

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 18, 2011

Repetition isn’t rote; it’s practice. All of these words become part of us, digging deep into our hearts and minds, helping to form in us habits of thought and action that honor God, that put God first.

Everything in this sEverything in this service is old hat. We know the Apostles Creed so well that many of us don’t have to use the worship notes except to remember to say "sitteth" instead of "sits." I chose the most commonly used prayer of Confession in the English language. The 23rd Psalm is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Absurdity Of The Incarnation

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 17, 2012

A sermon on 1 Timothy 3:16 focusing on the incarnation (Mostly taken from Max Lucado's book, God Came Near, and also at: http://maxlucado.com/read/topical/gods-greatest-surprise/)

HoHum: In one verse Paul reminds Timothy of the gospel in all its fullness. Tries to cover the whole gospel. Some songs try to do that: You came from heaven to earth, to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Message To Laodicea: The Church Tha Is Affluent But Lukewarm Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 11, 2012

This is the last church addressed by Christ, and it is the worst church. Christ does not commend Laodicea at all. He doesn’t have anything good to say about them. This is a church that may as well have not existed.

This is the last church addressed by Christ, and it is the worst church. Christ does not commend Laodicea at all. He doesn’t have anything good to say about them. This is a church that may as well have not existed. What made them so bad? They were lukewarm. What does that mean? ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Know The Man Jesus - Palm Sunday Sermon

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Mar 21, 2008

Why did Jesus have to come down to earth and suffer a death just like any other human being? The Book of Hebrews offers some interesting answers

Today is celebrated as Palm Sunday in traditional Churches. BBF (www.bangalorebiblefellowship.in )is not a traditional Church, and hence we do not specifically celebrate Palm Sunday. Most of us know what happens during Palm Sunday. The celebration is to remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational