Sermons on Empty Ritual:

U-Turns Mandatory Series

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Dec 9, 2001

Rrepentance is essential if we are going to be prepared for the coming of Christ and his kingdom (Advent, year A, Sunday 2, 9 Dec 01)

 John the Baptist was a truly strange fellow. I can imagine his performance review from the board of clergy examiners. - - - - - - - - - Dear John ben Zechariah: The board of examiners completed their visit and frankly were concerned about several matters pertaining to your person ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: *other

Prophecy To Our Age Series

Contributed by Stephen Schwartz on Dec 12, 2001

What does Malachi have to say to our generation?

Prophecy to Our Present Age Introduction: This is a five-part study of the last book of the Old Testament. What relevance could a prophet who lived over 2000 years ago have for us as Christians in this present day and age? We will look at the writing of Malachi over the next few weeks and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

One Baptism

Contributed by Chris Willis on Oct 30, 2007

This sermon considers Paul’s statement that there is ONE baptism. It focuses on the concept of spiritual union, with Christ and with Christians. That this is a spiritual reality in the baptism of the Spirit, and a physical proclamation of a spiritual real

One Baptism Ephesians 4:5 READ Ephesians 4:5 . . . “There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.” Sometimes as pastors we can be susceptible to rare gaffes. So its no surprise that the story is told about the baptism of a King by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crumbs From The Table

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Jan 1, 2006

The Canaanite Woman

[Linda Begins] The comedian Jeff Foxworthy became famous with his routine, "You might be a redneck if . . .” You know the ones. Like: You might be a redneck if you took a fishing pole to Sea World. or You might be a redneck if your dad walks you to school because you’re both in the same grade. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Price Of A Kiss

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 19, 2009

Black History Month: There is a price to pay for friendliness: Christlike behavior even when others disappoint us, commitment to the development of others.

The passage I am about to read is the very ending of the Second Corinthian letter. It includes a verse which has a warm place in my memory because it was the favorite verse of lots and lots of male seminarians back in the 60’ s when I was in school. You see, in the 60’s there were not very many ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Tale Of Two Sons Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 3, 2018

Message 9 in our Galatians series

Chico Alliance Church “Childbirth, a tale of two sons, falling from Grace” Review True freedom comes by grace through faith in Christ I. Paul Possessed the Correct credentials 1-2 Paul taught only what he received directly from Christ Himself. II. Paul Proclaimed the Correct Concept of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:28-29

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Birth Of John Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 14, 2016

One day, John the Baptist would stand at the water's edge, see his cousin Jesus walking towards him, and would cry out, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Luke 1:57-80 The Birth of John 12/19/04 D. Marion Clark Introduction Is there a more momentous event than the birth of a child? We hear people say when they have experienced some great achievement or honor, “Next to the birth of my child this is the greatest experience of my life.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unquenchable Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 22, 2016

Big Idea: God don't want no worthless worship, so let's make our worship worth His while. Points: Worship is worthless to God when it isn't reverent, repentant, or real.

INTRODUCTION: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who died in 2004 at the age of 82, made a living making fun of himself and the difficulty of getting what we all desire: a little respect, please. Some of his best lines: • "I tell ya I get no respect from anyone. I bought a cemetery plot. The guy ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 30, 2024

True worship is more than style.

INTRODUCTION - Today, we will dive into the subject of worship. - What is worship? - The dictionary defines worship as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity, the acts or rites that make up a formal expression of reverence for a deity, or a religious ceremony or ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Breaking Bread, Building Community: A Reflection On Communion

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Nov 29, 2024

This sacrament invites us to remember, reflect, and reimagine our role in the body of Christ—encouraging us to engage with our communities, honor diverse experiences, and embrace the powerful narratives that shape our worship.

As I reflect on my recent completion of a course in Worship Theology, I am filled with a profound sense of transformation and inspiration, particularly regarding the sacrament of Holy Communion. This course has deepened my understanding of worship as a holistic experience that engages not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-31

Denomination: Methodist

Does God Change

Contributed by William Grosso on Jul 29, 2003

A sermon baseed on the covenant of grace

Sermon#9 Does God Change 1. Has God changed? God says I am the lord thy God, and I do not change. a. When we look in the text of the OT we see God as harsh and judgmental, where as in the NT he is more forgiving and compassionate. Has his nature changed? b. It depends on what side of the cross ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:6-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cooperation For The Sake Of The Gospel

Contributed by Bart Leger on May 5, 2005

Cooperation is necessary for the protection of unity in the church.

Paul was a great statesman for the faith. When we think of Paul we normally think of a man of unwavering faith, firm resolve, and unshakeable courage. One virtue which may not come to mind as quickly is Paul’s humility, gentleness and willingness to abase himself for the sake of the gospel. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Have A Dream

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 7, 2006

Building the kingdom of God

Luke 14:28-30 I have a dream (vision) “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salvation Is By Faith In Jesus Christ

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jun 15, 2007

We are called to pass on the baton of our faith as we received it. This sermon reminds us that salvation is by faith in Jesus and nothing else.

Sports days are upon us once again at our local schools and I had a sense of “been here before” when I was watching my son Matthew practising his sprinting and his baton changing in the relay races at the Junior School this week. Some of the baton changes were smooth and effective, others were slow ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:15-21

Denomination: Anglican

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -Deformities Of The Heart And Hand Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Sep 19, 2010

The CLAWED FINGERS of their law system were DISTORTED AND MALFORMED and particularly difficult to uproot. It is not at all surprising that Jesus uses a man with a DEFORMED HAND to illustrate what needed to be done if ever they were to be healed of their D

Part 3 - Matthew 12:9-14 -DEFORMITIES OF THE HEART AND HAND Yesterday, with the encouragement of my wife, I got rid of some THORNY WEEDS growing like trees in the back garden. The thorns were now like razor sharp nails and so it was difficult to get to the roots without punctures, scratches and a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational