Sermons on Empty Ritual:

How Often Have I Longed To Gather Your Children Together

Contributed by Carl Benge on Mar 15, 2007

God’s attempt to bring us closer to Him.

How often have I longed to gather your children together... These were the words, which Jesus uttered, as he lamented regarding the way the Jewish religious leaders treated those who had come to bring the children of Israel closer to God. So what was Jesus talking about? Was he speaking for his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Methodist

The Lies Of False Religion.3 Series

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Jul 29, 2005

When you change one part of scripture you make, in essence, the rest of the Bible void.

The Lies of False Religion.3 MINA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Some 2.5 million Muslims took part in the "Stoning of Satan" ritual, as the Islamic world marked the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice following the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. According to tradition, it is the place where Satan appeared ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:40-41

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stop The Bleeding By Faith

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Apr 18, 2018

Faith is a gift of God to which we yield. We need not do mental gymnastics to force ourselves to believing that a healing is going to occur.

13B The players (Gospel Drama Players in today’s first miracle account): Jesus: was not ashamed to be touched by the untouchable, or feel embarrassed to be publicly identified with outcasts. The lady was considered unclean. Just by being out in public, she is violating a social taboo. In fact, by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Catholic

The Nature Of True Fasting

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 25, 2013

True fasting will lead the liberated soul to seek relief and liberty for others.

THE NATURE OF TRUE FASTING. Isaiah 58:1-12. Surprisingly, the only place where the law of Moses commands fasting is in the “affliction of soul” associated with the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31; Leviticus 23:27-32; Numbers 29:7). This is apt, as it immediately associates fasting with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dtr

Contributed by Jason Jones on Apr 9, 2012

A talk on the true meaning of following Christ, and the relationship every believer should have with Him.

Endure the Path (v. 9:57-62) Here Jesus defines the role of a follower of Jesus in terms of commitment. He likens it to a slave who has no home, no family, or no earthly ties that would prevent them from leaving it all. As we read these statements, it seems like Jesus is being so hard. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Building A Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 10, 2011

Building a life that will be pleasing to God

Building A Life of Faith Hebrews 11:1-40 Scripture reading (1-3) I. The Mandate of Faith v. 6 What do you think it takes to please God? Some people think that the way you please God is through ritual, that you chant certain prayers, you do certain rituals over and over again, you light some ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Baby Jesus In Jerusalem

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 14, 2019

The Savior’s entire life built up toward His crucifixion and resurrection. He had to be the sinless Lamb of God and endorsed by the Spirit so He could redeem us because He loves us!

Baby Jesus in Jerusalem (Luke 2:21-38) 1. Things don’t always work the way we think they should. 2. There was a man in the Persian empire that looked just like the king. When the real king was quietly assassinated, he pretended to be him and ruled for a time (Smerdis/Pseudo Smerdis). 3. Likewise, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In Remembrance Of Me

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 8, 2020

Each month we take communion to remember Jesus and His great sacrifice. Other's believe that in the Eucharist we actually consume the flesh and blood of Jesus. What does the Scriptures say? What happens communion is unavailable to a believer?

In Remembrance of Me Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … Jude 1:24-25 “To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, John 6:51-58, John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

How Are We To Be An Example Of Evangelism?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 29, 2023

Evangelism is more than just preaching the Gospel. It is the sharing of the teachings of Jesus Christ to others. The individual Christians life should be an example of Christ to the world.

How Are We to Be an Example of Evangelism? 2 Kings 4:8-37 This is the story of how Elisha restores a child to life. This is similar to the story in 1 Kings 17:17-24. What does this story have to do with evangelism? The answer is simple. Someone needed to hear the Word from God, and so God sent ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living A Life Of Consecration To God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 6, 2024

Consecration is more than a mere commitment; it is a wholehearted dedication of ourselves to God's service. Let's dive into this vital aspect of our Christian walk through three key points, rooted in Scripture, to understand how we can live a consecrated life.

Living a Life of Consecration to God Introduction: Today, we are going to explore a profound and transformative topic: Consecration to God. Consecration is more than a mere commitment; it is a wholehearted dedication of ourselves to God's service. Let's dive into this vital aspect of our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Joshua 3:5, James 4:8, John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Did God Complain To His People?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 9, 2024

Micah depicts a court here. God's people are on trial where God is the judge and the people are told what is expected of them.

The book of Micah was written to God’s people, the children of Israel in the Northern Kingdom, and of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. It was written to warn them of the coming judgment from God but to also for them to repent. Throughout the book of Micah, the need for peace and justice in ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15.

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15. Vain Traditions Was Jesus criticized over a man-made tradition? Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hungry And Thirsty For What? Series

Contributed by Bev Sesink on Oct 23, 2016

An explanation of Matthew 5:6 how we can rightly hunger and thirst for righteousness instead of what we naturally hunger and thirst for.

Hungry and Thirsty For What? Matthew 5:6 Sunday October 23, 2016 Today we continue in the series the Upside Down Kingdom with a focus on The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. As we begin I thought I would start with a short quiz to see how much you may remember of the beatitudes we have covered so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: *other

The Outer Limits Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 16, 2003

When we follow Jesus, he will lead us beyond our comfort zone with people, especially people we are not naturally drawn to.

Note: This sermon was introduced with a scene from "Traveling Light" All of us have limits and boundaries that make us uncomfortable if we go beyond them. I was reminded of this back in November when my oldest son and I went to the Promise Keepers "Passage" event at the Anaheim Pond. At one point ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Pentecost...love God-Live God … Ever Day... Series

Contributed by Hugh Laing on Feb 17, 2010

God gave us that BLUEPRINT...the BOOK OF ACTS SHOWS IT TO US...NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW IT...

INTRODUCTION...A BLUEPRINT OR DETAILED PLAN OF ACTION FOR A CHURCH ON FIRE FOR GOD! God gave us that BLUEPRINT...the BOOK OF ACTS SHOWS IT TO US...NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW IT... ACTS 2:1-13 says... “1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist