Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Helpful Routines For A New Year

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 6, 2007

Jesus and his family went to the Passover Feast according to custom. It was a helpful routine and not an empty ritual for them. This talk offers four helpful routines for the Church: Praying, Eating, Worshipping and Serving Together (PEWS).

Luke 2: 41-52 Midnight mass – Church on Christmas Day – Presents all opened before 6am – No presents until after Christmas lunch – Turkey with all the trimmings – A family walk in the afternoon – A football match on Boxing Day – Turkey sandwiches for a week – New Year resolutions – A special diet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:42-52

Denomination: Anglican

The Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 31, 2013

Paul tells that it is actually dangerous to be religious

Dangers of Religion Romans 2:17 - 3:8 Paul wrote to a very proud people, the Jews. They were convinced that they were God's chosen people ... His ONLY chosen people ... and that everyone else was a heathen .... hated by God and marked for destruction. The Jews on the other hand were a people of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Footwashing - Example Or Ritual?

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 29, 2000

Footwashing was an EXAMPLE for believers to follow, not a ritual to observe like the Lord’s Table!

FOOT WASHING - EXAMPLE OR RITUAL? (John 13:3-17) [HTTP formatted version of this sermon is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/footwash.html] The Bible does NOT command New Testament believers to observe foot washing as a Church ritual. 1. The washing of the apostles’ feet by ...read more

Scripture: John 13:3-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lent: A Ritual Or Preparation

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Mar 22, 2019

Evangelical Congregations do not observe the practice of fasting during Lent. But is there meaning beyond the ritualistic nature of the Lent season? How are you preparing to meet the resurrected Lord of the Easter?

Lent: A Ritual or Preparation? We are part of an evangelical congregation and hence many of us do not observe the Lenten season as done in the mainline churches. But many of you who have grown up , or are used to the ways of the mainline churches will certainly remember the Lenten season. Those of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than A Ritual Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Most of us can’t change ourselves. But God can change us, if we mean it.

On the night before he was betrayed, Jesus washed his disciples feet. This was a menial task, a task performed only by the very lowest house slave. And his disciples were shocked. They weren’t objecting to having their feet washed - far from it. It was the sort of courtesy a good host would make ...read more

Scripture: James 4:5-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Legitimate Use Of Rituals Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 29, 2024

For a person to be declared righteous by God, rituals/sacraments are unnecessary. Justification is by faith alone. So, what is the value of rituals like water baptism and the Lord's Supper? Using Romans 4:11, this message seeks to answer that question.

Intro Last week we expounded Romans 4:9-12. There Paul used Abraham’s experience to prove circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. In that study, we did not have time to talk about why God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision. If it is of no value for justification, then what is its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Genesis 17:1-14, Genesis 9:12, Exodus 12:13, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Colossians 2:1-13, 1 Corinthians 9:2, Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Acts 2:38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Relationship, Ritual Or Both?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 10, 2016

Lent is coming! Lent is coming! Why do we have Lent? Why do some observe this ritual while others do not? How do we discern which rituals are beneficial and which are harmful to our walk with the Lord? To Lent or not to Lent, that is the question!

Please stand with me as we read our recent memory Scripture together! John 1:1-4 NIV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Nazarene

It Was Empty

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 12, 2001

An Easter Sermon about the meaning of "empty" and how significant it is.

PARROTTSVILLE COMMUNITY SUNRISE SERVICE 2001 IT WAS EMPTY LUKE 24:1-3 INTRODUCTION / ILLUSTRATION… $25,000 Pyramid (p) Does anyone here enjoy game shows? They are definitely fun to watch. I think that my most favorite ones to sit down and watch would have to be “The Price is Right” and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Emptiness

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 11, 2006

A lot can be done with empty space but you have to yeild it up if anything is going to come of it.

EMPTINESS 2 Peter 1:8-9 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. barren -These adjectives describe what contains nothing and inferentially lacks what it could or should have. EMPTINESS ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Empty

Contributed by John Oscar on Apr 27, 2022

An Easter sermon teaching to find our fulfillment in Jesus, and Jesus alone.

Empty CCCAG, Easter 2022 Scripture: John 20:1-10 Intro- This week, we lost a fairly famous author named Jack Higgens. He authored a best selling novel called “The Eagle has Landed” about a Nazi attempt to assassinate Winston Churchill. In an interview, when he was asked about his career in ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Empty

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Jan 11, 2020

God wants us to empty ourselves so He can fill us with Himself.

2 KINGS 4:1-7 “EMPTY” A) In the days of Elijah and Elisha in Israel ....... * The principle prophets of God gathered about them a group of God’s workers called “the sons of the prophets.” * One of these “sons of the prophets” died leaving debts and the creditor harassed the widow, seeking ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Ripe Ritual And Redemptive Righteousness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 20, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if it were from Micah himself, summarizing the entire book around the contrast between practicing ritual in order to avoid judgment vs. living God’s requirements of justice, mercy, and the humble walk.

[Outside the sanctuary] Justice, O God! Justice! We must have your justice! And righteousness! Without that we are lost! Oh, Lord God, the Temple and the city – what I see there sickens me. That ripe and rotten ritual, those empty gestures, those paid and padded priests! O God, ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Religion & Rituals Will Not Save You Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 22, 2008

Religious people can be some of the hardest to reach with the gospel.

1. There is wonderful CONFIDENCE & SECURITY in Jesus Christ. a. Our salvation isn’t based on the promises we have made to God but rather THE PROMISE He has made to us. b. If you believe, you are saved, eternally. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NOTE: They came to Jesus one day and asked: John 6:28-29 (NKJV) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Robes And Ritual Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Dec 28, 2007

As this letter paints a magnificent and majestic portrait of Jesus it highlights the immensity of how our lives are affected as a result of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. What better way to inspire those whose faith is flagging or whose hearts

AIM: To elevate our perspective of JESUS so that any sense of flagging faith is renewed by a fresh understanding of the importance and significance of JESUS. Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, probably 2nd generation, whose parents had embraced ‘Christ’ as Messiah and so these people had ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon On Rituals & Traditions

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 15, 2022

Rituals have been defined as a series of actions or type of behaviour regularly and invariably followed by someone.

Gretchen Bleiler, an American former professional halfpipe snowboarder once remarked: “I learned a few years ago that balance is the key to a happy and successful life, and a huge part of achieving that balance is to instil rituals into your everyday life - a nutritious balanced diet, daily ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:6, Romans 14:23, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 29:13-14