Sermons on empty ritual:

Challenging Our Religion Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Jan 5, 2011

So Jesus came to challenge and to change the way people think. And as He continued to challenge religion His ministry led Him to a variety of places. We see two of them today.

“Challenging our Religion” Matthew 12:1-14 Eventually the ministry of Jesus was sure to cause great controversy. After all, Jesus challenged all of the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees, the Saducees, anyone who was teaching tradition over truth. Jesus was never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

To Lent Or Not To Lent ... That Is The Question

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 26, 2015

Building a continuum with the legalism of the Jews on one end and the Law of Love on the other end. Then trying to decide exactly where along that continuum Lent falls.

(Establishing the first end of the continuum - Legalism) Exodus 20:8-10 (NLT) “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. “On that day no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Nazarene

Gaining A Worldwide Vision

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 7, 2014

What happened in this passage is of critical importance to church history. The events in this passage need to be studied by every church and every body of believers.

MAR 17 2013PM Gaining a Worldwide Vision Acts 11: 1-18 Usually as we begin each study, I lead in to the message with the ending of the previous week’s message. I don’t have to do that tonight because our passage comes from Acts 11: 1-18 and in it, Peter recaps the whole episode. So ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

So, You Want To Get Baptized

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 27, 2018

The seeker is hungry to understand Scripture. With the explanation, seeks to go deeper and be baptized. Like this reading, it need not be complicated nor by some rigid ritual; it may be spontaneous and thereby even more meaningful.

Mid-week Message/Devotion March 28, 2018 Reading: Acts 8:26-40 So, You Want to Get Baptized This to me, this is one of the most enjoyable readings in the New Testament. It sets an example for us that is extremely vivid. Let me first narrate a modern day parallel story based upon personal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Religion Isn't Enough Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 13, 2019

True religion isn't about external rituals, but it is about relationship and wholehearted devotion.

A. One day, many years ago, a well-respected British minister took the trolley early Monday morning from his home in the suburbs to the church in downtown London. 1. He paid the driver as he got on the trolley, and being pre-occupied with his busy schedule and the needs of his church he didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Last Supper And The Passover

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 6, 2016

What are the similarities and differences between the Passover and the Last Supper, Circumcision and Baptism? What are the differences and similarities between the rituals of the Old Testament and the sacraments of the New Testament?

Luke 22:14-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (These will be read later in the sermon) This morning we will be remembering the Lord’s Supper also known as Communion. Augustine, in the 5th century described a sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.” A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Ordinances Of The Church Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Oct 10, 2019

Teaching about the two primary ordinances of the Christian church- communion and baptism

Ordinances of the Church Christianity 101 Series CCCAG October 6th, 2019 Several different scriptures today Intro: As many of you know I came from a mostly Lutheran with some Catholic influence background growing up. Although I was confirmed Lutheran, I didn't really apply myself during the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:13-21, Hebrews 9:25-28, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Far Can You Go On Empty

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Aug 29, 2007

This message is a challenge to prayer instead of the busy-ness of church life.

Amos 4:4 KJV Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years: Amos 5:4-6 KJV For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: [5] But seek not Bethel, nor enter into ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

Sermon contrasts religious form with spiritual substance with reference made to decline and need for revival that occurred in Israel’s history.

The Real Deal James 1:25-27 5-25-08 Our story opens this morning in 2 Samuel 6:12-15 “Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25-27

Denomination: Charismatic

Full - Pt. 1 - Pushing Past Empty! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 26, 2017

We prefer full over empty! Jesus says He came that we might have abundant (full) life. Do we? Do we even know what we should be full of?

Full Pt. 1 - Pushing Past Empty I. Introduction It is a new year. Usually a new year is filled with expectations, resolutions, big plans, and anticipation. But, I also wonder how many would be honest enough to admit that in the back of our minds there is also some fear? I was excited last New ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tradition For Tradition's Sake

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Aug 31, 2009

Too often our living and worship become steeped in tradition and ritual. This sermon is a call to examine what we do and more importantly WHY we do it in an attempt to keep us from elevating the traditions of men above the law of God.

Tradition for Tradition’s Sake Mark 7:1-23 (This message was preceded by singing "Joy to the World" as the opening hymn and the theme of "tradition" was introduced by a video clip of Fiddler on the Roof - from the prologue 1:55 (as the fiddler begins to play) through 3:57 (as Tevye says, "...and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

If Christ Is Not Risen From The Dead, Then What?

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Apr 24, 2017

What if the Resurrection of Jesus had not occurred? Have you thought of the consequences and what the Christian faith would be like? Quote: “Christmas is the promise, and Easter is the proof.” But that proof Is called into question by skeptics.

BUT IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN FROM THE DEAD, THEN WHAT? 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-22

Denomination: Charismatic

Refresh My Strength Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Oct 16, 2009

Jesus came with an invitation not a list of religious rules and rituals.

PATTERN: DEDUCTIVE TEXTUAL – EXPOSITORY Introduction: The top 10 reasons you are too busy to pray today: 1. You wake up feeling rested, then realize your alarm should’ve gone off an hour ago. 2. Your spouse is away on a two-day business trip that’s lasted all week. 3. None of the clean clothes you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Wesleyan

Salvation - A Relationship

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Apr 24, 2012

To place our faith in the performance of a salvation ritual is to place our faith in the person leading us to the ritual; but, if we place our faith in a relationship with Jesus Christ we have placed our faith in the author and sustainer of salvation.

SALVATION – A RELATIONSHIP INTRODUCTION If a person is uncomfortable with the idea that there is no special event or ritual that marks the time and place of their salvation, then they certainly have a great deal of company. In fact, almost all existing denominations and Christian religious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Christian Church

Who Has You Covered?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 14, 2016

Many are religious and many claim Christ but will they have the right covering when Jesus arrives?

Isaiah chapter 29 starts with woe, but ends in an awesome WOW! God is speaking to His rebellious children of judgment in the first thirteen verses, but speaks of revival and restoration in the remainder of the chapter. I find it profound that the switch from judgment to blessing starts after verse ...read more

Denomination: Baptist