Sermons on Empty Ritual:

"Why Do We Come To The Tomb?"

Contributed by Paul Norwood on May 7, 2018

A sermon prepared for "Easter" Sunday and compares the reasons folks came to the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest and our reasons for assembling to worship on the first day of the week.

I. Welcome II. Introduction MercyMe first released their hit song I Can Only Imagine in 1999. Since then, I’ve heard this song played numerous times at funerals as one imagines being in heaven and in the presence of God. The movie by the same name was released last month with much greater success ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Things The Empty Tomb Tells Us

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 21, 2019

The empty tomb is a living witness. It tells us that Death is no longer to be feared, that Sin has been conquered, that a New Life is available, and that Immortality is possible.

FOUR THINGS THE EMPTY TOMB TELLS US Luke 24:1-6; 36-47 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. It was Easter. A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. 2. Then, wanting to share the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Easter 2019

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 23, 2019

The empty tomb reminds us of God's Power, Priority and Presence in our lives.

EASTER Back in 1922 a British archaeologist named Howard Carter became famous when he discovered the intact tomb of King Tutankhamun, a young Egyptian pharaoh who lived and ruled in about 1332 BC. Other tombs in Egypt had been found before this, but what made this tomb so unique was the fact that ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

If You Knew

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 9, 2023

If you "know" Jesus, your life will be different.

If You Knew – John 4: 5 - 26 Intro: The Grand Emir of an Arab nation was visiting the US for the first time. He was being wined and dined by the State Department. The Grand Emir was unused to the salty American foods. Consequently, he sent his manservant, Abdul ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Disyerto Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

disyerto

Sa makabagbag-damdaming salaysay ng ebanghelyo ngayon, makikita natin ang ating sarili sa presensya ni Juan Bautista, na matatag na nakatayo sa malawak na kalawakan ng disyerto. Ang kanyang marubdob na pagsusumamo ay umaalingawngaw sa tuyong lupain, na umaabot sa pandinig ng mga tao ng Judea. Sa ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Other

When Religion Doesn't Make It Anymore

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 6, 2024

Study in the journey from religion to relationship.

When Religion Doesn’t Make It Anymore John 3:1-21 3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

Mirror Reflection

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 14, 2010

What image do we see when we look in the mirror? Who is that person in the reflection? As I thought about this passage I began to realize that all of us look at life in slightly different ways. We see each other through different mirrors. Updated January 2020. .

After being away for some time on a business trip, ... Bill thought it would be nice ... to bring his wife ... a small gift. "How about some perfume?" ... Bill asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle ... costing $60.00. "That's a bit much," he said, ... so ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Romans 12:3, James 1:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, Luke 10:25-37, John 8:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

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

Good Works And The Gospel Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 1, 2016

My good works are to be a response to God’s grace for the purpose of pointing people to Jesus

Last year when I decided to preach through a portion of the book of Romans each year for several years, I had to decide on an overall approach to that series of sermons. At one end of the spectrum, I could have followed the example of several pastors who have chosen to preach one or two sermons per ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:9-12

Denomination: Baptist