Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Palm Sunday - What Jesus Saw

Contributed by Steven Kellett on Mar 18, 2016

What Jesus saw on Palm Sunday were people whose worship was "fruitless, fraudulent and faithless"

You know, Palm Sunday is kind of a strange day to me. It’s hard to explain, but today is kind of an enigma: - We call it “Palm Sunday.” - It seems like it should be a special day – a “holiday.” And in some ways it is - It is marked every year on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Problem Solving In The Savior's Church Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 24, 2018

Every church will face problems. How can we overcome them? 1. Beware of misguided convictions (vs. 1-5). 2. Seek wise counsel (vs. 2; 5-9). 3. Consider the right questions (vs. 10). 4. Reaffirm our core beliefs (vs. 9-11).

Problem Solving in the Savior's Church The Book of Acts - Part 49 Acts 15:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - July 20, 2014 INTRODUCTION: *George Mallone told about a psychologist who spoke at a pastor's conference, and he decided to do a little experiment. Every time he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Scapegoat

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

What was the Scapegoat, and can it's function somehow be applied to Jesus? Christ made a one-time sacrifice and atonement to cover all sins. There is no more need for a scapegoat, as the Lamb of God became the final sin offering.

I want to begin our sermon this morning by asking if you’ve ever before heard the word “scapegoat.” This term was coined by William Tyndale, the first great English Bible translator, who I will discuss a little further later on in our message. After Tyndale, the word came to be used for a person, ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 16:6-22, Matthew 27:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 17, 2021

So, let’s push aside everything we have read on the internet about faith, put the secular books down that make an attempt to define Christian faith, and let’s take hold of a different understanding of faith from what the world describes.

After taking a week off from our series last Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day, we return today. I hope all our mothers had a wonderfully blessed day and I hope your family showed their love and appreciation to you on your Special Day because you are so special to us. Today’s Holy word is FAITH. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6, Isaiah 26:3

Denomination: Baptist

Madness Meets Its Master Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

There are many implications that grow out of this unique demonstration of Christ's Lordship, but the primary lesson concerns that Lordship itself. Jesus makes it as clear as possible that He has come to destroy the works of the devil.

The hero in one of Bruce Marshalls novels is a Benedictine Monk who is shocked at the general disbelief in the supernatural. Even the local Anglican priest argued with him against it. He is so disturbed that he is determined that all shall see a miracle, and he prays that a nearby ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Withered

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 31, 2021

A spirit of infirmity is a demonic presence that attaches itself to an individual and causes a seemingly incurable condition.

Withered By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: When we talk of our wellness we are talking about our entire wellbeing, it is more than just our physical health but encompassing our total health. Understand wellness is not only being free of disease, illness, or stress but it involves having ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:10-14

Denomination: Apostolic

War . . . Or Peace With God? Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 6, 2021

What is the current state of believers in relationship to God? Are we in need of somehow doing penance in order to atone for our sins, make ourselves right with God. The book of Romans has an answer to those who would say yes.

Jeanie and I recently watched the 2013 movie Philomena via Netflix at home. It’s based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith. It is the true story of a 19-year-old Irish woman who became pregnant out of wedlock in 1951, was disowned by her father and went to live in an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:6, John 19:30, Romans 1:18, Romans 3:23-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Barriers And Bridges To God Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Feb 21, 2024

In this passage we are drawn to run to Jesus by contrasting the “old ways” of trying to get to God versus the “new and living way” to get to God through Jesus. How do people try to get to God? Let’s see:

I don’t know why but bridges have always been amazing to me. I think I am amazed by them because of what accomplish. They overcome barriers and literally “build bridges” to places previously difficult or impossible to get. For example: The longest bridge in the world was completed in 2011. It is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

In Pursuit Of A Clear/Cleansed Conscience

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 6, 2011

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged his audience to pursue a radically transformed/cleansed conscience. People(with religious tendencies--everyone!) are in need of a radically transformed conscience. How can we pursue it? The pursuit of a clear consci

In PURSUIT Of A CLEAR/Cleansed CONSCIENCE—Hebrews 9:1-14 Attention: A young boy called the pastor of a local church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family & was aware they were members of another church down the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Confronting Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 12, 2019

Confronting Hypocrisy Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – August 11, 2019

Confronting Hypocrisy Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) Brad Bailey – August 11, 2019 Series #34 Text – Luke 11:37-48, 52-54 Note: The following notes area bit more extensive that what was shared. I use notes more as a guide…neither read nor memorized. In this case, some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-48, Luke 11:52-54

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Welcomed By Brethren Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 19, 2017

Paul’s third missionary journey was complete, having begun after a visit to “the church” in the holy city (18:22) and now ending there. His Greek mission was also complete. He would not return. Luke had prepared his readers well for this reality.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.E.1: Welcomed by Brethren (Acts 21:15-26) ACTS 21:15-26 (KJV) 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Offers A Better Drink (John 2:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 6, 2022

The wine Jesus gives, is far superior to Judaism's water. Celebrate the grace given to you in Christ.

Our story continues this week in John 2. In the series of days we've seen so far in the gospel of John, this is day 7. Now, before I do anything else, I want to say this up front: I'm not sure I've ever studied a passage before, and seen so many gifted scholars come to so many ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Amos 9:13-15, Deuteronomy 7:1-16, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Joel 3:17-21  (view more)  (view less)

Lessons From Stephen's Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Stephen was full of faith. All areas of Stephen’s life were influenced by his belief in God and His promises. When a person is full of faith it indicates that they have allowed the mind of Christ to control the emotional, financial, moral, interpersonal a

Stephen was full of faith. All areas of Stephen’s life were influenced by his belief in God and His promises. When a person is full of faith it indicates that they have allowed the mind of Christ to control the emotional, financial, moral, interpersonal and spiritual aspects of their lifestyle. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News/Bad News

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 30, 2001

A devotional for young believers

“FOR I SAY TO YOU, THAT UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SURPASSES THAT OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YOU SHALL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.” This may very well be the original “Good news/Bad news” line. Waddya want first? Good news, or bad news? The bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Orthodox

No Idols Series

Contributed by Errol Joseph on Jul 15, 2001

An Exposition of the Second Commandment with Emphasis on its Current Appliction

INTRODUCTION q The first commandment establishes our highest duty to god—to have no other God’s before him—to love him supremely. The next three indicate directions in which this supreme love should express itself. (Leslie B. Flynn) q The second commandment assumes the existence of God, but ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal