Sermons on Empty Ritual:

"They Found"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Mar 27, 2016

The women rise early in the morning and find stone rolled away, no body, remembrance, wondering, and they found hope.

“They Found” Luke 24:1-12 1. The women came to the tomb that morning and found a stone rolled away the text says “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

He Is Risen Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 17, 2024

Today we are wrapping up the series titled “Were you there?”

Today we are wrapping up the series titled “Were you there?” In part 1 we took the journey that Jesus took from the Friday before Passover, all the way up to Passover. Then, in part 2, we examined the events of the Crucifixion. Today is Resurrection Sunday!!! I’d like us to consider 3 things ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Evidence Of Christ's Return

Contributed by Grant Adams on May 20, 2023

The resurrection of Jesus was unexpected, and beyond human explanation and understanding, and in violation of all-natural laws.

The resurrection of Jesus was unexpected, and beyond human explanation and understanding, and in violation of all-natural laws. But it was true. It was what God did to give proof and power to all of the life and ministry of Jesus. On the first Easter, those who were the closet to Jesus were the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-53

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Apr 9, 2025

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." — St. Matthew 28:6 (NKJV)

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." — St. Matthew 28:6 (NKJV) Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We come this Easter morning not to mourn a death, but to proclaim a victory. Not to dwell in sorrow, but to rejoice in triumph. Today the Church throughout the world lifts its ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1, Matthew 28:6

Denomination: Anglican

He Is Risen

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on May 20, 2025

This is an Easter Sermon and focuses on God working in the silence. Not just on Easter at the tomb but also in the quite times of our lives

"Have you ever sat in silence so heavy, you could feel it pressing down on you? Maybe in a hospital waiting room… or after getting bad news… or even lying in bed in the middle of the night when your mind won’t stop racing. That kind of silence is what Saturday must’ve felt like for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christianity Is A Resurrection Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025

Belief is impossible if no resurrection.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. All of the world’s leaders died and none claim to be raised again, Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Stalin, Lenin, etc. 2. Question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). 3. Focus of attacks. The opponents of Christianity almost always concentrate their attack on the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:25, John 20:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Broken Altar - When Worship Becomes Work Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 2, 2025

The first in a four part series confronts the subtle drift from passionate devotion to empty religious routine, challenging believers to recognize the cracks in their spiritual foundations and commit to rebuilding authentic altars of worship in their daily lives.

INTO: Today we're kicking off a brand-new series that's going to challenge your spiritual comfort zone and reignite your relationship with God. We're talking about being SET APART in a world that wants you to fit in! Have you ever felt like your relationship with God has become more ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13, 1 Kings 18:30, Romans 12:1

Giving With The Right Motive

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 21, 2014

Gold wants love and genuine caring concern in all our giving. He could care less about giving by rote, without a heart of worship.

This is a homily shared at The Feast, an inner-city gathering with the Yonge Street Mission that invites everyone from the community in to Feast on good food, the Word of God and fellowship. God is not the same as us. He thinks very differently. Nowhere is this more obvious than in almost all of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"just As He Said"

Contributed by Curtis Mathis on Apr 24, 2022

Yes, Easter has passed…but I think I will remain here, at the tomb, yet a little longer…

RED OAK BAPTIST Pastor Curtis Mathis 4/24/2022 – Sunday AM Matthew 28:6 “…JUST AS HE SAID… Introduction: Well, another Easter has come and gone, the baskets of goodies have been delivered, families have gathered, meals have been eaten, eggs have been hunted, and the peace lilies have left the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6, Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Word Of Explanation Cleanliness

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 18, 2000

Defilement (vs.

Defilement (vs. 11-14) A. Question about law & holiness 1. Does a holy vessel make holy that which it touches? No  2. Does an unclean person make the priest unclean? Yes C. Explanation about law & holiness 1. Holiness is not transferable 2. Contact with unholiness defiles 3. Sickness ö kiss ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-19

Denomination: Baptist

What Doth The Lord Require Of Thee

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 13, 2021

God has brought a charge against His people, and the charge is the same that He brings to us today. Their religion and their worship had become nothing but emptiness and meaningless rituals. All of it had become unrelated to their character and unrelated to their daily life.

They were deeply religious. They were very faithful in performing the acts of worship, but they were empty and meaningless. They had no affect whatsoever on the character of those who worship and on their daily walk and activities. As we go through this life serving God, we need to be careful not ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Ark Baptism Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 24, 2006

Baptism is a ritual that points in several directions.

Ark Baptism (I Peter 3:20b-22) 1. When it comes to church, some people cannot stay put. One balmy day in the South Pacific, a navy ship espied smoke coming from one of three huts on an uncharted island. ?Upon arriving at the shore they were met by a shipwreck survivor. He said, "I’m so glad ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:20-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Should Protestants Change Our Habits During Lent?

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 25, 2018

What is the value of Lenten Rituals to Protestants?

We could look to the time of Lent as traditional activities representing the death of Christ plus His resurrection, and return. This year, the 2018 Lenten Season began on February 14th – Valentines' day. For Lent that day is called Ash Wednesday and people, worldwide, gave up certain foods or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Traditions Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 24, 2012

Rituals and traditions nurture of faith and prepare us for the coming of Jesus so that we can in turn prepare the world for Jesus' coming.

Luke 24:28-35 “Traditions” INTRODUCTION During this season of Advent, we continue to focus on how we prepare ourselves, for the coming of Jesus, so that we can prepare the world. We have talked about caring conversations, spiritual disciplines, and service. Today we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:28-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Stale Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 30, 2013

If you want to keep your relationship with Christ fresh and vital, don't focus on tradition and clean hands; instead, focus on scripture and a clean heart.

Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but had never thought much about their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free