Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Baptism Of Spirit

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Jan 11, 2003

“I am baptised with the water of repentance; but am I still baptised in the Spirit of God?”

At the beginning of the World War II, Israel Eugenio was the chief Rabbi of Rome. The Nazis occupied Rome in September 1943. The Nazi officer Kappler demanded 50 kg of gold in place of the Jews. The Jews feverishly managed to collect 35 kg. The chief Rabbi Zolli realized his helplessness. For the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7-11

Denomination: Catholic

Religious Or Christ-Like?

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ.

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ. Intro.: 1. When you hear someone use the word "religion" or hear someone refer to another person as "religious" what do you think of? a. Illust. Do you think of "Church Lady" on Saturday Night Live who goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

How Do We Worship Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 21, 2005

Second in a series on worship, now that worship is defined as humbling yourself before God spiritually and physically, is there a certain way we should worship? Answers to follow

INTRO: A divine rest stop for Jesus designed to be a divine appointment with a Samaritan woman. I. Worship with a right heart (in spirit) A) Relationship required 1) Samaritans didn’t know God a) ritual not based on relationship -- idol, dove, fire… b) In words they professed God, but ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Into The Kingdom Of Heaven

Contributed by Paul George on Nov 13, 2003

Israel expected the Messiah to appear in external pomp and power, not only to free the Jewish nation from the Roman yoke, but to make it have dominion over all its neighbors.

The Way Into The Kingdom of Heaven Mark 1:15 Israel expected the Messiah to appear in external pomp and power, not only to free the Jewish nation from the Roman yoke, but to make it have dominion over all its neighbors, but Jesus tells them, in the prospect of that kingdom approaching, they must ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:15

Denomination: Holiness

Finding A Contractor (Part 2 Of 4) Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on May 19, 2003

Good contractors are hard to find, especially one we can trust. Jesus is the only one who can renew our hearts and lives.

(This series was used in a capital funds campaign to raise money for repairs and renewal of the church facilities.) Jeff Armbrester Renewal for Growth There are two possible directions that renewal may take. Renewal can go in the direction of preservation, which is restoration. It is an attempt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:11-12, John 1:29-34

Denomination: Methodist

The Gift Of Mercy

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Mar 2, 2009

How we can experience the fullness of forgiveness and grace by sharing the gift of mercy.

The Gift of Mercy: How we can experience the fullness of forgiveness and grace through the gift of mercy. Romans 12:1-8 We can experience the fullness of God’s forgiveness and grace when we exercise the gift of mercy towards each other. I. “Gifts of the Father:” Administrative or Motivational ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Good News On Good Friday

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 6, 2007

Good Friday is Good News, especially if we are experiencing something of the pain and anguish of Good Friday ourselves. God knows and God cares - God has been there Himself, in Jesus.

I received an email from a friend this week which reminded me of something which a 3 year old boy is alleged to have said. It seems that the little boy was convinced that God’s first name was Harold and that God spent most of his time painting and modelling and drawing; because he began the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

Yes You Can See Jesus

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Jul 1, 2010

Just look he is all around you.

YES YOU CAN SEE JESUS Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. There is no problem in seeing Jesus in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Way To Salvation

Contributed by Pastor Thomas Samuel on Jan 14, 2010

Nobody else other than Jesus deserves to be called as the only savior. He is not one among the saviors, but he is the only savior of the mankind.

On one fine morning, a missionary was passing along the banks of river Ganges in India. She noticed a young Hindu woman, appeared to be educated, sitting by the river bank with her children, a beautiful new born baby and a retarded child of about three years. When the missionary was returning home ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Consumed By Compassion Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Jan 18, 2006

Because God is compassionate toward us we are not consumed by His wrath, but we should be consumed by His compassion.

"It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not." (Lamentations 3:22, Amplified Bible) When Jeremiah wrote these words his nation, the nation of Judah, was far away from God. They were so far from God that they didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22

Denomination: Baptist

A Bold Spirit Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Aug 24, 2007

We have no reason to be ashamed of the Gospel

A Bold Spirit Have you ever been in a situation where you found yourself embarrassed by something you did or something you had? Like coming to a stop in your car at a crowded intersection and your brakes were squealing very loudly? Or a squealing fan belt? It sort of makes you feel like you wish ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In The Presence Of Greatness

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on May 31, 2007

“Reaching Up” to God in worship means that we are going into His presence.

Brief Introduction: Have you ever been in the presence of someone or something where you know that you are in the presence of true greatness? Examples…Places like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, or people such as Michael Jordan/Tiger Woods or your favorite recording artists. Manmade ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Transfiguration - Jesus The Great Shepherd, The Great High Priest - And The Great God! Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2016

My Shepherd is the Lord: our Priest, our sacrifice, and our God!

6. GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP. Hebrews 13:20. The closing benediction of the letter to the Hebrews is addressed to the God of peace, who brought again from the dead “our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep” through the blood of the everlasting covenant. The peace spoken of is the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20, Hebrews 4:14, Titus 2:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

End The Bondage!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 24, 2017

Gentile do not become a law keeper or Christ is of no value to you.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6, Galatians 2:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

If You Choose

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 9, 2012

Sixth Sunday After Epiphany Year B

Mark 1: 40 – 45 & 2 Kings 5: 1 - 14 / If You Choose Intro: One day a lion decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He by-passed the smaller animals and went to the bear – “Why you are, of course!” tiger – “Everyone ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed