Sermons on Empty Ritual:

The True God - What Is He Like?

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on Nov 16, 2000

The True God - What is He Like?

We Need to Know Whom We Worship One of the most important revelations we can receive from the Bible is the character of God. The Bible tells us what God is like - his attributes, his ways in dealing with mankind, his heart. Our traditions, preconceptions, experiences and reasonings do not always ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-5

The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on May 25, 2004

The sermon examines the concept of holiness and the work of the Spirit of God in producing holiness in the life of the believer.

The HOLY Spirit. John 14:23-27 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO We are considering seven different names or descriptive terms for the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. So far we have examined two of the seven. (1) The Spirit of God---the personal, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Broken

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jun 20, 2005

We must be broken before God can reach our hearts

Broken TCF Sermon September 14, 2003 Fruit vs. Stone = Soft vs. Hard (Demonstration: use a piece of fruit and a small rock. Use some sort of tool to try to penetrate each.) To get to the middle of this fruit, the “heart” of it, if you will, to penetrate this fruit, it doesn’t take much effort. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Coming: To Bring Hope For The Future Series

Contributed by Daniel Richter on Oct 10, 2006

Christmas Series

Jesus is Coming: To Provide a Future Sunday, December 28th, 2003 Luke 2:21-35 INTRODUCTION: Well, the waiting is over. Christmas has come and gone for another year. Sometimes I think waiting for Christmas is as much fun or more fun than actually waking up on Christmas morning. There is such a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-35

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Your Righteousness Must Exceed That Of The Pharisees & Saducees Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 19, 2008

1) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES 2) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS GOD REQUIRES, 3) THE RIGHTEOUSNESS GOD GIVES

There are many differences between Americans and Canadians. One prominent public one is the moral expectations that Americans require of the political leaders. Republican candidate Mitt Romney, has been striving expensively and perhaps successfully for the Republican Party nomination for President ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20

Denomination: Other

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Even though He will have face-to-face confrontations with the Pharisees from time to time after this, where we are now is a critical juncture in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, especially as it pertains to His relationship with the spiritual leader

Jesus And The Forbidding Pharisees – Part 5 Matthew 12:22-45 Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign Matthew 12:38-45 As we draw near the end of our study in Matthew 12, I thought it might be a good time for an overview. When we move into Matthew 13, the entire timber of Jesus’ teaching changes as He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christians And Christmas, Part 1 - An Overview Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Nov 29, 2006

What comes to your mind when I said the word, “Christmas”? Christmas trees, presents, lights, candles, food, parties, snow, decorations, the star, angels, Santa Claus…wow! There are about a zillion symbols we have for Christmas, aren’t there? What do they

If everyone would take a moment and close their eyes…I am going to say a word and I want you to tell me what you picture when I say it. Ready? Christmas. What came to your mind when I said the word, “Christmas”? Christmas trees, presents, lights, candles, food, parties, snow, decorations, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Straining Gnats And Swallowing Camels

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Nov 21, 2002

Shows how the Pharisees did and sometimes we do miss the harder parts of God’s plan--justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Straining Gnats and Swallowing Camels MT 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24, Hosea 2:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Help For The Hypocrite

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

As we better understand what a true Christian is, we’ll have a better understanding of what a hypocrite is. 3 distinctives of genuine Christians: Real Christians Are Forgiven Sinners, Are Not What They Used To Be, and Are Becoming What They Will Be.

Help for the Hypocrite Matthew 23:23-28 Have you ever caught a salesperson in a lie? They tell you how much you need their car or product and how it will change your image, maybe even change your life! News channels often include investigative reporting on fraudulent, hypocritical business ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Last Word Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2014

Hebrews is, in my opinion, one of the least studied & preached books in the N.T. The audience Hebrews was written to were Jewish people who had been saved upon hearing the gospel preached by the disciples who had labored alongside our Lord.

Hebrew Series God’s Last Word 2/12/14 Heb. 1:1-3 Introduction A Hebrews is, in my opinion, one of the least studied & preached books in the N.T. 1 Hebrews was written while the Temple in Jerusalem was still functioning. (Prior to 70 A.D.) a The audience Hebrews was written to were Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

"Church Life"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 16, 2010

Spiritual life in the true church is much simpler than we try to make it

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Church function has taken many forms in time and many rituals and practices have been implemented. They have then evolved for the good or the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Orthodox

The Spectrum Of Healing Series

Contributed by Trey Harris on Mar 3, 2010

The account of Jesus healing Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood illustrates the spectrum of his healing ministry.

The Spectrum of Healing Mark 5:21-43 Many of you watched the Tiger Woods press conference this week. He came off genuinely sorry for his deeds and apologized profusely to everyone involved from his family to his co-workers. This story has been played out in the media since Thanksgiving night 2009. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Methodist

God Uses Ordinary People: Lydia Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 17, 2008

God makes a way when we get out of the way.

God Uses Ordinary People: Lydia Acts 16:14-15 Rev. Brian Bill 8/17/08 I thought I better get out ahead of something that happened to me in Mexico before my team members spill the beans. During our first Sunday in San Juan del Rio, we attended the worship service at the Community Center. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Mirror Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 21, 2008

Are you willing to look in a full length mirror...where people can see you for who you are? It’s the only way you will get an accurate picture of what you look like and what others see of you. Or will you just take a glance, and turn to forget what you s

What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Whatever it is, it’s probably the same thing every day. Everybody seems to have their own morning rituals to get them going. Maybe you have to have a cup of coffee before you can do anything. Maybe you make your bed as soon as you get ...read more

Scripture: James 1:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worthless Worship

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 30, 2010

Too many of our day seem to think that because they sit through church services that they have participated in worship. However, that isn’t necessarily true. Sadly, many Christians these days are simply going through the motions, without heart involvement

WORTHLESS WORSHIP Copyright August 2010 by Rev. Donnie L. Martin. All Rights Reserved. Text: Mal. 1:11-13 I. DISRESPECTFUL SERVICE A. Israel Doubted And Denied God’s Loving Relationship. B. Israel Was Showing God No Respect. C. Israel’s Worship Was Without Reverence. II. DISQUALIFIED ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist