Sermons on Empty Ritual:

What Makes A Church Ugly? Ephesus Pt 5 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

The problem with Ephesus is they were doing so much inside the walls they never went out. They were a “come-and-get-it” church and not a “go-and-get-them” church. This church saw their culture as something you stay away from.

“What Makes a Church Ugly?” Ephesus. Revelation 2:1-7 The world tries to get it right, but in all of its wisdom it can never measure up to the truth of God—it is all foolishness. LOVE is not a feeling to be lost—but it can be forsaken. LOVE causes us some great and full ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Is Your Prayer Good Enough?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 25, 2010

The Pharisee made a show of his prayer with his arrogance. But the tax collector understood that the heart of prayer must be humility. We have something to learn before we kneel down to pray.

There was a little boy who was kneeling by his bed with his mom to say his nighttime prayers. He began to shout to the top of his lungs, “Dear God, I’ve been real good this year so please let me get a new bicycle for my birthday.” His mom said, “Johny, God is not deaf; you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Emotions And Thoughts Need A Heavenly Focus

Contributed by David Wilson on Jan 14, 2010

A Bible Study from Colossians 3 regarding how believers ought to live.

VERSES 1-4 (From the NIV) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Stumbling In The Dark.

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jul 30, 2009

➊ Things to Know 1. LIFE 2. FELLOWSHIP 3. JOY ➋ Conditional 1. OBEY 2. BELIEVE 3. REPENT

- Seems a couple got themselves a new Jeep Cherokee for Christmas and drove it to visit relatives in Michigan. The guys decided to do that male bonding ritual of duck hunting. So they load up the Cherokee with decoys, food, beer, guns, warm clothes, etc., and head off for the lake. Now it’s a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Message From The River Jordan

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

It is good to follow the crowds who listen to the Gospel, but it is better to follow the Jesus whom we preach!

THE MESSAGE FROM THE RIVER JORDAN. Mark 1:1-15. There is a huge geological fault in the earth’s surface separating ancient Judah from the mountains of Moab. Viewed from the villages around Bethlehem, it appears like a great chasm. The River Jordan flows along the bottom of the valley, feeding ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

And David Went On

Contributed by James Roberts on Jun 5, 2011

If anyone had a reason to quit it was David, but DAVID WENT ON!

AND DAVID WENT ON 2 Samuel 5:1-10 David had reigned in Hebron over Judah for 7 ½ years. He has just been proclaimed King over all Israel. His 1st act as King of all Israel was to take possession of the ancient city of Jerusalem. The city belonged to the Port of Benjamin, but the Jebusites had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1

Denomination: Baptist

Private Viewing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 16, 2011

Piety should not be on public display; this doesn't mean that Christianity should be practiced in private.

An old joke says, people would be equally shocked if they saw Christianity doubted or saw it practiced. Of course nowadays lots more people openly doubt Christianity than they used to, but I don’t think many more people openly practice Christianity than they used to. At least not in this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are You Butter Or Margarine?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 3, 2016

Are you real or fake? We have enough fake. We need more real Christians!

“Life is too short for fake butter, cheese or people.” - Unknown If you live with fake long enough. the real will taste bad to you. My wife and I grew up with real butter, but could not afford it when the kids were younger. We were given some real butter and my wife and I did the happy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Baptist

No Jesus

Contributed by James Parker on Mar 6, 2011

There is power in the name of Jesus. Many people around the world know the name of Jesus. But, is knowing the name enough?

Random Thoughts "No Jesus" Last week we talked about idolatry. the idea that people make god to fit in their minds and pockets. They say things like "my god wouldn't judge anyone" or "my god wouldn't allow suffering" and of course "my god would never send someone to hell". We discovered that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

Two Firsts: First Stay At Capernaum & First Cleansing Of The Temple Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 29, 2017

Capernaum was not only His headquarters, but it was also where more miracles were done than in any other city. Jesus' next stop is Jerusalem and there He drives out of the Temple, those who were only interested in making money.

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 27- Capernaum, “His City” First Stay in Capernaum John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (John 2:12) Joseph’s name is not mentioned, and I believe that he was ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12, John 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Families Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 28, 2018

When families stay together, and pray together, and sing together and learn together, all of society is enriched and strengthened.

Feast of the Holy Family 2018 The wisdom writer Jesus ben Sira is the author of the Book of Sirach, where we get our first reading today. I recall early in my life reading the ten commandments, and also remember that my early sacramental confessions were headlined pretty much the same every couple ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40, Colossians 3:12-21

Denomination: Catholic

La Santa Misa: Remedio Para Curar Adicciones

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 1, 2018

Es como el Papa Francisco lo dijo: la Eucaristía "no es un premio para los perfectos sino un generoso remedio y un alimento para los débiles.”

20B Quiero continuar con un artículo que leí de una universidad en Santa Bárbara sobre la Santa Misa y sus implicaciones de curación para la persona adicta. Existe una especie de subcultura de la adicción que tiene sus propios rituales; una red social informal con patrones de percepción, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-58

Denomination: Catholic

Éxodo 30. Que Transmites. Series

Contributed by Pastor: Jose Luis Dejoy on Feb 3, 2020

Lo que nosotros recibimos de los demás y de la vida misma no es por lo que somos, es por lo que transmitimos.

Lo que nosotros recibimos de los demás y de la vida misma no es por lo que somos, es por lo que transmitimos. Podemos ser muy buenas personas y a la vez transmitir cosas malas. En la antigüedad las cosas se las consagraba a Jehová con el fin de que esas cosas pudieran transmitir ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

Becoming The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 10, 2021

Watch out for fakes! Whether we're talking about counterfeit products from the internet or people, the results are similar. We're disappointed, angered, distrustful. Fake stuff doesn't live up to our expectations. Become the "real deal."

Authentic: Becoming The Real Deal   • Fake Rolex in NYC for $50. (real deal is anywhere from $10-$15K USED) That street corner Rolex will eventually turn your wrist green and quit right after that. • If you shop online at all, chances are good you’ve bought counterfeit or fake ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:11-24, Matthew 23:3-7, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Ephesians 4:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Listen To My Voice Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 25, 2021

The real question for us today is not, “Will God speak to me, to us today?” Instead, will we listen for that voice that is speaking? Jesus doesn’t say, “Listen and maybe I’ll have something to say.”

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter as you look at the lectionary the gospel lesson shifts from historical recounting of the events following to resurrection to Christological reflection. The goal is to assist us as we, like Mary and the disciples, seek to understand what happened and is happening to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: United Methodist