Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Worship In Spirit And In Truth Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 11, 2016

Is your testimony dry and dusty? Is your worship forced or restrained? Have we come to God as honest sinners in need of living water?

Worship in Spirit and in Truth John 4:19-26 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Road To Pentecost

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 19, 2022

To experience Pentecost’s life changing reality and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we must first have to experience Gethsemane, Calvary, and the Empty Tomb. Come and join us on this journey.

“The Road to Pentecost” Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTTRLw_2JDk Last week I made a statement where I said that we have to stop seeking the experience of Pentecost, that is, the experience of the Holy Spirit, and instead we need to seek Pentecost’s or the Holy Spirit’s life changing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:42, Luke 9:23, John 20:21-22, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

What Final Hours? Jesus Christ Is Alive Forevermore! Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 19, 2021

Mark 16 presents the glorious day of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and concludes with evidence that we worship a risen Savior.

After Jesus was buried, His body lay in the tomb until early Sunday morning. The evening before, three women had bought spices to anoint the body, and came again to the tomb to complete their work. They were concerned that they could not get access to the tomb, for it had been sealed with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-43, 1 Corinthians 15:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Buried Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 26, 2022

Jesus is not there: only Joseph of Arimathea is buried in the Holy Sepulchre

The Fourteenth Station: The Body of Christ is Buried (Those of us who have had the privilege and honor of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land always make Jerusalem part of the holy time. There, although the Jewish Temple has been replaced by a grand mosque, we can see the very places we read about in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-20, Mark 15:45-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 20:1-10, John 19:38-42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

The Happiest Of Endings Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 4, 2023

Mark concludes his Gospel in chapter 16 with the angel's announcement at the empty tomb, and then the appearances to Mary, the two disciples, and then the eleven apostles. Finally, he declares Jesus return to heaven and His work in and through the apostles as they carried out His mission.

Introduction A. In an old poem called “The Widow in the Bye Street,” John Masefield depicts a scene of heartbreaking agony. 1. He depicts a young man about to be executed by hanging for crimes he had committed. 2. In the crowd witnessing this fatal event was his mother. 3. As the trap door ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Signs Of Life

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 9, 2023

Taking, hoarding and passivity are signs of death. But the signs of life are the opposite: receiving, giving, and acting.

There was a popular song about 30 years ago which some of you might remember. It went, “They’re rioting in Africa, they’re starving in Spain, there’s hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain" ...and ending with “What nature doesn’t do to us will be done by our fellow man.” It only needs a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cycle Of Life Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 14, 2024

Dissatisfaction is designed to lead us to find satisfaction in God alone.

The Cycle of Life Ecclesiastes 1:3-18 Rev. Brian Bill July 13-14, 2024 We’ve been challenged this summer to read through the entire Book of Ecclesiastes at least three times. As I’ve been doing so it strikes me how many of Solomon’s existential experiments are reflected in popular songs from the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:3-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Risen (John 20)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 11, 2025

To whom did Jesus first appear after His resurrection? Let's look at John 20.

Who did Jesus first reveal Himself to after His resurrection? Do we believe the important declaration that Thomas made about Jesus? Let’s look at John 20. Who came to the tomb early that Sunday morning? Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Justice Of A Nation Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Nov 27, 2024

This is the 7th Sermon in the Series from the Book of Amos, "Social Justice".

Series: Social Justice [#7] THE JUSTICE OF A NATION Amos 5:1-17 Introduction: I want to remind each of you about the 1st week of this study, because the focus has not changed. The topics from the Book of Amos are not popular. Amos is a very relevant and practical Book of the Bible. Amos wrote ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 23, 2009

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not a ritual but real; it is the coming of a Person. It is not about a program but a power. It is not about propaganda but witnessing.

Jesus gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem…” • They need to wait. No time frame was given but they were called to wait. • Apparently this is really important. They need to receive the gift the Father has promised – the baptism of the Holy Spirit. • They are not to leave the city until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Last Supper

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 19, 2003

Communion is not merely a ritual. It is fellowship and involvement in the life of Christ and His Body, "The Church".

THE LAST SUPPER 1 COR. 11:17-34 Pastor Greg Mc Donald But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 11:20-33

The Meaning Of Baptism

Contributed by Bill Huffhine on May 27, 2004

Understanding the true meaning of Christian baptism through an examination of the Jewish ritual of proselyte baptism.

One of the greatest joys that I have as a pastor is when an individual who is far from God visits our community of believers, begins to hear the voice of God calling them to a higher place, a fresh beginning, a new life, and that person responds to the call of God by committing their life to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

Are You Living By Rules Or A Relationship? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Are you still trying to obey rules and observe rituals to earn God’s favor?

INTRODUCTION During this Grace-Robbers series we have noted there are many people who are still trying to live under law instead of grace. Rules and laws can often be ridiculous, and even funny. Here is a list of ten actual laws from different states. 1. In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer That Gets Results

Contributed by Mike Turner on Oct 9, 2004

Is our praying just routine or simply a ritual ? This message deals with "Prayer That Gets Results"

Prayer That Gets Results Luke 18:1-8 Joke: A woman invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I don’t know what to say," the little girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the woman said. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

New Wine With Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2013

The passing of old things, and the ushering in of new.

NEW WINE WITH JESUS. John 2:1-11. The Gospel of John provides us with an unashamedly theological overview of the person of Christ. We are introduced to our Lord under the Genesis motif “in the beginning” (John 1:1), and as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Throughout the book, John’s preferred ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational