Sermons on Empty Ritual:

A Troublesome Verse And A Glorious Future

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 29, 2023

What did Paul mean when he wrote about a "baptism for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29? How should it be interpreted? What does it mean in light of further teaching on the resurrection of Christ? Let Scripture speak concerning these and other matters of the faith.

1 Corinthians is a letter dealing with what could be referred to as a "schizophrenic" church. It had become a crazy quilt of pride, drunkenness, sexual deviancy, arrogance, abuse of spiritual gifts, and personal favoritism towards teachers who had been with them, such as Paul, Peter, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:29, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, Luke 9:24, John 12:24, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3-4, Revelation 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing The Passover

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 4, 2020

We have an unique experience in the midst of this pandemic

Exodus 12:27  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S, Passover who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 1 Corinthians 5:7  Purge out therefore the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:27, 1 Corinthians 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

Our Principle Assets(2023)-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 10, 2023

2 of 7. Paul & Sosthenes opened their letter to the Corinthian church by informing them of their most important spiritual assets. The local(our) church has important spiritual assets. But What are some of those spiritual assets? A Principle Asset of the Christian church is...

Our PRINCIPLE ASSETS-II—1Corinthians 1:2-?(:1-9) ATTENTION: Congaree National Park is located around 10 miles southeast of Columbia SC. It’s a little over a 2 hr. drive from here.—We have plans to go there sometime in the near future. There are certain aspects of the park that are appealing to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

But Pastor Said

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 25, 2024

At the BEMA or the Great White Throne it will be about what you did with what He said.

While it grieves me that so many people in the world are running around fat, dumb and happy in their sin while on their way to Hell it grieves me even more that there are so many fat, dumb and happy people in churches that are still in their sins because they have ritual without reality and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:10-12, 2 Peter 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Inside-Outside Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The condition of your heart is what determines your status with God, not the rituals and traditions you follow.

Introduction Have you ever asked someone a question and found you had touched a raw nerve? The other person swells up with emotion and then unleashes a tirade. “I’ve had enough of people asking me…” “You want to know my opinion? I’ll be glad to give you my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Rapture Of The Bride (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on Jun 1, 2020

A message that examines the close parallel between the ancient Hebrew wedding ritual and the marriage of Christ and the Church.

Pt 7: The Rapture of the Bride (part 2) The Hebrew Wedding and the Rapture As I pointed out in my last message ('The Rapture of the Bride pt 1'), there appears to be significant misunderstanding concerning the nature and purpose of the Lord's 'parousia' ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:17, Matthew 1:19-20, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 3:20, James 4:4, 1 Peter 1:18, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Colossians 3:1, Revelation 22:20-21, Ephesians 5:31-32, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 1:4-5, John 17:19, John 14:2-3, Matthew 26:27-28, Matthew 24:36, Ephesians 5:25-26, Song of Songs 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Security Systems Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Our security in the face of an awesomely holy God is no longer in elaborate rituals and barriers but in Jesus Christ.

As you all know I flew to Minneapolis between Christmas and New Year’s. And since the terror alert is at orange, inspections are more thorough and lines are longer. Also both the Minneapolis and Philadelphia airports have X-ray machines for the checked baggage. Fortunately the standards aren’t so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Power Of Quiet Time Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 24, 2025

Quiet time is not a religious ritual but a vital necessity. It is the secret of strength, clarity, wisdom, and intimacy with God.

THE POWER OF QUIET TIME By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Mark 1:35 Supporting Texts: Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 30:15, Luke 5:16, Matthew 6:6, Joshua 1:8 INTRODUCTION: In the midst of a noisy world filled with distractions, deadlines, and digital overload, the value of quiet time cannot be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35, Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Let Us Rejoice For He Calls To Us Series

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on Apr 25, 2010

God's work in view of the empty faith of the Temple...

Concordia Lutheran Church The 4th week of Easter, April 25, 2010 Let Us Rejoice! He Calls to Us! John 10:22-30 † IN HIS NAME † May you and all of those you love hear plainly, that our Father has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. May you hear that He knows you each by name, that He has cleansed ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

From Tragedy To Triumph

Contributed by David Nolte on Mar 28, 2016

Events from the upper room to the empty tomb

People looked at Jesus from their own point of view. The religious leaders saw Him as a threat to be eliminated. The sick and demonized saw Him as a healer and deliverer. Many saw Him as the Messiah Who would rout the Romans and reestablish the Jewish Kingdom. The disciples and apostles saw Him ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Change Your Bait

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Oct 30, 2023

Know your fish or your net will be empty.

Matthew 4:18  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  20  And they straightway ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-20, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Four People, One Resurrection

Contributed by John Oscar on Apr 19, 2025

A compelling look at the different reactions to the empty tomb

Four People, One Resurrection. April 20th, 2025 Easter Sunday, CCCAG Text: John 20:1-29 Introduction Today we celebrate the greatest event in human history- the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All of history up to this point that we are going to read about today was to prepare the way for this ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Isaiah 43:1, Luke 22:61-62

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Look Out For False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

The Bible teaches that Satan is a master counterfeiter, trying to pass off on people a version of Christianity that looks good but will not be accepted by God in Heaven.

Introduction: Have you ever had a counterfeit bill? That’s never happened to me. But sometimes, today, people can get scammed into buying a counterfeit ticket to a sporting event or concert or even buying a counterfeit product that was cheaply made to look like the real thing. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

How Did I Get Here?

Contributed by Doug Gilford on Jun 8, 2002

This sermon deals with the serious nature of sin, and what leads people up to that point.

How did I get here? Introduction: Have you ever did something wrong and wondered, how did get here? You know what I mean. Life is great one day and then BANG your world is turned upside down. Patrick Means wrote in his book, Men’s secret wars: 9 years ago my world turned upside down. I was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pleasing God - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 16, 2017

In Pleasing God Part 1 we discussed four things that please God. Today we will talk about 2 more things that please the Lord. May we ever live to bring Him joy!

INTRODUCTION • Last week we talked about 4 things that please God 1. Reading our Bible 2. Obeying our Bible 3. Giving to Missions 4. Living Holy • Today we are going to talk about 2 more things that please God. 1. Prayer 2. Faith I. ISAIAH 56:7 FOR MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58, James 5:15-16, Matthew 7:7-11, Mark 9:28-29, Acts 2:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God