Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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 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

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

Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A -- 17th Sunday, Year A

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 25, 2020

It’s so important that ordinary Catholics read Scripture as a devotional inquiry which the Catholic Catechism calls “the intimate sense of spiritual realities which believers experience.”

A foolish old farmer, so the story goes, concluded one day that the oats he had fed his mule for years were simply costing him too much. So, he hatched a plan: He mixed a little sawdust in with the feed, and then a little more the next day, and even more the next, each time reducing the amount of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Catholic

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

A Symbol Of Hope Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

the hope of the resurrection

You will notice that there are Easter eggs on your table. We want to thank Dave, and Kourtnie and Terry for coloring them for us. But why are the colored eggs on the tables for our festive Easter celebration? And why for Easter? Our world is full of symbols. • The flag is representative ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

The  Danger  Of  An  Empty  House  (Christ The King Sunday 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 18, 2022

Consider what provoked Jesus to teach this parable.  Jesus had healed a man who was unable to speak. His opponents in the crowd accused Jesus of working for the devil (Luke 11:15) whose works Jesus came to destroy (I John 3:8).

Luke 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:21-26

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Victory Rest On The Lord

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 11, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you victorious? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we are already victorious because of the finished work of CHRIST on the cross. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 14:6 (Amplified Bible) And Jonathan said to his young

I. EXORDIUM: Are you victorious? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we are already victorious because of the finished work of CHRIST on the cross. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 14:6 (Amplified Bible) And Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, Come, and let us go over to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Did I Get Here?

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

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.

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: He said: 9 years ago my world turned upside down. I was at a Ministry ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

Restoration Through Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 8, 2025

David’s story in 2 Samuel 24 reminds us that sacrifice is the key to spiritual recovery. Restoration is not accidental—it flows from obedience, humility, and surrender at the altar.

RESTORATION THROUGH SACRIFICE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 24:18-25 Supporting Texts: Psalm 51:17, Hebrews 9:22, Romans 12:1, Joel 2:12-14, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30 INTRODUCTION: In 2 Samuel 24, David made a grievous error by numbering the people of Israel, a decision rooted in pride ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God