Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

Holy, Whole, And Free! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 13, 2018

If you want to take care of the sin problem in your life, don’t depend on religion. Instead, enter into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and let Him make you holy, whole, and free.

Pastor and author John Ortberg talks about a time early in his marriage when he and his wife sold their Volkswagen Beetle to buy their first really nice piece of furniture. It was a sofa. It was a pink sofa, but for that kind of money, Ortberg says, “It was called a mauve sofa.” The man at the sofa ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Know Your Profits And Losses Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 23, 2015

We either believe that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for a life of faith or He is not.

“Living a Joy-Full Life: Know Your Profits and Losses” Phil. 3:1-11 I recall a conversation that took place during a Consistory meeting of another church I served. It was about requirements for who should serve on Consistory. Some wanted to add guidelines to what the Scriptures have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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

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

Purification Of Baby Jesus Series

Contributed by Jaeyoun Chang on Jan 11, 2026

Luke highlighted Jesus' fulfillment of various rituals in the temple and the prophecies of Simeon and Anna that followed.

Introduction The text explained what happened after the birth of Jesus Christ. I. Jesus Receives Circumcision (v. 21) Jesus, after being born into this world, received circumcision like any other Jewish child, on the eighth day. It was likely Joseph who performed the circumcision. Being in a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-39

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

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

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