Sermons on Empty Ritual:

The Name Above All Names At Which We Bend Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 9, 2025

The Son of God was divine already, but He thought it unfair to glom onto that identity. He became the face of the divine compassion and enduring love, God’s hesed, by emptying Himself of all His divine glory, all His divine dignity.

Palm/Passion Sunday The critical reading we are given from Scripture today is not one of the two Gospels, not the triumphant Palm Sunday story of Christ’s entry to Jerusalem and not the story of the Last Supper, Passion and death of Our Lord. No, the reading that is crucial to an understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-11, Isaiah 50:4-7, Acts 16:11-40

Denomination: Catholic

Ishbosheth Assassinated (2 Samuel 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 1, 2025

Are mere words good enough or does God want us to obey? Let's look at 2 Samuel 4.

Do we rely upon a man to protect us or God? Did David support an assassination or punish those involved? Is doing God’s will more important than empty words? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 4. Did Ishbosheth rely on God or Abner for protection? When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dung Hill Christians

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 22, 2007

Has your life been a bit smelly lately?

Not many people think about dung beetles because frankly any animal that eats dung and carcasses normally does not end up on our most desired pet or entrée list. They are actually quite beneficial and can be admired for that. There are however quite a few Christians living and feeding in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11, Jeremiah 17:9, John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Romans 9:4-8, Matthew 3:7-10, Luke 16:19-24, Daniel 11:36-39, Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 2:16, Romans 9:30-33, Romans 7:18, Galatians 3:10-14, Romans 10:1-4, Luke 13:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Restrictive Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 3, 2018

If you want to be free from a guilty conscience, don’t depend on restrictive religion, which is limited by its procedures, its place, its people, and its purifying power.

Two neighbor boys were the best of friends on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, however, they didn’t talk to each other, because one was a Catholic and the other was a Baptist. Their parents were concerned, so they agreed to let their sons visit each other’s ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Avoiding Anger: Doers Of The Word, Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 26, 2021

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021, FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B, While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word.

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B text James 1:17-27 While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word. Throughout this series, we are reflecting on how well ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Stirred Up Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 28, 2023

If you want all that Jesus has for you, recognize that He is God and trust Him with your life.

Pastor Tullian Tchividjian talks about losing his car keys at least twice a year. He’s late for a meeting or an appointment and can’t find his car keys. Does that ever happen to you? I know it happens to me far more times than I care to admit. He’s certain that either his wife or one of his ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-47, Colossians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Change Of Plans Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 18, 2006

The empty tomb of Jesus radically changed the plans of the women, the disciples, and eventually the word. The empty tomb breaks into our lives also and changes our plans.

Mark 16:1-8 “Change of Plans” INTRODUCTION Little things make a difference in our lives. This truth was aptly demonstrated by the many stories of those who should have been in the World Trade Towers when they were attacked on September 11th. It takes only a few moments for us to reflect on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Air Pudding

Contributed by Ron Kelly on Mar 22, 2012

AIR PUDDING NEVER FILLS YOU UP. YOU CAN EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT – BUT YOU’LL NEVER BE SATISFIED. WHY? BECAUSE AIR PUDDING IS JUST AN ILLUSION.

Isaiah 29:8, “It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, and, behold, he eats; but he awakens, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreams, and, behold, he drinks; but he awakens, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:8

Denomination: Christian Church

After The River Series

Contributed by Tim Patrick on May 31, 2005

What do you do after taking steps to obey God?

After The River Joshua 4 In Joshua 3 we read the story of the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelite people. After that crossing they were in the promised land. The promised land represented the gifts that God wishes to give his children. God wants to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

"a Typical Day In The Life Of Our Lord" (Mark 1:21-34) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2021

Mark presents what Jesus did on one particular Sabbath Day, showing through His preaching, encounters with demonic forces, and healing the sick that He was God in the flesh, Having power and authority over all creation, and to show His love and mercy for HIs people.

Mark 1:21-34 presents a series of events in the life of the Lord Jesus that occurred on one particular Sabbath day. On this day of rest, He would teach the Scriptures as no one else had ever done, show that He had power and authority over the demons, and bring healing to the sick. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Fire Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 23, 2025

In Scripture, fire symbolises God's power to cleanse, consume, and empower. Just as physical fire burns away impurities and provides warmth and light, so also the fire of the Holy Spirit purifies our hearts, energises our spiritual lives, and sets us ablaze for service.

THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 3:11 Supporting Texts: Acts 2:1-4, Luke 24:32, Leviticus 6:12-13, Hebrews 12:29, 1 Kings 18:38 INTRODUCTION: The ministry of the Holy Spirit is often associated with symbols such as wind, water, oil, and fire. Among these, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:1-4, Luke 24:32, Leviticus 6:12-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Vision PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Address the issue of spiritual vision loss, emphasizing its importance in our lives, and discussing its causes, consequences, and the cure.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we're going to unpack a topic that is all too familiar, yet often overlooked in our spiritual lives. It's about what I call spiritual vision loss. Yes, you heard that right. Just as our physical eyes can lose their sharpness over time, so can our spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Topics: Spiritual Vision Loss

He's Not A Baby Anymore!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 15, 2001

The manger is empty as well as the grave. We are not dealing with a child.

He’s Not A Baby Anymore! We are in the season where everybody gets all mushy. Maybe it is because a baby in a manger brings out the paternal instincts in people. Maybe it is because a baby is not threatening. There is something about the Christ child that gets more attention than the day we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

"The Promise"

Contributed by David Washburn on Dec 29, 2002

To what do we cling, now that the manger is empty?

Christmas Day has past, and it is now four days later. Had Mary been able to give birth to her son in a hospital, she would’ve already been discharged, probably sometime on Friday. She and Joseph would’ve checked out of the hospital and gone home. As such, the manger is now empty, much like the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

First Rock From The Sun

Contributed by Randy Croft on Mar 28, 2005

Because the tomb is empty, our lives can be full.

First Rock from the Son A few years ago, NBC launched a hit television show—a Though you’ll only find it on reruns today, in its heyday, it won the most Emmy Awards for a television series in 1997. It’s about a group of explorers that came to the third rock from the Sun (earth). Here they take ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational