Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Encounter Jesus

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 22, 2019

Jesus meets us where we are so He can send us where He wants us.

Encounter Jesus Luke 24:13-35 Rev. Brian Bill April 20-21, 2019 We’re all on a journey, aren’t we? Easter can be a time when unfulfilled expectations rise to the surface. My guess is some of you have experienced doubt, disappointment, depression, disillusionment, defeat, despair, and perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

He Has Risen! He Is Not Here!

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Nov 11, 2020

Jesus' friends make a sad journey to his tomb. Jesus' friends make a glad journey with Good News: Jesus has risen!

“HE HAS RISEN! HE IS NOT HERE.” (Outline) April 12, 2020 - Easter Sunday - MARK 16:1-8 INTRO.: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! It is just as Scripture declared. Once again a message from an angel announces one of the most significant events in the history of the world. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

I’m In Need Of Resurrection – Part Ii Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Mar 11, 2016

Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that enables us to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the sinful thinking, immoral conduct and fickled feelings.

Last time we looked at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and learned that it has certain repercussions—it leaves a mark on those who are touched by it. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has spiritual, psychological (mind, will, emotions) and physical ramifications ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Resurrection Sunday 2015

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 15, 2015

When we read the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus it seems as if His enemies believed He had risen and His followers did not. In this contemporary world many are trying to put Jesus back into the tomb and re-seal it with the stone of death!

Friday! Jesus is dead. The sinless Son of God given as a sacrifice for our salvation. He is dead. Not so fast, buddy! Jesus is ALIVE!!! Just three days after He was crucified and put into a guarded sealed tomb! And, we’ve got two amazing groups of people 1) His enemies who know He’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4

Denomination: Nazarene

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

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

An Incomplete Job

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Oct 16, 2006

This sermon encourages listeners to move beyond shallow religious ritualism and to allow God to touch the inner man and deal with the sin in the heart.

Introduction: (To introduce this sermon I played a short video clip showing a man washing his truck. The truck is parked in front of a house in the driveway. As you watch the video the man is meticulous in his washing. He covers every inch of the truck. He polishes the chrome. He washes every wheel ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Up From The Grave He Arose

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Apr 19, 2012

Easter celebration! Alot of people witnessed the empty tomb, but not all had a life changing experience from it. What does the empty tomb show you?

Up from the grave He arose Matthew 28:1-10 Introduction- Matthew 28:1-10- (Have them stand for the reading of the Word) We have all watched on TV the devastation of tornadoes in Texas. You see tractor trailers flying through the air like toys. You see it on TV, but have a hard time grasping the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Faith On Autopilot – Going Through The Motions Without Heart Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Sep 27, 2025

There’s comfort in routine. Singing the same hymns, praying the same prayers, sitting in the same pew each Sunday—it all feels safe. But these familiar patterns can lull us into a dangerous place: performing religion instead of pursuing Jesus.

Title: Faith on Autopilot – Going Through the Motions Without Heart Text: Matt. 15:8-9 ‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “When routine replaces relationship” Introduction: “When faith ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Love God, Love Others Series

Contributed by Dan Brown on Nov 22, 2006

Part 2 of the series introducing our mission and vision to the church-

Mt. 22:34-40-A Passionate People Intro: Review Mission & vision A community of believers committed to Christ’s Call Love God, Love Others Impact our Commuity through relevant ministry Family of God-minister to the entire family of God Every member a minister Groups-small group ministry Always ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: *other

The Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Nov 11, 2014

Jesus is superior to anyone/anything in the Old Testament. He is the fulfillment of all the rituals, symbols & prophecies found there.

Hebrews Sermon Series #15 June, 18, 2014 The Life of Faith A Jesus is superior to anyone/anything in the Old Testament. 1 He is the fulfillment of all the rituals, symbols & prophecies found there. a Hebrews 10:37-38 (NKJV) 37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:37-38

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Welcomes The Goyim Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2025

The ritual and judicial commands of Torah encumber us. But we are not encumbered by the Ten Commandments--those words are for all humans

Sixth Sunday of Easter 2025 I suppose if the church at Antioch were magically transported to the twenty-first century, Paul and Barnabas and some of the other Christian leaders might have been accused of anti-Semitism. That’s nonsense, of course, but it is true that when some Jewish Christians ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-29, Revelation 21:10-14, Revelation 21:22-23, Psalm 67:2-3, Psalm 67:5-6, Acts 15:1-2, Acts 15:22-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Why It's So Easy To Shift From Honoring God To Mocking Him

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2013

A look at the mock "worship" that the soldiers give Jesus and five ways we too often mock Him in our everyday Christian lives.

THE SOLDIERS' MOCKERY: The soldiers’ “worship” was a mockery because their actions and words didn’t match their heart. - Mark 15:16-20. - It’s interesting when you dig down into the passages just how much they mimic a worship experience in their mockery of Jesus: a. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Warfare Prayer And Fasting Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 16, 2025

Prayer and fasting are not passive religious rituals; they are mighty weapons in God’s arsenal to demolish strongholds and advance His Kingdom in the unseen realm

Warfare Prayer and Fasting July 20, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Matthew 17:21, James 5:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-20 Introduction Prayer and fasting are not passive religious rituals; they are mighty weapons in God’s arsenal to demolish strongholds and advance His Kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:21, James 5:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Brethren