Sermons on Empty Ritual:

I Believe It, But I Don’t Get It Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 5, 2011

How did Peter and John differ in their reactions to seeing the empty tomb?

John 20:1-9 – I Believe it, but I Don’t Get it This morning we are starting a post-Resurrection series, that is, telling stories about what happened after that first Easter. We certainly believe that Jesus was raised from the dead on that spring Sunday many years ago, but what happened ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When Your Well Isn't Deep Enough

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Oct 3, 2021

What do you depend on when you come up empty

When your well isn't deep enough John 4:11 1. To Satisfy you ch 4: 17:&18 Jer 2:13. Isa 58:11 2. To Sustain you ch 4:15 Rev 7:16-17. Isa 41:17-18 3. To Save you ch 4:13-14 Isa 12:3. Rev 21:6. Jn 7:37 ...read more

Scripture: John 4:11

Denomination: Baptist

"He Is Not Here; He Has Risen!"

Contributed by Timm Meyer on May 19, 2011

EASTER (RESURRECTION) SUNDAY - Proclaim God's truth boldly that Christ is not here. Christ has risen. See and hear the proof (Jesus' tomb is empty). Go and share this truth (Jesus' tomb is empty).

“HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN!” (Outline) April 24, 2011 - Easter Sunday - LUKE 24:1-11 INTRO: There was a lot of uncertainty as the women walked to the tomb on that first Easter Sunday. They went to the tomb of Jesus still in shock with grief at the death of Jesus. How ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 20, 2016

The way in which we prepare demonstrates the importance of the One who comes

While attending a convention in Indianapolis on mass evangelism, D.L. Moody asked his song leader Ira Sankey to meet him at 6 o'clock one evening at a certain street corner. When Sankey arrived, Mr. Moody asked him to stand on a box and sing. Once a crowd had gathered, Moody spoke briefly and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Other

Wash Yourself Series

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 3, 2002

Part 2 of "Heavenly Cleansing" series. When Jesus saves us, He sanctifies us positionally. But it is left to us to maintain our practical sanctification. This requires daily cleansing.

WASH YOURSELVES Isa. 1:16-18 INTRO. Last week we discussed the fact that revival would not come without first recognizing and confessing any unconfessed sin that may be hiding in our hearts. The Holy Spirit moved and many of you were touched and led to clean out the basements of your ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Where's Jesus?

Contributed by Joe Burke on Jan 17, 2007

Do we really want to "see Jesus" and experience His fire or are we going to settle for religious acts and pious practices.

WHERE’S JESUS? On Easter Sunday morning Mary Magdalene exclaimed: "The Lord has been taken away and I do not know where they have put Him" (John 20:13). I can relate to Mary Magdalene. I don’t know about you, but I don’t hear much talk about Jesus anymore. You can attend Church for weeks at a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:3

Denomination: Catholic

With Ultimate Authority Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 24, 2015

This is the final lesson from the Behold the Man series. We have looked at how some have seen him, including the Father's view as His Son, the Anointed One. This lesson looks at Jesus as he sees himself -- as having all authority in heaven and on earth.

1. Review: The last few weeks have been a series on "Behold the Man" -- words that Pilate spoke as he presented Jesus to the people. * We have seen our need to see him for who he is. * Last week we looked at him from the Father's perspective as He declared of Jesus, "This is my beloved son in whom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grow In The Lord

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 11, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Can you please everyone? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To point out that if our relationship and knowledge of GOD is right, men's point of view will be corrected as well. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 2:26 (Amplified Bible) N

I. EXORDIUM: Can you please everyone? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To point out that if our relationship and knowledge of GOD is right, men's point of view will be corrected as well. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 2:26 (Amplified Bible) Now the boy Samuel grew and was in favor both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fear Not

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 11, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you afraid and instead of sticking with GOD, you turned away from Him because of fear? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To prove that there's nothing to fear and no need to turn away from the LORD. IV. TEXT: 1 Samu

I. EXORDIUM: Are you afraid and instead of sticking with GOD, you turned away from Him because of fear? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To prove that there's nothing to fear and no need to turn away from the LORD. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 12:20 (Amplified Bible) And Samuel said ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lord Teach Us To Pray Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Aug 6, 2002

The Lord’s Prayer was not given to be just be recited as a ritual. It is actually given to us as the Lord’s blueprint for prayer that is acceptable to God.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 28 “Lord Teach Us to Pray” Luke 11:1-4 Almost all of our prayers begin by rushing into a series of request in which we pour out to God our problems, our needs, our irritations. This only tends ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-4, Joshua 16:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus - Faithful And True

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Jun 14, 2006

Tending to the ruins of life. Prayers of wretched truthful passion, not ritual trendy pretense, connect us and keep us faithful to God.

I. INTRODUCTION - Jesus Is Referred To Many Names In OT & NT A. Rev. 3:14 - He Is Also Called “Faithful And True” 1. Imagine being in 1st century persecuted church – Nero’s persecution •Matthew - executed by sword in Ethiopia. •Mark - cruelly dragged through an Egyptian city street. •Luke - ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14

Denomination: Church Of God

Presumption

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 9, 2007

Religion does not create a relationship with God, nor does ritual. It is refinement born of repentance that shapes that relationship. Repent, relate, and receive.

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Famous words supposedly spoken by journalist Henry Morton Stanley somewhere in Tanganyika at the end of his expedition to find the missing explorer. “I presume”. It means, “I think I know what I am doing. Would you please confirm it for me? You look like what I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Church?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 7, 2020

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do?

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do? What is the church? The Greek Term The early church borrowed a Greek term, meaning a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into a public place. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, Acts 9:31, Ephesians 4:11

Denomination: Baptist

Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2025

Do we demand certain rituals or a simple word from God? Let's look at 2 Kings 5.

Do we see God in simplicity or do we demand complicated rituals? Do we misuse church funds or are we scrupulously honest? Let’s look at 2 Kings 5. What happened when a Syrian army commander had a skin disease and wanted to be healed? Did Elisha perform a lot of mumbo jumbo, or give a simple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good Friday: Holy Communion Guide

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 7, 2025

Holy Communion, especially on Good Friday, is a sacred act of remembrance and worship. It is not a ritual but a powerful proclamation of the death of Christ and all it accomplished.

GOOD FRIDAY: HOLY COMMUNION GUIDE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text:. Luke 22:19-20 (KJV) “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God