Sermons on Empty Ritual:

The Parable Of The Sower, Again!

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Nov 1, 2025

Sermon based on Jesus's Parable of the Sower in the Gospel of Matthew.

Good morning, Church. Let’s pray. (Prayer for open hearts and understanding.) Today, we’re turning to one of Jesus’s most familiar and foundational parables—The Parable of the Sower. In this passage, Jesus teaches us how the Word of God takes root in human hearts, and why it sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Is Alive! True Of False Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 9, 2004

There are a lot of crazy "theories" as to why the tomb is empty. This is a simple look at them

INTRODUCTION • What a wonderful day! Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus is alive! • Over the last three weeks we have looked at the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, that He is the only way to God; and that He died for you. • If we let the story end right there, we would then fit in with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

They Came

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Mar 27, 2005

An exploration of the thoughts and emotions of the women as they visited the empty tomb and their relevance for us

They came because somebody had to. They came because it was expected. They came because the men were too scared to come out of hiding. They came because it was the women’s job anyway. They came because it was only right and proper. They came because they were in mourning. They came because all that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

Making Friends

Contributed by Nche Takoh on Jan 30, 2007

The cost of friendship is nothing compared to the cost of not loving, a life of empty loneliness.

MAKING FRIENDS Introduction It is no doubt that everyone needs friends but when you are young, friends can have more Influence over how you dress, act, think, etc. than your parents do. It has generally been said “Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. If friends play such an ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Do The Father's Will

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 27, 2005

Do the Father’s Will 1) Not with empty words 2) But with repentant actions

I’d like your opinion. I called a couple of mechanics to take a look at my car. The first man I talked to was very rude. He said he had no time for me and hung up while I was still holding the phone to my ear. You can imagine my surprise then when later that afternoon this same mechanic showed up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Lutheran

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

"Gifts From The Grave"

Contributed by Paul Norwood on Apr 21, 2014

Five gifts given to God's children because of the resurrection or the empty tomb.

“Gifts from the Grave” Text: Luke 24:1-8 I. Welcome II. Introduction When we lived in Hawaii, one of the great blessings was seeing these three cemeteries: Punchbowl; the Valley of the Temples; and the Arizona Memorial. We didn’t know anyone buried in these three locations but we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Final Hours

Contributed by David Nolte on Mar 20, 2016

Considers 4 major events from upper room to empty tomb

“Jesus’ Final Hours” Mark 14:17 - 16:7 David P. Nolte The last hours of Jesus’ earth life were fading fast away. His appointment with death was imminent. Before His work would be totally complete and successful there were significant events that had to take place. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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