Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

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

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

Making Friends

Contributed by Nche Takoh on Jan 29, 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

"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

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

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 There Just Isn't Enough? Cold Stone Pots?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 19, 2008

Sometimes our rituals and ceremonies can become cold stone pots.It is never enough. Then Jesus takes man’s efforts and rewards people with His presence!

NOT ENOUGH, THERE JUST ISN’T ENOUGH --- COLD STONE WATER POTS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. INTRODUCTION: A. We walk in some perilous times. Trust God! Nothing will catch Him by surprise. B. There are many laws of nature. What goes up, must come down. If you sow today, don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Deadwood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

What have you substituted in your life in exchange for God’s power? Is it rituals? Family activities, Spiritual mountaintop memories? Church duties?

I visited one of our members in the nursing home. He told me that he didn’t have long to live because of his diagnosis of cancer. So I inquired of his wisdom so I could perhaps glean some jewels of knowledge to help me along my life journey. One question that I asked him, was “What one thing would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Justice And Mercy Of God Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 18, 2006

This is the first sermon in a series of sermons on Isaiah revealing Jesus as a major focus of this prophetic book. Starting in Chapter 1, we see God’s redemptive plan unfolding through the promised Messiah

Isaiah #1 The Justice and Mercy of God Isaiah 1:18-20 SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 1:18-20 INTRODUCTION: I’ve heard people say that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Old Testament ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gospel According To Grace

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Jun 22, 2007

Our study through Romans will be a blast! Submerged in Grace!

1. THE CONSTITUTION of the United States: Important. • The Bill of Rights: Important. • The Emancipation Proclamation: Important. • We can think of document after document, and book after book, and even letter after letter that are very important. • We think ‘what would life be without them!’? BUT ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breath Prayer

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 9, 2021

Breath prayer is a form of prayer that is invading the progressive church. Is it Biblical? Is it what God desires? Where did it come from? Should we make it a part of our devotional practices? May the Lord give us discernment.

Breath Prayer Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 6:6, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Samuel 1:9-14, Luke 18:10-14, Ephesians 1:15-16, Psalm 17:6, Ezra 8:23, 2 Samuel 24:25, Genesis 25:21, Malachi 1:11, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 6:7, Matthew 6:5-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene