Sermons on Empty Ritual:

The Real Meaning Of Easter Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Mar 31, 2023

The lines that surround Easter are often blurry, but one thing we know for sure is that the Tomb is Empty

April 01, 2023 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3–4 (LEB) Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed to you, which you have also received, in which you also stand…. 3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

We Must See Jesus

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 23, 2001

Only personal, significant contact with our risen Lord brings about true faith and obedience. All else is only ritual, and religious rhetoric. We MUST see Jesus!

Although it seems in my own experience that the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is primarily used when preaching during the Easter season, I am sure that through the years it has been a favorite passage for many preachers, as well as lay students of the scriptures. This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

What's The Difference? " Half Full, Half Empty" July 21, 2024

Contributed by Pastor Charles Wilkins on Jul 23, 2024

Depending on how you chose to look at it, Life can be a glass half full or a glass half empty.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Silly question, right? But it really is all about perspective, and this question can tell you a lot about a person’s mindset. Some people describe that glass as half empty. Those are the pessimists. Others see that glass as being half full. They are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:5

Denomination: Church Of God

Nurtured In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus was brought up in a family that actively participated in the religious traditions and rituals of their faith. Being brought up in the community of believers prepared Jesus for his earthly ministry.

Luke 2:41-52 “Nurtured in the Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed how quickly Christmas is celebrated and then forgotten? The stores have already started removing their Christmas decorations and replacing them with Valentines Day. The radio stations have stopped playing Christmas Carols, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Losing God In Religion Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 3, 2015

We lose God when we emphasize a ritual or object over and above our relationship with God. Don't expect God's blessings without repentance.

During a service at an old synagogue, when a particular prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The new rabbi didn't know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Micah - True Worship Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 4, 2013

True worships relates, it is a relationship, not rituals. True worship obeys. To obey is better than sacrifices. True worship impacts. It changes your life and influences others.

God has chosen to bless His people Israel and through them, the world. • They were set apart to worship God and be His witnesses to the nations. • But sadly, the people have gone astray. God was pleading His case, calling the mountains and hills to be His witnesses. • 6:3 ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Week Two Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Lent is a ritual of the Church that leads us into the hope we have in Jesus. Fasting and Prayer are disciplines of Lent to bring about suffering to draw a person closer to God

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:13, Matthew 19:15, Luke 2:37, Jonah 3:5, Esther 4:1-4, Acts 13:2, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 4:13-25, 2 Samuel 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's In A Name? Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 11, 2005

The word vanity, used often in the Old Testament, means “to empty of con-tent, to make irrelevant.” That’s what the The third commandment is about emptying God’s name of significance; making it irrelevant; identifying God as something He is not.

“WHAT’S IN A NAME?” (Exodus 20:7) I played in a golf tournament the other day. I was in a foursome with three men whom I had never met. (The tournament format required that we be paired together because we all had similar handicaps. I didn’t know these guys because I make it a practice to never ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Relationships By The Book Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Oct 21, 2002

When we are filled with the Spirit, and living our lives by the power of the Spirit, we no longer need to look to others to fill our emptiness, and we do not have to manipulate and control them so that they will fill our emptiness! So, because we are str

Grace Based Relationships October 13, 2002 “Relationships by the Book” Ephesians 5:18-6:9 Last week we looked at relationships where grace is not in place We talked about how when we try to control those around us for our own purposes we are living in the curse that Adam and Eve received when ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Cord Of Three Strands

Contributed by William Baeta on Nov 18, 2002

"A threefold cord is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4:12.

Theme: A cord of three strands Text: Ecclesiastics 4:9-12; Matthew 19:1-9 Marriage should follow the same pattern that God Himself established at the dawn of human history at the marriage of Adam and Eve. In that marriage we can almost picture Eve coming to Adam on the arm of the Lord Himself. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-9, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Trip To The Potter's House

Contributed by Don Spooner on Jan 23, 2001

We are placed on the Potter’s wheel at out new birth and are shaped into a vessel, that meets the Potter’s specification.

The prophet Jeremiah functioned in ancient Israel, just before they were carried into captivity as punishment for the sins of idolatry. This text shows us that God was eager to withhold judgement and extend mercy, if only Israel would repent. Unfortunately they would not and were carried off in ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6, 1 John 5:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The House Of Prayer

Contributed by Ronnie Knight on Apr 23, 2007

We may be the most orthodox in belief; we may be the most inspirational in our music, but with out prayer we have no power.

The House of Prayer Introduction: Jim Cymballa, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, told his small congregation that “if they called upon the Lord, He had promised in His word to answer, to bring the unsaved to Himself, and to pour out His Spirit among them. If they did not call upon the Lord, He had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Of Faith

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 4, 2012

Without faith our foundation will be too shallow and we will eventually begin to lean off center… and even fall over. This sermon was adapted from a sermon by Jeff Strite

A man named Gregory P. Elder told of growing up on the Atlantic Coast. And what he loved to do as a child was to spend his time down at the beach. For hours each day, he’d sit on the sand and build castles and intricate cities. But one year his joy in these creations was threatened by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58

Denomination: Baptist

The Foundation Of Faith Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 7, 2011

I learned when I’m fishing on the ocean, and I get out where I no longer see the shore, I must place my trust in the captain of the boat…I want to get so far off shore, with Jesus, that all I can do is trust the Captain of my ship. adapted from a sermon

A Life Built on Faith: “Faith’s Foundation” Matthew 13:53-58 A man named Gregory P. Elder told of growing up on the Atlantic Coast. And what he loved to do as a child was to spend his time down at the beach. For hours each day, he’d sit on the sand and build castles and intricate cities. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58

Denomination: Baptist

God Rewards

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 11, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Did you received GOD's Reward? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD rewards us every now and then with his Faithfulness and Righteousness whenever He sees we need it thru CHRIST JESUS. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 2

I. EXORDIUM: Did you received GOD's Reward? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD rewards us every now and then with his Faithfulness and Righteousness whenever He sees we need it thru CHRIST JESUS. IV. TEXT: 1 Samuel 26:23 (Amplified Bible) The Lord rewards ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:23

Denomination: Pentecostal