Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

Joy To The World Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

The Father who fills emptiness with joy also calls life out of death — His heart transforms every sorrow into resurrection celebration.

(John 2 & John 11 — From Cana to Bethany) --- Introduction — A God Who Loves to Celebrate When you open the Gospel of John, you expect thunder. You expect the heavens to split, angels to announce, prophets to proclaim. But the first public act of Jesus isn’t in a temple, or on a mountain, or ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Psalm 126:5, Revelation 21:5

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Tearing Down The Temples Of Hell Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2005

Paul had an open door of OPPORTUNITY. There were many OBSTACLES. God helped him to OVERCOME! Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Tearing Down the Temples of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years…not his normal pattern. There was much work to be done there, and w/ a pop. of 300,000 people, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1. Paul’s opportunity I Cor. 16:8-9 But I will tarry at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27, Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Three Point Sermon (Easter Season Message)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 16, 2014

I would like to share something really inspiring on this glorious Easter day. I am going to preach an old-fashioned 3-point sermon which is a very trinitarian model of preaching. So after great contemplation here are the 3 points. He is risen! He is risen! He is risen! (Updated April 2022)

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's Easter Readings are: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 and Matthew 28:1-10 or Mark 16:1-8 or Luke 24:1-12. Let us pray O' Heavenly Father it is through your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 8:17, Deuteronomy 19:15, 2 Corinthians 13:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Jesus Paradox Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 30, 2015

Jesus shows us the way to please God ... for Jesus the way up was down!

Title: The Jesus Paradox Text: Philippians 2:5-11 (Mark 11:1-11) Thesis: Jesus shows us the way to pleasing God. For Jesus the way up was down! Introduction A paradox is something that is contrary to expectations, existing beliefs or perceived opinions. It is a statement that appears to be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Develop A Healthy Attitude Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 30, 2015

Our attitudes flow from our minds - so our mindset is critically important.

“”Living a Joy-full Life: Develop A Healthy Attitude” Phil. 2:5-11 Dr. Norman Vincent Peale once walked by a tattoo parlor in Hong Kong. In the shop window there was a display of decorations that could be imprinted on one’s skin – flags, patriotic slogans, anchors, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Darkness Triumphed…..for An Hour Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 2, 2023

There is victory in Jesus. The risen Lord! The hour of darkness has come and gone. The power of God overcame the darkness. He is alive forevermore. Don’t give the defeated enemy victory in your life.

All of history leads to the cross and everything since follows from the cross. It is the central point in all of time. Yet the cross is a low point in human history. It is the time that God’s anointed was executed. In the timeline of history, the cross is the major event. One of Jesus’ disciples ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:52-53, Matthew 26:52-53

Denomination: Baptist

Jerked Back Into Reality

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 23, 2022

The disciples were whipsawed into reality, that Christ was risen from death.

Easter Tuesday One of the realities of life is that our little minds are quite capable of self-delusion, and on a grand scale. Most of the time we fool ourselves into thinking we understand what is going on around us–way more than we actually do understand. We kid ourselves that we are in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-39

Denomination: Catholic

The Passover Party Parade Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

Jesus chose a donkey at Jerusalem to show the city he was coming not as a conquering king, but as a prince of peace.

INTRODUCTION Most of us have been singing the beloved hymns of the faith for many years. It’s also true that we’re all getting a little older. Somebody emailed a list of revised hymn titles for those of us who are chronologically challenged: 1. “Precious Lord, Take my Hand … and Help Me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Preach The Word Of God (2 Timothy 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 13, 2024

What do we want to hear preached, stories, empty headed fluff, or the Word of God? Let's examine this in 2 Timothy 4.

What should a preacher preach, topics, stories, human traditions, philosophy, reasons for people to doubt, or the word of God? Will people tolerate sound teaching? Will some complain they want smooth preaching? Will we stay faithful regardless? Let’s look in 2 Timothy 4. Did Paul encourage Timothy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Loneliness Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 13, 2025

Loneliness is a real and painful part of the human experience, but it does not have to define your life. God is present, even when others are absent. He sees you, hears you, and walks with you.

DEALING WITH LONELINESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 25:16 "Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:18; Psalm 68:6; 2 Timothy 4:16-17 INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is a painful emotional ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

He’s Alive

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Apr 15, 2025

This Resurrection Sunday (Easter), we'll be looking at Romans 6:4 and the two essential truths about Jesus’s resurrection: He Rose from the dead and is Alive.

He’s Alive Matthew 28:1-10 View on our Webpage: https://www.mesquitelivingwaters.com/past-live-streams/ Or YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-WxfIpIGXQ As I think about this special day, that which we know as Resurrection Sunday (Easter), I wonder what has happened where it’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Romans 6:4, Romans 10:9-10, John 20:25-29, John 11:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Resurrection Sunday

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Apr 20, 2025

This message is about the importance of Resurrection Sunday, how it is the essential part of our salvation. Understanding and believing the resurrection account help us to know the truth of Christ Jesus.

Well… today is Easter Sunday, and I’ll just tell you right up front, I don’t usually call it Easter Sunday, I call it Resurrection Sunday. Because that’s what today is all about. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. And I admit, that when I was a kid, I didn’t really understand what this holiday was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 1 Timothy 1:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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