Sermons on Empty Ritual:

False Faith/Counterfeit Christianity

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2005

Simon the sorcerer is an illustration of Counterfeit Christianity or false faith. It begins with a false self perception, and foolish pride. Trying to show folks that the rituals we use in the church do not save, instead it is the life changing presence

Intro: Online Encyclopedia, Wikipedia this to say about Counterfits “Today the finest counterfeit banknotes are claimed to be U.S. dollar bills produced in North Korea, which are used to finance the North Korean government, among other uses. The fake North Korean copies are called Superdollars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Easter Key

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Jan 9, 2015

A drama for children: The Easter Key.

The Easter Key Introduction: The children’s talk for today is based on part of the Easter Sunday story, (Mark 16: 1-4). Theme: God opens doors. Aim: To teach that God opened the door to the tomb of Jesus so that all may see and learn that Jesus is risen. Materials: 1. One metal key for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Resurrection Power: Transforming Lives On Easter Sunday Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 28, 2024

As we gather today to celebrate Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the glorious truth that lies at the heart of our faith – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resurrection Power: Transforming Lives on Easter Sunday Introduction: As we gather today to celebrate Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the glorious truth at the heart of our faith – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. On this day, we commemorate the triumph of life over death, hope over ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26, Luke 24:1-7, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Confession Without Conversion

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 18, 2025

Confession without conversion is a dangerous spiritual deception. It gives the appearance of salvation without the power of it. God is not impressed with words alone—He looks for a surrendered heart and a transformed life.

CONFESSION WITHOUT CONVERSION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 15:7-9 Supporting Texts: Titus 1:16, Isaiah 29:13, Romans 10:9-10, James 2:17, Matthew 7:21-23 INTRODUCTION: In today’s Christian world, many people confess Christ with their mouths but deny Him by their lifestyle. It is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:7-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Rejoice Not! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2025

God calls us to turn from empty pursuits and return to Him, the true source of joy, healing, and restoration through honest prayer and repentance.

Friends, would you take a deep breath and settle your heart for a moment? Picture a field at sunset. The stalks are golden, the air is warm, and the farmer stands at the edge of the rows with calloused hands and a quiet hope. He longs for a good harvest, a full barn, a happy table. We understand ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 9:1-17

Topics: Lost Joy, Spiritual Drought

Alms And Prayer SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 28, 2023

The place of alms and prayer in the life of a believer

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a new day, a new opportunity to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-15

Topics: Our Attitude In Our Prayers, Our Attitude In Our Alms

Worship The Lord Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 3, 2005

God is Lord of creation, Lord of our lives, and the Lord, King of glory.

These several Sundays, we are preaching from the Psalms. If you are acquainted with the Psalms you appreciate some of the tantalizing word pictures included there: • God’s commands are sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb (19) • The river of God is full of water ( 65) • Under his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Brethren

Even The Religious Person Cannot Escape

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS PERSON (DEVOUT JEW) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT--TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS MUCH MORE THAN POSSESSING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS 1.

EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS PERSON (DEVOUT JEW) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT--TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS MUCH MORE THAN POSSESSING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS 1. True Spirituality is much more than Possessing Religious Privileges (:17-24) a. Religious Privileges can ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Priority Of Justice And Righteousness

Contributed by Leonard Davis on May 29, 2009

The failure of Israel to make a connection between their religion rituals and their daily lives should serve as a warning for us in the church today that justice and righteousness are still priorities with God and judgment results with these are absent.

THE PRIORITY OF JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Every now and then we come across stories that are both humorous and sad. During World War II in the Pacific Theater our forces set up a base on the island of New Guinea. We built an airport with runways, a tower, lights along the runways, and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Occupying In Prayer And Warfare Series

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Apr 27, 2018

Prayer is not a mere routine or ritual. Prayer is actually a spiritual confrontation with the kingdom of darkness. When we pray, we are wrestling; we are engaging in a fight, a battle or warfare with forces and powers of darkness.

Introduction In Luke 19:13, the King of Glory gave us a guideline to follow until Christ returns. This verse tells us what to engage in or spend our time on until we meet with the Lord. We are told to occupy till Jesus comes, to put what God has given us to work, to make profitable divine ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Paul's Focus: Souls Won Not How It's Done Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 20, 2014

Paul did NOT believe we should stand on ceremony or ritual when it comes to sharing Christ, but that we should have an attitude of being willing to do ANYTHING to win people to Christ!

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 17, 2014 Date Preached: July 20, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series in 1 Corinthians Sermon Title: Paul’s FOCUS –Souls Won not How it is done Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 [NLT] 19Even though I am a free ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Prayin’ Like A Pagan - Matthew 6:7-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 30, 2024

How would you naturally finish this sentence: “God already knows what you need before you ask him, therefore ____.” The conclusion Jesus finishes that sentence gives us great insight into how to pray in a way that truly communes with God, rather than just saying dry words.

Matthew 6:5-8 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8

"Jesus Came To Meet People Where They Were.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 3, 2002

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-13 Color: Green

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-13, Color: Green The Call of Matthew 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The Problem Of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Feb 2, 2011

Part 1 in the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality series, this message looks at signs of emotionally unhealthy spirituality, and examines these characteristics in the life of Saul in 1 Samuel 15.

The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, prt. 1 Wildwind Community Church October 10, 2010 We all know that some things look great on the surface, but they're a disaster underneath. For example, in Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, the radar was picking up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:19-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

Come And See

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 28, 2000

This is the invitation of the post-modern church to a world hungry to experience something and somone beyond the empty promises of this world - Come and See!

“Come and See” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational