Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Timothy…what It Will Take For God To Use You!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 28, 2022

Most of us refer to ourselves as being “NORMAL.”

It must be nice in this life when someone can be more than a NORMAL PERSON and become an “EXCEPTIONAL” PERSON. That is, when normal people die the preachers who do the eulogy can pretty much sum up their entire lives in 15 to 30 minutes. When the funeral is finished the family and friends can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2-26

Denomination: Baptist

Being Community Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jul 26, 2019

In Corinth the Lord’s Supper had become a place where privilege and class diversity was causing division. Through Paul’s rebuke we are called to examine whether our participation in the Lord’s Supper is unworthy.

Message 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Being Community The church in Corinth is well known as a church with issues. Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and read about an issue they were having with the Lord’s Supper. The news of Lord Supper chaos has come to Paul from Corinth through “some from Chloe’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Genuine Vs The Counterfeit Christian Believers. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 13, 2025

Here are few differences, along with biblical examples.

The Bible warns us that not everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ is genuinely saved. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says that some will claim to have done great things in His name, but He will declare, "I never knew you." This raises an important question: what distinguishes a true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Acts 16:25, Daniel 1:8-16

Hunches And High Hopes

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 5, 2005

We all have baggage in our lives, so what do you do when you want to get rid of your spiritual baggage? By interacting with an unnamed woman in Mark 5:24-31 Jesus demonstrates that He is the One who can remove all our baggage.

Congregation of the Lord, Going to the airport is an interesting exercise … especially when you stand near the baggage counters. Here you will see business people – focussed, efficient, having clear goals for the day. They have come from interstate for an important meeting. It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2003

People expect only the ceremonial from the church. But God wants to give us a rich, varied, and outward-reaching life.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Is Feasting On God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 9, 2025

True satisfaction and joyful obedience are found only in knowing God and delighting in His presence, rather than seeking fulfillment in the world’s empty offerings.

If we could sit together around a kitchen table, you’d notice the warmth of the oven and the smell of fresh bread. Plates set, cups full, chairs pulled close. That’s the picture in my mind when I think of what God offers His people: a table where the hungry are welcomed, where the thirsty are ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:47-48

Topics: Worship, Feasting

Living Water Series

Contributed by Richard White on Jan 30, 2010

Many go through life spiritually dehydrated. Rituals, creeds and the like do not fill us. Only Jesus can give us this fulfillment when we learn to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Living Water John 4:4-26 Recently one of the major denominations met in Columbus to debate, of all things, whether or not Jesus Christ is the one true Savior of the world. Is he the universal Savior or might there be several? What about the other world religions and their claims? Some people ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Appeal Of Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 30, 2009

There are many church, synagogue & mosque members today devoted to rituals & rule-keeping. They are living in religious bondage. They need to hear that spiritual freedom is possible only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

GALATIANS 4:8-20 AN APPEAL OF LOVE The conclusion reached in verse 7 is that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Paul now tells the Galatians they are not acting like heirs of God! So he asks them if they prefer slavery or freedom, legalism or the Spirit? Did ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pass The Peas

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Aug 5, 2009

When you have finished one year and begin a new one, what can you do for good luck in the year to come? Our society has a variety of good luck rituals.

Pass The Peas Psalm 65:1-4 SCRIPTURE: " Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Initiating The Turn-2(2023)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 18, 2023

2 of 12. Luke informed his audience of the initial steps that God took to turn His people toward Himself. God began the process of turning of His people toward Himself. But what principles does God use to begin turning people toward Himself? In Initiating the Turn, God uses...

‘INITIATING The TURN’-II—Luke 1:8-9(:5-25) Attention: Deciduous tree leaves are known & expected to ‘turn’ colors & fall to the ground in the fall of the year. Losing leaves is what deciduous trees do in order to prepare for & to survive the below freezing temperatures of winter. There ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:8-9, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

What's Your Pleasure? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 5, 2015

Solomon looked for pleasure in his achievements, his possessions and in his entertainment and yet finds it all to be empty and meaningless. Is there something wrong with seeking pleasure, or is there another problem?

OPEN: It was a 4th of July weekend and the family had gathered for a big meal together. In the kitchen was little 4 year old Johnny… and there on the edge of the cabinet sat the one thing he loved so much. It was a big, round, sure to be juicy, watermelon. He just couldn’t stop staring ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Given A Party And Nobody Came?

Contributed by Deborah Prihoda on Apr 22, 2002

Illustrated sermon using a table decorated for a party (representing an empty life of religion) and a cross (representing a life given to Christ in relationship).

TEXT: John 18:28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. INTRODUCTION Give brief history of Passover and why it was instituted. Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14, John 18:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

One Day To Feed The World – Compelled By Compassion

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Sep 20, 2007

We are compelled by compassion to HELP. We help as we Heed the compassion Command, Empty self, Lift the burden and Pay the price.

• Galatians 6:2 (GOD’S WORD) Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way you will follow Christ’s teachings. INTRODUCTION: This morning we are asking you to give one day’s income to help feed the world. Before we go any further I think we ought to ask if it is fair for any of us to be asked do ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Entrance! No Exit! No Way!

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 5, 2007

The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb. For those who think there is no way, think again!

No Entrance! No Exit! No Way! Mark 15:33 – 16:7 Mark 15:33-37 33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God