Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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 8, 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

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

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

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

Sloth Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on May 3, 2018

Apathy, not laziness

Sloth! I feel it when I am slouched on my couch, snack in hand, mindlessly watching TV. Can you identify? Is just being a slug every now and then a sin? Does it really matter to the Lord of the Universe if you live in a cluttered house, have an unkempt lawn, or constantly update a to-do list ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

I Did It My Way: The Sin Of Self-Sufficiency

Contributed by Mark Price on May 12, 2006

God’s Word spells it out: on our own, we cannot measure up. Theme: The emptiness of riches without Christ.

Someone once said: Fred Allen said, "I don’t have to look up my family tree, because I know that I’m the sap!" He also said, "Some movie stars wear their sunglasses even in church. They’re afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs." On the other end of the self-confidence scale, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: *other

The Shout Heard "Round The World

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 18, 2006

Jesus died and rose on purpose to save us, and His salvation is already with us. The cross and the empty tomb are necessary for our forgiveness.

“The Shout Heard ‘Round the World: HE IS RISEN!” Acts 10:34-43 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Easter brings up life-and-death concerns. A Canadian scientist said, “I have only two questions to ask: One, has anyone ever defeated death? And two, did ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Congregational

The Evidence For Jesus' Resurrection Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 24, 2005

This sermon examines the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. There are three evidences: (1) The Empty Tomb, (2) The Resurrection Appearances, and (3) The Transformation of the Disciples.

Scripture How do you know that Jesus is alive? Christians claim that Jesus is alive. Today, I would like to show you the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 14-15a, 17: "1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Professions & Possessions Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 6, 2006

Greed is good? If our primary goal in life is material wealth, we will end up with empty, futile lives and spiritual bankruptcy.

Overcoming Futility, a Sermon Series on Ecclesiastes “Professions and Possessions”, 5:8-20 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Some of us remember Jack Benny. In a skit on his radio show, a robber held him up, pointed a gun at him and said, “Your money or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Denomination: Congregational

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