Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Jesus Said About Responding To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 6, 2009

Some will respond to the gospel with 1) Callused Indifference. 2)Empty Emotionalism. 3)Worldly preoccupation 4. Life changing Faith

WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT RESPONDING TO THE GOSPEL MARK 4: 1-20 1. Illus. of dynamiting for fish (1001 Humorous Illustrations, # 151) • Punch-line: “are you going to talk, or are you going to fish?” 2. Life is filled with important decisions. “Whom will I marry?” “What do I want to do for a living?” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Responses To The Resurrection”

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Mar 24, 2008

People still respond to the fact of the empty tomb today in much the same way as did the soldiers and the women on that first Easter morning.

Four friends were talking about death. One asked the other three, "When you are in your casket and people are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" The first man said, "I’d like to hear them say that I was a fine physician in my time and a great family man." The second ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Too Blessed To Be Stressed

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Mar 30, 2008

Christ followers realize that they are too blessed to be stressed. For the Christ follower, every Sunday is Easter and every day is a celebration of an empty tomb.

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2008 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . Click to have messages emailed to you as they are made available. You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Needs Of A Mother

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 28, 2020

Stepmoms, Single Moms, Working Moms, Stay-at-home Moms, Empty-Nest Moms all face similar needs.

The Needs of a Mother May 10, 2020 Stepmoms, Single Moms, Working Moms, Stay-at-home Moms, Empty-Nest Moms An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest. - Spanish proverb Most common challenges faced by mothers: 1) Monotony and loneliness 2) Stress from too many demands 3) No one to ask for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:26-28, 2 Timothy 1:5, Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational