Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Power In The Word Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 1, 2013

God said His Word would not return to Him empty. What does that mean to us? And how can we know that that is true?

George Faull once wrote fact that “atheists, agnostics, or skeptics will often try to stump us with a question about our God. These skeptics think they are being clever and they take pride in their great intelligence. They will say (for example) “If God is all powerful, can He create ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expected Resurrection Easter 2021

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Apr 7, 2021

When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty , she didn't leave like the others. She was expecting a resurrection.

EASTER 2021 EXPECTED RESURRECTION Pastor Timothy Porter TEXT: Mark 16:1-8 INTRODUCTION: I just stopped by to declare unto you that I just checked my watch. It's not night anymore. Church, it's morning. Wipe the tears out of your eyes, and praise our God, because he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Proclaim The Risen Christ- 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 14, 2025

Resurrection Sunday is the day when everything changed. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Death was defeated. And the risen Saviour stands victorious!

Go! And Proclaim the Risen Christ- 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 Introduction Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Today is not just any Sunday—it is Resurrection Sunday, the day when everything changed. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Death was defeated. And the risen Saviour stands ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Isaiah 53:5, Luke 24:34, Acts 4:33, Romans 10:9, Titus 2:14, Ephesians 1:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Living Faith (Hebrews 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2024

Did the patriarchs and matriarchs of old leave us an example of a living faith or empty belief? Let's discuss this in Hebrews 11.

Is faith the assurance of things hoped for, the proof of things not yet seen? Did the patriarchs and matriarchs have a faith that pleased God? Do we believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him? Let’s discuss this in Hebrews 11. What is faith? Did faith make the ancient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Six Steps Out Of Lack (Each Of The Six Could Be Part Of A Series.)

Contributed by Carlton Coon on Aug 25, 2024

The marriage feast at Cana would have been identified by lack. Except a handful of servants obeyed Christ, which changed empty to abundance.

Eleven Precious Verses open the story. John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:9-11, John 2:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

What The Lord Knows.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 16, 2024

The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; “My cup runneth over.”

What The Lord Knows. Palm 1:1-6NKJV What does the Lord know? Maybe a better question is, “What does the Lord not know.” He’s Creator of physics, nuclear science, he designed Jets and rockets plus anything else that comes into the future. God did it first; God is the Master Designer! Psalm ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sin Of Taking Advantage Of Others Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 13, 2024

Taking advantage of others is like draining their soul, leaving them empty and dry. It may fill our pockets, but it drains our humanity.

In the Bible, God teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. But sadly, there are those who choose to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. In Leviticus 19:13, God says, "Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:13, Matthew 18:23-35

Joy Comes In The Morning

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 30, 2024

Resurrection message dealing with Mary Magdelene meeting Jesus at the empty tomb. Jesus found her weeping but she left full of joy.

Title: From Weeping to Joy Theme: To show how Mary Magdalene went from weeping in her life to joy. Text: John 20:1 – 18 Note: Part of the idea for this message came from Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado ch. 11 John 20:1-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Psalm 30:5

Denomination: Church Of God

The Spirit Of Festival Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 22, 2021

Ancient Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar, easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable events. How is this relevant for Christians?

The ancient Hebrew year was observed using a lunar-solar calendar with 12 and 13 months over a 19 year cycle. This was easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 14:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For The Hopeless Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2025

Christ is risen! So don’t be confused any longer. Instead, be confident and share the good news!

Many years ago, a man climbed up on the side of the Brooklyn Bridge and was about to jump when a policeman grabbed him and drew him back. The man protested, “You don’t understand how miserable I am and how hopeless my life is. Please, let me go.” The officer tried to talk him out of it. He told ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:3

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Christmas Eve Service

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 23, 2012

We know that HE CAME, HE TAUGHT, HE DIED, HE ASCENDED, AND HE LEFT...The Empty Stable, The Empty Tomb, All Fulfilling the WORD of the LORD He LEFT behind, HIS SPIRIT, HIS GOSPEL, HIS WORD, HIS VICTORY, and HIS PROMISE that HE would return again. All you

2012.12.24 Christmas Eve Service The Empty Stable, The Empty Tomb, Waiting for HIS return. William Akehurst, HSWC From GOD's WORD, we know.... HE CAME, HE TAUGHT, HE DIED, HE ASCENDED. AND HE LEFT... The Empty Stable The Empty Tomb Fulfilling the WORD of the LORD He LEFT behind, HIS SPIRIT, HIS ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Explains Why All Things Must Be Made New Series

Contributed by Jerry Hillyer Ii on Jul 7, 2008

This is an examination of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and disciples of John concerning fasting and new wine.

Jesus Explains Why Things Must be Made New Matthew 9:14-17 Introduction A little later John’s followers approached, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don’t?” Jesus told them, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Free As A Bird

Contributed by William Yates on Apr 17, 2004

We read in Lev. 14 of the ritual that persons healed of leprosy would go through. One bird was sacrificed and another set free. We who are in Christ need to see ourselves as birds set free.

Free As A Bird Leviticus 14 Cleansing From Infectious Skin Diseases 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "These are the regulations for the diseased person at the time of his ceremonial cleansing, when he is brought to the priest: 3 The priest is to go outside the camp and examine him. If the person has ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:1-7

Why A Christian Should Not Celebrate Halloween

Contributed by Ronnie Thrower on Oct 25, 2001

Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?

WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual? In North ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Baptist