Sermons on Empty Ritual:

True Unadulterated Worship In The House Of God

Contributed by Christian Jones on Oct 21, 2023

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it's vital for us to understand and embrace the concept of true unadulterated worship in the house of God. Genuine worship goes beyond rituals and routines, touching the very core of our relationship with God.

Point 1: Worship with a Humble Heart Exodus 20:3 - "You shall have no other gods before me." True worship begins with humility, recognizing that God alone deserves our reverence and adoration. When we come before Him with a humble heart, we acknowledge His supremacy and our dependence on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3, John 4:24, Psalm 100:4, Romans 12:1, Psalm 111:10, Psalm 133:1, Matthew 25:40, 2 Corinthians 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Christian God Is A Bit Unusual, Isn't He? Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Oct 22, 2024

Crossing yourself may seem a bit weird to Christians who don't do it- a strange ancient (perhaps slightly superstitious) ritual. But at the heart of it are two great biblical truths - perhaps the two greatest truthes of all.

[This sermon was preached at St Barnabas Northolt Sunday 20th October 2024 - Trinity 21 Year B (Proper 24)] ………………………………………………........................................................................................................................ [Making the sign of the Cross] We meet in the name ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 5:1-10, Romans 3:22-23, Mark 10:25-45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, And Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 11, 2025

The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, try harder, live better. Yet, deep inside, every honest person knows this truth: we cannot wash ourselves clean.

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, and Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Introduction Church, let me begin with a question that strikes at the very heart of our humanity: “How do you make yourself clean before a holy God?” The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalm 51:7, John 3:5, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Praise With A Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 18, 2025

The longest chapter in the Bible is not about laws and rituals—it is about delight in God's Word. Psalm 119 is a heart-felt celebration of God's truth, written by someone who deeply loved and honoured the Scriptures.

Go! And Praise with a Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Duration: 30 minutes Opening Prayer Lord, as we open Your Word today, open our hearts. Let Your truth be planted deep within us. Shape our thoughts, stir our affections, and strengthen our obedience. May Jesus Christ be glorified in all we say and do. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:7, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, Psalm 51:17, John 1:14, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Call Him Wonderful Counselor Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Dec 6, 2010

The introductory sermon to a series on the titles of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6.

The Psychiatrist's 23rd Psalm The Lord is my external-internal integrative mechanism; I shall not be deprived of gratification for my viscerogenic hungers or my need-dispositions. He motivates me to orient myself toward a non-social object with affective significance. He positions me in a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Lyin' King Series

Contributed by Dean O'bryan on Jul 23, 2008

3rd in a series on King Saul, "Portrait of a Politician" -- looking at Saul’s failed leadership.

Trinity Baptist Church July 13, 2008 Portrait of a Politician The Lyin’ King 1 Samuel 15:1-34 Norman Schwarzkopf called leadership a potent combination of strategy and character. But, then he said -- if you have to be without one, be without strategy. It would seem that far too many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

Real Worship

Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Jan 30, 2014

"Real Worship" is an exposition of John 4:21-24 that makes two main points: (1) Real worship is not about us (4:21-22). And (2) real worship is about God (4:23-24)

REAL WORSHIP John 4:19-24 Spiritual necessity compelled Jesus to travel to Galilee through Samaria. Weary from the journey, Jesus rested at Jacob’s Well in Sychar as his disciples went for food. As he sat there, a woman of Samaria came to draw water. And a life-changing conversation ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Coping With The Holidays

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2016

This information was put together for a workshop on "Coping with the Holidays" (Adapted from the book, "The Empty Chair: Handling Grief on Holidays and Special Occasions" by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries)

HoHum: Start with some family information: I grew up in a tight knit family spending my Sunday afternoons after church with all my extended family at my grandparent’s house. I am the eldest grandchild and my grandfather spent a lot of time with me growing up. I had trouble reading so before ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord's Supper

Contributed by John Skaggs on Oct 18, 2000

Today we will take a fresh look at what the Bible has to say about the Lord's Supper.

Today we will take a fresh look at what the Bible has to say about the Lord's Supper. Naturally our scripture text will be found in the eleventh chapter of First Corinthians. The church in Corinth was founded by the Apostle Paul on his first visit to the city, (Acts 18:1-17). During Paul's one and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1

The Bramble King

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION 1.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Bible historians tell us that the first king of Israel was S __ __ __, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was crowned by the last judge of Israel, S __ __ __ __ __. While it is true that Saul was the first crowned king of all Israel, he was not the first king crowned in Israel. That ...read more

Encourage The Tithe - Are You Robbing God? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Nov 3, 2008

God instituted the tithe, not to get your money, but to reveal your heart in service to Him. All believrs are called to give a tithe back to God.

Sermon Brief Date Written: November 3, 2008 Date Preached: November 02, 2008 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: A Series On Tithing Sermon Title: Encourage the Tithe Sermon Text: Malachi 3:8-12 (NKJV) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Prayer Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 19, 2012

Even as I’m concerned about people who misunderstand the purpose of prayer, I’m also concerned about those who do understand, but who seem to pray with no expectation of God honoring prayers or acting on our behalf.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (In preparing this message as part of a sermon series on “Prayer” I have borrowed heavily, and adapted, from an outstanding sermon of the same title by Mike Hays of the Britton Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Part 2: Blessed Or #blessed? Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 12, 2021

The way the world understands being blessed couldn't be more different from the Bible's definition. Spoiler alert: The Bible gets it right.

Blessed Broken Given, Week 2: Blessed vs. #Blessed Genesis 1; Matthew 5 Good morning. I’d like you to have your Bibles open to two different places. (Weird, I know). The first place will be Genesis 1. Then, I’d like you to put a bookmark in Matthew 5. We are continuing the series we started last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Leave The Landmarks

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 23, 2021

We need to leave in place the boundaries and borders God has put in place in our lives.

Greetings – Thanks – 3 goals for my GNA podcasts: Bible; God’s story in our History and contemporary application. A man named David lived in the early 1800’s and studied to be a preacher. When he gave his first sermon, he stood only to say that he had forgotten all he had prepared to say. Following ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:28, Deuteronomy 19:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ