Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

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

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

When The Mantle Must Rest PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 25, 2025

The sermon encourages embracing God’s timing, resting from roles when needed, prioritizing presence and relationships, and trusting prayer to shape our lives and seasons.

There’s a rhythm stitched into the world by the hand of God. The tide rolls in and slips out. Winter gives way to spring. Babies cry, grandparents smile, and somewhere in between we learn how to hold on and how to let go. Seasons change. And if we’re honest, our souls feel it—the gentle tug that ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Topics: Sacred Tension, Seasons

A Love That Will Not Let Go

Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Feb 10, 2001

UPDATED 6/1/01 A salvation sermon. Main Idea The greatest act of love ever shown was the cross and the empty tomb; everything else pales by comparison.

A Love that Will Never Let Go Romans 5:8 Introduction: "Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Wandering In The Spiritual Desert

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 18, 2004

I got the bones of this outline from John Maxwell’s "One Hour With God" devotions. What do we do when we are running on empty?

INTRODUCTION • Have you ever been to the point in your walk with the Lord that just did not seem to be going anywhere? Did you or do you feel like you are wandering in the desert in circles, thirsting for water? • There are times in our lives when we can feel very empty spiritually, we can find ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking Into The Tomb Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 14, 2006

The stone was rolled away from the tomb to allow us to see that the Lord had risen; the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the reason for the church’s existence.

"Looking Into The Tomb" Matthew 28:1-10 May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be alway acceptable, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Friends: Where the gospel according to Matthew ends, the Christian faith begins - in the resurrection of our Lord. None of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

The Wait Is On

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 2, 2011

Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for.

The Wait Is On Advent #1 Nov 27, 2011 Intro: What do the following have in common: • Doctor’s office • Holiday shopping • Connecting flights • Red light • Advent Can you guess? The answer is waiting, and that that is what we are going to explore together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-25

Denomination: Baptist

Redemption For A Worthless Slave Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 7, 2011

The only way to the Empty Tomb goes to the Cross where Jesus died. This is the first in a series on what Jesus did for us when he died. (Theories of the Atonement)

Series Introduction: Today we start the countdown to Easter. That’s the highest day in the church year. However, there is only one way to arrive at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday. Like Jesus we need to travel to the cross. For the next 8 weeks we will discover the blessings or benefits we ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Drug Addicts Fate

Contributed by Sheryln Miller on May 20, 2017

How will Jesus judge drug addicts? Will He say depart from me I never knew you because they wasted their lives pursuing empty pleasures?

There are many Christians hooked on prescription drugs. Some are hooked on pain medication, some are hooked on anti-depressants and alcohol. I know there are Christians who legitimately need pain medication and anti-depressants but there are some who don’t need them or need as much they are using. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unfinished Story

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Apr 14, 2009

We have received the same message at the empty tomb as the women did. What will we do with it? Keep it a secret? Run away in fear? Go and tell?

The Unfinished Story Mark 16:1-8 Easter 2009 Do you know the best way to make sure news spreads quickly? Tell someone NOT to tell anyone else! That’s what makes gossip so tempting. We love to hear and share stories about others, especially when we’re not supposed to! Throughout the gospel of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Are Unique!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 27, 2015

Failures, disappointments, emptiness, hollowness, pain and betrayals are God’s tools for building! Don’t panic! Season of dancing would surely follow!

You are Unique! Psalm 126:5”Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Hey friend, God’s plan is unique in each one’s life! Others stay away when the Master is at work ! Don’t try to give your inputs and foil the plan! Job’s friends tried to give ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Black And White Of Following Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2022

Christ is he who will satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-10, Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

Poor In Spirit

Contributed by Samuel M on Aug 27, 2025

Poor in the Spirit is the cycle of always receiving and always giving to others what we have received from God, resulting in we staying poor (becoming empty)

Poor in the Spirit is a state in which we are always (continually) dependent on God, receiving provisions from Him and always giving the received provisions to meet their own or others' needs. Poor in the Spirit is the cycle of always receiving and always giving to others what we have received ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Healing At Bethesda

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

Modern life’s relentless pace and “idol of exhaustion” leave people physically drained and spiritually empty, setting the stage for Jesus’ Sabbath invitation to true rest.

1. The Weariness We Carry A group of pastors once met in small circles to share their lives. One question asked, “What do you enjoy doing in your spare time—how do you relax?” Again and again the answer came back: “Spare time? I don’t have any.” We fool ourselves if we think this nonstop pace ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 40:28, John 5:1-17, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 2:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist