Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Delighting The Senses Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 5, 2022

In chapter 2, he describes his quest for fulfillment in laughter, wine, self, wealth, and people. He dove headfirst into those things and found only an empty pool.

WISE LIVING: DELIGHTING THE SENSES Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 2 [person from congregation] INTRODUCTION… Little Bit About Solomon As we get started this morning, I have two introductions. The first is about the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes because it is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The King Of Humility Series

Contributed by Sylvan Finger on Aug 12, 2025

Theme: How does the triumphal entry of Jesus going into Jerusalem show the dynamics between the humble and the haughty and how salvation is affected? ... Jesus empties himself to serve others.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 18:12 (ESV) P: Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, C: but humility comes before honor. Have you heard that word haughty? What does haughty mean to you? When I first heard its definition it made me think of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2-5, Philippians 2:5-11, Proverbs 18:12, Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Lutheran

The Re-Creation Story Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon explores the concept of re-creation through the story of the empty tomb in John's gospel, emphasizing how the Risen Christ's love for us offers a chance for resurrection and transformation.

The story of the empty tomb in John’s gospel is one of re-creation with hints back to Genesis and John 1. The Risen Christ sees Mary just as she is and loves her. The Risen Jesus sees all of us, too, just as we are and offers to re-create us with resurrection life. This is the fulfillment of God ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Topics: Resurrection Life, Re-Creation, Divine Love

Overcoming Spiritual Dryness (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 12, 2025

Spiritual dryness is a state where a believer feels distant from God, experiences a lack of passion for prayer, worship, and Bible study, and struggles with a sense of emptiness in their faith journey.

OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL DRYNESS. (PART 1) By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 44:3 John 7:37-39 Ezekiel ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 44:3, John 7:37-39, Ezekiel 37:1-10, Revelation 3:15-16, Jeremiah 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Table Talk Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 16, 2006

Holy Communion may be understood as communication of Christ to the Christian; thus table talk may be a more comprehensible way of expressing that Christ meets us at Eucharist than the popular understanding of transubstantiation.

2nd after Epiphany B Table Talk Psalm 139__1-17 Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

In this chapter God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship of God with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone down hill spiritually and morally, breaking the laws God had given to them. The

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: He made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions which would become the pillars of the new government. He assumed the earnestness of a man weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Fleeing Fugitive Faces Frightened Fellows Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 6, 2008

Ceasing their prayers, the frightened sailors took up a time honored ritual of casting lots. When the lots fell to Jonah, he knew he had to confess. He ran from God-but he could not run now: it was time for the truth.

JONAH 1:7 FLEEING FUGITIVE FACES FRIGHTENED FELLOWS I. FAILURE: A. Fates. B. Faith. C. Fanaticism. II. FINDINGS: A. Facts? B. Fortitude? C. Focus? III. FIXATION: A. Foreigner. B. Feelings. C. Forlornness. The scene before us in these first seven verses of Jonah, Chapter One ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Meaning Of The Last Supper

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we are going to observe Communion...the Lord's Supper. For some this is a very sacred time with great meaning and importance. For others, it is just a ritual we go through that wouldn't be missed if we never d

THE MEANING OF THE LAST SUPPER LUKE 22:14 20 Knowing that the weather forecast for today was pretty rough, and knowing that many would not make it here this morning, I decided late last night that I would do something different than I had planned. Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Halloween: Is Evil A Red Herring?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

The roots of Halloween have to do with pagan rituals but today, it’s more a night to celebrate. Not everything connected with the modern celebration is all fun and games. Any believer who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will pull back on a number of elements associated with this celebration.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a projected $8.8 billion dollars on the holiday called Halloween in 2019. Almost 30 million will dress up and the average person will spend over $86 to celebrate. In fact, I have a neighbor who decorates more for Halloween than any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Veil Torn

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

When Jesus died, God Himself tore the temple curtain from top to bottom—forever removing every barrier between His holiness and our hearts. The way into His presence is wide open, not by our efforts or rituals, but by the finished work of Christ.

Introduction – A Wall Comes Down, A Veil Is Rent Down I still remember the summer of 1964 when our family crossed from West Germany into East. We were crammed into a Volkswagen bus—my parents up front, four sisters and two brothers jammed shoulder to shoulder. The youngest, little Sarah, was still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-22, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

"This Do In Remembrance Of Me”

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 21, 2024

This do in Remembrance of Me is more than a mental snapshot of something that happed in the past. It is more than a sentimental emotion that places a smile on your face or causes you to perform a ritual out of tradition, but true remembrance affects every aspect of our senses.

“This Do In Remembrance of Me” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Something my wife and I enjoy doing is having an elegant dinner experience like the Chef’s Table on the cruise ship or the exclusive private Chef’s Dinner experience. This is different than just a nice restaurant dinner ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Genesis 1:26-29, Genesis 2:9

Denomination: Apostolic

No Confidence In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 21, 2023

When the Lord returns are you confident that you will be accepted and spend eternity with Him in heaven? Are you trusting in your rituals, your ethnicity, or your obedience to the law? Only those who have faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ will enter the kingdom of God!

No Confidence in the Flesh Philippians 3:1-6 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 When Christ is preached (1:18) and even when being poured out like a drink offering in suffering and persecution (2:17-18), Paul says we are to “rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 10 – A Defeated Nation Mocked And Hissed At – God’s Word Never Returns Empty - Chapter 2:15-17 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 22, 2025

The enemy mocking and hissing at a defeated and downtrodden people was the delight of passers-by, but persecuted Christians suffer that today increasingly. It’s an ugly world when sin is in control. Wickedness these days is galloping. Do not oppose the Jew or Israel.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 10 – A DEFEATED NATION MOCKED AND HISSED AT – GOD’S WORD NEVER RETURNS EMPTY - CHAPTER 2:15-17 Jeremiah is sometimes called “the weeping prophet,” and I like to think of him as one of the most passionate writers in the Old Testament, in fact, in all of scripture. ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 2:15, Matthew 12:30, Matthew 27:39-40, Hebrews 12:2-3, Jeremiah 18:15-16, Jeremiah 19:8, Zephaniah 2:15, Zechariah 14:9, Zechariah 14:16, Genesis 12:1-3, Job 27:23, Lamentations 2:16, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 15:17-18, Lamentations 2:17, Psalm 138:8, Exodus 14:13, 2 Timothy 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From The Shadows A New Day Dawns Series

Contributed by Dan Cale on Mar 24, 2005

This is the fourth in a series but can be used stand alone. It looks at the bright new morning that dawns to dispel the shadows of the cross. A stone rolled away, a tomb standing empty, and a promise fulfilled.

Shadows of the Cross Pt 4 From the Shadows a New Day Dawns Luke 24:1-12 It was early dawn – the sun not yet above eastern horizon. Three women make their way quietly toward the tomb of Jesus. As they make their way down the road their eyes might have been called again to a hilltop called Golgotha ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: *other