Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Resurrection: Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 16, 2025

Some of you have played Jenga with your family, right? You seek to pull piece after piece out without the tower collapsing. If Christianity were a Jenga tower, the resurrection is the one block that, when pulled, the tower comes crashing down every single time.

Dead people stay dead.1 “Nobody goes to funerals and says, ‘What’s the over/under if this person comes alive again?’” I have yet to see one dead person come back to life. I doubt you have seen any dead person live again, either. Once people have gone down the road of death, they just don’t return.2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Under Pressure - Sardis Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 7, 2017

Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God is seeking.

THE CONTENT CHURCH - SARDIS READING Rev 3:1-6 INTRODUCTION Churches can refuse to face the reality of their spiritual condition before God. Styles and traditions can become so fixed that they continue and become empty of Holy Spirit power. Good works and a nice church format are not what God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Soggy Sardine Sandwich

Contributed by Dan Dunn on Dec 1, 2000

Jesus wants what you have, and who you are: when you don’t take the place in the Body of Christ that God has designed for you, that place remains empty.

You have perhaps experienced as I have, that life can be humbling sometime. A five-year-old was sitting with her grandfather in her room one day, and she asked him, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, child,” came the reply. “God made me.” The child paused for a moment, and then asked, “And ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Is There Room For Jesus?

Contributed by Jonathan Mckay on Nov 19, 2001

Christmas is more than just fancy wrappings and bright lights. If we are truly honest with ourselves and God, we too must confess, that our hearts are empty stalls that to be filled with a Saviour!

1." WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW?"....THE QUESTION ECHOED SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF MY HEAD! IT WAS ALMOST AS THOUGH IT WERE SYNCHRONIZED, BETWEEN MY FOOT FALLS ON THE PAVEMENT. 2. I HAD BEEN SEARCHING HIGH AND LOW FOR THE PERFECT STORY, A STORY THAT I HAD HOPED TO READ IN CHURCH TONIGHT. MAYBE EVEN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Check The Rock!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2004

We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus.

Check the Rock! It Rocks! COOL!: Easter Sermon 2004 Thesis: We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus. Scripture Text: Matthew 28:1-20; (Play on CD) Luke 24:1-10; Mark 16:1-8 So ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 24:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father To Pharaoh

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 16, 2009

There is pain in family relationships. Jacob’s emptiness created Benjamin, the zero. Judah repeats parental manipulation. But Joseph shows that God’s grace can turn family pain into accomplishment.

The emotional scene we are about to confront comes out of a long history of deals and double deals. When this man stands before his brothers and weeps, his tears flow out of a whole reservoir of pent-up feelings. When this man, this strong, savvy, sophisticated official, cries out in a pain so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Road Signs

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 12, 2010

A sermon on 2 Kings 4:1-7 on filling up empty vessels (Much material and title taken from "One Month to Live" Day 22 by Kerry and Chris Shook)

Sermon for 1/10/2010 Road Signs (Day 22 of One Month to Live) 2 Kings 4:1-7 Introduction: A. If we had only a limited amount of time to live, the temptation might be to plead with God for a miracle to extend our lives. This is called bargaining. God doesn’t work that way. Oh, God might ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter 2011, Part 3

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 17, 2011

What is the price of a human being? Do we fully comprehend the cost that Jesus paid when suffering for our sins? We must; else His death is empty and without meaning.

Easter, Part 3 Matthew 27:22-31 Introduction - This morning we continue our 5 week mini-series on the Easter season - Over the past two weeks we’ve discussed the triumphant entry -- Understanding the response of a crowd who needed a Savior - And we’ve also covered the Lord’s Supper, final team ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth Rejoicing Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2010

In four short chapters we move from tragedy to triumph, from despair to joy, from emptiness to fullness. This book begins with famine and funerals, and concludes with a wedding and the joyful birth of a son.

The final chapter of this quiet drama takes place before the town gate of Bethlehem, where all important transactions were conducted. Here is where the matter of Ruth the foreigner would be settled. After the late-night rendezvous of chapter 3, Boaz goes right to work; he finds his kinsman and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Congregational

Apostles Sent To Preach The Good News

Contributed by William Baeta on Jan 24, 2014

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1Cor 1:17)

Theme: Apostles sent to preach the Good news Text: Is. 9:1-4; 1 Cor. 1:10-18; Matt. 4:12-23 The meaning of the word apostle is one who is sent - a messenger or an ambassador. In the Christian sense, anyone sent by God on a mission is an apostle. John the Baptist was sent to proclaim the good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Is Believing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2021

Peter, John and Mary Magdalene all saw the empty tomb... but they all came away with different conclusions. What can we learn from these first three witnesses of the risen Christ?

On May 4, 1865, after weeks of his body being on display in Washington D.C. and a few other cities, Abraham Lincoln was “laid to rest” in a cemetery near his home in Springfield, Illinois. But Lincoln didn’t "rest in peace." In 1876, there was a plot to raid his grave and steal his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon: "teach Us To Made The Most Of Our Days"

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 19, 2024

Moses had witnessed those who had lived many years, carrying the wealth and riches of Egypt, but they all died in the wilderness and failed to receive the promises of God. They were living on empty!

Subject: "Teach Us To Made The Most of Our Days" Text: Psalms 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Introduction: Moses dealt with Israel for more than 80 years. Just think about all that has taken place in the last 50 years. During the last 50 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12, Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 116:15, Job 14:1

Denomination: Methodist

Worship Is A Verb

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Aug 10, 2013

We worship God in the way we live. Worship is a matter of obedience and service: if we love God with all of our hearts and treat others as if they were Christ, we are worshiping God faithfully. Church ritual will never replace real worship. We must repent

Everyday Christianity with Pastor Kenn Shedenhelm Biblical and theological thoughts on life and events in life. Some will come packaged as sermons- some simply as reflections. Classic Like most of Israel’s prophets, Isaiah was concerned with matters of mercy and justice, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 11, 2006

God’s desire is that we be holy and pure. Soap is good for cleansing the outside of the body, but doesn’t get below the skin into the heart.

INTRODUCTION This message is the first in a series I’m calling “No, that’s NOT in the Bible.” There are dozens of popular sayings floating around that people think are from the Bible and they’re not. There is a great deal of biblical illiteracy in the pews of our churches. Here is a top ten list ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

Speaking The Bloody Truth Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 23, 2004

How the Jews asked for Jesus’ blood to be on them and their children, and how their wish came true in more ways than one.

March 24, 2004 Matthew 27:24-26 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “Let his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:24-26

Denomination: Lutheran