Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

Father Abraham Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 14, 2026

If you want to clean up the mess in your life, renounce your works, renounce your rites, renounce your failed attempts to keep the law, and simply rely on the promise of God's Son.

A pastor in Kansas City was calling neighborhood grocery stores and laundromats to set up some community service projects for church members to show the love of Christ around town. On one call, the employee who answered the phone hesitated, then said, “I'll need to ask the manager, but first, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

The Journey He Made Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2023

John helps us see that the Word is God, creator, light, man. The journey Jesus made started before creation and will last for eternity. What does that mean for us? Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell.

I’ve heard a lot of people talking about when is the right time to get into the Christmas spirit? How do you know you’re ready to celebrate this holiday? For some, it means putting the outdoor decorations up as early as the day after Halloween (after all, why not get that done before it’s freezing ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5, John 1:9-14, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Risen King - Matthew 28:1-20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 16, 2025

The resurrection of JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate proof of HIS Divinity and Victory over Death. The same POWER that raised HIM from the dead now lives in every believer. The tomb is empty, but the mission is full …Go and proclaim the RISEN KING!

2025.11.16 Sermon Notes. THE RISEN KING – MATTHEW 28:1–20 William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: The resurrection of JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate proof of HIS Divinity and Victory over Death. The same POWER that raised HIM from the dead now lives in every believer. The tomb is empty, but the mission is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 24:1-8, John 11:25-26, John 20:16-18, John 20:21-22, Romans 1:4, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Romans 8:11, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:10-12, 2 Timothy 2:8-9, Mark 16:15-18, Psalm 2:1-4, John 8:32, Matthew 18:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Out Of The Heart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2018

Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says?

Prelude Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says? What defiles us? Let’s look at Matthew 15:10-20 and see what Jesus has to say about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

End Of Your Prayer Is The Beginning Of Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 17, 2020

Living a prayer life is as important as the effective prayer time we have with God. Prayer is more than a ritual, it is building a relationship with the most important being in the universe. That’s why this topic is important than all other prayer teachings.

Our prayer life is examined by our fruitfulness in life. A sponge soaked in oil when it is squeezed spills out oil, and a sponge soaked in water, when squeezed, give out water. What goes inside comes out. If through prayer you have allowed God to work out in your life, godliness and spiritual gifts ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:22, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus I'm Just Not Feeling It #1 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 25, 2019

If the Church has just become another obligation or routine, then listen up. If the church has stopped being a holy place, a place to worship the king, a time of encouragement and instead it has become just another ritual of an unfulfilling life. Then listen to this.

Today we begin a new series based on the book of Philippians call, “Jesus, I’m just not feeling it.” The line itself is the number one breakup line between couples. It is also very appropriate for those in the church because a recent study (Reveal- willowcreek) reports that as many as 25% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

Wake Up And Depart!

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Jun 10, 2023

Throughout the Bible, the word of God stresses the importance of turning away from sin and wickedness and surrendering our lives to our Lord.

Wake Up and Depart! Isaiah 52:1-12 The prophet Isaiah’s ministry spanned the reigns of 4 Judean kings. He was called to prophetic ministry in the year that king Uzziah died, approximately 742 BC, and then continued through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah until 686 BC, approximately 56 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

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