Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

A Gently Revealed Life Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 8, 2007

Jesus takes time to reveal the resurrection to His disciples, with an empty tomb, a Bible study, and a personal visit - just as He reveals His new life to those that seek Him.

Sometimes good news is just as hard to hear as bad news. When someone comes to your door and says "You’ve just won the Publishers Clearinghouse Giveaway" what is your first thought? "Nah". But if someone came to our door and said "I’m from the IRS and you are being audited" then we just might ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-53

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Did Jesus Leave For Us?

Contributed by James May on Jun 11, 2006

When the Son of Man ascended to Heaven he didn’t leave us empty-handed. He left us with all we need to be victorious in every fact of life.

WHAT DID JESUS LEAVE FOR US? By Pastor Jim May I was somewhat amused this week with so many people who were concerned about the passing of the date 6/6/06. It never ceases to amaze me that people, who are supposed to know and understand the Word of God, are so superstitious, and so afraid, of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:34-37

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 16, 2009

Sin at its worst is the inability to understand ourselves and to control ourselves, leading to separation from self, others, and God. The cross, the empty tomb, and Christ’s life rescue us.

Well, are you ready today for the fourth step, the step that’s all the way down at the floor level? Those who were not here last Sunday do not know what I’m talking about. Those who were here will need a little review. Let me explain. Last Sunday we walked the first mile on the Roman Road ... ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Of Discipline Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 9, 2010

The empty tomb means that we are freed from the power of sin over our lives and we can live the kind of lives God originally intended right now in the present.

A Life of Discipline: Lent week 3 March 7, 2010 Intro: The season of Lent can sometimes feel like the opposite of the season of Advent, don’t you think? Advent, our preparation for Christmas, seems to be full of excitement and anticipation and joy and merriness, as we prepare to gather ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

He/She That Wins Souls Is Wise

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 5, 2015

Soul winning was Jesus' main mission, ends human emptiness, interrupts the cycle of sin, honors the suffering of Jesus, and is the only brief opportunity of helping people switch eternal destinations.

HE THAT WINS SOULS IS WISE Prov. 11:30 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: AGGIE HELPS SHSU WIN $1 M 1. Mick, a student at SHSU, appeared on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and won $500,000. He chose to risk it all on the final question. 2. "Which of the following birds does NOT build its own ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Life's Most Important Question

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 30, 2014

When the ladies came to the empty tomb, the angel said, "You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified." This statement begs us to answer this question, "Who or what is it that you seek?"

Life’s Most Important Question Mark 16:1-8 • To read about the resurrection of Jesus is – well – just plain exciting. Jesus’ heart stopped bleeding, His blood stopped flowing, His human brain stopped working, & He was buried for THREE DAYS before HE CAME BACK TO LIFE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Is There Wisdom In Wisdom? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2015

God was pleased to give Solomon His wisdom and Solomon often spoke of the importance of seeking that wisdom. So, why was Solomon telling us here in Ecclesiastes that wisdom is empty and disappointing?

TITLE: Is There Wisdom In Wisdom? TEXT: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18/2:12-16 The average public library has between 10,000 to 15,000 books on its shelves. (http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/50441) During the War of 1812 (between England and America), the British invaded Washington D.C. and burnt much of it ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Second Coming Part Ii

Contributed by David Scudder on Jun 13, 2011

Nothing clears away the emptiness of everyday life like learning about Christ and then sharing that with someone else. God has created us with an automatic desire to share good news.

Part II Purpose: To encourage believers to live in the light of Christ's soon return. Aim: I want the listener to be challenged to do the work of discipling because Jesus is coming back. REVIEW: Vs.1-3 I. The Unsaved and the Second Coming Vs.1-2 A. Their fate is sealed 1. The time of their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He Is Risen Indeed! Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 18, 2025

The empty tomb is not a symbol of loss—it is a declaration of victory. Jesus is not in the grave; He is alive forevermore! Because He lives, we live. Because He rose, we rise.

HE IS RISEN INDEED! By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 24:6 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:14-20, Romans 4:25, Acts 2:24, Revelation 1:18, Matthew 28:6 INTRODUCTION: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Everything we believe hinges on the fact that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Psalm 32 - Acknowledging Our Sin Is To Be Our Regular Practice

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Jul 29, 2023

Have you ever felt that your relationship with God has been, not just stagnant, but wooden and hollow, with no life, no relationship, no joy, no vibrancy or flourishing? Like it is forced and faked and empty?

This morning we are looking at Psalm 32 and we find that it is written by King David. It’s a psalm paired with Psalm 51. They’re bound together. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love.” And they’re bound together because the context of the psalm is 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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