Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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 Implications Of The Christian Life Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jun 28, 2004

the implications of following Jesus

JOHN 13V1-17 THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE All sorts of things have implications for the way we live our lives today. If you are married there are implications – you no longer are self-centred, you no longer just think of yourself but think of two. If you are a parent – there are massive ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

God’s Way Of Winning Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 15, 2012

Philip and the Ethiopian - (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: The Characters • An evangelist called Philip (vs 26) • A eunuch from Ethiopia (vs 27) The Situation. • The servant of the Lord (vs 27) • A seeker of the Lord (vs 27-28) The Conversation. • The helpful evangelist (vs 30 and 36) • The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Brethren

Tricking Or Treating God Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 22, 2021

We should all be “treating” the Lord with our devotion and reverence. But how many of us are trying to “trick” Him? How many of us are doing things to appease God, while at the same time we’re pleasing the world or ourselves?

Halloween is a holiday that most children look forward to, because they get to dress up as their favorite storybook character or superhero; and then go knocking on doors and hopefully come home with a big bag full of candy. And what’s that expression that kids say while they’re standing on ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-12, 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

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