Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Who Is This Jesus? Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 24, 2017

God becomes human flesh. God empties himself and becomes a helpless babe. GOD CAME DOWN TO LIFT US UP. This is Christmas—one resolve—God wants to change our hearts; to make us a new creation.

FAMOUS FIRSTS * Virginia Dare (1587): 1st child born in the American colonies, Aug. 18, on (now) Roanoke Island, NC. * André-Jacques Garnerin (1797): 1st parachute jump 6,500 ft. over Manseau Park, Paris in a 23’ dia. parachute made of white canvas with a basket attached (Oct. 22). * Charles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Other

Fullness In The Field Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 8, 2020

As Ruth entered what appeared to be a random field, in hopes of being able to glean enough to survive, she had no idea of the providence of God at work in her life. She came empty, and yet, she would leave filled.

Fullness in the Field Ruth 2:8-14 It has been a long journey from the desolation and desperation of Moab. Surely Ruth wondered what she would find as she made her way to a new land. I’m sure there were fears and uncertainties in her mind. Even though she was unaware, God was providentially ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Fruitful Branches”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 23, 2024

Opening story: 230 old vine at Hampton Court. And an illustration of running on empty when we are not connected to the vine of Jesus. How to imitate Jesus and let Him produce fruit on our branch. Illustration from Dallas Willard

In Jesus Holy Name April 2, 2024 Text: John 15:1-8 Easter V “Fruitful Branches” In Hampton Court, near London, there is a grapevine that is reported to be the oldest living vine in the world. It is over 230 years old. It was planted in 1768. This grapevine has one root which is 12 feet ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8, Ephesians 5:1, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Walking With God

Contributed by Samuel M on Apr 6, 2025

Walking with God is a process in which God removes( or empties) our will and replaces it with His will. Our self will be replaced by Christ. It will be no longer be I who live, but Christ lives in me. Christ will live in us, and our self will be dead.

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24 Maybe Enoch walked with God till his will was no more, for God took Enoch’s will and replaced it with His will. It was no more Enoch living in his physical body, but God living within him. Enoch and God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:24

Strange Days In Jerusalem (Sermon 3) Series

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 11, 2011

EASTER / LENTEN SERIES Part of the Strange Days in Jerusalem Series. Dramatic and unusual events occur in the period surrounding the crucifixion. This is part 3 of that series. Travel with me to 29 A.D. where we will see the earth quake, the rocks split

Strange Days in Jerusalem The Six Miracles of Calvary Using the theme based on the book, The Six Miracles of Calvary, by William R. Nicholson Series Begins 2/28/2010 SERIES INTRODUCTION: 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-54

Denomination: Baptist

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

A sermon for pastors and church leaders. It is a message on leadership illustrated from the interactions between Samuel and Saul.

I Samuel 14:47: After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. Saul was a fighting King. He was a great general. He dealt all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-29

Denomination: Holiness

Wonderful Counselor Series

Contributed by Mike Hays on Nov 26, 2003

He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. In this series we will take a look at each of these titles given to the Promised One of God.

The Gift of Christmas “Wonderful Counselor” Isaiah 9:1-7 Four the next four weeks I want us to spend our study time taking a look at a section of the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was a prolific prophet in perilous times. He wrote 66 chapters that are filled with judgment, justice, love, and redemption. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An 'offal' Way Of Service

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 24, 2010

As ministers of the LORD, let us follow in the example of Levi, which leads to blessing, and not in the example of the Priests addressed in Malachi, which leads to cursing.

An 'Offal' Way of Service Text: Malachi 2:1-9 Preached at: Young Guns for the Lord 2008 Conference Rock Tabernacle - Griffin, GA May 2008 By Sterling C. Franklin Proposition: We should follow in Levi's blessed way of service. Organizational Sentence (Interrogatives: How & Why?): As ministers of ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time Is Now! Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Mar 5, 2012

In many Christian circles fasting has fallen out of favor, yet Jesus' expecation appears to be that His followers WILL fast! Why ought we to fast? What is fasting? What blessing comes from fasting? How do we go about starting a fast? Come and see wh

The Time Is Now! - Matthew 6:16-18 - March 4, 2012 Series: Kingdom Life – A World Turned Upside Down #20 Let’s open our Bibles this morning to the 6th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew as we continue in our study of the Sermon on the Mount. If you’re joining us for the first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: *other

What’s Your Business?

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 28, 2014

To urge people to deliberately begin to love and to associate with at least one lost person for the purpose of unapologetically inviting them to answer Jesus’ call to repent

I want to begin this morning by showing a deeply moving and theologically packed video clip that not only is animated and frivolous, but also 3 months too early in the year. But, this does help introduce a certain character we’re going to learn from this morning. (Show clip from “The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Purposes For His People Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 12, 2022

God will accomplish His plan for His people. After correcting them In Zechariah 7, God affirms His undying love and paints a picture of the future He has in mind for them. Zechariah 8:1-8 is a beautiful lesson on GRACE.

At the beginning of Zechariah 7 a delegation of Jews from Bethel asked whether they should continue the fasts that they had been observing in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple almost 70 years ago. Since the 70-year captivity was ending and the temple was being rebuilt, perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-23, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, Jeremiah 30:6-10, Isaiah 48:1, Romans 14:17, Luke 1:37, Matthew 24:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Slave Or Free? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2010

The world believes that if they can be free of God, they’ll be free to do as they wish? But the Bible teaches us that everyone is a slave to something, but does that really make sense?

OPEN: I’m not sure who wrote the following words, but this story says a lot about mankind: When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Go! And Love As Christ Loves - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 10, 2025

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 remind us that love is central to everything we do as followers of Christ. Love is not an optional extra; it is the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Jesus.

Go! And Love as Christ Loves Introduction 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT) declares:"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:15, James 3:17, Colossians 3:14, Matthew 6:1, 1 John 3:16, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Never Again Without The Presence Of Jesus

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

A simple Easter sermon used in at sunrise. What must it have been like between Jesus’ death and resurrection? To be without the presence of Jesus must have been utter emptiness. To be with him again must have been utter joy.

Never again without the presence of Jesus Purpose: To reflect on Jesus’ presence and challenge the people to be the presence of Jesus to a world that needs Him. 1. Read John 20:1-21 2. Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to actually be in the presence of Jesus? What would it have felt ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-21

Denomination: Nazarene