Sermons on Empty Ritual:

When The Glory Returns

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 25, 2025

When the glory of God departs, emptiness, defeat, and shame follow. But when His glory returns, joy, revival, restoration, and victory are inevitable. The return of the glory is not a casual occurrence; it is birthed through hunger, repentance, and divine order.

WHEN THE GLORY RETURNS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 4:21-5:1 Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 10:18-19, Haggai 2:9, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, Psalm 85:6-9, John 1:14 INTRODUCTION: The glory of God is the tangible manifestation of His presence, power, and majesty. In 1 Samuel 4:21, Ichabod ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Radical Prayer Series

Contributed by Paul Green on Jul 13, 2009

Many prayers of God’s people are weak, empty, passion-less, and vision-less. If we are going to see God move, if we are going to see God at work, if we are going to see situations turned around and lives dramatically changed by the mighty hand of God the

Walnut Prayers There was once a man who was very faithful in his prayer life. Every morning when he got up he would kneel by his bed and he would pray, ‘God bless me, God bless my family, God bless this day’. And before every meal he would say a prayer ‘God bless this food’. And every night ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:21-32

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Heed To God's Word Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2022

The evidence of our Christian sincerity is demonstrated in the way we treat one another. God's word to His people is that we would love our neighbor as ourselves. Zechariah confronts this matter with a reminder of Israel's historical experience.

In Zechariah 7 a delegation came from the Jews in Bethel asking the question: “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”i During the 70 years of exile in Babylon, the Jews had been observing four fasts in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem. The most ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 22:37-38, James 1:27, Matthew 10:39, Luke 6:38, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Isaiah 30:1-11, 1 Peter 1:1-16, Exodus 9:12, Proverbs 28:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Foundation For Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2019

Study of worship as outlined in the Tenth Chapter of Hebrews.

“Since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Christ The Liberator

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 6, 2007

Oh, that we would never let our Christianity become nothing more than a set of rituals and laws! Christ has set us free from sin not to enslave us to a new set of laws! If we are to live free from sin we have to allow our hearts to be filled with the grac

Christ the Liberator, John 8:31-36 Introduction You and I – we – are born into this lives wearing slaves shackles. They aren’t visible. We can’t see them because they are the shackles of sin. The Bible teaches us that all of us have received a sinful nature from our parents. Our parents ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian Church

From Egypt To Heaven - Part Ii Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Apr 6, 2001

A study of the exodus

THE FIRST NINE PLAGUES At the end of Exodus chapter 2 we’re told: “Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Finding Joy: Easter, 2003

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 28, 2003

Do you ever feel like this? Emptiness? Exhaustion? Feeling trapped? We’ll meet two people in the Bible who felt this way. But because they met the Risen Jesus, they found joy. And you can, too!

(I used several ideas from Rick Warren’s Easter messages over the last few years for this message. Thanks, Rick! 1980 people attended our services and 63 people prayed to recieve Christ at CVCC this Easter!) * * * I’ve lived in NE Ohio 17 years and I’ve personally talked to hundreds of people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Did Jesus Really Die And Rise Again?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 9, 2004

The empty cross and risen Lord is the paramount doctrine upon which the believer rests his or her eternal destiny. I Corinthians 15:14 states that if Christ did not die and rise, then our preaching and faith is completely worthless.

DID JESUS REALLY DIE AND RISE AGAIN? I CORINTHIANS 15:1-9 Key Verses: 3-4 “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Who Did His Father's Will?

Contributed by William Mouser on Oct 25, 2005

Right words never exceed right deeds, though it is always best when words and deeds match one another. Jesus’ parable of the two sons urges us to repent of our empty words and to fill them with obedience.

Who Did His Father’s Will? Matt 21:28-32 Jesus’ teaching has many places in it where it is difficult to understand what he means. And, then there are those places where his meaning is clear, but the application what he says is tricky – or so we like to think. We have one of those places in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Come And See! Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Apr 1, 2013

The heart of our faith is the reality of the resurrection. At the empty tomb three commands were spoken to the two women – “Do not fear – Come and see – Go and tell.” They apply to us today as well!

Come and See! - Matthew 28:1-10 - March 31, 2013 Series: Easter Sunday I’m going to read a few verses to you from the Gospel of Luke as we begin this morning, and as I read them, I invite you to simply listen to what is being said, and to try to grasp the impact that Jesus’ words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: *other

Jesus' Relationship To Believers Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 29, 2012

Three little verses are all we will look at but three verses that show us the very special relationship that Jesus has with believers, a relationship that delivers us from an existence that is barren, empty, lonely, unmeaningful and otherwise sad without

Tonight I just want to take a few minutes to talk about the love that Jesus has for us as believers. Three little verses are all we will look at but three verses that show us the very special relationship that Jesus has with believers, a relationship that delivers us from an existence that is ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Hold True To The Word Of God" Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Apr 30, 2013

The young man Timothy was sent to the Church in Ephesus, partly to restore the Church to The Word of God.Individuals had come into the congregation giving empty and meaningless words, instead of the inspired Word of God. Today, the church needs to get ba

*HOLD TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD!* 1 Timothy 1:1-7 http://chirb.it/a8gmMc INTRODUCTION: 1.) As we begin this letter this morning, The Apostle Paul was writing to a young man in the ministry named Timothy. 2.) Really, much of this epistle we could describe as the syllabus for a class in Practical ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection That Was, That Is, And Is To Come

Contributed by Tim Diack on Apr 24, 2011

The wonder of Easter is found in the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. The tomb is empty and our Lord lives! This message invites us to consider our lives in the light of the resurrection of Christ, the new life we can have in

The Resurrection that Was, and Is, and Is to Come - 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 - April 24, 2011 (Resurrection Sunday and Communion Service) Thomas Jefferson is a name many of you are to likely recognize this morning. In his time he was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-23

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

Jesus Is Missing!

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 5, 2016

"The Empty Manger" is about a guy who noticed the nativity display at his church was missing the baby Jesus. Everything else was there but the most important piece was missing. In life, everything else can be there but if Jesus is missing it's incomplete.

JESUS IS MISSING! INTRODUCTION: The Empty Manger. "A number of years ago, the church I attend set up a very nice nativity set in the front of our sanctuary during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, when we observe Advent. The wise men, shepherds, livestock, angels, Joseph, and Mary had all ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ