Sermons on Empty Ritual:

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

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

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 9, 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

Death In The Pot

Contributed by Norman Lawrence on Aug 23, 2002

Man today is trying to give humanistic answers to spiritual problems to solve the emptiness of the soul, but it cannot be done.... The answer may often sound right, look right, and even be politically correct, but we realize that apart from Jesus Chris

"Death In The Pot" 2 Kings 4:38-41 Someone has observed that we live in a “cut-flower civilization” today. We speak of justice, morals, peace, and ethics, but do not establish a rooted foundation in God. Therefore there is little left to sustain a purposeful life. Things can look good on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:38-41, Proverbs 16:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Csi (Cross Scene Investigation) Week 3: Investigating The Cross Series

Contributed by Mark Canfield on Nov 10, 2006

friend’s betrayal, an illegal trial, an execution and an empty grave. What do these things have in common? Enter the world of CSI and search for the truth with the entire Cross Scene Investigation team. Delve deeply into the mysteries of four baffling cr

CSI: Cross Scene Investigation Week 3: Investigating the Cross [Before the message each week, a CSI style drama was performed to examine that weeks evidence] Last Two Weeks – Investigated the Betrayal of Judas / Learned -Betray Ourselves Investigated the Trial – Pilot’s ignored the Truth about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Christian Church

Csi (Cross Scene Investigation) Week 4 - Investigating The Resurrection

Contributed by Mark Canfield on Nov 10, 2006

A friend’s betrayal, an illegal trial, an execution and an empty grave. What do these things have in common? Enter the world of CSI and search for the truth with the entire Cross Scene Investigation team. Delve deeply into the mysteries of four baffling c

CSI: Cross Scene Investigation Week 4: Investigating the Resurrection [The message began with a CSI sytle drama that investigated the evidence of the Ressurection] For Most People in Our Culture – SEEING IS BELIEVING! [Show me the Money] BUT . . . For Eric Weihenmayer [WHY-in-Mayor] SEEING ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Denomination: Christian Church

A Grain Of Wheat Is Much Bigger Than A Grain Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Apr 3, 2003

What Jesus teaches his disciples is not an empty phrase or a useless theory, but a reality that is proved by personal experiences of himself and of many of his followers and even by the findings of modern psychology: "He who loves his life loses it, and h

A river wanted to flow to the sea through a desert. But it got afraid when it saw the immense dry sand. It complained: "The desert will drink my water, the hot breath of the sun will destroy me and I will be reduced to merely a stinking swamp". Then it heard a voice:"Trust the desert!" But the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Catholic

How Hospitable Are We?

Contributed by Gilbert Varela on Nov 9, 2007

How do you feel when someone welcomes you, specially if that is the first time you are there? There is nothing that the sad, frustrated, lonely, pathetic, empty soul does not like more than a friendly and smiling face saying “welcome”.

How Hospitable are We? Genesis 18:1-8 NT: Hebrews 13: 2 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Transforming Apathy To Revival

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 17, 2010

A young lady is uncomfortable about her spiritual life. She believes in God, belong to Christian church, attends church’s weekly service, gives offering and yet she still feel emptiness and confusion. She may not be alone...

TRANSFORMING APATHY TO REVIVAL Acts 20:7-12 A young lady is uncomfortable about her spiritual life. She believes in God, belong to Christian church, attends church’s weekly service, gives offering and yet she still feels emptiness and confusion. • She sat on the church’s pew until the preacher ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hollow Hosannas

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 27, 2010

Hosanna! For some these shouts of praise were true expressions of worship; for others they were hollow hosannas – hollow hosannas which were empty words that outwardly appeared beautiful but lacked substance. Is the praise we offer only hollow hosannas?

Hollow Hosannas Text: Matthew 21:1-17 Introduction: On the Sunday before His crucifixion Christ entered the city of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey while a multitude of people “went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Hosanna In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Contributed by Ezekiel Ette on Apr 7, 2020

The world is in a locked down mode this Palm Sunday. Streets are empty and businesses are closed. We are told to stay home and if we must venture out, to avoid touching our face and to wear mask to avoid spreading the deadly Corona Virus.

Palm Sunday “HOSANNA” IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC Ezekiel Ette, Ph.D. (Matt 21 : 1 – 11) As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9

Denomination: United Methodist

Our Enemy...death... Defeated!

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 24, 2016

Easter. The Resurrection of Jesus divides the believer from the non believer. The physical resurrection of Jesus shatters the grip of the fear of death. (Heb. 2:14) One can not separate the facts of the cross from the empty tomb. "The Theography" Sweet

In Jesus Holy Name March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday Redeemer Text: Matthew 28:1,5-6 “Our Enemy – Death- Defeated” He is risen! He is risen indeed! Easter is the ultimate test of faith. The one great watershed that ultimately divides believers ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran