Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Written In Stone

Contributed by David Roth on Apr 6, 2021

The fact of our death, although it has not yet occurred is certain and written in stone. But the fact of our resurrection in Christ, although it has not yet occurred is more certain, and written in the stone of His empty tomb and on the stone which was rolled away.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14) “Written in Stone” Alleluia, He is risen. He is risen, indeed, Alleluia. It was Saturday evening. The sun had set. The Sabbath had ended. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Gone Fishing

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 1, 2021

From the text I see three ways in which we may rob ourselves of the blessings of God in our life. Many of you here tonight have been toiling day after day and to a veil came up empty.

Intro: Tonight Lord willing I would like to talk to you about receiving your blessing. From the text I see three ways in which we may rob ourselves of the blessings of God in our life. Many of you here tonight have been toiling day after day and to a veil came up empty. You are ready to give it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-7

To Love Is God’s Commandment Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 28, 2015

The world’s values do not last for eternity, they are self-centered and empty. John’s cry to the believer here is asking, “Who do you live for?” Will we love and live for God or ourselves?

To Love is God’s Commandment 1 John Bible Study, Part 4 1 John 2:7-17 Introduction - Last week, John gave us tremendous insight into living fully for Christ • We have an Advocate • We must live for Him • God makes us complete - V4 is the confirmation of this ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort One Another With Eternal Realities

Contributed by Mike Montoya on Jul 20, 2017

Summary: There is hope in life and hope in life after death. A Christian should not be ignorant and hopeless concerning dying as a child of God. Our hope is not an empty hope, it is based upon the eternal reality of Jesus Christ being raised from the dead

Contents Introduction 2 Hope and Hopelessness 2 Ignorance and Sorrow 4 Homer and Hesiod 4 Arguments, and the Conclusion 7 Argument 1 - WE DO BELIEVE 7 Argument 2 - The Authority and the Order of the Meeting 8 Argument 3 - Revealing and the Rapture 9 The Conclusion - The rapture of the living and ...read more

Why Believe The Good News Of Easter

Contributed by Paul Sizemore on Sep 28, 2016

Our Easter joy is not always immediate. It certainly wasn't immediate for Jesus' first disciples either. Even the empty tomb and the angel's proclamation left them bewildered. It was in remembering Jesus' own words that the Spirit brought them to faith.

“Why Believe the Good News of Easter,” Luke 24:1-12, Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 Brothers and sisters, you probably know that this coming Friday is “April Fools’ Day;” a day that is always celebrated every year on the first day of April. It’s a day, when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

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

"to Jerusalaem... A Mission To Complete

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 29, 2020

Jesus rebuked Peter because Peter did not understand God's plan.... Jerusalem, the cross and empty grave would mean forgiveness and eternal life. We all make mistakes... quotes by Barbara Bush, John Stott

In Jesus Holy Name August 30, 2020 Text: Matthew 16:21-28 Pentecost XIII – Redeemer “To Jerusalem…A Mission to Complete” Jesus and His disciples were at Caesarea Philippi. Their ministry to this point had been a stunning success. Crowds pressed in on them everywhere they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28, Hebrews 7:24-27

Denomination: Lutheran

The Meaning And Purpose Of Life

Contributed by John Newbaker on Jul 10, 2021

There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no drive, no determination, and no desires. They’re depressed, discouraged, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. They feel they have no hope.

I want to start off by asking 2 questions: 1/ Does this life have meaning and purpose, and if so, 2/ Where can we find the meaning and purpose of life? There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Sermon At Athens: The Unknown God Made Known

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jun 8, 2021

Paul began his Gospel message by pointing out the empty altar dedicated to the "Unknown God' whom the Greeks acknowledged and worshipped, then proceeded to tell them about the true and living God and how to know Him personally.

Paul had now established common ground with the men of Athens by referring to the empty altar dedicated to the God of whom they know nothing yet honored despite their ignorance and uncertainty. Paul did not chide them or charge them with blasphemy, nor does he rebuke them for their polytheism. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 48:13, Acts 4:24, Hebrews 1:10, Acts 17:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Your Shield And Reward Series

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 4, 2025

Week 2: I AM Series - From Burning Bush to Bethlehem - When victories feel empty and fears overwhelm you at 3 AM, God offers something better than protection or blessings. He offers Himself completely.

Your Shield and Reward Week 2: I AM Series - From Burning Bush to Bethlehem Main Text: Genesis 15:1 Supporting Texts: Psalm 84:11, Ephesians 6:16 Introduction You lie awake at 3 AM. The house stays silent except for the refrigerator's hum, and your mind races despite your exhaustion. Last ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9, Genesis 14:23, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:1-3, Genesis 15:2-3, Genesis 15:6, Numbers 18:20, Job 42:2, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 50:10, Psalm 84:11, Proverbs 18:24, Matthew 6:33, John 6:35, John 10:11, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 17:3, John 20:19, Acts 18:9, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 6:16, Philippians 3:7-8, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 John 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold The Servant-King: Following Jesus Through The Prophecies Of Isaiah Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 7, 2026

Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was already preaching the Gospel. The book of Isaiah is not merely ancient poetry or distant prophecy—it is a Spirit-breathed portrait of Jesus Christ.

Behold the Servant-King: Following Jesus Through the Prophecies of Isaiah Introduction: Seeing Jesus Before He Was Seen Church, disciples of Jesus Christ, today we stand on holy ground. Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:32-33, Philippians 2:6-11, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 8:32-35, Numbers 6:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Laodicea: Knock, Knock! Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Feb 14, 2021

Becoming a tepid or lukewarm church doesn’t take any effort at all … none. All we have to do is sit in the pews, sing the same old hymns, hear the same old sermons over and over again, and eventually you’ll end up with a tepid church full of lukewarm Christians.

The sun showed them no mercy. Directly overhead, it blazed and beat down on them. They were tired and hungry and very thirsty, so the sight of a well … even a Samaritan well … was a more-than-welcome sight. Jesus and the Disciples didn’t have a jar or a bucket with them, so they had no way to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22, Isaiah 55:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

The Purpose Of Life

Contributed by Jedidiah Jedidiah on Aug 27, 2025

Seeking meaning in earthly pursuits leads to emptiness; they were never designed to be the source of our purpose. "Why am I here?" is fundamentally a theological question, not a worldly one. The answer can only be found by going to the source of life who created us – God.

The purpose of life The Bible repeatedly points out that humanity's natural inclination is to turn away from God's will and follow their own path. This is a central part of the biblical concept of sin. This rejection is a recurring theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 14:12

Finding God's Hand...in Our Everyday Lives Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on Apr 2, 2007

Is it possible to walk through your day and see God? So often we get to the end of our day and feel empty, like we didn’t see God and we wonder if he cares about the details of our life.

I am really glad you are here with us today. Today is part two of our series Finding God’s hand. We are walking through the book of Ruth. I am really excited where we are in the story today, as it takes some new twists and turns. Today we are going to meet a guy named Boaz, which right off the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Carpenter's Cloth Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 22, 2006

This is taken from Sigmund Brouwer’s wonderful book of the same name. This speaks of the cross being only part of God’s plan of salvation for us, the empty tomb being the other. Jesus the carpenter wants to complete His work in us.

John 20:1-9 – The Carpenter’s Cloth Tonight I’m going to share a thought with you that I read several years ago, and it has blessed me ever since. In fact, likely, you remember it since I read it to you on my 1st Easter Sunday message in Doaktown and Blissfield. I hope that it encourages you ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist