Sermons on Empty Ritual:

What Is The Sabbath?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 1, 2018

In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus teaches us about what the Sabbath is through His healing of a man with a withered hand. This sermon explains what the Jews believed about the Sabbath, and how we can apply the Sabbath as modern Christians.

In the movie The Incredibles, there is a scene where ex-Super Hero Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, has a confrontation with his boss. Mr. Incredible has been forcibly retired from the hero business for years, and is working at an insurance company. He is doing a good job, but too good of a job. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6, Mark 2:27-28, Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Top Ten Reasons Why Easter Jesus Is Better Than Christmas Jesus – Part 2

Contributed by Peter Pilt on Apr 28, 2019

This was a creative way we presented the Easter Story. We looked at the ways that Easter Jesus is better than Christmas Jesus and then decorated the auditorium half as Easter and half as Christmas. It worked very well.This post is Part Two of Top Ten Reasons.

During Easter 2019, I preached a creative message on Good Friday and Easter Sunday looking at the The Top Ten Reasons why Easter Jesus is better than Christmas Jesus. Now I understand that Christmas and Easter Jesus are the same Jesus…but the point I am trying to make is that the world is more ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-9, 1 Corinthians 15:14, Romans 6:5-7, Hebrews 9:11-14, 1 Peter 1:3, Acts 2:22-25, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Hebrews 10:19, John 14:15, Ephesians 1:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon # 1 - God's Bountiful Heart Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 21, 2024

What is the secret to a life of overflowing abundance? There’s much we can learn from the life of David and Abraham. God can bless abundantly if only we can follow certain principles, and let go of thoughts and attitudes that displease God.

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.” (ISV) This is Paul’s words to the church at Corinth and he wished them that they would be full and overflowing with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 23:1, Genesis 1:20, Genesis 2:9, Genesis 2:10, Psalm 34:10, Genesis 2:12, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Sermon # 43 - Good News For All Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 13, 2023

In a world that bombards us with bad news, there is hope and good news only through Jesus Christ. The good news of the gospel can transform all of our situations if only we give heed and believe.

Here’s what is recorded in Luke 2:10, but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. (GNB) From the above mentioned verse, the word that I would like to highlight for our meditation is the word ‘good news’. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10, Genesis 1:31, Revelation 22:3, Luke 5:5-6, Mark 5:25-26, Mark 5:27-29, Mark 6:48, Mark 6:51, John 8:5, Luke 2:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

10. Come Home To The Father (A Sermon On God's Waiting Love) Series

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Nov 26, 2025

A father scans the horizon daily, waiting for his wandering child. This is God's heart toward you. No matter how far you have gone, He watches and waits eagerly.

10. Come Home to the Father (A Sermon on God's Waiting Love) Introduction: The Universal Language of a Father's Heart Picture a father standing at the edge of his property, hand shielding his eyes from the sun, scanning the horizon for a familiar silhouette. Day after day, he returns to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20, Luke 15:13, Luke 15:17, Luke 15:21, Psalm 139:1-3, Isaiah 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 12:6, 1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Will You Find When You Look For Jesus?

Contributed by Scott Sharpes on Apr 16, 2003

Finding the meaning of the empty tomb. In my darkness, would God’s presence break through? How can I celebrate Easter, when I’m living Good Friday. Out of the ashes of life, you can still find Jesus. These questions are answered as we look for the mes

Title: What Will You Find When You Look For Jesus?04/20/03 West Side Text: Matthew 28:1-10 A.M. Service ~ Easter Sunday Purpose: To find the meaning of the empty tomb *******************************************************Introduction Did you see the story on CNN this past Sunday of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Go! And Let God Teach You What Is Best - Isaiah 48:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 3, 2025

In an age of YouTube tutorials, online influencers, and self-help gurus, it seems everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life—how to find success, happiness, or peace. Yet, so many people follow the advice of the world and still feel empty, anxious, or lost.

Go! And Let God Teach You What Is Best - Isaiah 48:17 Introduction: The Teacher Who Knows Best “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.’” – Isaiah 48:17 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:17, Micah 6:8, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Overcoming Doubts, What Will It Take?”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 16, 2020

Two kinds of doubters of spiritual truth....hard-boiled rationalists who say, “I don’t believe it.......” two of the doubters, Peter and John ran to the tomb. They found it empty. Include quote from Rev. Klaas abut the doubt that President Lincoln was dead. Lee Strobel was a doubter.

In Jesus Holy Name Easter II 2020 Text: John 20:25b Redeemer “Overcoming Doubts, What Will It Take?” He is Risen! He has risen indeed! The disciples on Easter morning had forgotten a promise of Jesus. He had told them that he would be arrested and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:25, John 20:28-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Surprised By Prayer!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Prayer can open up for us insight into God's will when the way seems dark and uncertain.

Surprised By Prayer! Acts 12:1-19 The popularity of prayer has skyrocketed in recent months. Prayer, talking about prayer, writing about prayer, exploring patterns of prayers and the like have become more prevalent than Tiger Woods' fans at a golf tournament. Prayer has truly come to the forefront ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Keep In Step With The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 14, 2026

The promise connected to walking by the Spirit is amazing: you will not gratify the desires of the flesh! So what does it mean to walk by the Spirit?

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. We come this morning to the final message in our series on loving God. The greatest command is to love God, and the way to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:25

The Triumphal Entry Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 19, 2016

1) The Faithful Arrival (Mark 11: 1– 7), 2) The Faithless Approval (Mark 11: 8– 10), 3) The Faithful Appraisal (Mark 11:11)

Carved into a towering cliff in central Afghanistan stood two gigantic statues. Hewn out of the living sandstone rock, they were figures of the Buddha, dominating the Bamiyan Valley which they overlook. The statues stood on the ancient Silk Road, the old trade route which stretched through ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Other

Defeating Giants

Contributed by Fran Van Hoven on Jun 25, 2007

We’ve all been to the place where we’ve had to deal with giants; giants like worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, depression. Whatever it has been, we’ve wandered through those dry valleys looking for answers, and sometimes we come up empty. We f

DEFEATING GIANTS Students involved in a research project at the University of Illinois called 2000 homes at random between midnight and 2 A.M. on a Friday night in the city of Chicago to see if parents knew where their children were. In 75% of the homes called, a child answered and didn’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus: The Great Joy-Giver Series

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Jan 9, 2008

Before we believe in Jesus, we are like the water jars: empty, stony hard hearts, sitting off to the side doing nothing. But Jesus is able to fill us, fill us to the brim, and transform us and then use us to bring joy to others. Believe it. Don’t think th

Let’s open our Bibles to John chapter 2. And as you’re turning I want to tell you the story of Blaise Pascal who was a French mathematician and philosopher. In his writings, which were entitled Pensees, he traces the logical progression of his thoughts on many subjects. And then something happened ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Growing With Jesus

Contributed by James May on Dec 30, 2018

Jesus had to submit himself to his parents in order to grow up and mature in wisdom and understanding before he could step out into ministry. Should we not humble ourselves, submit to leaders over us and grow up spiritually, emptying ourselves of pride before we attempt to minister to others.

Growing with Jesus Sunday, December 30, 2019 By Rev. James May From the time of Jesus’ birth to his appearance at the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist, little is known about Jesus’ childhood and growing up. The only passage that tells us much of anything is found in the 2nd ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Luke 2:41-52, Hebrews 5:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Easiest Yoke We Can Carry

Contributed by Craig Condon on Nov 9, 2015

As we come together to worship every week, we admit our hunger for God. God sees our emptiness and feeds us the choicest food, the flesh and blood of the one who invites us today to take his yoke upon us and learn from him for he is meek and humble.

Have you ever noticed that there are always some people who can never be satisfied or happy with anything? Jesus did, and in our Gospel reading from Matthew this morning he compared the people of his day to children who can’t be satisfied by any game or activity, whether it is festive or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Anglican