Sermons on Empty Ritual:

"What Church Is Best" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 6, 2014

Too many denominations can water down the Gospel

The Ultimate Decision August 6, 2014 I wonder what God would think of all the denominations today? The true church started at the cross and ended at the empty tomb. That is it. We are all born dead in our sins and God knew we needed a Savior. He then sent His son from heaven to be born a Virgin ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Saw The Downfall Of Apostate Religion Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 15, 2021

Jesus finished His final day of public ministry. He taught the crowds in the Temple, confronted difficult questions, and then left for good. The Temple and its religious system was corrupt, useless, and irredeemable, and would be judged by God.

Mark 12:28-44 gives us details about the final day of Jesus' public ministry and HIs departure from the Temple. He will go to the Mount of Olives and present to His astonished disciples the reality of what is to come in the future, and it does not involve a new Israel free from Rome, nor the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46, Mark 12:28-44, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 20:41-47, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 23:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Golden Rules Of God!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 28, 2014

Do not follow the ways of the people around you but strictly adhere to the rules of God!

Rules of God! Ezekiel 11:12”……you shall know that I am the LORD. For you have not walked in my statutes, nor obeyed my rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you." Rules of God versus rules of the nation! A domestic worker, mother of three ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 11:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Pays ... Mankind Stutters Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 1, 2013

Why has Jesus been forsaken? So that we do not need to go through heel and so we can have a relationship with God.

Message Matthew 27:45-56 Jesus Pays ... Mankind Stutters Good Friday is the day we specifically focus on the death of Jesus. Now let’s remember that His death is just a small part of the whole – what we call – Passion Narrative. It seems a bit strange to call this act “The Passion” especially ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-56

Denomination: Baptist

In Spirit And Truth: Worship That Transforms Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 10, 2023

A profound question: What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth? Our guidance comes from the New Living Translation of the Bible, specifically from John 4:23-24

"In Spirit and Truth: Worship That Transforms" Today, we gather to explore a profound question: What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth? Our guidance comes from the New Living Translation of the Bible, specifically from John 4:23-24: John 4:23-24 (NLT): "But the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Treats Lightly Those Who Treat Him Lightly

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 18, 2014

What does God consider acceptable worship?

The Lord Treats Lightly Those Who Treat Him Lightly Malachi 1:6-14 Introduction The third of the Ten Commandments reads: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Often we think of this as ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

New Wine Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005

4th in series on Jesus’ priorities. Jesus took the common, and took the customs, and used them for God’s glory.

John 2:1-11 – New Wine I heard about an unfortunate event that happened some time ago at a wedding. A young couple, very much in love, were getting married. Sue, the wife to be, was very nervous about the big occasion and so the pastor chose one verse that he felt would be a great ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Cleaned House Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

The Lord Jesus arrived in Jerusalem hailed by the Jews as the Davidic king who would restore Israel. He arrived not for that purpose, but to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant who restored all of HIs people back to God. The first step was to restore His house.

The final week of Jesus' public ministry had started with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, being hailed as the rightful heir of David and the One who would finally drive out the hated Roman Gentile oppressors and restore the nation of Israel back to its former glory, or so the people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-17, Luke 19:28-48, John 2:13-22, John 12:12-19, Psalm 118:26, Isaiah 56:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Answer Number One: The Cross Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 3, 2015

There is really one answer to a divided church and that is THE CROSS. It is the cross that reveals the love of God.

Up to this point in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians we have been discussing the divided church. There is really one answer to a divided church and that is THE CROSS. So that is our focus this evening. Paul emphasizes in verse 17 that words of human wisdom are not the answer for a divided ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Come And Drink

Contributed by Stephan Brown on May 16, 2002

Demonstrates the fulfillment that comes through the Living Water of God to those who are spiritually thirsty. Can have evangelistic application as well as application for hurting believers.

Come and Drink John 7:37-39, “37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me! 38 If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within." F33 39 (When he said ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39, John 4:4-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Blessed People

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on May 13, 2022

Jesus taught us is to challenge us and to encourage us.

The Blessed People Today, let's meditate on the gospel according to Matthew, chapter 5. The sermon that Jesus delivers is affectionately called the sermon on the mount. In my opinion, the sermon on the mount is more like a devotional on the mount. But traditionally, we call it the Sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Confession Of Sin And Prayer For Forgiveness.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Sep 6, 2001

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 Psalm 51:1-20 Title: “Confession of sin and prayer for forgiveness.”

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 Psalm 51:1-20 Title: “Confession of sin and prayer for forgiveness.” This is the best known of the seven traditional penitential psalms, 6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143, and one of the most moving prayers in the Old Testament. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Put Your Pencils Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 1, 2001

A Labor Day and Communion message, dealing with the sources of satisfaction in work. Designed for audience participation.

Labor Day, and school is starting again. I wonder, do they still do the same things as when I was in school? Do they still have the same rituals? Maybe not. Things do change. Dodgeball, for example. Now that was THE game in my day. You had the right to throw the ball as hard as you could and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Disputing Disputable Matters

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jan 6, 2016

We are not all at the same level of spiritual maturity, and we do not all walk the exact same path with Jesus; therefore, let us not get disagreeable over opinions.

Disputable Matters Illustration – The Hatfield and McCoy feud (1863–1891) In most cases, when a dispute ends in violence there is a bit of history behind the dispute. Probably the most famous dispute in America was between two families living in the West Virginia/Kentucky area along ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

Denomination: Christian Church