Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Finding God In Us

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 4, 2020

The Second Sunday of Advent.

Finding God in Us Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 40:9-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15, Mark 1:1-8. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, Let us begin our reflection listening to the Gospel according to Mark (Mark1:1-18): “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 40:9-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Other

Torn By Unseen Hands Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Feb 28, 2018

At the moment Jesus died the curtain in the temple was torn in two - God has left the building.

Message Matthew 27:51 Torn By Unseen Hands There is something about curtains that just makes us want to know what is behind them, isn’t there. Curtains have the ability to make us very curious. Example: Visit to a Heritage Home and they always seem to have one or two areas sectioned off. So ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Leviticus 16:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Identification Of Worship Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 27, 2019

As Jesus talked with the woman at the well, He revealed much regarding worship. Through their conversation we discover there are two distinct types of worship - Religious worship and Righteous worship. All worship will fall into one of these categories.

The Identification of Worship John 4: 19-24 This is a portion of a very familiar passage of Scripture. I’m sure that most of us have heard the account of the woman at the well many times. She was a woman who was shunned and rejected by those who knew her. She was an outcast of society due to the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Intelligence Briefing On The Invisible War

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 6, 2021

The army of God and the malevolent demons of Satan have been at war since the start of history. We are on one side or the other with no neutrality. Your eternity rests on whose side you choose when the LORD declares victory at the end of the age.

Nearly a century ago there lived a minister by the name of Donald Grey Barnhouse, who served as pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 until his death in 1960. He led the church through the time when the mainline Presbyterians began to drift away from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 10:25, Revelation 19:11-21, John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 John 5:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

We Serve The Same Purpose Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 3, 2014

With Jesus as our leader or 'coach' all believers are called to the SAME team to follow Him. He leads us, but to what? What is the purpose of following Christ? Paul makes that known here in Col 2 and this morning we will see what he means...

Sermon Brief Date Written: Sept 25, 2014 Date Preached: Sept 28, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: We Serve the SAME God Sermon Title: We Serve the SAME Purpose! Sermon Text: Colossians 2:1-23 [ESV] Introduction: Over the past few weeks we have learned that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Truth

Contributed by James Groce on May 4, 2003

Pontius Pilate even attempted to engage Jesus Christ in a philosophical discussion of the nature of truth when he asked “What is truth?”

******************* Loving truth 2 Thess. 2:10b “…because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” It is sobering to realize that this statement implies that we don’t naturally love the truth. Nor, for that matter, can we be saved without loving the truth. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

"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