Sermons on Empty Ritual:

Joy In Relationships Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jul 21, 2025

We had a family in for an infant child presentation. The sermon was written for that even within the series

Intro: Life is Full of Joyful Interruptions This morning feels a little different — in the best possible way. We're in the middle of our series called “Enjoy Life”, and today we get to celebrate something that brings joy to life in a • very real, • very wriggly, • very wide-eyed way: ? the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, Mark 10:13-16

The Tests Of Real Religion Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 28, 2009

Receptivity to the Word & responsiveness to its revelation must be coupled with a new way of living. One must continuously surrender in obedience to & constant practice of the Word. For inner spiritual devotion to Christ as Lord will be demonstrated by me

JAMES 1:26-27 THE TESTS OF REAL RELIGION We have been studying about being receptive to the Word and responsive to its teachings. Receptivity to the Word and responsiveness to its revelation must be coupled with a new way of living. One must continuously surrender to obedience and constant ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Sowing To The Spirit

Contributed by Samuel Stone on Nov 15, 2007

Paul warned people against the Judiaisers.

Gal 6:7-16 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Will The Real Christianity Please Stand Up?"

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Feb 13, 2008

This sermon looks at the misconceptions people have today in regard to Christianity today.

“Will the real Christianity please stand up?“ Misconceptions Does not matter who you meet these days you can be guaranteed that people will have their own ideas and opinions about Christianity, many of these ideas will be from a sincere belief imbibed from tradition and the culture around them ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Great Rules For Prayer, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Brian Eatock on Oct 7, 2007

The beliver should be praying, but Jesus gives us some rules to follow. It is not as much about the rules as it is the condition of our heart. Sermons highly influenced by the Preacher’s Outline and Study Bible.

Title: Great Rules of Prayer Text: Matthew 6:7-8 A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother: "Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy, and God, GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!!!" Mom: "God’s not deaf, son. Boy: "I know, Mom, but Grandma’s in the next room, and she’s hard of hearing! A young man goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-18

Denomination: Holiness

God Is A God Of Covenants Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 28, 2008

God’s covenant through Abram was about the Hebrews getting to the Promised Land of Canaan and it was a precursor to the final covenant through Jesus Christ!

God tells Christians in 1 Peter 1:18-19, For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. A great hymn ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:7-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Church In Exile, And Our Response

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Jan 7, 2002

In many ways the Christian church is a church in exile as many of our traditional power bases have been lost. We are not to focus on things of man, but things of God, in prayer and faith. Perseverance in prayer is the key.

A Church in Exile, and our Response. Sermon for Proper 29, Year C 21 October 2001 St John the Evangelist, Cold Lake Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:94-104 2 Tim 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 One of the joys of being a Lay Reader is the privilege of preaching God’s word before His people. The other part ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Is It Really About?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on what is really important in the family of God,

I remember in college, performing in the musical Godspell. In the opening scene we came out onto the stage as the great philosophers and theologians of the day. I was Martin Luther if memory serves me correct. As each person was brought into the light, we gave a little speech on our philosophy ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-19

Denomination: Methodist

Why Religion Stinks Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on Jan 6, 2009

Part 3 of our "Being the Church" series, this one focusing on the need for an authentic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how "religion" does not meet that need.

Stephen N. Collins Millville – 06/22/08 Being the Church Part 3: Why Religion Stinks Acts 4:1-22 Icebreaker: The kindergarten teacher asked the students in her class to bring something related to their families’ religions to class the next day. She asked for volunteers to show what they had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Church Of God

The Blood Made The Difference Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

There is a PLAGUE...final and fatal it is, but there is a PROTECTION. Passover and the blood of the Lamb! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

What Makes the Difference? Ex. 11:4-7 (key), 12:3-7, 12-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BloodMadeDifference.html v. 7 “...the Lord doth put a DIFFERENCE between the Egyptians and Israel.” At this point in the story, Israel has been held in slavery for many years in Egypt. God raised up Moses ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 11:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Christ Of Our Poverty

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 1, 2024

A sermon for the Sundays after Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 13

June 30, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Lamentations 3:22-33; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43 The Christ of our Poverty Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Lutheran

The Living Water

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Nov 3, 2012

He issues the call, “Are you thirsty? Come and drink!” Do you desire satisfaction? Come and Drink! Are you burdened by the bad things you’ve done? Come and Drink! Are you weighed down by the struggles of life? Come and Drink!

The Call of Jesus John 7:37-39-On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

When Death Has Taken My Loved One

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2010

Though unnatural, death comes to all. How shall we respond to death? We explore this neglected subject by looking at an incident in the ministry of Ezekiel.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Condeming Hands Series

Contributed by John Harvey on Mar 24, 2005

A look at Pilate and the rolehe played in handing Jesus over to be crucified.

“God and Human Hands” “Condemning Hands” March 13,2005 ***Intro: Video of Jesus before Pilate from “The Passion” Pilate was the Roman Procurator of Judea from 26-36 AD. Judea was an imperial province which meant it was under the control of the emperor, Tiberius, directly. Pilate would have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

The True Temple Enters Jerusalem

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 27, 2021

Jesus went into the Temple in Jerusalem and drove out all those who desecrated the house of the LORD, earning the scorn of the religious officials. The Lord Jesus declared Himself to be the true temple of God, holy, spotless, and free from corruption.

John's account of the life and work of the Lord Jesus included the recording of specific miracles He performed to demonstrate His authority, power, and divinity to His disciples and to those among His countrymen who truly had a hunger for the deeper things of God. There were also those who ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-25, Psalm 11:4, Isaiah 6:1-8, 2 Corinthians 6:16

Denomination: Baptist