Sermons on futility of ritual: showing 136-150 of 14,249

Life Under The Sun V. Life Under The Son

Contributed by James Vilgos on Dec 17, 2004

In Ecclesiates Solomon writes of the futility of life under the sun. Contrast this with life under the Son, Jesus, God the Son

Life “Under the Sun” v. “Life Under the Son” Chaplain James Vilgos Scripture Reading Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Life “under the s-u-n” v. life “under the S-o-n” When I was young a song titled Richard Cory was popular it was based on a poem of the same title, the lyrics state in part: They say that ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Orthodox

Jesus In The Midst: The Upper Room.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2021

Trying to understand Jesus without the Scriptures is futile, and comprehending Scripture without Jesus opening our understanding is impossible

JESUS IN THE MIDST: THE UPPER ROOM. Luke 24:36-48. What a scene met the two from the Emmaus Road upon their return to Jerusalem! The dejected church was now declaring its Easter message: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” To which they added their own testimony of the risen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Secret To Church Growth - The Bible Is All About Jesus - Not Us!

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 22, 2018

When a person preaches from the Bible, with their audience as the primary focus, it becomes an empty narcissistic and hedonistic exercise in futility.

I have watched, listened to, and read countless sermons in my 50+ years as a Born-Again Christian and I have noticed the continued increase in feel-good, self-help, multi-point motivational messages that are more focused upon fallen human beings than upon Jesus, who has become more of a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15, John 5:39-40, Luke 24:27, 1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jeremiah 17:9, John 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turn PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 13, 2024

This sermon explores God's relentless pursuit of us, the futility of idols, and the promise of redemption, using Jonah's story as a guide.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I am overjoyed to stand before you today, within the warm embrace of our shared faith, to share a message from the heart of God's Word. It's a message that I believe is as timely as the morning sunrise, and as enduring as the steadfast ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:8-9

Topics: God's Pursuit, Running Away

The Last Supper

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 19, 2003

Communion is not merely a ritual. It is fellowship and involvement in the life of Christ and His Body, "The Church".

THE LAST SUPPER 1 COR. 11:17-34 Pastor Greg Mc Donald But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 11:20-33

Prayer That Gets Results

Contributed by Mike Turner on Oct 9, 2004

Is our praying just routine or simply a ritual ? This message deals with "Prayer That Gets Results"

Prayer That Gets Results Luke 18:1-8 Joke: A woman invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I don’t know what to say," the little girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the woman said. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Living By Rules Or A Relationship? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Are you still trying to obey rules and observe rituals to earn God’s favor?

INTRODUCTION During this Grace-Robbers series we have noted there are many people who are still trying to live under law instead of grace. Rules and laws can often be ridiculous, and even funny. Here is a list of ten actual laws from different states. 1. In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning Of Baptism

Contributed by Bill Huffhine on May 27, 2004

Understanding the true meaning of Christian baptism through an examination of the Jewish ritual of proselyte baptism.

One of the greatest joys that I have as a pastor is when an individual who is far from God visits our community of believers, begins to hear the voice of God calling them to a higher place, a fresh beginning, a new life, and that person responds to the call of God by committing their life to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

Another Thanksgiving Sunday?

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Oct 18, 2008

It is a tradition to celebbrate Thanksgiving Sundays and Harvest Festivals in our Churches. The Lord had given detailed instructions to Moses about these rituals or Liturgy. However, what do all these rituals mean to us? Do they have any significance in t

Another Thanksgiving Sunday? There are some books of the Old testament that are rarely read. Deuteronomy is not too bad. Many of us would have browsed through the book of Deuteronomy some time or the other. However, I am not sure how much each of us will score if we do a Bible Quiz on ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Supper Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Dec 22, 2012

We see how Jesus transformed a ritual, meant to commemorate the greatest deliverance of God’s people, into a new ritual to commemorate and give assurance that the sacrifice he was about to make would bring about a far greater deliverance.

Introduction Last week we studied the “last supper” that Jesus had with his disciples. We noted how Jesus was in control of the events that were leading to his sacrifice as the Passover Lamb. This morning we will see how he transformed a ritual, meant to commemorate the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Dec 23, 2003

The COST of Christmas includes the Cause of our salvation, the futile Contradiction of the truth of God’s sign, and the Calvary payment plan.

Dr. Tom Doubt, Senior Pastor Four Mile Creek Baptist Church Richmond, VA THE COST OF CHRISTMAS Luke 2:33-35 BACKGROUND: A. Two weeks ago, we began looking at the “C”s of Christmas. The 1st “C” was the Coming as the shoot from the stump of Jesse that will have the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:33-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Preacher Who Sorrowed When Sinners Were Saved

Contributed by David Moore on Apr 10, 2008

This is an overview of the book of Jonah in which the emphasis is on the futility of escaping God’s will, and the compassion that God has for all mankind.

The Preacher Who Sorrowed When Sinners Were Saved Aim: To show through Jonah the compassion of God for all men, Jew & Gentile, young & old. Text: Jonah 3:5-4:1 Introduction: This morning we are encounter to a man whom most people are familiar with. Even the unsaved can largely recount the story ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time To Face Hard Reality, Not Fantasy PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

God desires genuine worship from our hearts, not just rituals, and we must align ourselves with His divine will and justice.

Good morning, beloved family. Today, we're going to dive deep into a passage from the book of Amos that's as challenging as it is enlightening. We're going to take a good, hard look at the hard reality of God's justice, the fantasy of false worship, and the mighty hand of God. Now, before we read ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-27

Topics: Justice, Supreme

Jesus The One And Only - Accept No Substitute Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 10, 2007

Colossians 2 explains that Philosophy, Ritualism, Mysticism, and Legalism are counterfeits of the real thing: Jesus Christ

Colossians Series # 2 Jesus the One and Only Accept No Substitute Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:2-8 INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at Colossians chapter 1 where Paul talked about the Supremacy of Christ. In Chapter 2, Paul warns the Colossian church about some teachings that are ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ