Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

What Is The Church?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 7, 2020

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do?

What is the church? Why the church? How is the church governed? What are the most important rituals of the church? What does the church do? What is the church? The Greek Term The early church borrowed a Greek term, meaning a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into a public place. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, Acts 9:31, Ephesians 4:11

Denomination: Baptist

Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 16, 2025

Do we demand certain rituals or a simple word from God? Let's look at 2 Kings 5.

Do we see God in simplicity or do we demand complicated rituals? Do we misuse church funds or are we scrupulously honest? Let’s look at 2 Kings 5. What happened when a Syrian army commander had a skin disease and wanted to be healed? Did Elisha perform a lot of mumbo jumbo, or give a simple ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good Friday: Holy Communion Guide

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 7, 2025

Holy Communion, especially on Good Friday, is a sacred act of remembrance and worship. It is not a ritual but a powerful proclamation of the death of Christ and all it accomplished.

GOOD FRIDAY: HOLY COMMUNION GUIDE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text:. Luke 22:19-20 (KJV) “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What God Desires PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 9, 2023

Explores God's desire for justice and righteousness over rituals, and how we can live out these values in our daily lives.

Hey there, folks. I'm glad you could join us today. We're going to spend some time in the book of Amos today. Yeah, that's right, Amos. It's a little book tucked away in the Old Testament, but it's got a big message for us. Before we get into it, let's read the passage together. Amos 5:23-24 says, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:23-24

Topics: God's Desire

No Pain, No Gain Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 4, 2009

Our lives – whoever we may be - are futile wastes of time and resources unless they produce something meaningful. The more meaningful and lasting our production, the more significant and worthwhile are our lives. The more significant and worthwhile are

SERIES: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR A HEALTHY & HOLY CHURCH: A Study in 1 Corinthians Applied To The Church Today III. MAINTAINING PROPER DIET & EXERCISE B.) FREEDOM TO CHOOSE FITNESS “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” (1 Cor. 9:19-27) Rev. Todd G. Leupold, Perth Bible Church, May 3, 2009 AM 1.) WHICH IS MORE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Chasing Shadows! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Keeping religious rules and observing religious rituals in order to be close to God are only a shadow of the "real thing," a relationship with Him through Jesus.

INTRODUCTION In the time of the early church, there were people in the churches who were teaching that once you became a Christian, you still had to obey the Jewish regulations and rituals to be religiously correct. That kind of false teaching still exists in the 21st century. In this series I’m ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Communion Through The Years

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 5, 2009

From a Biblical perspective, The Lord’s Supper is a simple memorial ritual, despite how others have tried to complicate and confuse it.

Communion Through the Years (I Corinthians 11:17-34) 1. I love Italian food. Since Marylu went to work, I have taken over as the cook for our family. 2. I have cooked so much Italian food that Marylu had to ask me to curtail this tendency! She really put the breaks on lasagna and manicotti. 3. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Calling God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2008

Uses a cell phone to illustrate the basics of effective prayer. Addresses the tendency of people to rely on repetition and ritual to get God’s attention.

OPEN: (a deep voiced man was positioned in a side room with microphone and monitor. This opening illustration goes on for a couple of pages but worked well to set up the rest of the sermon) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (look up and around suspiciously then bow and say) "Our Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Gospel

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if given by Paul. Against trusting in ritual, correct ideas, or emotion, trust the grace of Christ given in personal relationship with Him.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 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. Oh.. almost didn’t see you there. See what large letters I make when I am writing ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Warfare Prayer And Fasting Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 16, 2025

Prayer and fasting are not passive religious rituals; they are mighty weapons in God’s arsenal to demolish strongholds and advance His Kingdom in the unseen realm

Warfare Prayer and Fasting July 20, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Matthew 17:21, James 5:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-20 Introduction Prayer and fasting are not passive religious rituals; they are mighty weapons in God’s arsenal to demolish strongholds and advance His Kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:21, James 5:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Brethren

Spirit Of Reformation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to move beyond the rituals and regulations of religion and embrace a transformative relationship with God that aligns with His divine design for our lives.

Good morning, church family! Today we're diving into Hebrews 9:10, a scripture that speaks to God's desire for reformation, the image and likeness of sonship, and living above our original design. This passage is a powerful reminder of God's transforming power and His divine plan for each one of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:10

Topics: Longevity

Evaluating Your Spiritual Growth PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual maturity, emphasizing its essence in living out God's word rather than merely performing religious rituals.

Welcome, dear friends, to another blessed day in the house of our Lord. It's always a joy to gather together in His name, to be nourished by His Word, and to grow in our understanding of His unending love for us. Today, we gather to ponder some profound truths that will challenge us, inspire us, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Spiritual Maturity

Jesus Does Not Need Your Cain

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 24, 2018

Too many professing Christians believe Christ needs a little help to finish His work. They are like the Judiazers Paul fought and like Cain who wanted God to accept His work rather than having the faith of Abel.

Act 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-32, Galatians 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 17, 2021

Every December, hundreds of millions of people and even billions of people worldwide celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Is Jesus happy with that? Was Jesus really born on December 25th?

Intro: What would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts! Let's read Isaiah 1:10-18: "10 Hear the word of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18, 1 Chronicles 24:7-19, John 14:15, John 14:23-24, Matthew 22:37-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Divine Irony: Idol Worship Still Exists In The 21st Century Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 4, 2024

Divine Irony: Idol Worship Still Exists in the 21st Century. In 1 Kings 18:27 Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal, exposing the futility of idol worship - a topic that remains relevant despite the passage of centuries.

Divine Irony: Idol Worship Still Exists in the 21st Century 1 Kings 18:27 (NLT): "About noontime Elijah began mocking them. 'You’ll have to shout louder,' he scoffed, 'for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:27, Psalm 115:4-8, Colossians 3:5, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Pentecostal