Sermons on futility of ritual: showing 211-225 of 14,252

Worship Today

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 4, 2007

Jesus introduces a shift in worship, focusing worship on the spiritual instead of the physical. The future of worship as Jesus was describing it would be a spiritual more than a ritual activity.

Worship today John 4:19-24 The original worship must have been amazing. Eve and Adam, surrounded by the Garden of Eden, something between a botanical garden and an orchard. Discussions at dusk of keeping trees, naming animals, new things they tried, and gratitude for the bounty and beauty they ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Mennonite

An Offer To God

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Mar 27, 2009

God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ritual; He wants us, and our praise to Him needs to reflect true righteousness and thanksgiving.

An Offer to God Griffith Baptist Church – 3/29/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 50 Key verse: Psalms 50:23 – Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Premise: God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Jewish Roots Of The Lord’s Supper

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2021

The Lord’s Supper is rich with meaning, but best understood in its original context. We can move in that direction by looking at the Jewish Roots of this meaningful ritual.

The Jewish Roots of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 10:1-5 and chapter 11:23, 26, passim) 1. A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars: The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

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

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

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

Reaching The Edge Of The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Aug 26, 2019

The years of grief, training, apprenticeship, seeming futility, small victories and painful growth are finally about to bloom into something wonderful. Something that you have hoped for and simultaneously expected to never actually happen.

For more information and teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com If you take the lessons and introspections of the wilderness seriously you will eventually find yourself at the edge of the wilderness. That place where you can finally see what ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Breath Prayer

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 9, 2021

Breath prayer is a form of prayer that is invading the progressive church. Is it Biblical? Is it what God desires? Where did it come from? Should we make it a part of our devotional practices? May the Lord give us discernment.

Breath Prayer Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 6:6, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Samuel 1:9-14, Luke 18:10-14, Ephesians 1:15-16, Psalm 17:6, Ezra 8:23, 2 Samuel 24:25, Genesis 25:21, Malachi 1:11, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 6:7, Matthew 6:5-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Authentic Authority Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 27, 2009

Controversy tore the early church. Judaizers taught that Gentile Christians had to submit to Jewish ritual laws & traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Paul confronted this issue.

GALATIONS 1: 1-5 AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY A family, carefully executing their escape plan, dashes for the border at midnight...a man standing outside prison walls, gulping fresh air, awash in the new sun...a young woman with every trace of the ravaging drug gone from her system...they are FREE! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Nurtured In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus was brought up in a family that actively participated in the religious traditions and rituals of their faith. Being brought up in the community of believers prepared Jesus for his earthly ministry.

Luke 2:41-52 “Nurtured in the Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed how quickly Christmas is celebrated and then forgotten? The stores have already started removing their Christmas decorations and replacing them with Valentines Day. The radio stations have stopped playing Christmas Carols, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Micah - True Worship Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 4, 2013

True worships relates, it is a relationship, not rituals. True worship obeys. To obey is better than sacrifices. True worship impacts. It changes your life and influences others.

God has chosen to bless His people Israel and through them, the world. • They were set apart to worship God and be His witnesses to the nations. • But sadly, the people have gone astray. God was pleading His case, calling the mountains and hills to be His witnesses. • 6:3 ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Week Two Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Lent is a ritual of the Church that leads us into the hope we have in Jesus. Fasting and Prayer are disciplines of Lent to bring about suffering to draw a person closer to God

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:13, Matthew 19:15, Luke 2:37, Jonah 3:5, Esther 4:1-4, Acts 13:2, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 4:13-25, 2 Samuel 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Losing God In Religion Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 3, 2015

We lose God when we emphasize a ritual or object over and above our relationship with God. Don't expect God's blessings without repentance.

During a service at an old synagogue, when a particular prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The new rabbi didn't know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keep It Simple When Answering Critics Of Our Christian Faith Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 20, 2019

Jesus taught a simple solution to convoluted criticisms hurled at Christians. Instead of getting bogged down in futile, endless arguments, why not implement His Formula which works so effectively! Stay tuned!

GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK Study of the Gospel According to Mark As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-34