Sermons on futility of ritual: showing 241-255 of 14,252

Don't You Get Weary, Children Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2002

There are many thankless tasks we have to perform, of which, to some, church participation may be one. But God teaches us that if we do something out of love, it is not burdensome, and the Cross and Empty Tomb teach us that it is not futile.

There sure are a lot of thankless tasks to be done. There certainly are a great many things that are immensely frustrating, because they just won’t stay done. Do you know what I mean? The kinds of jobs that you do and almost immediately you have to do them again? These are thankless ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5, 1 John 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Life's Greatest Discoveries Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 3, 2019

Now is the time for mature Christians to review life's greatest discoveries one of which is the futility of excessive worry since God is our Father, Jesus is our Lord and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR MATURE CHRISTIANS TO REVIEW LIFE’S GREATEST DISCOVERIES! Life Review is a technique used in geriatric counseling to help us regain a positive self-image and reestablish a sense of self-worth as we advance toward the goal of going home to be with the Lord. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Unity In The Community

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on May 3, 2018

In keeping in line with your Theme, I believe the text references unity as it relates to the body of Christ. If we have no unity within the body of Christ – it is futile to attempt to bring Unity with the local community in which we live.

TITLE: UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 1:10-15 I stand this afternoon honored and consider it a privilege to share in this great marriage between Church and Pastor. What a wonderful celebration we have had unto this point. The foundation has been laid to help us receive the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Solomon's Succinct Summary

Contributed by Robert Austin on Aug 23, 2022

As we conclude our study of this book, I want us to think back. Consider the journey that Solomon has taken us on in this book. He started off in 1:1 by saying, “Everything is futile. Everything is Vain.”

And then he walks us through all the experiences, all the pursuits, all the different ways he tried to find meaning in life. And now, after all these lessons, we come to Solomon’s Succinct Summary. His conclusion can be remembered by dividing it into 4 “R’s”, Rejoice, Remember, Reflect and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Distant Drew Near

Contributed by Richard Deem on Nov 28, 2001

The contemplation of God is an awesome task. Any attempt to comprehend Him in His Fullness would prove to be as futile as trying to dam up the mighty Mississippi with a twig; reach the top of the magnificent Mt Everest with a step stool, or stop the laun

TEXT: Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." INTRO: The contemplation of God is an awesome task. Any attempt to comprehend Him in His Fullness would prove to be as futile as trying to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Putting Our Love Into Action Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 23, 2016

Our efforts for the Lord will be futile without love. We know the Bible commands that we love one another, and yet we fail to fully heed the command. Our world needs to experience love in action, not just in word.

Putting our Love into Action 1 John 3: 11-17 Our text this evening continues to deal with the great theme of love that John has already dealt with extensively. I suppose there is no wonder John felt so impressed to emphasize love among the believers. He was blessed to walk with the Lord, studying ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Fire Of Glory, Fire Of Drought

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 8, 2003

We have experienced the warm glow of God’s blessings, but the fire of judgment is also at hand, for worship becomes ritual, there is a critical spirit, and pessimism spreads. Diligence and integrity bring vitality in worship.

In all the annals of human history, there is one item which has held out more hope and yet offered more terror than any other. Wherever human beings gathered, in the infancy of our race, there this one item, this one element, both attracted them and repelled them; it drew them close and yet it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

An Appeal Of Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 30, 2009

There are many church, synagogue & mosque members today devoted to rituals & rule-keeping. They are living in religious bondage. They need to hear that spiritual freedom is possible only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

GALATIANS 4:8-20 AN APPEAL OF LOVE The conclusion reached in verse 7 is that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Paul now tells the Galatians they are not acting like heirs of God! So he asks them if they prefer slavery or freedom, legalism or the Spirit? Did ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pass The Peas

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Aug 5, 2009

When you have finished one year and begin a new one, what can you do for good luck in the year to come? Our society has a variety of good luck rituals.

Pass The Peas Psalm 65:1-4 SCRIPTURE: " Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4

Denomination: Apostolic

Living Water Series

Contributed by Richard White on Jan 30, 2010

Many go through life spiritually dehydrated. Rituals, creeds and the like do not fill us. Only Jesus can give us this fulfillment when we learn to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Living Water John 4:4-26 Recently one of the major denominations met in Columbus to debate, of all things, whether or not Jesus Christ is the one true Savior of the world. Is he the universal Savior or might there be several? What about the other world religions and their claims? Some people ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should We Hope In God?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why it is so important to hope in God? Many people place their hope in parents when they are young, in their peers when they are teenagers and in their careers as they mature. Most people learn too late about the futility of placing

1. Have you ever wondered why it is so important to hope in God? Many people place their hope in parents when they are young, in their peers when they are teenagers and in their careers as they mature. Most people learn too late about the futility of placing their hope in anyone but Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

End Time Scoffers

Contributed by Glen Spencer on Nov 19, 2023

In chapter two, Peter spelled out the character of false teachers and the futility of their teaching. Now in chapter three Peter deals with the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world. He starts off by warning us of the end-time scoffers.

THE SAINTS REALITY Regardless of whether we like it or not, the reality is that there’s a lot of false teaching out there today. These false teachers refuse to heed the word of God, repent and trust Christ. Peter describes these false teachers and their followers as last days scoffers ... (2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Helpful Routines For A New Year

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 6, 2007

Jesus and his family went to the Passover Feast according to custom. It was a helpful routine and not an empty ritual for them. This talk offers four helpful routines for the Church: Praying, Eating, Worshipping and Serving Together (PEWS).

Luke 2: 41-52 Midnight mass – Church on Christmas Day – Presents all opened before 6am – No presents until after Christmas lunch – Turkey with all the trimmings – A family walk in the afternoon – A football match on Boxing Day – Turkey sandwiches for a week – New Year resolutions – A special diet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:42-52

Denomination: Anglican

The Table Of The Lord

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Feb 3, 2007

The threat of religious ritual is ever looming for church goers. There are many things that we have done hundreds of times, but we must always take the time to remember their significance, as it is with Communion. Lest we forget...

A little girl asked her mother one Sunday morning as she was preparing lunch, “Mommy, why do you cut off the ends of the ham before you cook it?” The girl’s mother turned and looked at her and said, “Oh, sweetie, I’m not really sure why, but I suppose you cut the ends off of the meat so that the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29