Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

We Must See Jesus

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 23, 2001

Only personal, significant contact with our risen Lord brings about true faith and obedience. All else is only ritual, and religious rhetoric. We MUST see Jesus!

Although it seems in my own experience that the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is primarily used when preaching during the Easter season, I am sure that through the years it has been a favorite passage for many preachers, as well as lay students of the scriptures. This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

The Mystery Of The Messiah

Contributed by Cesar Verdeflor on May 10, 2007

The mystery of the Messiah is not referring to secret or hidden things that man can discover later through some kind of clues or mystical rituals but that God has already revealed in the pages of Scriptures . . .

THE MYSTERY OF THE MESSIAH (Galatians 3:26-4:1-7) “. . . when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Gal. 4:4,5) THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH WAS NOT ONLY UNIQUE BUT THERE WAS ALSO A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning Of The Lord's Supper

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 21, 2021

They that worship God must worship in spirit and in truth. Not by rituals or ceremonies or traditions. Today we are going to see that the true meaning of the supper is not about ceremony or tradition, but all about are Savior.

Jesus was a man who cut across the grain of His day. He had little or no use for rituals and traditions, that has little or no meaning. They that worship God must worship in spirit and in truth. Not by rituals or ceremonies or traditions. These are just outward signs. Worship is a personal, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

All My Family Needs Is Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 31, 2010

God asks us to build a Memorial to His Word... but is yours a memorial to a living God or a dead faith?

OPEN: During the 1600’s there was an Emperor in India by the name of Shah Jahan (the 5th Emperor during the Mughal Dynasty) and he was believed to have been descended from Tamerlane and Genghis Khan Some time during his reign, a rebel group in the southern portion of India sought to reject his ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-12

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: Church Of God

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

Even The Religious Person Cannot Escape

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS PERSON (DEVOUT JEW) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT--TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS MUCH MORE THAN POSSESSING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS 1.

EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS PERSON (DEVOUT JEW) CANNOT ESCAPE GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT--TRUE SPIRITUALITY IS MUCH MORE THAN POSSESSING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES AND PRACTICING RELIGIOUS RITUALS 1. True Spirituality is much more than Possessing Religious Privileges (:17-24) a. Religious Privileges can ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Priority Of Justice And Righteousness

Contributed by Leonard Davis on May 29, 2009

The failure of Israel to make a connection between their religion rituals and their daily lives should serve as a warning for us in the church today that justice and righteousness are still priorities with God and judgment results with these are absent.

THE PRIORITY OF JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Every now and then we come across stories that are both humorous and sad. During World War II in the Pacific Theater our forces set up a base on the island of New Guinea. We built an airport with runways, a tower, lights along the runways, and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Focus: Souls Won Not How It's Done Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 20, 2014

Paul did NOT believe we should stand on ceremony or ritual when it comes to sharing Christ, but that we should have an attitude of being willing to do ANYTHING to win people to Christ!

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 17, 2014 Date Preached: July 20, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series in 1 Corinthians Sermon Title: Paul’s FOCUS –Souls Won not How it is done Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 [NLT] 19Even though I am a free ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Occupying In Prayer And Warfare Series

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Apr 27, 2018

Prayer is not a mere routine or ritual. Prayer is actually a spiritual confrontation with the kingdom of darkness. When we pray, we are wrestling; we are engaging in a fight, a battle or warfare with forces and powers of darkness.

Introduction In Luke 19:13, the King of Glory gave us a guideline to follow until Christ returns. This verse tells us what to engage in or spend our time on until we meet with the Lord. We are told to occupy till Jesus comes, to put what God has given us to work, to make profitable divine ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

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