Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

What Doth The Lord Require Of Thee

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 13, 2021

God has brought a charge against His people, and the charge is the same that He brings to us today. Their religion and their worship had become nothing but emptiness and meaningless rituals. All of it had become unrelated to their character and unrelated to their daily life.

They were deeply religious. They were very faithful in performing the acts of worship, but they were empty and meaningless. They had no affect whatsoever on the character of those who worship and on their daily walk and activities. As we go through this life serving God, we need to be careful not ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, And Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 11, 2025

The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, try harder, live better. Yet, deep inside, every honest person knows this truth: we cannot wash ourselves clean.

Go! And Be Washed, Renewed, and Saved - Titus 3:5–6 Introduction Church, let me begin with a question that strikes at the very heart of our humanity: “How do you make yourself clean before a holy God?” The world offers countless answers—do good deeds, follow religious rituals, give to charity, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalm 51:7, John 3:5, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Spirit Of Festival Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 22, 2021

Ancient Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar, easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable events. How is this relevant for Christians?

The ancient Hebrew year was observed using a lunar-solar calendar with 12 and 13 months over a 19 year cycle. This was easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 14:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Praise With A Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 18, 2025

The longest chapter in the Bible is not about laws and rituals—it is about delight in God's Word. Psalm 119 is a heart-felt celebration of God's truth, written by someone who deeply loved and honoured the Scriptures.

Go! And Praise with a Pure Heart - Psalm 119:7 Duration: 30 minutes Opening Prayer Lord, as we open Your Word today, open our hearts. Let Your truth be planted deep within us. Shape our thoughts, stir our affections, and strengthen our obedience. May Jesus Christ be glorified in all we say and do. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:7, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, Psalm 51:17, John 1:14, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Initiating The Turn-2(2023)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 18, 2023

2 of 12. Luke informed his audience of the initial steps that God took to turn His people toward Himself. God began the process of turning of His people toward Himself. But what principles does God use to begin turning people toward Himself? In Initiating the Turn, God uses...

‘INITIATING The TURN’-II—Luke 1:8-9(:5-25) Attention: Deciduous tree leaves are known & expected to ‘turn’ colors & fall to the ground in the fall of the year. Losing leaves is what deciduous trees do in order to prepare for & to survive the below freezing temperatures of winter. There ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:8-9, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

1 Peter Commentary —chapter 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 18, 2021

Peter’s first epistle is addressed to Gentile believers among the dispersed (the scattered) of Israel. They have been released from the futile way of life they learned from their ancestors (1:18). Those who were at one time, not a people, had become nothing less than the people of God (2:10).

Tom Lowe 4/2/2021 Text: 1 Peter, Chapter 1 (KJV) 1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Out Of The Heart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2018

Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says?

Prelude Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says? What defiles us? Let’s look at Matthew 15:10-20 and see what Jesus has to say about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

End Of Your Prayer Is The Beginning Of Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 17, 2020

Living a prayer life is as important as the effective prayer time we have with God. Prayer is more than a ritual, it is building a relationship with the most important being in the universe. That’s why this topic is important than all other prayer teachings.

Our prayer life is examined by our fruitfulness in life. A sponge soaked in oil when it is squeezed spills out oil, and a sponge soaked in water, when squeezed, give out water. What goes inside comes out. If through prayer you have allowed God to work out in your life, godliness and spiritual gifts ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:22, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus I'm Just Not Feeling It #1 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 25, 2019

If the Church has just become another obligation or routine, then listen up. If the church has stopped being a holy place, a place to worship the king, a time of encouragement and instead it has become just another ritual of an unfulfilling life. Then listen to this.

Today we begin a new series based on the book of Philippians call, “Jesus, I’m just not feeling it.” The line itself is the number one breakup line between couples. It is also very appropriate for those in the church because a recent study (Reveal- willowcreek) reports that as many as 25% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

In this chapter God brings a charge of disobedience against Israel (v. l). The religious leader had replaced true worship of God with ritual prostitution. The nation had gone down hill spiritually and morally, breaking the laws God had given to them. The

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: He made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions which would become the pillars of the new government. He assumed the earnestness of a man weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Fleeing Fugitive Faces Frightened Fellows Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 6, 2008

Ceasing their prayers, the frightened sailors took up a time honored ritual of casting lots. When the lots fell to Jonah, he knew he had to confess. He ran from God-but he could not run now: it was time for the truth.

JONAH 1:7 FLEEING FUGITIVE FACES FRIGHTENED FELLOWS I. FAILURE: A. Fates. B. Faith. C. Fanaticism. II. FINDINGS: A. Facts? B. Fortitude? C. Focus? III. FIXATION: A. Foreigner. B. Feelings. C. Forlornness. The scene before us in these first seven verses of Jonah, Chapter One ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Meaning Of The Last Supper

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we are going to observe Communion...the Lord's Supper. For some this is a very sacred time with great meaning and importance. For others, it is just a ritual we go through that wouldn't be missed if we never d

THE MEANING OF THE LAST SUPPER LUKE 22:14 20 Knowing that the weather forecast for today was pretty rough, and knowing that many would not make it here this morning, I decided late last night that I would do something different than I had planned. Since today is the first Sunday of the month, we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

"This Do In Remembrance Of Me”

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 21, 2024

This do in Remembrance of Me is more than a mental snapshot of something that happed in the past. It is more than a sentimental emotion that places a smile on your face or causes you to perform a ritual out of tradition, but true remembrance affects every aspect of our senses.

“This Do In Remembrance of Me” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Something my wife and I enjoy doing is having an elegant dinner experience like the Chef’s Table on the cruise ship or the exclusive private Chef’s Dinner experience. This is different than just a nice restaurant dinner ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Genesis 1:26-29, Genesis 2:9

Denomination: Apostolic

Halloween: Is Evil A Red Herring?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

The roots of Halloween have to do with pagan rituals but today, it’s more a night to celebrate. Not everything connected with the modern celebration is all fun and games. Any believer who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will pull back on a number of elements associated with this celebration.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a projected $8.8 billion dollars on the holiday called Halloween in 2019. Almost 30 million will dress up and the average person will spend over $86 to celebrate. In fact, I have a neighbor who decorates more for Halloween than any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Veil Torn

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

When Jesus died, God Himself tore the temple curtain from top to bottom—forever removing every barrier between His holiness and our hearts. The way into His presence is wide open, not by our efforts or rituals, but by the finished work of Christ.

Introduction – A Wall Comes Down, A Veil Is Rent Down I still remember the summer of 1964 when our family crossed from West Germany into East. We were crammed into a Volkswagen bus—my parents up front, four sisters and two brothers jammed shoulder to shoulder. The youngest, little Sarah, was still ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-22, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, John 4:23, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist