Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

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

No Confidence In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 21, 2023

When the Lord returns are you confident that you will be accepted and spend eternity with Him in heaven? Are you trusting in your rituals, your ethnicity, or your obedience to the law? Only those who have faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ will enter the kingdom of God!

No Confidence in the Flesh Philippians 3:1-6 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 When Christ is preached (1:18) and even when being poured out like a drink offering in suffering and persecution (2:17-18), Paul says we are to “rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

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

"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

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

Lord Of The Sabbath - Servant Of Mercy - Matthew 12:1-21 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 3, 2025

JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and compassion over condemnation. JESUS redefines true Sabbath rest, corrects legalistic distortions, and fulfills the Servant prophecy with a ministry of gentle justice and mercy.

2025.05.04.Sermon Notes. Matthew 12.1-21 LORD OF THE SABBATH-SERVANT OF MERCY William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, BIG IDEA: JESUS reveals that God's heart gives priority to mercy over ritual, rest over burden, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 2:25-28, 1 Samuel 21:1-6, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:27, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

How To Worship With Integrity

Contributed by Greg Addison on Nov 5, 2008

Worship of God has been described as the chief end of man’s existence. In order to be effective, however, man must worship God with integrity. That means we worship Him with our entire life and person and not simply out of ritual or habit. True worship c

HOOK: Let me ask you a question: Why are you here tonight? Several layers to the question: Why are you here tonight? Why are you here tonight? Why are you here tonight? Man is a religious being. We live in a religious society. For all that religion, society isn’t much different or changed. To ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Is A Verb

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Aug 10, 2013

We worship God in the way we live. Worship is a matter of obedience and service: if we love God with all of our hearts and treat others as if they were Christ, we are worshiping God faithfully. Church ritual will never replace real worship. We must repent

Everyday Christianity with Pastor Kenn Shedenhelm Biblical and theological thoughts on life and events in life. Some will come packaged as sermons- some simply as reflections. Classic Like most of Israel’s prophets, Isaiah was concerned with matters of mercy and justice, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Tainted Love Series

Contributed by Erik Estep on May 16, 2012

Today in our passage of Scripture the Apostle Paul is going to point out to us several stages that have marked man’s futile search for love and meaning. And it’s my hope as we examine this text that we’ll discover how we can avoid these stages so that we

“Tainted Love” Romans 1: 18-25 October 2, 2011 Intro: Today we’re beginning a new series of messages entitled “Classic Rock.” Now for me, classic rock is music from the 1960s but when I talked to Matthew and James I was chagrined to find out that classic rock ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Stubborn Evangelist Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This short story is one where Jonah is in flight; it’s also one where God is in pursuit. Jonah’s life is really one of a boomerang for he ends up in the place that ran from in the beginning. For four chapters we’ll witness Jonah’s futile flight as well as God’s persistent pursuit.

Note: The entire book of Jonah is read before I preach. Today we launch a new four part series entitled Jonah: The Stubborn Evangelist. And it is coming at just the right time for our church (more on the timing in just a moment). Most only know it as an amusing story about a prophet and a “whale.” ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Religious? Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 9, 2017

Typically, a person's idea of being religious is just going through rituals and practices associated with the faith. In James 1:26-27 God defined what it means to be religious. So regardless of what we think it means we need to learn what God said it is.

ARE YOU RELIGIOUS? (part one) James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: When people would ask me if I was religious I would say, no, because to me, being religious kind of had a negative connotation. Because typically, a person's idea of religious is going through rituals and practices associated with the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27, James 3:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Communion

Contributed by Greg Allen on Apr 16, 2006

I honestly don’t know if Jesus is glorified through crackers and grape juice. And I wonder what he must think when we come together, go through our little religious ritual and leave with the same me-first mentality that we came in with.

Today I want to look at the different viewpoints of the last supper from the 4 gospels. Traditionally only 3 of the gospels are credited with recognizing the last supper, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Let’s look at those: Matthew 26:20-30 20When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ