Sermons on futility of ritual:

Taking People Where They Are

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Faith and obedience take precedence over ritual.

Thesis: Faith and obedience take precedence over ritual. Intro.: 1. Tonight we conclude our study of "WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?" 2. In this last lesson we want to turn to 2 Chronicles 30 and the story of Hezekiah's celebration of the Passover. a. We will discern an important principle in this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:18-20

Jesus Made Me Kosher

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 25, 2007

Our access to God is not by ceremonial ritual but the sacrifice of Christ.

We have differing standards on what we consider “clean” and “unclean.” A lot depends on how meticulous we are. For some of us, when we drop a cookie, we follow the “5-second rule” (this was tested recently on Mythbusters). When I lived in Germany, everything was spotless--you could eat off the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:18-23

Denomination: Congregational

Remember That You Are Baptized And Be Thankful.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Jan 10, 2015

Discusses baptism and then continues with the Remembrance that we are baptized ritual.

Illustration: Over the centuries Christians have debated what baptism accomplishes, to whom it should be administered, and how much water should be used.  Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 158. Illustration: The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Salvation Tapestry

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Apr 14, 2012

We should never elevate any salvation event or ritual to the point where people feel they have been issued a ticket to heaven because of this event or ritual.

THE SALVATION TAPESTRY INTRODUCTION Last Sunday, Christians all over America celebrated Easter or as some prefer to call it: Resurrection Sunday. I had the opportunity to enjoy a Baptist Sunrise service, complete with a good breakfast; and then, I fellowshipped at a Pentecostal church. At one ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Lessons From The History Of Israel Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE LESSONS OF HISTORY CAN HELP US ESCAPE THE FUTILITY OF CYCLES OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE

BIG IDEA: THE LESSONS OF HISTORY CAN HELP US ESCAPE THE FUTILITY OF CYCLES OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE (:1-8) INTRODUCTION - LESSONS OF HISTORY NEED TO BE SHARED WITH THE NEXT GENERATION A. (:1-4) Lessons of History Communicate a Positive Message 1. It is important to listen closely to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-72

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 12, 2016

Don't let ritual rise above your relationship with God. Don't let your ways rise above God's ways.

Last week we saw the marks of a great servant in Prophet Samuel. He is a man of integrity, faithfulness and a genuine love for his people. • Today we will see the new leader Saul, and sadly, the opposite of what we see last week – the marks of a disobedient servant. Let’s read 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Makes God Sick

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 11, 2020

Does your life and your church make God sick?

Isaiah 1:1-20 Scripture Reading Revelation 3:14-19 Proposition: You Must Repent of Your Sins! I. Because your sin will be publicized! 1-4 A. The preacher knows. 1 B. The World knows. 2-4 II. Because You Cannot Stand the Reaping! 5-9 A. There is no comfort! 5,6 B. There ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20, Revelation 3:14-19, Revelation 3:1-3, Revelation 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is Old Covenant Obsolete? Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on May 20, 2019

We say we are Christians and Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, why do we allow anything (rituals, religions, entertainment, other people, etc....) take more time and focus than Christ, our New Covenant?

Let’s worship our God by listening to His Word. God’s word is Truth and the Truth will set us free. Our Lord Jesus Christ also said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest!” Our lives can be full if we trust Jesus Christ as our only Savior and God and listen and follow ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Money Can't Buy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 11, 2024

The love of money will not provide meaning in life.

What Money Can’t Buy Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 Rev. Brian Bill September 7-8, 2024 This past weekend, Beth and I journeyed from the wilderness of Illinois to the Promised Land of Wisconsin. On Friday night, my dad hosted a Fish Fry and on Saturday morning after driving through Green Bay, we were ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Meeting God's Requirements Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 15, 2009

God longs to be in relationship with us, not for us to lean on our rituals.

Meeting God’s Requirements Micah and Amos Rev. Brian Bill 2/15/09 I’m not sure you’re aware of this but Tim Tuley has had a lifelong ambition to play one hole at Pebble Beach, California the way the pros do. This is a challenge because this green is on a small section of land that juts out into ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A New Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2008

A Communion meditation warning us against substituting ritual for relationship.

MATTHEW 26:26-29 A NEW COVENANT “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Building Towers

Contributed by Timothy Archer on Jan 29, 2004

We learn from the story of the Tower of Babel the futility of trying to make a name for ourselves.

I. Making a name We see in the first chapters of Genesis that people basically chose one of two paths. A few of them humbled themselves and followed God, trusting in him and his protection. Such were the descendents of Seth. The other group was principally the descendents of Cain. These ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Amazing Grace +

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 22, 2004

This message compares the simple beauty of grace with the futile attempt to "behave" our way to perfection.

AMAZING GRACE PLUS “WHAT A GOOD BOY AM I” (AN ORIGINAL SERMON BY ED SKIDMORE) MAY 26, 2002) TEXT: Mark 10:17 - 22 SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 10:17 - 22 INTRODUCTION: Little Jack Horner Sat in a corner, Eating a Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said, What a good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope At Easter

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Apr 25, 2011

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Dakota Community Church April 24, 2011 Hope at Easter 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Denomination: Mennonite

The Pursuit Of Happiness

Contributed by Rev Oke Omezi on Apr 17, 2013

The quest for happiness is most times misconceived and futile especially when not in line with the word of God

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Ps 16: 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:7-11

Denomination: Pentecostal