Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

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

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

Wash Your Hands Or Heart?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 23, 2018

Theme: Righteousness and Rituals This sermon deals with what really matters - how do we deal with all the rules, rituals and traditions we find in our churches? What really matters?

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23 Title: Should You Wash Your Hands or Your Heart? Theme: Righteousness and Rituals This sermon deals with what really matters - how do we deal with all the rules, rituals and traditions we find in our churches? What really matters? INTRO: Grace and peace this morning ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Made For So Much More

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 28, 2024

The first several verses of Ecclesiastes capture this reality well and sum it up in one word: Futility.

Have you ever been disappointed with your life? Has there ever been a time in your life where you found yourself saying, “What’s the use?” Life can do that to us. We work hard—at our job, at our ministry, at school, on our relationships. And then comes that time when you stop, and look it all ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Proclaim The Lord's Death

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: The ritual of the Lord's Supper proclaims Jesus' death without words.

Thesis: The ritual of the Lord's Supper proclaims Jesus' death without words. Intro.: 1. Illust. "Take her?" "Yes." "Take him?" "Yes." "Took." You have just heard the transcript from the world's shortest wedding ceremony. It took place in a bar on a Friday PM at 8:00. The couple had met there the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Church, Christianity Or Religion? Part 4 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 14, 2007

The church, more Christian (followers of Christ) then religious (practising traditions and rituals)

The Church, Christianity or Religion Part 4 Text: John 8:1-12 Introduction: 1. While Religion and Christianity should be the same thing, far too often it is not. Religion too often thrives on creeds, credentials, and adherence to codes of conduct True Christianity holds to faith ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-12

Denomination: Mennonite

Biblical Salvation

Contributed by Tracey Evans on Jan 21, 2010

SALVATION ACCODING TO GODS WORD,TRUE BIBLICAL SALVATION IS NOT IN RITUALS AND RULES

IN TODAYS WORLD THERE IS MUCH CONFUSION ON WHAT ONE MUST DO TO BE SAVED.LETS TAKE A FEW MOMENT AND GO TO THE TRUE AUTHORITY ON THIS SUBJECT.AND THAT WOULD BE NOTHING OTHER THAN THE WORD OF GOD.FIRST THING WE MUST REALIZE IS THAT SALVATION MUST COME FROM THE SON.JOHN 5:21 FOR AS THE FATHER RAISETH ...read more

Scripture: John 5:21-29

Denomination: Holiness

Your Religion Will Not Save You

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 13, 2022

No amount of rule keeping or adherence to religious rituals will be able EVER to reconcile a sinner to the true and Holy God. Your Religion will not Save You – You Must Be Born Again.

Religion Will Not Save You By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - For quite a while now I have been dealing with leaving religion and entering into Kingdom. If you recall at the beginning of the year, I stated how God had been dealing with me about seeking the old paths and walking therein ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-7, Proverbs 14:12, 2 Corinthians 6:7, Acts 17:30

Denomination: Apostolic

Red Heifer Water (Numbers 19)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2024

What does the ashes of a red heifer mixed in water have to do with baptism and Jesus? Let's look at Numbers 19.

Is death the ultimate result of sin? Do hatred, verbal abuse, lust, lying, ignoring the needy and greed ultimately cause our own destruction? Does cleansing us from sin involve someone dying for us? Is this dramatically pictured in the water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer? Let’s review ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Working Together Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 24, 2010

In today's lesson we learn that since working alone is futile, we ought to work together with others.

Scripture A New York Times article on people who are sick of too many hours at work tells the story of Diane Knorr, a former dot.com executive. “The first time I got a call way after hours from a senior manager, I remember being really flattered and thinking, ‘Wow! I’m really ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Beginning [or Beginning Again] Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 8, 2011

In Christ the old order of things, 'subjected to futility' and 'in bondage to decay' gives way to the 'new creation.'

BEGINNING [OR BEGINNING AGAIN] Going the Distance -- Part 1 January 9, 2011 Isaac Butterworth 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2 (NIV) 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Off With The Old, On With The New Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 18, 2018

God wants us to us our minds for something much, much greater than futile thinking.

February 18, 2018 Sermon “Off with the Old, On with the New” - Ephesians 4:17-24 How many of you were here last Sunday? How many of you are here today? I hope you were able to listen to Tom More’s message last week on Christian maturity. He gave an excellent overview of what maturity in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ecclesiastes: The Meaninglessness And Mundanity Of Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 15, 2024

Explores the futility of seeking fulfillment in worldly pursuits, emphasizing the importance of finding significance and happiness in God alone.

Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A warm welcome to each of you, whether you are a familiar face or a new friend. We gather here not as strangers, but as a family united in Christ. We are bound together by the love of God, a love that transcends ...read more

Topics: Human Effort, God

Lent Upside Down Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 1, 2019

Instead of giving something up for Lent let's try adding something instead!

Lent Upside Down Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 1 John 1:5-7 “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Exodus 23:19, 1 John 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Mark 12:30, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 John 3:3, Matthew 6:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Difference Baptism Makes Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 29, 2011

Baptism was never meant to be an empty ritual. It has implications for our everyday lives

Romans 6:12-23 “The Difference Baptism Makes” INTRODUCTION In 1517 Martin Luther had a problem. A monk by the name of Tetzel was selling indulgences. An indulgence is a certificate guaranteeing the forgiveness of all sins—for a small price. Not only did Luther have a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran