Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

Know Your Profits And Losses Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 23, 2015

We either believe that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for a life of faith or He is not.

“Living a Joy-Full Life: Know Your Profits and Losses” Phil. 3:1-11 I recall a conversation that took place during a Consistory meeting of another church I served. It was about requirements for who should serve on Consistory. Some wanted to add guidelines to what the Scriptures have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Day Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 13, 2022

Amos 5:18-27 shows us that nominal religion provides no hope for the present or eternity.

Introduction Commentator Gordon Keddie tells the story of two men who were discussing the whys and wherefores of the biblical “millennium” mentioned in Revelation 20:4. Which of the three classic interpretations of this period was correct? Was it premillennialism, postmillennialism, or ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Worship And Justice

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on May 28, 2023

We deplore the loss of morality, the loss of civility, the loss of social stability - and yet how many of us recognize that those are only the deeper symptoms of a greater loss, the loss of our sense of accountability before God?

Judah, the Hebrews’ southern kingdom, was big on denial. By 740 BC, when Isaiah began to preach, the brutal and ambitious kingdom of Assyria had amply demonstrated their intentions and abilities. They were bent on conquering Egypt, the prize of the Mediterranean, and had to conquer everything else ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20, Hosea 4:1-6, Amos 5:21-23, 1 John 2:9-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How The Pharisees Got It Wrong

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 19, 2011

In this topical sermon we are going to examine how the Pharisees missed it so badly by examining their history, their beliefs, and where they went wrong.

How the Pharisees Got it Wrong Text: Matthew 15:1-14 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Well we’re taking a little break from Ecclesiastes. We did last week so that I could talk to you all about how we might better serve God as a church. And tonight, I want to talk to you about how the Pharisees ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Troublesome Verse And A Glorious Future

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 29, 2023

What did Paul mean when he wrote about a "baptism for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29? How should it be interpreted? What does it mean in light of further teaching on the resurrection of Christ? Let Scripture speak concerning these and other matters of the faith.

1 Corinthians is a letter dealing with what could be referred to as a "schizophrenic" church. It had become a crazy quilt of pride, drunkenness, sexual deviancy, arrogance, abuse of spiritual gifts, and personal favoritism towards teachers who had been with them, such as Paul, Peter, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:29, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, Luke 9:24, John 12:24, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3-4, Revelation 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Living In The New Testament

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 24, 2025

You can't put new wine in old wineskins, in so doing the wineskin bursts. Likewise, you cannot fit the Old Testament laws and rules into the New Testament grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Welcome, beloved friends and family of faith, as we gather in this sacred space, a sanctuary of solace and strength, to seek the wisdom of the Word of God. We are here, united in our hunger for understanding, our thirst for truth, and our shared desire to draw closer to our Creator. In the words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:16-17, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cain And Abel

Contributed by David Goering on Sep 1, 2018

To show what the religion of Cain is and to show that there are great multitudes who have this same religion today and to show that the religion of Able brought him into a relationship with God.

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:1-16 "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

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

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

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 13, 2011

The early church’s response to an internal problem teaches the contemporary church some valuable lessons.

* The dramatic growth of the early church: last count (4:4) around 5,000 men (probably around 20,000 total) * Such growth led to a “good” problem: many more needed to be ministered to than there were people to minister * The 12 did not have the ability to both effectively deliver the Word and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

S - Tart With Authenticity (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Dec 23, 2004

all religions lead to God, or no religions lead to God? this is a question worth looking at...

Start with Authenticity Series, “Being Spiritual without being Religious” – Part 1 re•li•gion. ri-’li-j&n, from religare to restrain, tie back. 1 : An institutionalized set of systems, attitudes, beliefs, and practices. 2 archaic : scrupulous conformity.  All religions ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Accurate Life (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Jeremias Fababier on Feb 28, 2008

We can have religion but no religiosity. Know what true religion that pleases God.

TOPIC: ACCURATE LIFE (PART 3) (6th of a Series in the Book of James – A Life That Make a Difference Series) Text: James 1:26-27 “26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leicester To Walsingham Pilgrimage

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 3, 2009

Christianity is not a religion, in the sense that a religion is doing things for God. Christainity is all about relationship

Leicester - Walsingham Pilgrimage 04-03-09 GD Good morning It is a privilege to be able to share a few words with you this morning. Story: Maddy and I moved to Frisby from New Romney at the end of 2007 As we were taking the bedroom apart, I was surprised to find a small basket underneath our ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Anglican

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