Sermons on Religious Ceremonies:

Ritualism Versus Spiritual Reality Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 20, 2010

God desires to curb the trend toward formalism in religion which is satisfied with meeting external observation. To obey the moral precepts & principles of the word is infinitely more important than ceremonies & man-made traditions.

ZECHARIAH 7: 1-7 RITUALISM VERSUS SPIRITUAL REALITY [Ezra 6:1-11] The seventh and eighth chapters are the third distinct division of the prophecy. In the first portion was the call to national repentance and turning to the Lord for His Covenant blessings. After a national turning to God ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Come, Let Us Reason Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Apr 25, 2016

God says, make yourselves clean. And he furthermore holds out the promise that we really can become clean.

Isaiah 1:10-20 Come, Let Us Reason 7/2/00e D. Marion Clark Introduction We are finally getting back to Isaiah. If you can recall four weeks back, God was rather upset with Israel. When I use the term Israel, by the way, I am using the covenant name for God’s people. Isaiah is actually ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Graveside Service

Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 3, 2007

This is a brief graveside service I prepared for a person I was not familiar with. This is a short and simple, but respectful ceremony. Although it is simple and short, it does have some nice touches.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” I want to encourage you, as we gather together this afternoon, to remember that God is our refuge and our strength. We are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Deuteronomy 5:6-7

Denomination: Other

When There Just Isn't Enough? Cold Stone Pots?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 19, 2008

Sometimes our rituals and ceremonies can become cold stone pots.It is never enough. Then Jesus takes man’s efforts and rewards people with His presence!

NOT ENOUGH, THERE JUST ISN’T ENOUGH --- COLD STONE WATER POTS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. INTRODUCTION: A. We walk in some perilous times. Trust God! Nothing will catch Him by surprise. B. There are many laws of nature. What goes up, must come down. If you sow today, don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religion Without Reality Series

Contributed by Don Emmitte on Aug 11, 2014

Many people seem to be content to trust their own efforts and religious practices to make them acceptable before God. We need to be aware that religious activities are only good when they express an inner reality.

Religion Without Reality Romans 2:17-29 Romans Series (Part 6) Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries Take Your Bibles Please… But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 15, 2013

Taking a look at the dynamics involved in Jesus' encounter with the religious leaders and with the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders set the trap, Jesus turned it back on them and in the end the woman was released from her trap.

The woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11 1) Setting the trap (Vs. 1-6a). Unlike today, the sin of adultery was a serious crime in biblical day-punishable by death. We don’t know how she was caught in the act. Perhaps it was a set-up. And the Pharisees could’ve brought her to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From The Worst To The Best Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

Paul tells us in verses 13 and 14 that he was always a very religious man, and he was zealous in his commitment to Judaism. Paul becomes a great example of both the danger and value of being religious.

Mary Marrow had just arrived in China as a missionary when the Boxer Rebellion broke out in 1900. The leaders of China blamed the missionaries for the problems of the land, and mobs began to violently persecute the Christians. They were dragged from their homes and forced to stomp on a cross or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13

Disgusted Or Delighted? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

A stark contrast between religious hypocrites and a faithful woman. The religious show-offs were mostly interested in what they could GET out of life. And the poor widow as interested in all she could GIVE.

INTRODUCTION My younger brother, Dan, and I are a lot alike. He serves as a Minister of Education and Senior Adults at a church in Conway, Arkansas. One thing we have in common is that we both have a sense of humor leaning toward puns and groaners. You’ve endured plenty of my groaners through the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Adultery Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 11, 2022

Adultery is extramarital sex considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal consequences, the concept exists in many cultures.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:27-30 (Adultery) Jesus states, "Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery." Adultery Matthew 5:27–30 — The New International Version (NIV) 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Fig Leaves Or Blood

Contributed by James Lowe on Sep 20, 2006

A sermon on how man tries to hide their sins from God.

Fig Leaves or Blood Genesis 3:6-21 As you read the first chapters of the book of Genesis, you will find an accurate account of the beginning of the world. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” It did not articulate that the earth began with a gigantic ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:6-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Greatest Commandment

Contributed by David Mende on Jun 5, 2018

Love is the greatest need of humans and it also the greatest obligation of humans. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

INTRODUCTION (SECURE ATTENTION) & BACKGROUND OF THE PASSAGE: PRAY before starting the sermon. ILLUSTRATION: {Many years ago a shabbily dressed boy trudged several miles through the snowy streets of Chicago, determined to attend a Bible class that was conducted by D. L. Moody. When he arrived, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christmas According To The Magi

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jan 18, 2007

The reactions of Herod, the religious leaders, and the Magi to the birth of Jesus mirror people’s responses to Jesus today.

How “Wise” Are You? True and False Questions about the Wise Men Questions 1. The wise men arrived in Judea after Jesus had been born. 2. The Bible says that there were three wise men. 3. The wise men went directly to Bethlehem when they arrived in Judea. 4. The wise men were kings. 5. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed!

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Mar 15, 2002

What makes Jesus stand out from other great religious leaders?

Swanton Novers 31-03-02 Stiffkey 20-04-03 He is risen. He is risen indeed. (Acts 10:34-43) One of the things that has really struck me is the number of churches here in the countryside - especially in Norfolk (England), where there are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Anglican

Taking Christ Out Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 30, 2002

What would happen if we took all of the Religious elements out of Christmas?

Have you noticed that every year people seem more intent on secularizing Christmas? They wish you a “Happy Holiday” or “Seasons Greetings” then have presentations at school that make no mention of the Manger or the Wise Men let alone the Christ Child. Now I may be a little overly sensitive but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan