Sermons on Religious Ceremonies:

What Is Real Revival?

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Sep 5, 2009

We need a real revival in our day and time, this message will point what needs to happen if we will experience a true Holy Spirit revival.

What is Real Revival? June 28th 2009 Malachi 3:6-16 Introduction I have been pondering on this question for some time now, what is real revival, now I have been a Baptist for all of my Christian life, and I have been apart of many revival services where an evangelist comes along with a music ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of A Star PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 26, 2023

This sermon explores the wisdom of the Magi in seeking Jesus, encouraging us to similarly seek the Savior, understand spiritual symbolism, and offer sacrificial gifts.

Beloved congregation, welcome. It's a joy to gather once more in the house of our Lord, where His grace abounds and His love enfolds us. Today, we find ourselves drawn to the second chapter of Matthew's Gospel, a passage that invites us to witness the extraordinary event of the Magi's visit to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Topics: Advent, Series

The Temple Of The Lord

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Nov 21, 2005

Time and again God had warned his people not to worship anything or anyone else but Him, but they continued to do whatever they wanted to do. They were going to the Temple supposedly for the purpose of worshipping the Lord on the Sabbath Day, but were di

Recently, I have been doing an in depth study of some of the major prophets of the Bible. Great men such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah have always been favorites of mine (and, I know the same is for some of you). The words of these prophets can bring to us things that we may have never ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be Prepared

Contributed by Christopher Raiford on Nov 17, 2002

2nd Sunday in End Time - Saints Triumphant A sermon that encourages us to be prepared for Jesus’ 2nd Coming

Matthew 25 1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Genuine Repentance? Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Oct 5, 2007

Words and actions must match if repentance is to be genuine

Hosea 6.1-7.16 Is your repentance genuine? We all know the story of the little boy who cried “wolf” and when the wolf did eventually come no one believed him and he was eaten up. I am sure you have met people who say sorry for something and then turn around and do the same thing all over again. ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Eaten By Now

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 5, 2022

Talk about the dark places of the earth and about the light for those dark places (Outline adapted from Phil Young of Illinois)

HoHum: An American was visiting in a 3rd world country. While walking down the street, he was surprised to see a native reading the Bible. “My good man,” he said. “In my country, that book is considered out of date.” The native responded, “My good man, if that book is considered out of date in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 74:20, Psalm 74:7, 1 Samuel 5:3-4, Romans 1:29-31, John 8:12, John 12:46, Romans 2:12, Romans 1:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Artificial Righteousness: Glorifying In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 4, 2009

Glorifying in the flesh is a form of Artificial Righteousness which is motivated by 1) Religious Pride, 2) Cowardice, & 3)hypocrisy.

The news has been filled with week with statistics, world wide reports, deaths and fear from the H1N1 human influenza virus, previously known as swine flu. One of the most distasteful elements of this situation has been the various reactions to it. Minute by minute coverage from many news agencies ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Other

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