Sermons on Religious Rites:

Surprise Witness

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

The account of the Roman soldier who witnessed the death of Jesus and became convinced that Jesus was the son of God.

Rufus wished he were anywhere but here. He had never wanted to come to Palestine in the first place, every legionnaire in the Empire knew that it was a lousy assignment. No loot, no glory, no chance for advancement. And he couldn’t even get decent duty like chasing bandits in Galilee. No, he had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 17, 2005

Learn from the mistakes of the Pharisees: (1) Don’t be too caught up by the outward, it’s the heart that counts; (2) Don’t be too caught up by what man thinks; it’s what God thinks that counts.

We are all creatures of habit. We do many things over and over again. • There is nothing wrong with that. There will surely be routines in life. • But the danger comes when we get so accustomed to them, that we no longer understand the reason why we are doing them. • If fact, we may have lost its ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9, Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

John's Purpose

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 14, 2012

John the Baptist's purpose was to point people to Jesus.

JOHN’S PURPOSE John 1:6-9, 15-28 1) John’s purpose was to testify. John 1:6-9. John was a ‘witness to testify’. John’s purpose was to point people to Jesus. For the purpose that people would believe in the one, true light and so be saved. That should be our purpose ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Question That Demanded An Answer

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 18, 2008

Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a conclusive ans

The Question That Demanded An Answer Acts 16: 20-34 Have you ever been asked a question that demanded no answer? A question that requires no answer does so because the answer is self-evident. The question of the Philippian jailor demanded and answer. It was a crucial question and demanded a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

What About Israel? (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Oct 1, 2013

This is the twelfth message in a series over Romans 6-11. The series examines how we now live under God's grace. This message is the first of a two part message that examines God's plan for Israel.

Introduction: Has God rejected the nation of Israel? That’s the million dollar question, Christians and politicians struggle with what exactly to do about Israel. To be honest, this is a question that I struggle with. However, I take comfort that I am in good company because the apostle Paul ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessings Of The Christian

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 25, 2013

We willingly accept the blessings of the Beatitudes, but must also embrace the responsibilities.

THE BLESSINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN. Matthew 5:1-12. The Sermon on the Mount is directed towards those who are already disciples of Jesus (Matthew 5:1). This is important. It counters both those religious hopefuls who find the Beatitudes impossible to keep, and those religious moralists who glibly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Reason To Rejoice!

Contributed by Chris Beam on Dec 17, 2014

A glimpse into the life of Simeon and three characteristics that give us a reason to rejoice.

A REASON TO REJOICE! Luke 2:22-32 INTRODUCTION: A man was asleep in the bed one night when his wife leaned over and shook him and said, "Wake up, I think somebody’s breaking in!" You see, this man had gone through this almost every night for the past 20 years, and he knew that the only ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

To The Church Of Pergamum Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on Apr 4, 2002

How does the Church in Pergamum compare to our Church? 3rd in series of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

To the Church of Pergamum In this series on the Seven Churches of Revelation, we have examined the Church in Ephesus and the Church in Smyrna. Today we will look at the Church in Pergamum and not only how our Church compares to it, but also how we as individual Christians compare to the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Fullness Of God's People In Christ

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 4, 2009

Since we can be complete in Christ with a full commitment to Him, there are certain benefits of a Christ-centered faith as we follow Him.

THE FULLNESS OF GOD’S PEOPLE IN CHRIST Colossians 2:11-15 Proposition: Since we can be complete in Christ with a full commitment to Him, there are certain benefits of a Christ-centered faith as we follow Him. Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to be experience the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Judgment Of God Is Described Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 16, 2018

Israel missed the opportunity to be a Witness for Jehovah. The nations in Canaan were in terrible bondage to ignorance, idolatry, and immorality, and they desperately needed to know the true God of Israel.

Chapter 10 Judgment of God Is Described [Judges 2.11-19] Scripture 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- Lamb Of God Who Takes Away The Sin Of The World. Version 2.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 7, 2022

The most effective way this is done is through self-disclosure, which is a very important part of mental and spiritual healing since we allow God to see and “behold us,” in our sin and neediness

Two cockroaches were munching on garbage in an alley when one engages in a discussion about a new restaurant. "I was in that new restaurant across the street," said one. "It's so clean! The kitchen is spotless, and the floors are gleaming white. There is no dirt ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-34

Denomination: Catholic

Provision Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 22, 2013

Whatever we may think of Elijah, “he was a man just like us.” So says the Apostle James (5:16-17). Yes, he was a mighty prophet, but he was also a flawed person with doubts, fears, and needs--a real person, not a superhero.

Whatever we may think of Elijah, “he was a man just like us.” So says the Apostle James (5:16-17). Yes, he was a mighty prophet, but he was also a flawed person with doubts, fears, and needs--a real person, not a superhero. He experienced success and despair. “He put on his ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Alienation Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 26, 2017

Ephesians 2:11-12 shows us that we were alienated from God and the people of God.

Scripture We are currently in a series of sermons on Ephesians 2 that I am calling, “God’s Plan of Reconciliation.” We live in a world of alienation. We see it in politics, in race relationships, in economics, in the media, and, of course, in religion. I typed the word “alienation” in Google ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Freed To Be Like Christ Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 6, 2024

Paul defines the freedom we have in Christ, warning the church of the danger to watch out for and the deceivers to guard against, and highlighting the true definition of freedom in Christ.

Gal 5:1-15 FREED TO BE LIKE CHRIST Paul concluded chapter 4 emphasizing the truth that we, as Christians, are no longer living under the slavery to the law. • We are children of the promise, living in the freedom that Christ has obtained for us through the cross. • He uses the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible