Sermons on Religious Rites:

Why Baptism

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jan 3, 2023

Baptism is an odd rite. So why do we baptize people?

Why Baptism? 1. It’s in the Bible • It’s not like we made this up • In fact it’s mentioned quite often in the New Testament • John the Baptist as he prepares everyone for Jesus is baptizing people • Jesus himself is baptized • Jesus commands it as he commissions his disciples in Matthew 28:18–20 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Here Comes Everybody Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 3, 2012

The Church, as the Council Fathers say, is both one and diverse. Our citizenship is not here.

Monday of 31st Week in Course 5 Nov 2012 Lumen Gentium If ever there were a set of Scriptures suited to the eve of the most contentious, vicious political contest in my lifetime, these are they. The one place where we must be one in mind and heart is in the family, and I mean the family of God. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Catholic

A Life Worthy: Geared Up For Life Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 21, 2021

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B August 1, 2021 author of Ephesians wants us to realize that we are not left without resources

Now we’re moving from preaching to meddling, as the old cliché goes. To declare that there is a life worthy of the gospel is to claim that there is a life that isn’t. There are choices to be made in how we live out our faith. And some of those choices reveal whether we are indeed “rooted and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Death And New Life In Baptism Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 30, 2022

Paul emphasizes the theological importance of Baptism in this part of the Scripture. The painful death of Christ on the cross and his powerful resurrection experience was compared were to our baptism.

Romans 6:01-14 Death and New Life through Baptism Paul emphasizes the theological importance of Baptism in this part of the Scripture. The painful death of Christ on the cross and his powerful resurrection experience was compared were to our baptism. Our baptism is not equal to his Baptism. We ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Lay, Ordained, And Orders Called To Follow Him

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 19, 2023

no matter our position in the church, we are all called to follow Jesus

Matthew 4:12-23 Many stories within the Bible are known as ‘call stories.’ A call story tells how God invites someone to become something new and unexpected. God calls this person to begin and not only begin but persist so that this new thing can occur. One day Andrew, Simon, James, and John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Episcopal

Rituals

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 19, 2004

A religious person usually feels that he has a special standing before God, not only because of his intellectual assent to certain beliefs, but also because he keeps the ordinances, the rites, and the rituals of that religion. Paul shows in this passage t

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A railroad yardmaster called the telephone daily at exactly 11:45 to verify the time. After years of this ritual, the operator asked the yardmaster, "Why do you call each day at exactly the same time?" His reply, "I take my responsibilities very seriously, I call to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Unto Jesus

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 9, 2011

....Christianity is not a religion. In religion, man believes in the existence of a God, a super being, for whom you have to perform certain rites in order to please. But Christianity is God’s way of seeking to save the lost. The religious act of man has

LOOKING UNTO JESUS This week, by the grace of God, we are looking at a topic “Looking unto Jesus.” Our first text is taken from the book of Isaiah 8:20. It says, “To the l aw and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 8:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Song Of Simeon

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2013

The rite of purification becomes the occasion of certain prophecies concerning Jesus, Israel, and the nations.

THE SONG OF SIMEON. Luke 2:22-35. It was nearly six weeks after the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph went up to the Temple in Jerusalem, with baby Jesus, to fulfil the rite of purification. Jesus' parents were obedient to this tenet of the law, which involved both the child and His mother ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jews' Sin Of Disobedience Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 22, 2022

Jews had the privilege of chosen by God as special nation through Abraham. They were bestowed with Law through Moses. They had formed vibrant empire through David. But they rejected Jesus Christ the Messiah, which is the greatest Sin.

Romans 2:17-29 Jews' Sin of disobedience to God Romans 2:17-20: The Pride of the Jew Romans 2:21-27: The Peril of the Jew Romans 2:28-29: The Peak of the Jew in Christ The Pride of the Jews - Romans 2:17-20 Jews are prideful people. They are enjoying the privilege of the chosen community ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Methodist

Mythbusters 2

Contributed by Gregory Helman on Nov 20, 2009

Destroys the myth that I only need to be religious.

May 7, 2006 Mark 12:28-34 Mythbusters “I Just Need To Be Religious” I. Religion majors in rules. One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: *other

Battling Exhaustion Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on May 7, 2009

Exhaustion is something we all struggle with. Paul teaches us how to battle spiritual exhaustion in our lives in this message.

When I sat down in my office on Wednesday to write this message I found it very ironic that I was planning to preach on how to battle exhaustion in our lives while at the same time I was going through a very exhausting week. So, basically this message has come at just the right time. This week ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Kind Of Spirit Do You Have

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 2, 2021

One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is that of the religious spirit. Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They can be hard to discern simply because they are religious; they are pious, even hyper-spiritual.

What Kind of Spirit Do you Have? By Bishop Melvin Maughmer OPENING: - One of the greatest hindrances you will encounter in your Christian walk is that of the religious spirit. Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They can be hard to discern ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

Lost And Found Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 1, 2021

Lost and Found Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – June 27, 2021

Lost and Found Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – June 27, 2021 [Note: This message is only slightly adapted from what I had taught entitled “Our Story” when engaging this passage in a series in the Gospel of Luke. Both series called for teaching the text in its entirety ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Little Parables.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 3, 2023

A house divided against itself, and a strong man overcome.

TWO LITTLE PARABLES. Luke 11:14-26. The spiritual blindness of the people opposed to Jesus is demonstrated in their reaction to His good works. Their refusal to hear His message is echoed in their speaking out against Him. LUKE 11:14. A demon-possessed man, who was physically dumb, was brought ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Accusing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 4, 2021

Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35.

Intro Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35. Is our Faith Crazy? Are Christians nuts because of their self-sacrifice? Mark 3:20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist