Sermons on Religious Ritual:

Salt And Light

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Nov 26, 2014

We are called to be the salt and light of the world. Are we?

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light August 31, 2014 On Sunday, April 8, 1945, German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was taken from a worship service he had just conducted for prisoners to a concentration camp in Flossenburg. He was tried for treason and hanged just a couple weeks before the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Distinction Between God’s Word And God’s Spirit Series

Contributed by Bill Walker on Feb 25, 2017

God’s Spirit is a personality – a member of the Godhead – who dwells inside the heart of every faithful Christian

A DISTINCTION BETWEEN GOD’S WORD AND GOD’S SPIRIT As we have shown in previous lessons, God’s Spirit is a distinct personality and a member of the Godhead who dwells in the lives of faithful Christians. He is not an impersonal force or thing. As we’ve already said in a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Balancing Inward And Outward Service

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jan 10, 2021

This sermon is going to focus on Mary and Martha’s different approaches to pleasing to pleasing God and suggest that a balance of both service and reflection is what pleases God.

Balancing Inward and Outward Service Luke 10:38-42 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 I remember the day when I said YES to the Lord. I was born that day of the water and Spirit and felt an overwhelming peace that comes from being eternally adopted as God’s son. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

God Doesn't Have Butterfingers SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 24, 2023

God's Eternal Security

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy to see each one of you here today, gathered in the house of the Lord, ready to receive His word and to bask in His presence. We are here to celebrate our faith, to strengthen our bonds as a community, and to deepen our understanding ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Topics: Security Of The Believer

Go! And Live In The Freedom Of Truth - John 8:31-32 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 7, 2025

Abiding in Jesus' teachings leads us to truth, and this truth grants us freedom. But what does it mean to remain faithful to His teachings? How does knowing the truth liberate us?

Go! And Live in the Freedom of Truth - John 8:31-32 Introduction: Today we gather to delve into the profound words of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John 8:31-32 (NLT): "Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32, John 15:5-7, Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 2:3-6, Romans 12:2, Romans 6:22, Galatians 5:1, Romans 10:9, Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20, John 15:8, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Colossians 1:13, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Fruit- The Essential Product Of Dedication And Effort

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jan 27, 2012

We are spiritual trees planted by the water flowing from the word of God, and we are expected to bear fruit in keeping with our repentance.

SPIRITUAL FRUIT- The Essential Product of Dedication and Effort ILLUSTRATION The young boy stood looking up at the naked ice-covered limbs of his favorite cherry tree. It was 4:30 in the morning and the full moon produced a silvery sheen in the ice, which almost seemed to originate within the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

How Not To Be A Hypocrite Series

Contributed by David Asch on Oct 12, 2004

In this text Jesus will show us how to move beyond hypocrisy and into genuine, authentic faith. In this text we will see Jesus goes head to head with religious hypocrites, and show us what it takes to leave hypocrisy behind.

HOW NOT TO BE A HYPOCRITE Mark 2:18-3:6 INTRO: 1. What is the #1 thing that keeps people from faith in Christ? 2. Is there anything that keeps people from faith in Christ like my hypocrisy? Saying one thing, and doing another. Claiming to believe and live a certain way, but not demonstrating it. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Broken Altar - When Worship Becomes Work Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 2, 2025

The first in a four part series confronts the subtle drift from passionate devotion to empty religious routine, challenging believers to recognize the cracks in their spiritual foundations and commit to rebuilding authentic altars of worship in their daily lives.

INTO: Today we're kicking off a brand-new series that's going to challenge your spiritual comfort zone and reignite your relationship with God. We're talking about being SET APART in a world that wants you to fit in! Have you ever felt like your relationship with God has become more ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13, 1 Kings 18:30, Romans 12:1

God's Condemnation Of All Men

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1.

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1. Spiritual Privileges Do Have Value (:1-2) Question: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Restated: What value ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Time To Build The Lord's House

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 17, 2003

The first message from Haggai to the ruling politician, the religious priest and the returned people addresses the unfinished house of God. For eighteen years God’s work was delayed.

It’s Time To Build The Lord’s House Scripture Reference: Haggai 1:1-15 INTRODUCTION In 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar invaded and overthrew Jerusalem. The city was raised to the ground and the temple was completely destroyed. God’s people were taken into Babylon as captives and there they remained for ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revival-Light The Fire! (Ezekiel) Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jul 2, 2003

The world is looking for God. Tragically and ironically, as the world is looking for God, God’s people are asleep in their pews, asleep in religious traditions and lethargy. CHURCH, IT IS TIME FOR REVIVAL!

Revival–Light the Fire (The Revival of Ezekiel) Ezekiel 37:1–14 INTRODUCTION The world is looking for God. Tragically and ironically, as the world is looking for God, God’s people are asleep in their pews, asleep in religious traditions and lethargy. CHURCH, IT IS TIME FOR REVIVAL! 1. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia

Contributed by Matthew Doebler on Aug 13, 2003

Teens are interested in religion and religious topics and yet we have such a tough time sharing our faith. Why? What can we do about it?

Youth Rally Sermon Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia There are a lot of phobias out there, aren’t there? You’ve heard of some of them, like aquaphobia, arachnophobia, xenophobia, but here are a few more: Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Battlefield Wounds Of Christ

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Apr 14, 2006

Jesus means for the Communion service to be a lot more than just a religious observance, but to keep fresh in our minds the act of sacrificial love He has for us.

Turn your Bibles to Matthew 27: 28 – 31 Title: The Battlefield Wounds of Christ Theme: Remembering His Cost was Our Gain Introduction: When I first got started in the Arabian Horse business, my parents and I attended a special coronation celebration for a beautiful Arabian Stallion. On a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Went Ye Out To See?

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon deals with the 3 questions that Jesus asked the religious pharisees and scribes that looked for fault in him. They provide us an interesting study of today’s world as well.

“What Went Ye Out for to See?” Luke 7:24-28 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 7:24-28 B. Background of John the Baptist – (John 1:6-8; 15-18) (John 1:19-34) C. Concerned about the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jewish leaders sent men to investigate. D. Many today are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Basics Of Being A Consecrated Believer

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 21, 2004

In the midst of civil and religious ruin, harsh living conditions and spiritual apathy Ezra is used by God to revive Israel as he demonstrates the basics of being a consecrated believer.

THE BASICS OF BEING A CONSECRATED BELIEVER Ezra 7:6-10 EZRA 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Introduction: The Israelites returned to Jerusalem after having been taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

Denomination: Baptist