Sermons on Religious Ritual:

The Religious Leaders Missed The First Christmas Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Dec 3, 2021

We are in danger of becoming indifferent to the things of God.

INTRODUCTION Most of life is made up of ordinary moments. You wake up, you head out to work, you must deal with people throughout the day, and no ordinary day would be complete without having to solve a problem or two. Yet, sometimes extraordinary events can break into those ordinary moments. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Freedom, Fundamental Human Right Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 9, 2016

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that is not restricted to the confines of a church.

Thursday in Third Week of Easter 2016 Joy of the Gospel Those of us who are blessed to be in the Catholic church for many decades tend to take for granted our sacramental realities, especially the Blessed Eucharist. I recall reading about a Muslim who, though totally without faith in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Catholic

Who Is Your Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Jun 15, 2011

Parable of the good Samaritan.

20. Who is Jesus? January 16th, 2010 Who is your Neighbor? Well I am back from a little vacation with my wife and we are back to study into our series through the Gospel of Luke. We are in Luke 10:25. This is a story most of you are probably familiar with. It is one of the most powerful ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: *other

Can You Be A Christian Without Being Religious? Series

Contributed by Dr. George Calhoun on Oct 30, 2008

Christianity differs from all religions in that it’s not about us finding God, but about us responding to God who has been reaching out to us.

Can you be a Christian without being religious? It almost sounds like a contradiction in terms. However, according to Webster, a religion is a system of faith and worship... Christianity is certainly that! According to Webster, a religion is the service to and the adoration of God expressed in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:31-39

Denomination: Baptist

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The True Vine Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 23, 2013

Jesus is the True Vine, not traditions, rituals, or sacrifices.

Two hunters were out hunting and come upon what appeared at first as an abandoned farm. The barn was sagging, the house was in disrepair, and there were junk cars and car parts lying around. The only thing that made it a working farm was a few chickens pecking away and a goat wandering around. As ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Foursquare

Repeat After Me Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Why did Jesus give us this prayer?”

Who has been watching the Olympics this week? There was a lot of excitement around the newest event, snow-board-cross. We do like new things, don’t we. Even the winter Olympics themselves are, in a way, new. The Ancient Greeks didn’t ski, or ice skate. In fact, the first 13 Olympiads featured only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Transformational Worship

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 4, 2018

If you want to experience life-transformational worship, come to a better altar – the cross of Jesus Christ – with better sacrifices: carry His shame; confess His name; and care for others.

Joanne Weil describes the time her young son asked what was the highest number she had ever counted to. She didn't know, but she asked about his highest number. It was 5,372. “Oh,” she said. “Why did you stop there?” “Church was over,” he replied. (Mike and Amy Nappa, Bore No More! Group ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Caminando Como Peregrinos De Esperanza Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Apr 1, 2025

He estado contemplando cómo estamos llamados a ser peregrinos de esperanza en un mundo que busca desesperadamente significado y dirección.

Título: Caminando como peregrinos de esperanza Introducción: He estado contemplando cómo estamos llamados a ser peregrinos de esperanza en un mundo que busca desesperadamente significado y dirección. Escritura: Romanos 15:13 Reflexión Queridos hermanos y hermanas ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Denomination: Other

Paglalakad Bilang Pilgrim Ng Pag-Asa Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Apr 1, 2025

Pinag-iisipan ko kung paano tayo tinawag na maging mga pilgrims ng pag-asa sa isang mundo na desperadong naghahanap ng kahulugan at direksyon.

Pamagat: Paglalakad bilang Pilgrim ng Pag-asa Intro: Pinag-iisipan ko kung paano tayo tinawag na maging mga pilgrims ng pag-asa sa isang mundo na desperadong naghahanap ng kahulugan at direksyon. Banal na Kasulatan: Roma 15:13 Pagninilay Mahal na Kapatid at Kapatid na Relihiyoso, habang ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Denomination: Other

A Biblical Look At Various Types Of Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 12, 2025

How can you prioritize a more authentic, Spirit-led walk with God in your life?

The Bible categorizes people into various groups based on their relationship with God, faith, and actions. Understanding these categories can help us reflect on our own spiritual journeys and relationships with others. 1. The Wicked Those who reject God's laws and live in sin (Psalm 37:10; ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, Isaiah 13:11

Stephen's Sermon Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 18, 2002

This sermon encourages us to let go of human tradtions and seek God only--just as Stephen said to the religious leaders.

Stephen’s Sermon Acts 7 April 21, 2001 Intro: A. [Seeing Yourself in a Sermon, Citation: From a cartoon by Lee Johnson, The Best Cartoons from Leadership Journal, Volume 1 (Broadman & Holman, 1999)] Following the Sunday morning service, the pastor stood at the back of the church, shaking hands ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60, Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jan 28, 2024

This sermon exposes the blatant attack on religious liberty via the pandemic and the less than adequate response from the church. It encourages us to be watchful and aware of how the enemy is working to silence and control even God's people and what we can do to gain the victory!

Religious Liberty Sermon 2024 (Free Indeed!) It was Patrick Henry that once passionately exclaimed, “Give me liberty, or give me death! The obvious sentiment being that liberty, or freedom is well worth dying for. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that he and the rest of our founding fathers ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Galatians 5:1, Psalm 119:45-48, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

My Gospel

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if given by Paul. Against trusting in ritual, correct ideas, or emotion, trust the grace of Christ given in personal relationship with Him.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Oh.. almost didn’t see you there. See what large letters I make when I am writing ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Judgment And Glory Series

Contributed by James Jack on Nov 30, 2007

It is the humble servants of the Lord, not the outwardly religious, who will enjoy Him forever.

One of the awesome things I’ve noticed as we’ve gone through Isaiah over the last few months has been amazing contrasts we see in the character to God, the paradoxes in his divine nature and his sovereign action. We saw it in dazzling brilliance last week when Cameron spoke to us from Isaiah 55. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-24

Denomination: Anglican