Sermons on Religious Ritual:

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

The Last Supper And The Passover

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 6, 2016

What are the similarities and differences between the Passover and the Last Supper, Circumcision and Baptism? What are the differences and similarities between the rituals of the Old Testament and the sacraments of the New Testament?

Luke 22:14-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (These will be read later in the sermon) This morning we will be remembering the Lord’s Supper also known as Communion. Augustine, in the 5th century described a sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.” A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Religion Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 7, 2024

Religion imprisons in ritual, Jesus frees us through our willingness to surrender all to Him

We continue our series of escape by looking at another area of ourselves that keeps us from experiencing the freedom Jesus’ coming and rising offer us. The last couple of weeks we spoke about escaping bad decisions and the shame/guilt that accompanies them, this week I’d like to explore how to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:30, 2 Chronicles 7:14-17, Isaiah 59:1-2, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 14:28, 1 Samuel 7:2-4, James 4:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 24, 2020

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

This week I shared something positive on Facebook and got pulverized. The criticism came quickly and repeatedly. Normally I’m more careful about posting about controversial matters so I wasn’t prepared for all the venomous vitriol and overwhelming opposition. One person simply replied, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Plumb Line

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jul 11, 2009

Amos uses the Plumb Line as a metaphor to explain that both nation and the religious establishment are under judgment for being "out of line"; unrighteous.

The Plumb Line by Charles Scott, Church of the Good Shepherd, Indianapolis Trinity 5 —Proper 10B July 12 2009 The Plumb Line Old Testament Reading Amos 7:7 THIS IS WHAT the Lord God showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-17

Denomination: Anglican

The Genuine Vs The Counterfeit Christian Believers. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 13, 2025

Here are few differences, along with biblical examples.

The Bible warns us that not everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ is genuinely saved. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says that some will claim to have done great things in His name, but He will declare, "I never knew you." This raises an important question: what distinguishes a true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Acts 16:25, Daniel 1:8-16

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

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

Rtd - Pt. 2 - Apathy Angina Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 24, 2019

Religion promises life and then it sickens! It steals hope, joy and eventually life! Are you contaminated with an RTD? The cure is

I. Introduction It was the morning of December 7th, 1941. There were 353 Japanese airplanes diving and strafing the American battleships and military sites in Pearl Harbor. The results of the "surprise" attack were devastating. 8 battleships sunk. 6 major airfields destroyed. And the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rtd - Pt. 3 - Performance Pathogen Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 24, 2019

Religion promises life and then it sickens! It steals hope, joy and eventually life! Are you contaminated with an RTD? The cure is

I. Introduction One of the scary things about certain diseases is that you can be infected and not even be aware of the presence of the disease until later in life. On the outside everything seems normal. Daily activities are uninterrupted. Life moves on down the road. However, either age (like 40) ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:7-9, Exodus 18:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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