Sermons on Religious Ritual:

Son & Salvation Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 25, 2013

1) The Problem of unbelief (John 3:11-12) , provided the 2) Answer for unbelief (John 3:13–17), and warned of the 3) Results of unbelief (John 3:18-21).

It was dark and 15 degrees below zero — nearly twice that with the wind chill — when a 20-year-old woman who “wasn’t feeling well” stumbled the few blocks with her mother toward Humber River Regional Hospital’s Finch campus early last Sunday morning. Not quite ...read more

Scripture: John 3:11-21

Denomination: Other

The Problem With Sacraments Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 1, 2016

What does the word "sacrament" mean? Is it in the Bible? And what effect does this concept have on the church?

OPEN: When I was in my early 20s I worked in a mobile home factory. My job was to help install insulation in the sides and roofs of the trailers as they made their way down the track. One day, as I was blowing insulation onto the roof of one trailer (walking along the trusses), I stepped a little ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Perfect Law Of Freedom - James 1:23-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 17, 2021

The first half of this message is a crash course on how to interpret Scripture. The second half explains how God’s law increases the freedom in your life.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one ...read more

Scripture: James 1:23-25

Think Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 30, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews 7: 1 – 28

Hebrews 7: 1 – 28 Think 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Is Tithing A Mandate Or Human Tradition?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 10, 2025

This message takes an honest and impartial look at what the Bible says about Tithing, what it was, its biblical history, and how and why it was implemented.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NIV) Many Christians feel guilty and Tithe out of obligation rather than love. Some have ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8, Matthew 6:19-24, Malachi 3:6-12, Mark 12:41-44, John 10:12-13, Luke 20:46, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 6:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Stop Being Present In Church But Absent In Christ Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 23, 2025

There is a tragic reality happening in churches around the world every Sunday: People can be physically present in church… yet spiritually absent from Christ. You can sit in a pew, lift your hands, sing the songs, carry a Bible, know the language of church life—and still not know Jesus.

Go! And… Stop Being Present in Church but Absent in Christ INTRODUCTION — When Presence Isn’t Participation There is a tragic reality happening in churches around the world every Sunday: People can be physically present in church… yet spiritually absent from Christ. You can sit in a pew, lift ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Isaiah 29:13, Revelation 3:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Using Power Evangelism In Cross - cultural Communications

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

Cross-cultural communicators, in the past, have sadly neglected the issue of spiritual-power thinking that the use of reasonable Christianity is the best way to produce change. However, in most non-western societies, the issue of power is central to most

USING POWER EVANGELISM IN CROSS -CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS Illustration;About 40 percent of Americans characterize the nation’s moral values as "poor" and 41 percent say the state of moral values is "only fair." Only 18 percent rank the situation as "good" or "excellent." Weekly church attendees had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Fruits Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 7, 2018

Pentecost was a dramatic display of God's power and Spirit. Why did Jesus pick Pentecost to begin His church and what can that mean to us?

OPEN: In the land of Norway there is a valley. This valley is long and narrow with mountainous peaks that tower 1000s of feet into the air, and nestled deep inside that valley is a little town whose name I’m not sure I can pronounce. This village has existed for over 100 years and it is a beautiful ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Stronger Than You Think You Are

Contributed by Joe Hayes on Jul 23, 2010

When you think you are weak you are strong

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. When people looked at Samson after his capture they seen a weak man, when they mocked him and his God they didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: No One Is Good But God Alone

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 18, 2024

The principle of “No one is good but God alone

Jesus knew He was God and said so: He was accused of being God at his trial. Jesus revealed his divinity by miracles, and by His Resurrection, but he never says to the crowds, “Hey, everyone, I’m God.” In today’s Gospel, he goes undercover. To illustrate: In the TV show, Undercover Boss, a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-30

Denomination: Catholic

Walking In Fellowship Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 24, 2016

What does fellowship look like and how does Church fellowship benefit us?

OPEN: Once upon a time (as all good stories begin), a group of people agreed that they should spend each Sunday in the presence of one another. Many were not satisfied with the 6 or 8 hours each week, but also came together each Saturday for several more hours of fellowship.They did not count the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Is The Holy Spirit Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 8, 2012

The Holy Spirit is the most neglected part of the Trinity today and we need to allow the Holy Spirit to arise within us, to empower us to be God’s dynamic witnesses to this dying and deceived world.

Summary of the first 12 spiritual mile markers for this year: January 2012 – 12 minutes of prayer: 12 meals, 12 minutes of prayer for our 21 day time of prayer and fasting. February 2012 – 12 minutes of Bible reading a day and you can read the Bible through in a year. March 2012 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period? (Xi) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 22, 2021

Message explores the readiness for Christ's coming called for in the Olivet Discourse. Three parables give insight on specific aspects of being prepared. The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats is also examined closely.

Biblical Readiness for the Rapture: Intro In this message we continue to learn from the Olivet Discourse lesson about the coming of the Lord and how we are to respond to it. Last week we concluded with the point of Jesus’s message in Matthew 24: maintaining an ongoing readiness for his return. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-46, James 2:14-26, Matthew 12:50, Revelation 19:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Luke 13:6-9, Matthew 24:1-15, Luke 10:10-16, 2 Peter 3:3-12, Colossians 1:21-23, Revelation 16:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9, Revelation 3:3, Matthew 24:42-51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Bad Shepherds

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 12, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 23: 1 – 40

Jeremiah 23: 1 – 40 Bad shepherds 1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Do You Hear What I Hear? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 6, 2015

Why would anyone reject the promise of the Christ child being born of a virgin? Well, many do. Why do they do that? And why is it important that we not only believe this promise, but understand it?

OPEN: Sing this with me: “Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what I see? Way up in the sky little lamb DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? A star, a star dancing in the night, with a tail as big as a kite, with a tail as big as a kite “Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy Do ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ