Sermons on Religious Ritual:

Unwrapping A Strange Gift

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 6, 2018

This series of messages addressed the "gift" of suffering. I have included the notes from several messages on the topic.

Chico Alliance Church UNWRAPPING A STRANGE GIFT REVIEW Paul is in prison simply for preaching the resurrected Christ in a pagan world and a religious world blinded to the truth of a transformed life. From a seemingly negative circumstance, he is able to continually live the joy of the Lord. I ask, ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

You Can Go To Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 21, 2018

Jesus said He would build His church. What we read in Acts 4 is how He intended to do it. What do we read there that helps us understand our part in Christ's construction crew?

There’s the true story of a southern church that had been stressing the importance of witnessing to people. One particularly slow young man in the congregation took the idea to heart, but he wasn’t quite sure how to do it. Then, that Sunday, a skeptic visited the church one Sunday, and the boy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Update: Signs Of The Times - March 2025 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

What if I told you those who prayed silently are now guilty of thought crime? Free speech is being slain. I share part of a fantastic speech by VP J.D. Vance. Christians are heading for difficult times. This article looks at some of the significant recent happenings.

UPDATE: SIGNS OF THE TIMES - MARCH 2025 WHY DO WE BOTHER TO CONSIDER THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD? [A]. INTRODUCTION It is not beneficial to be weighed down by the bad things in the world, and some get depressed by such things. Like most aspects of life we need to be balanced and sober. It is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Matthew 16:2-3, Daniel 2:32-35, Revelation 13:1, Genesis 12:3, Revelation 11:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wonder Of Jesus’ Baptism Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 3, 2013

Why did John baptize Jesus? And why so quickly? Granted Jesus said it was to "fulfill all righteousness", but what exactly could that mean?

OPEN: A little girl wanted to get baptized but her mother wanted her to attend some classes to make sure she knew what she was committing herself to. After one of the classes, her mother asked, "Honey, what does baptism mean?" Thinking hard, the little girl the finally said, "Well, it isn’t the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pride Of The Godless Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 3, 2018

Sodom was guilty of six sins and the first on the list was "pride". What is it about pride that makes God so angry and how can we avoid that sin?

OPEN: A man told of driving West Texas highway. There were no cars in sight and he was going about 70 mph when suddenly, as he went over a crest in the road, he could see up ahead a huge hawk feeding on a rabbit who’d been killed by a passing vehicle. Now ordinarily, what do you think a bird would ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:48-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heart Of True Worship Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 5, 2025

This is the 43rd Sermon from the Gospel of Luke Series, "Jesus- Son Of Man".

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#43] THE HEART OF TRUE WORSHIP Luke 11:37-54 Introduction: This morning, we are going look at what true worship really is. In our text, Jesus talks to the religious leaders of His time. He shows us that worship is not just about doing religious things or looking good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

Where Does Revival Begin? Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2021

Where does revival begin? Purpose: Let’s understand that revival begins on the inside. Plan: Let’s discuss revival in Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

Prelude Where does revival begin? Purpose: Let’s understand that revival begins on the inside. Plan: Let’s discuss revival in Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Traditions without Heart (Mark 7:1-4) Mark 7:1 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. 2 They ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Maze Of Masonry

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Apr 6, 2005

How many have had a family member or friend that was or is currently a Mason? Most people don’t know very much about this group except for their generous works that they do for children.

How many have had a family member or friend that was or is currently a Mason? Most people don’t know very much about this group except for their generous works that they do for children. Their hospitals have the most elaborate and state of the art facilities! They provide free medical services to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Bondage And Condemnation Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 4, 2001

UNION WITH CHRIST HAS FREED US FROM THE BONDAGE AND CONDEMNATION OF THE FALSE ISMS (WHICH CLAIM TO BE THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUALITY)

BIG IDEA: UNION WITH CHRIST HAS FREED US FROM THE BONDAGE AND CONDEMNATION OF THE FALSE ISMS (WHICH CLAIM TO BE THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUALITY) INTRODUCTION Follows along with theme introduced in vs. 16 -- “See to it that no one takes you captive” “Therefore” – points to what has been covered in the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Back To The Future

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Apr 1, 2002

The church, in embracing the constant of time, relives the life of Jesus each year over the course of time. Holy Week is about remembering. Remembering all these events, events that have reminded us of God’s faithfu

Bibliography: Finding Christ, Finding Life: Memory There was a movie released several years ago about a teenage boy named Marty who hung out with an older scientist friend. The scientist had created a time machine out of an old Delorian, and without meaning to, Marty climbed into the Delorian ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Denomination: Methodist

"Jesus Came To Meet People Where They Were.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 3, 2002

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-13 Color: Green

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-13, Color: Green The Call of Matthew 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Religion Isn't Enough Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 20, 2015

This is the 4th sermon in the series, "The Cure". Religion won't save you.

Series: The Cure [#4] RELIGION ISN’T ENOUGH Romans 2:17-29 Introduction: We have studied many different areas of sin in just 2 chapters of Romans. This morning’s sermon may point out one of the most dangerous problems in the Church- Religion. I do understand that Christianity is a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

Great Expectations Part Two.

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Sep 3, 2006

Great expectations part two further conflict with the Pharisees. Whose right?

Mark 2:23-3:6. Great expectations part two. Regulations shape all our lives. Michael imagine a game of bridge without rules, Brain imagine a Cricket match without the wickets and the crease, Mark imagine a football match without a ball and the posts. Imagine these roads without highway code, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Multi Ethnic Bereavement

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 30, 2017

I wrote this for a counseling class. It contains three parts: 1) Bereavement in religion 2) Bereavement in ethnic groups 3) Applications for pastoral and clinical counselors.

To be used of the Lord to help those grieving is both satisfying and humbling. My personal prayer is that more mourners will be drawn to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the only thing that can bring true and lasting comfort. Jesus said, “Blessed are those that mourn, for they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heart Of Worship PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 28, 2024

This sermon challenges us to evaluate the authenticity of our worship and to ensure our faith is reflected in our daily actions.

What a joy it is to gather together, as the family of God, to ponder the precious truths of His Word. Our hearts are like parched soil, craving the life-giving rain of Scripture. Today, we turn to the book of Amos, a book that may not be as familiar as Psalms or as comforting as the Gospel of John, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Topics: Continual Worship