Sermons on Religious Ritual:

What God Wants On Sunday Morning

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 16, 2010

We are incurably religious, thinking that if we use the right formulas, we will be acceptable to God. But God wants our personal involvement and our investment in understanding Him.

Our most persistent sin is that we are religious. Of all the sins that men and women commit, of all the wrongheaded directions we take, of all the wayward wanderings on which we go, none is more persistent than this: that we are religious. As someone has put it, we are incurably religious. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

Tongue Twister Theology Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 31, 2009

One prominent religious website said the doctrine of Justification was "controversial". Really? Why would that be?

OPEN: How many of you have ever read “Fox in Socks”? I’ve read many Dr. Seuss books to my kids, though I’m not sure I’ve ever read this one. But there are many people who love this book. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it features 2 main characters Mr. Fox and Mr. Knox who converse almost ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Defilement Comes From Within Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 22, 2021

It is not the food you eat or religious observation you practice that enables you to claim that you are right with God. Your attitude, behavior, and response to His commands show whether or not your life is defiled before Him.

Worship is supposed to come from a grateful heart and mind, focused on how God's mercy and grace has taken us off of the road to hell and by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, placed us on the narrow road leading to eternal life. Our submission to Him as Lord and Savior, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Hebrews 12:14-15, James 3:6

Denomination: Baptist

An Appeal Of Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 30, 2009

There are many church, synagogue & mosque members today devoted to rituals & rule-keeping. They are living in religious bondage. They need to hear that spiritual freedom is possible only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

GALATIANS 4:8-20 AN APPEAL OF LOVE The conclusion reached in verse 7 is that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Paul now tells the Galatians they are not acting like heirs of God! So he asks them if they prefer slavery or freedom, legalism or the Spirit? Did ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Peril Of Profanity

Contributed by James Groce on Mar 27, 2002

Blasphemy is taken most seriously in the Bible. If the punishment is to be equal to the crime, then blasphemy is a most serious offense.

If our text teaches us anything, it teaches us the peril of profanity. Blasphemy is taken most seriously in the Bible. If the punishment is to be equal to the crime, then blasphemy is a most serious offense. There are two questions which we must ask ourselves. The first is this: What is blasphemy? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tradition For Tradition's Sake

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Aug 31, 2009

Too often our living and worship become steeped in tradition and ritual. This sermon is a call to examine what we do and more importantly WHY we do it in an attempt to keep us from elevating the traditions of men above the law of God.

Tradition for Tradition’s Sake Mark 7:1-23 (This message was preceded by singing "Joy to the World" as the opening hymn and the theme of "tradition" was introduced by a video clip of Fiddler on the Roof - from the prologue 1:55 (as the fiddler begins to play) through 3:57 (as Tevye says, "...and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mirror Reflection

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 14, 2010

What image do we see when we look in the mirror? Who is that person in the reflection? As I thought about this passage I began to realize that all of us look at life in slightly different ways. We see each other through different mirrors. Updated January 2020. .

After being away for some time on a business trip, ... Bill thought it would be nice ... to bring his wife ... a small gift. "How about some perfume?" ... Bill asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle ... costing $60.00. "That's a bit much," he said, ... so ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Romans 12:3, James 1:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, Luke 10:25-37, John 8:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Devoted To Communion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Communion is a practice of remembrance, focusing on Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It's a time for reconciliation, unity, and anticipation of Christ's return.

Today, we're diving into a super cool part of our faith - communion. You know, that time when we eat bread and drink juice at church. But it's way more than just a snack. It's all about remembering our ultimate hero, Jesus, and what He did for us. So, communion is like our superhero reminder. It's ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Genesis 12:8

Topics: Sacraments, Eucharist, Spiritual Rituals, Church Traditions

Religiosity Or Spirituality

Contributed by Selvan John on Nov 8, 2010

To clarify the confusion between being religious and being spiritual.

We are very religious but not too sure, if we are spiritual, what is the difference? Are they the same? On the other hand, do they have different meanings to convey? We often confuse with both the terms, they have very different meaning to convey. In order to understand them better let us first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's In Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 26, 2015

Our relationship with God is a matter of the heart, not a matter of externals.

On Halloween this year I was on Facebook when I ran across this post from Christian singer Natalie Grant: I've had many people over the years ask me if I "celebrate" Halloween. I don't celebrate evil. Or darkness. Or witches, ghosts and goblins. But I DO celebrate kids. And princesses. And ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Rise And Fall Of King Saul

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 1, 2018

As we examine the events surrounding the reign of King Saul, we will learn three key lessons: #1 God sets a higher standard #2 God is calling #3 God desires relationship over ritual

I love family vacations. They are so much fun . . . creating family togetherness . . . building relationships . . . strengthening the bonds of familial love . . . creating memories that will last a life time. BUT . . . sometimes the road trip – especially if you have children – can be . . . well ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Should Protestants Change Our Habits During Lent?

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 25, 2018

What is the value of Lenten Rituals to Protestants?

We could look to the time of Lent as traditional activities representing the death of Christ plus His resurrection, and return. This year, the 2018 Lenten Season began on February 14th – Valentines' day. For Lent that day is called Ash Wednesday and people, worldwide, gave up certain foods or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness Is A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 1, 2002

Holiness is more than merely a matter of religious activities. God is not near as concerned with our methods of ministry as He is our motives of ministry. That’s because God is not so concerned with the surface of man as He is with the spirit of man.

Holiness Is A Matter Of The Heart Text: Eph.6: 6; Mark 7: 18-19a Intro: It is absolutely impossible to become a Christian without a change of heart. Everything about trusting Christ as ones Savior affects the heart. If there has been no change of heart, there has been no conversion. Just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:18-19, Ephesians 6:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Fatal Flaws Of Religion Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 17, 2006

As we finish Romans 2 this morning, we’re going to learn that many believers today are “cheater Christians,” because they’re fooling themselves and others. Too many religious people have pretty packaging on the outside but have downsized the amount of sp

The Fatal Flaws of Religion Romans 2:17-29 Rev. Brian Bill 6/25/06 I’ve been fascinated and frustrated about something for many years. Have you noticed how companies are shrinking the size of their products while keeping the packaging the same? The result is less product while the price stays ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist