Sermons on Ritual Cleansing:

What Makes You Think You Can Come Here?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 17, 2010

Lent, 1986, Communion: We should never be intimidated from the Lord's Table by ritual, shame, or weakness. It is hosted by one who offers us mercy and grace, paid for by His blood; so come boldly.

In the South Africa of apartheid, I suppose, nearly anything is possible. And so I do not expect that this story, improbable as it sounds, is untrue. If anything, I expect it could be multiplied many, many times over. At any rate, the story is that one day an Afrikaner, one of the ruling class in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Famous Amos Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Mar 13, 2011

Israel was guilty of oppressing the poor and needy and perverting justice, despite ritually worshipping God in sacrifice and worship. Are our actions backed by an authentic heart? Are we displeasing God despite 'doing all the right things'?

"Famous Amos" What can we learn from this shepherd and fig-tender - turned - prophet? Given at Glorious King Jesus (GKJ), March 13, 2011 Sterling C. Franklin Text: Amos 5:1-27 (Read Text) Opening Prayer This is a very serious message from Amos! What were the people doing? We see here in the ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No One Is Beyond The Pale For Jesus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 1, 2024

No Jewish rabbi would have touched Jairus's dead daughter and the woman with the issue of blood because that would make Him ritually impure, yet Jesus did so and brought healing. Why?

The Marcan Sandwich Story: Sermons and eggs As some of you may know, I have recently retired after 12 years as Vicar of the East Marshland Benefice in the Diocese of Ely As we were taking the bed apart in our bedroom I was surprised to find two baskets under the bed One with 3 eggs in and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Anglican

Commune: Come To The Table Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Aug 12, 2024

It is important to gather together as a church to share in communion, both as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and as a participation in the mission of the gospel. Communion is not just a ritual but a shared experience that strengthens our commitment to one another and to Christ.

Introduction Video Ill.: Zach Williams - To the Table From Facebook What would it look like if the disciples valued worship and community like many believers do their church gatherings?   Peter - "My mother-in-law came in for the weekend."   Andrew - "I was up kinda late ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Acts 2:42, Luke 22:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Mystery Of The Holy Communion

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 4, 2025

The Holy Communion is not a religious ritual to be taken lightly. It is a divine mystery with deep spiritual meaning, power, and blessing. When we partake of it with faith, reverence, and understanding, we receive life, healing, restoration, and intimacy with the Lord.

THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY COMMUNION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 Supporting Texts: Matthew 26:26-29, John 6:53-56, Luke 24:30-31, Exodus 12:1-14 INTRODUCTION: The Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a divine mystery instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Approach God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 19, 2025

Approaching God is not merely a ritual but a privilege and a relationship. Whether with humility, confidence, prayer, worship, or repentance, each of these approaches allows us to draw near to God in a way that honors Him and opens the door for His grace.

HOW TO APPROACH GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Supporting Texts: Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 95:6, James 4:8, Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16, Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 95:6, James 4:8, Isaiah 55:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Something Smells

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 5, 2019

A study in the Gospel of Matthew 23: 13 – 33

Matthew 23: 13 – 33 Whew, something smells 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Aug 30, 2003

We must be possessed of these three inner qualities if we are to promote Christ in a God-honoring way.

John 1:19-28 John the Baptist Encountering Christ in the Book of John #1 Imagine with me for a moment that some great and dreadful disease was sweeping the world today – a disease much like SARS that could be easily transmitted from person to person, and that people were dying by the thousands as ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Baptist

Live What You Believe!

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 3, 2024

We're called to live our faith genuinely and not hiddenly. To do that we need to know what our identity is as redeemed children of God.

Sermon for September 15, 2024: “Live What You Believe!” Do you struggle to live what you believe? If you are human, you do. What we believe in is...must be distinct, higher and greater than how we live in the day to day. If I ask you what you believe, and you say: “I believe I’ll have another ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Filled With The Spirit" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 21, 2003

We all agree that at salvation the Holy Spirit indwells us; so why does Paul exhort us to ’be filled with the Spirit’? (#7 in The Christian Victor series)

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:17-21

Denomination: Orthodox

The Beginning Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Feb 23, 2020

Of the four gospel writers, Mark is the journalist. In chapter 1, he answers the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the gospel.

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Mark chapter 1. We are starting a new series that’s going to take us through the next several weeks, and we are calling it “GOOD NEWS.” For the longest time, there were basically just two types of news. There was BAD NEWS, and there was GOOD NEWS. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Traits Of Token Religion

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 17, 2009

Just because someone attaches the word "worship" to a religious service, doesn’t mean that the term fits. This was often the case with Israel’s religous rituals. Sadly, it is often true of many church services in our day.

The Traits Of Token Religion Text: Phil.1: 3-11 Intro: Today I want to focus on the thought mentioned in the second half of Philippians 1: 10. Paul tells the Philippians that he was praying that their love for Christ might continue to grow, resulting in knowledge, discernment, and sincerity. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Leaping Cripple

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Mar 28, 2011

The sedate, stately ritual of the evening sacrifice was now suddenly shattered by his loud cries of joy and praise. And you can’t rightly blame them. It is God’s desire that all His children experience this joy.

“The Leaping Cripple” March 27, 2011 Acts 3:1-10 Sermon Series Acts: God’s Vision and Power for Shell Point Pastor Allan Kircher Introduction Surprise upon surprise in the early months of the church is joined by an attitude of pushing through barriers, Exploring the new, and sailing with the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Repent - The First Message Of Lord Jesus Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 3, 2021

In this period of 400 years when the Lord chose to remain silent, everything in the temple continued as it always had. The rituals of worship, sacrifices, feasts and festivals were carried out with regularity, but the dismal part was that the Lord was not in it. Why?

Repent - The first message of Lord Jesus Matthew 3:1-2:“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (RSV) Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-2, Matthew 4:17

Denomination: Other