Sermons on Ritual Cleansing:

Together Forever

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 19, 2015

Baptism of Christ - Epiphany 1 (B). The act of baptism was already part of Jewish worship and culture, but it brought only ritual purification. By His baptism Christ united Himself to baptism, so that in and through baptism we would be united with Him.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Together Forever” In Advent we heard of John the Baptist. How he was in the Judean wilderness outside of Jerusalem, and that he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11, Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

True Unadulterated Worship In The House Of God

Contributed by Christian Jones on Oct 21, 2023

In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it's vital for us to understand and embrace the concept of true unadulterated worship in the house of God. Genuine worship goes beyond rituals and routines, touching the very core of our relationship with God.

Point 1: Worship with a Humble Heart Exodus 20:3 - "You shall have no other gods before me." True worship begins with humility, recognizing that God alone deserves our reverence and adoration. When we come before Him with a humble heart, we acknowledge His supremacy and our dependence on ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3, John 4:24, Psalm 100:4, Romans 12:1, Psalm 111:10, Psalm 133:1, Matthew 25:40, 2 Corinthians 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Christian God Is A Bit Unusual, Isn't He? Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Oct 22, 2024

Crossing yourself may seem a bit weird to Christians who don't do it- a strange ancient (perhaps slightly superstitious) ritual. But at the heart of it are two great biblical truths - perhaps the two greatest truthes of all.

[This sermon was preached at St Barnabas Northolt Sunday 20th October 2024 - Trinity 21 Year B (Proper 24)] ………………………………………………........................................................................................................................ [Making the sign of the Cross] We meet in the name ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 5:1-10, Romans 3:22-23, Mark 10:25-45  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 5, 2025

As Jesus confronted the "false religious" on-goings in the Temple, we must ask if we are willing to confront sin, cast it out, and live a life devoted to Him? Or, will we allow our own desires and emotions to lead us?

John, Part 9 Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 John 2:12-22 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children -- Continuing series; REM: John less focused on chronology; purpose (redeem) - Read John 2:12-22 / Pray Point 1 – Confronting Sin ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-22, Psalm 69:9, Revelation 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bubbles Or Living Water?

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on May 16, 2019

This sermon is about the man being healed at the Sheep Gate. It is a miracle that steps away from being stuck, stumbling and staring into the waters and allowing Jesus to bring us to a life of victory!

Scripture: John 5:1-9 Bubbles or Living Water? John 5:1-9 New King James Version (NKJV) A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda 5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9, Joshua 24:2-3

Denomination: Nazarene

Lord, Draw Me Closer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2025

True peace and purpose come from drawing near to God, letting go of distractions, and seeking His presence above all else in our daily lives.

Friends, some weeks feel like a treadmill stuck on high speed. Our calendars crowd us, our phones buzz at us, and our souls sigh within us. We try to keep up appearances while our insides ache for an anchor. Have you felt that slow leak of peace, that subtle drift of the heart when worries and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, Matthew 6:33

Topics: Focus, Distraction

End Of Your Prayer Is The Beginning Of Your Prayer Life Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 17, 2020

Living a prayer life is as important as the effective prayer time we have with God. Prayer is more than a ritual, it is building a relationship with the most important being in the universe. That’s why this topic is important than all other prayer teachings.

Our prayer life is examined by our fruitfulness in life. A sponge soaked in oil when it is squeezed spills out oil, and a sponge soaked in water, when squeezed, give out water. What goes inside comes out. If through prayer you have allowed God to work out in your life, godliness and spiritual gifts ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:22, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus I'm Just Not Feeling It #1 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 25, 2019

If the Church has just become another obligation or routine, then listen up. If the church has stopped being a holy place, a place to worship the king, a time of encouragement and instead it has become just another ritual of an unfulfilling life. Then listen to this.

Today we begin a new series based on the book of Philippians call, “Jesus, I’m just not feeling it.” The line itself is the number one breakup line between couples. It is also very appropriate for those in the church because a recent study (Reveal- willowcreek) reports that as many as 25% of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Out Of The Heart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 19, 2018

Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says?

Prelude Are we so blinded by our church buildings and our rituals that we don’t see God? Are we blinded by the world’s sinfulness? Are we noble like the Bereans, studying our Bibles daily to see what God says? What defiles us? Let’s look at Matthew 15:10-20 and see what Jesus has to say about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Deviation From The Gospel Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 21, 2008

In Galatians 2:11-13 Paul explains Peter’s deviation from the gospel. In this we see 1) The Clash, 2) The Cause, and 3) The Consequence

A Domino a rectangular tile with a line dividing its face into two square ends. A popular way of playing with dominos is lining them up end to end and knocking them over. This domino effect is fun to watch when handling the physical tiles but, if it occurs metaphorically in worldwide financial ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-13

Denomination: Other

The Real Jesus Takes Charge Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

The cleansing of the temple gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ character that is often overlooked or even denied. We see the Real Jesus in his confrontation with the money changers just as surely as in His compassion toward the weak.

The Real Jesus Takes Charge Fortifying the Foundations # 6 John 2:12-22 4-6-03 Intro: Please turn in your Bible to John 2:12. This morning we come the amazing story of Jesus cleansing the temple—driving out the moneychangers and those who were selling sacrificial animals in the Court of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:5-6, John 2:12-22

Denomination: Charismatic

Presenting Our Mouths: Swallowing, Spitting, Speaking Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 23, 2001

In order to be effective witnesses, we must first be knowledgeable -- swallowing God’s word; must then be cleansed spiritually -- spitting out whatever is no longer appropriate; and then speak with confidence and passion. Mini-messages with props.

Our mouths get us into trouble. One of you said that to me the other day. You had opened your mouth to voice an opinion about something that should be done in the community where you live, and before you knew it, you were chairing the committee to get it done. Nobody had even noticed you were in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Ezekiel 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

We Need A Bath! Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Dec 13, 2007

The second in the series on fellowship in 1 John. These verses describe how Christians are to be cleansed of sins committed after baptism. Most people won’t live in a filthy house but they will let filth clutter their hearts.

If you have ever felt distanced from others, maybe its time you take a bath. Most of us shower every single day because we sweat and work hard. Some work in stinky jobs or in jobs with tons of dirt and dust flying everywhere. Sometimes we just need a bath. How many of you have jumped in a mud ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ