Sermons on Ritual:

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Sharing The Peace - Why Anglicans Do This Thang. Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 6, 2024

Jesus says "Peace be with you" - looking at the inner meaning behind the ritual. )The Peace of the Presence. 2) The Peace that puts the past behind you 3) The Peace that makes fear disappear 4) The Peace that pulls people together 5) Peace that brings healing 6) Peace for a purpose

This sermon was preached at St Jospeh the Worker Church Northolt 2nd Sunday f Easter 7th April 2024 ..... John 20.19–31 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-12

Denomination: Anglican

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You A Fan Or A Follower? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 7, 2014

Fans walk away. Followers follow. But why do Fans walk away and how can we be sure we're not "one of them"?

(Note, this sermon doesn't follow Idleman's approach. I preach differently than he does and felt I would fail to do justice to his message if I did it his way. I apologize for any frustration this may cause to those who read this sermon) A man named Charlie Moore moved into a new community with ...read more

Scripture: John 6:28-69, John 6:54-56, John 6:44-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ The Liberator

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 6, 2007

Oh, that we would never let our Christianity become nothing more than a set of rituals and laws! Christ has set us free from sin not to enslave us to a new set of laws! If we are to live free from sin we have to allow our hearts to be filled with the grac

Christ the Liberator, John 8:31-36 Introduction You and I – we – are born into this lives wearing slaves shackles. They aren’t visible. We can’t see them because they are the shackles of sin. The Bible teaches us that all of us have received a sinful nature from our parents. Our parents ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian Church

Doing The Holy Hug Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 4, 2013

The "holy kiss" was a common way to show love and acceptance in the early church. What was that "kiss" intended to accomplish for God and how can we (who often don’t do that) accomplish the same goals?

OPEN: For the next 4 weeks, we’re going to be looking at what the Bible says about kissing (pause). You know, the Bible is just FULL of kissing. There are stories where sons kiss their fathers. Friends kissing friends/ brothers kissing brothers. People kissing false idols. Kissing between a woman ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Is It Right To Baptize Infants? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 8, 2023

What would be wrong with "baptizing" an infant? Is it Biblical and was it a practice of the early Church?

Raccoon John Smith was one of our brotherhood’s more colorful evangelists in the early 1800s. One day he was passing by a Methodist camp meeting and he watched as a young Methodist preacher sprinkled water (for baptism) on a baby who was kicking & screaming at the top of its lungs. When the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Righteousness: Vegetarian Jesus

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 1, 2007

What is it that really makes me a spiritual person? If I act good for long enough, will it no longer be an act, will it then become real?

Two missionaries were on their way through the jungle when they were captured by a group of cannibals. The two missionaries, Harrison and Thompson, were brought to the village with much fanfare where they were presented to the chief. The village chief stepped forward and said in perfect English, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking Heed To God's Word Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2022

The evidence of our Christian sincerity is demonstrated in the way we treat one another. God's word to His people is that we would love our neighbor as ourselves. Zechariah confronts this matter with a reminder of Israel's historical experience.

In Zechariah 7 a delegation came from the Jews in Bethel asking the question: “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”i During the 70 years of exile in Babylon, the Jews had been observing four fasts in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem. The most ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 22:37-38, James 1:27, Matthew 10:39, Luke 6:38, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Isaiah 30:1-11, 1 Peter 1:1-16, Exodus 9:12, Proverbs 28:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Inside Out Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Feb 21, 2006

God is more interested in who we are than how we look.

Apprenticing Under the Master January 29, 2006 Mark 7:1-7 (Matthew 15:1-20) Inside Out How do you judge your spiritual health? When I was Pastor of Parkdale Neighbourhood Church, we had a woman that was always questioning here relationship with God. She struggled with mental illness, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-7

Denomination: *other

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

Religion Is Not Enough

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Feb 9, 2012

A major problem in our world today is religion. In fact, lots of people are turned off to God because of religion. Many people will not consider the claims of Christ because of religion. Religion is a problem.

Religion Is Not Enough Romans 2:17-29 17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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