Sermons on Ritualism:

Lost In The Crowd

Contributed by Tim Hedberg on Apr 24, 2006

The actions of the crowd and Jesus’ response.

Lost In the Crowd? John 12:12-18 April 9, 2006 There were 2 crowds there on the day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on the donkey. 2 Crowds. 1 crowd was in Jerusalem for historical reason. They had come from all over to recognize the annual religious festival of Passover. 2,700,000 people, ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Truth Or Tradition? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 30, 2007

Guess who’s come for a visit? It’s the big whigs from denominational headquarters. Isn’t it sad that Jesus had more problems w/ the religious than the lost? They made it all an outward matter and not an inward experience. Link inc. to text, audio, and Ppt

Truth or Tradition? Matthew 15:1-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TruthOrTradition.html Guess who popped in for a visit? It’s the scribes and Pharisees … the big whigs from denominational headquarters in Jerusalem. They are likely part of the Sanhedrin, the heavy hitters if you will. They have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Why Don't You Honor Me? Series

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Jan 24, 2008

God asked Israel a Question: … it seemed that God wasn’t pleased with either their sacrifices or service,

"WHY DON’T YOU HONOR ME?" TEXT: Malachi 1: 6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear(reverence)? Living for God can become a ritual rather than a relationship! A ritual causes a lack of genuine ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Higher Life

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2015

A higher Christian life is: 1. Faith in the Promises of God. 2. Consecration to the will of God 3. Fellowship in the presence of God 4. Testimony to the Honor of God 5. Warfare Against the Enemies of God 6. Victory in the Name of God

A Higher Life Hebrews 3:11-11 Introduction: Some people are content with limping along the fence. Others want to launch out into the deep. Where true revival is taking place, Christians become interested in doing more for Christ, not less. They are not content with living the same kind of a life ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:11

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement & Unity Series

Contributed by Paul Foster on Dec 26, 2014

Part of a sermon series on Galatians

Introduction In 1896, Henry Ford, who eventually invented the car, attended a company event where Thomas Edison (the great inventor of the light bulb) was the guest of honour. His friend introduced him to Edison as "the man trying to make a car that runs on gasoline." Edison asked young Henry Ford ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Power To Meet The World's Desperate Need Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2023

As God has authority over all of life, so Jesus has authority over all of life.

For the next 4 weeks we will be studying from the John 5. This chapter deals with the authority and power that Jesus has. In fact, chapter 5 reveals Jesus to be the Authority over all of life. Jesus is equal with God and that is claimed later on in this chapter. So, He is due the same worship, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism 2015

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 26, 2015

Baptism. Why do we observe the sacrament of believer baptism instead of infant baptism? Why do we celebrate the dedication of a child to God instead of baptizing them right then and there? We will attempt to answer these questions in this sermon.

(Illustration ...) Aman lived in a country where a person’s religion was stamped on their birth certificate. His said muslim. He grew up in a muslim household. He was taken each week to the mosque. He read the koran. He kept all of the religious observances that he knew of. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

The Piggy Bank Burped

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 19, 2025

Heaven’s currency is grace. Stop feeding the piggy bank of performance — the cross has already paid every debt in full.

Part 1 – Earth’s Economy They tell me gold passed four thousand dollars an ounce last week. The financial networks lit up like Christmas trees—investors smiling, anchors breathless, everyone announcing, “Buy gold before it’s too late!” It happens every time the world feels a little shaky: we all ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-25, John 19:30, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24-25, 2 Peter 1:18-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When Death Has Taken My Loved One

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2010

Though unnatural, death comes to all. How shall we respond to death? We explore this neglected subject by looking at an incident in the ministry of Ezekiel.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens When God Controls Worship

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jul 24, 2004

There are some things that will happen when God is in control of our worship. This message examines some of these things.

What Happens When God Controls Worship John 4:23-24; Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6,8,10-13, 9:1-3 Introduction I. The Congregation is Edified (Neh. 8:1-3) A. When God controls our worship and the Word of God is proclaimed in the spirit and power of the Holy Spirit the body will be edified and built ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

He Dwelt Among Us! Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

A deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

He Dwelt Among Us! John 1:1-18 In the humble home of Maria and Robert, the essence of Christmas unfolds against the backdrop of struggle and resilience. Robert, with hemiplegia from a stroke a decade ago, relies on Maria's unwavering care. Despite her own challenges, Maria works as a maid to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Acceptable Worship - Part 2

Contributed by Don Campbell on Dec 23, 2025

Jesus taught that acceptable worship must be in spirit and truth. "In spirit" does not mean "spirited" in the sense of animated or peppy.

ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP - Part 2 INTRODUCTION A. We discovered in lesson one that— 1. There are two ideas behind worship: to pay homage and serve. 2. There are three levels of worship: emotional, moral, and ceremonial. B. There was a woman who did all three (John 4:20). 1. The woman believed that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9, Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"True Repentance.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 29, 2001

Year A. Second Sunday in Advent Matthew 3: 1-12 December 9th, 2001 Title: “True Repentance.”

Year A. Second Sunday in Advent Matthew 3: 1-12 December 9th, 2001 Title: “True Repentance.” In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. “This is the one of whom the prophet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Serving A Broken World

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on May 11, 2005

It’s a message on serving people, finding God’s purpose for your life, making a difference.

SERVING A BROKEN WORLD TEXT: Isaiah 58: 5-10 Sunday, November 3, 2002 Let me begin with a story, and as I read it, ask yourself, “Who are you? Who are you in this story?” There were a bunch of men gathered at the YMCA talking about athletes, salaries, families, local gossip and so on. At ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed