Sermons on Rituals:

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

Look Out For False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

The Bible teaches that Satan is a master counterfeiter, trying to pass off on people a version of Christianity that looks good but will not be accepted by God in Heaven.

Introduction: Have you ever had a counterfeit bill? That’s never happened to me. But sometimes, today, people can get scammed into buying a counterfeit ticket to a sporting event or concert or even buying a counterfeit product that was cheaply made to look like the real thing. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

Nurtured In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus was brought up in a family that actively participated in the religious traditions and rituals of their faith. Being brought up in the community of believers prepared Jesus for his earthly ministry.

Luke 2:41-52 “Nurtured in the Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed how quickly Christmas is celebrated and then forgotten? The stores have already started removing their Christmas decorations and replacing them with Valentines Day. The radio stations have stopped playing Christmas Carols, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Authentic Authority Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 27, 2009

Controversy tore the early church. Judaizers taught that Gentile Christians had to submit to Jewish ritual laws & traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Paul confronted this issue.

GALATIONS 1: 1-5 AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY A family, carefully executing their escape plan, dashes for the border at midnight...a man standing outside prison walls, gulping fresh air, awash in the new sun...a young woman with every trace of the ravaging drug gone from her system...they are FREE! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Micah - True Worship Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 4, 2013

True worships relates, it is a relationship, not rituals. True worship obeys. To obey is better than sacrifices. True worship impacts. It changes your life and influences others.

God has chosen to bless His people Israel and through them, the world. • They were set apart to worship God and be His witnesses to the nations. • But sadly, the people have gone astray. God was pleading His case, calling the mountains and hills to be His witnesses. • 6:3 ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Losing God In Religion Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 3, 2015

We lose God when we emphasize a ritual or object over and above our relationship with God. Don't expect God's blessings without repentance.

During a service at an old synagogue, when a particular prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The new rabbi didn't know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Week Two Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Mar 15, 2021

Lent is a ritual of the Church that leads us into the hope we have in Jesus. Fasting and Prayer are disciplines of Lent to bring about suffering to draw a person closer to God

“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:13, Matthew 19:15, Luke 2:37, Jonah 3:5, Esther 4:1-4, Acts 13:2, Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 4:13-25, 2 Samuel 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

67. Paul And The Law Series

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Nov 17, 2018

In the past, the focus of worship centered on shadows such as sacrifices, locations, days, foods, etc., now the emphasis is rightly focused on the One these rituals and laws pointed to, Jesus Christ.

IN GOD'S IMAGE 67 - PAUL AND THE LAW This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:19-21, Colossians 2:16-17, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Romans 14:17, Hebrews 7:18-19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 5:21-22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:25, Galatians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Show And Tell Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 6, 2012

We are sent out to live the life of faith. Through caring conversations, devotions, service and rituals/traditions we remember our baptism in the home, congregation and larger world.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Show and Tell” INTRODUCTION Our thoughts today center on the last verses in the gospel of Matthew, which are called, “The Great Commission.” These verses remind us that like our time, talents and treasures, the gift of the gospel—our new life ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Lutheran

When There Just Isn't Enough? Cold Stone Pots?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 19, 2008

Sometimes our rituals and ceremonies can become cold stone pots.It is never enough. Then Jesus takes man’s efforts and rewards people with His presence!

NOT ENOUGH, THERE JUST ISN’T ENOUGH --- COLD STONE WATER POTS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. INTRODUCTION: A. We walk in some perilous times. Trust God! Nothing will catch Him by surprise. B. There are many laws of nature. What goes up, must come down. If you sow today, don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Testing Of Pure And False Religion

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 6, 2023

We need to make sure we test our religion to see if it has value or not. The heart of pure religion is not in the garb, the traditions, the rituals but is based in Love in action.

The Testing of Pure and False Religion By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Years ago I collected soda cans and turned them in for money at the recycling center. At the recycling center I would place all the cans I collect on a belt that went through the giant magnet and if the can was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Apostolic

Dung Hill Christians

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 22, 2007

Has your life been a bit smelly lately?

Not many people think about dung beetles because frankly any animal that eats dung and carcasses normally does not end up on our most desired pet or entrée list. They are actually quite beneficial and can be admired for that. There are however quite a few Christians living and feeding in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11, Jeremiah 17:9, John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Romans 9:4-8, Matthew 3:7-10, Luke 16:19-24, Daniel 11:36-39, Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 2:16, Romans 9:30-33, Romans 7:18, Galatians 3:10-14, Romans 10:1-4, Luke 13:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stirred Up Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 28, 2023

If you want all that Jesus has for you, recognize that He is God and trust Him with your life.

Pastor Tullian Tchividjian talks about losing his car keys at least twice a year. He’s late for a meeting or an appointment and can’t find his car keys. Does that ever happen to you? I know it happens to me far more times than I care to admit. He’s certain that either his wife or one of his ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-47, Colossians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

We Must See Jesus

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 23, 2001

Only personal, significant contact with our risen Lord brings about true faith and obedience. All else is only ritual, and religious rhetoric. We MUST see Jesus!

Although it seems in my own experience that the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is primarily used when preaching during the Easter season, I am sure that through the years it has been a favorite passage for many preachers, as well as lay students of the scriptures. This ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

The Mystery Of The Messiah

Contributed by Cesar Verdeflor on May 10, 2007

The mystery of the Messiah is not referring to secret or hidden things that man can discover later through some kind of clues or mystical rituals but that God has already revealed in the pages of Scriptures . . .

THE MYSTERY OF THE MESSIAH (Galatians 3:26-4:1-7) “. . . when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Gal. 4:4,5) THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH WAS NOT ONLY UNIQUE BUT THERE WAS ALSO A ...read more

Denomination: Baptist