Sermons on rituals:

But Pastor Said

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 25, 2024

At the BEMA or the Great White Throne it will be about what you did with what He said.

While it grieves me that so many people in the world are running around fat, dumb and happy in their sin while on their way to Hell it grieves me even more that there are so many fat, dumb and happy people in churches that are still in their sins because they have ritual without reality and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:10-12, 2 Peter 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Red Heifer Water (Numbers 19)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 22, 2024

What does the ashes of a red heifer mixed in water have to do with baptism and Jesus? Let's look at Numbers 19.

Is death the ultimate result of sin? Do hatred, verbal abuse, lust, lying, ignoring the needy and greed ultimately cause our own destruction? Does cleansing us from sin involve someone dying for us? Is this dramatically pictured in the water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer? Let’s review ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lent Upside Down Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 1, 2019

Instead of giving something up for Lent let's try adding something instead!

Lent Upside Down Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 1 John 1:5-7 “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Exodus 23:19, 1 John 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Mark 12:30, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 John 3:3, Matthew 6:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

My Gospel

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if given by Paul. Against trusting in ritual, correct ideas, or emotion, trust the grace of Christ given in personal relationship with Him.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Oh.. almost didn’t see you there. See what large letters I make when I am writing ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Chasing Shadows! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Keeping religious rules and observing religious rituals in order to be close to God are only a shadow of the "real thing," a relationship with Him through Jesus.

INTRODUCTION In the time of the early church, there were people in the churches who were teaching that once you became a Christian, you still had to obey the Jewish regulations and rituals to be religiously correct. That kind of false teaching still exists in the 21st century. In this series I’m ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Communion Through The Years

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 5, 2009

From a Biblical perspective, The Lord’s Supper is a simple memorial ritual, despite how others have tried to complicate and confuse it.

Communion Through the Years (I Corinthians 11:17-34) 1. I love Italian food. Since Marylu went to work, I have taken over as the cook for our family. 2. I have cooked so much Italian food that Marylu had to ask me to curtail this tendency! She really put the breaks on lasagna and manicotti. 3. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Calling God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2008

Uses a cell phone to illustrate the basics of effective prayer. Addresses the tendency of people to rely on repetition and ritual to get God’s attention.

OPEN: (a deep voiced man was positioned in a side room with microphone and monitor. This opening illustration goes on for a couple of pages but worked well to set up the rest of the sermon) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (look up and around suspiciously then bow and say) "Our Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Evaluating Your Spiritual Growth PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

Explores the concept of spiritual maturity, emphasizing its essence in living out God's word rather than merely performing religious rituals.

Welcome, dear friends, to another blessed day in the house of our Lord. It's always a joy to gather together in His name, to be nourished by His Word, and to grow in our understanding of His unending love for us. Today, we gather to ponder some profound truths that will challenge us, inspire us, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Topics: Spiritual Maturity

Spirit Of Reformation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to move beyond the rituals and regulations of religion and embrace a transformative relationship with God that aligns with His divine design for our lives.

Good morning, church family! Today we're diving into Hebrews 9:10, a scripture that speaks to God's desire for reformation, the image and likeness of sonship, and living above our original design. This passage is a powerful reminder of God's transforming power and His divine plan for each one of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:10

Topics: Longevity

Deadwood

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

What have you substituted in your life in exchange for God’s power? Is it rituals? Family activities, Spiritual mountaintop memories? Church duties?

I visited one of our members in the nursing home. He told me that he didn’t have long to live because of his diagnosis of cancer. So I inquired of his wisdom so I could perhaps glean some jewels of knowledge to help me along my life journey. One question that I asked him, was “What one thing would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:18-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jump For Joy Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 20, 2013

Many have the view of the Christian life as boring, lifeless, full of duty, ritual, and restriction.yet the picture painted in Scripture is radically opposite of this view.

“Guidelines for Christmas: Jump for Joy” Is. 35; Lk. 1:11-25 The Sunday School class for 7 year olds was barely underway when one little boy suddenly exclaimed to the teacher, “Can we hurry up? This is boring!” Immediately the little girl to his left gave him a sharp ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Simplicity Of Christ

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 22, 2024

People are inundated with enough mess without having Christianity or a so-called form of it piling more complex standards, rituals, and obligations upon them.

The Simplicity of Christ By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING:- When we look around and see the asinine events that are taking place we realize our world of today is in utter turmoil as people strive for preeminence and superior individuality, we can quickly become overwhelmed with all the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 1:12, Romans 12:1-21, Romans 12:8

Denomination: Apostolic

The Act Of Worship

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Indrani Baboolal on Sep 7, 2022

Worship to the true and Living God has a main attribute and that is Holiness and Righteousness. Worship is not a ritual, it is a condition of the heart each and every day of our lives.

SCRIPTURE Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship.” INTRODUCTION: Man was created to worship God. The Psalmist said in Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding Anger: Doers Of The Word, Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 26, 2021

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021, FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B, While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word.

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B text James 1:17-27 While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word. Throughout this series, we are reflecting on how well ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Holy, Whole, And Free! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 13, 2018

If you want to take care of the sin problem in your life, don’t depend on religion. Instead, enter into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and let Him make you holy, whole, and free.

Pastor and author John Ortberg talks about a time early in his marriage when he and his wife sold their Volkswagen Beetle to buy their first really nice piece of furniture. It was a sofa. It was a pink sofa, but for that kind of money, Ortberg says, “It was called a mauve sofa.” The man at the sofa ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free