Sermons on rituals:

Batteries Not Included #6 Everything Has Changed Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Dec 15, 2020

The birth of Jesus signifies the beginning of new reality. In the same way, our first experience with Jesus is a lifelong mission to announce and usher in a little of God’s kingdom in the here and now.

Four weeks ago, we began a new series entitled: Batteries Not Included. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting play with your new toys and finding out the package had this hidden line - batteries not included. We started this series by talking about the Hope, given in the understanding we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Restrictive Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 3, 2018

If you want to be free from a guilty conscience, don’t depend on restrictive religion, which is limited by its procedures, its place, its people, and its purifying power.

Two neighbor boys were the best of friends on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, however, they didn’t talk to each other, because one was a Catholic and the other was a Baptist. Their parents were concerned, so they agreed to let their sons visit each other’s ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sin Is A Heart Problem! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 3, 2014

How God tells you to live is infinitely more important than how others think you should live! This is what Pharisees couldn't grasp. The challenge for us also is: Do not get a big head about it and become arrogant and/or unteachable.

Sin … It’s a Heart Problem! Mark 7:8-23, 1 John 1:8-10 Introduction - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:8-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Wine With Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2013

The passing of old things, and the ushering in of new.

NEW WINE WITH JESUS. John 2:1-11. The Gospel of John provides us with an unashamedly theological overview of the person of Christ. We are introduced to our Lord under the Genesis motif “in the beginning” (John 1:1), and as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Throughout the book, John’s preferred ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Know Your Profits And Losses Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 23, 2015

We either believe that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for a life of faith or He is not.

“Living a Joy-Full Life: Know Your Profits and Losses” Phil. 3:1-11 I recall a conversation that took place during a Consistory meeting of another church I served. It was about requirements for who should serve on Consistory. Some wanted to add guidelines to what the Scriptures have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Experiencing The Passover

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 4, 2020

We have an unique experience in the midst of this pandemic

Exodus 12:27  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S, Passover who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 1 Corinthians 5:7  Purge out therefore the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:27, 1 Corinthians 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

Our Principle Assets(2023)-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 10, 2023

2 of 7. Paul & Sosthenes opened their letter to the Corinthian church by informing them of their most important spiritual assets. The local(our) church has important spiritual assets. But What are some of those spiritual assets? A Principle Asset of the Christian church is...

Our PRINCIPLE ASSETS-II—1Corinthians 1:2-?(:1-9) ATTENTION: Congaree National Park is located around 10 miles southeast of Columbia SC. It’s a little over a 2 hr. drive from here.—We have plans to go there sometime in the near future. There are certain aspects of the park that are appealing to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Troublesome Verse And A Glorious Future

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 29, 2023

What did Paul mean when he wrote about a "baptism for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29? How should it be interpreted? What does it mean in light of further teaching on the resurrection of Christ? Let Scripture speak concerning these and other matters of the faith.

1 Corinthians is a letter dealing with what could be referred to as a "schizophrenic" church. It had become a crazy quilt of pride, drunkenness, sexual deviancy, arrogance, abuse of spiritual gifts, and personal favoritism towards teachers who had been with them, such as Paul, Peter, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:29, 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, Luke 9:24, John 12:24, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3-4, Revelation 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Today

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 4, 2007

Jesus introduces a shift in worship, focusing worship on the spiritual instead of the physical. The future of worship as Jesus was describing it would be a spiritual more than a ritual activity.

Worship today John 4:19-24 The original worship must have been amazing. Eve and Adam, surrounded by the Garden of Eden, something between a botanical garden and an orchard. Discussions at dusk of keeping trees, naming animals, new things they tried, and gratitude for the bounty and beauty they ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Mennonite

An Offer To God

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Mar 27, 2009

God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ritual; He wants us, and our praise to Him needs to reflect true righteousness and thanksgiving.

An Offer to God Griffith Baptist Church – 3/29/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 50 Key verse: Psalms 50:23 – Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Premise: God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Jewish Roots Of The Lord’s Supper

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2021

The Lord’s Supper is rich with meaning, but best understood in its original context. We can move in that direction by looking at the Jewish Roots of this meaningful ritual.

The Jewish Roots of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 10:1-5 and chapter 11:23, 26, passim) 1. A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars: The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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