Sermons on Unwashed Hands:

Dirty Feet At The Table

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 27, 2010

The Lord's washing of all the disciples' feet reminds us that all of us need cleansing, that His cleansing starts us on the way to holiness, and that we are then empowered to help others toward cleansing.

When I was growing up, there were very definite rules about what you did or did not do at the dinner table. Obviously, everyone was expected to wash their hands before coming to the table and then to wait quietly while prayer was offered. To this day, if I rush to eat something without doing both ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How Focusing On Sacrifice Can Twist Our Faith Into Something Ugly

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 6, 2014

Why focusing on sacrifice causes trouble and how focusing on compassion (as Jesus instructs us to) brings better results.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SACRIFICE? Sacrifice is not intrinsically bad, but the problem is when we say that more sacrifice equals a better Christian. - Matthew 9:13. - There is a lot that is good to sacrifice. Like many other things, though, making it the ultimate goal of our Christian life puts us in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Invitation To The Table Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 2, 2025

We look at Communion 1 dimensionally and have reduced it to a cold, formal requirement. We sit. The pastor and elder tell us some stuff and the deacons pass us a tiny wafer and a minute glass of grape juice – job done. Communion over. Now potluck.

October 04, 2025 Jesus calls us to remember and partake in the Communion meal with him. However, we look at Communion 1 dimensionally and have reduced it to a cold, formal requirement. We sit. The pastor and elder tell us some stuff and the deacons pass us a tiny wafer and a minute glass of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Comfort Me, O Lord; The Journey Is Too Hard Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 14, 2022

In a hurting world with increasing distress and heartache, we all need comfort, but where is that found? This message looks at a comforting God and our responsibility also.

COMFORT ME, O LORD; THE JOURNEY IS TOO HARD PART ONE The comfort of God is not an abstract thing. Our God is always giving to His own children, but not when they are disobedient or rebellious. Those who know their need, will know that need fulfilled. It is not like pouring water into a glass. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-18, John 16:13-14, John 14:1, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 4:7, Luke 10:34, Isaiah 1:4-7, Jeremiah 17:9, Isaiah 40:1-2, Isaiah 26:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Can’t Draw Near - Mark 7:1-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Legalism is an insidious problem because it allows your heart to drift far from God while making you think you’re doing great spiritually.

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 15:1-9

Namaste

Contributed by Paul Larsen on Dec 23, 2003

The Christ born at Christmas is reborn in each of us and we can see him in others.

Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-7 Namaste Max De Pree, a respected author of leadership books, has also written a book entitled, “Dear Zoe.” It is a book of letters written to his little granddaughter who was born 16 weeks prematurely. Zoe was only 11 inches long and weighed only 1 pound 7 ounces at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Orthodox

Birth Announcements Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 15, 2008

The Birth Announcement to the Shepherds, is also an announcement to you and I.

Birth Announcements December 16, 2007 Luke 2:8-20 If you had to rate yourself in terms of how popular you are, how would you rate yourself? Would you be an 8 or 9, really popular and sought after? Or would you be a 4 or 5; people know you, but you’re not really popular, or are you in the lower ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

"We Have A Story To Tell"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 18, 2004

Just as Jesus told the healed man to tell others how much God had done for him--we have the same calling.

Luke 8:26-39 “We Have a Story to Tell” By: Rev. Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org Why are we here this morning? Why are we not doing what most of the people in our community are doing right ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Royal Games

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Jan 15, 2003

When Kings come together, there must be a yeilding of some athority. Epiphany-The sharing of the light to the gentiles.

Royal Games Mathew 2:1-12 This morning we are going over one of the Good verses Evil stories that are all through the bible. We are talking about a clash of kings, sort of. We have at least 3 kings involved and it could be 5 or more. There are a lot of holes in the story because we are just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Congregational

Our Victory In Christ Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jun 24, 2019

The cross of Christ is the eternal basis for our victory over sin.

One of Paul’s favorite phrases to describe our relationship with Christ as believers is “in Christ.” When we’re born again through faith in Christ, Jesus comes to dwell in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. So, where I am, Christ is, aware of everything I encounter, because He’ll never ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Love God’s Church & Love God’s Word Series

Contributed by Damien Saylor on Jul 6, 2019

Being part of a living, growing, & loving family is amazing. The church is that Family. It is & will forever be, because God is our Father who cares for us, & unites us, by His Word.

Sermon series- 6 qualities for spiritual health part 4 4) I love God’s Church and God’s Word. - Today I’m picking back up with the fourth part of my series about 6 qualities for spiritual health. - With the turmoil we’ve had in recent days. I don’t know how closely everyone else ...read more

Scripture: John 13:33-35

Denomination: Baptist

Pretentious Verses Proper Fasting Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 14, 2010

Fasting must be done so for the right reasons, and Jesus contrasts 1) Pretentious (Matthew 6:16) against 2) Proper Fasting (Matthew 6:17-18)

With the start of the Paralympics in Vancouver, one factor that has been stressed is the fact that the athletes competing should be considered as athletes just as much as their able bodied competitors who just finished. The Para Olympians train, and diet like their other Olympic cohorts. For many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Other

Using Religion To Escape Religion

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Sep 5, 2003

A sermon for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17

12th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17 Mark 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23 "Using Religion to Escape Religion" 7:1 ¶ Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Extending Mercy Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Aug 9, 2006

Examination of the fifth BE-Attitude: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

PURSUING HAPPINESS: Extending Mercy Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” Titus 2: 11 – 3:7 1. The Old Testament prophet Micah identifies three essential virtues for living a life pleasing to God. In 6:8 he states: “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: United Methodist

Holy Means Wholly His Series

Contributed by Darian Catron on May 13, 2016

God says that we are to be holy even as He is Holy, but how? Doesn't holiness mean perfection? And none of us are perfect! In this sermon study we will learn that holiness means sacred and separated or dedicated to God.

INTRODUCTION: Illustration/Story/Quote/Statistic- Several years ago my wife and I volunteered along with some helpers from the church to go clean the house of a family in need. I'd never been in a house like this before. There was so much stuff, you could barely see the floor. Roaches filled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Psalm 24:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ