Sermons on Hypocritical Religion:

Too Much Religion In The Wrong Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 12, 2019

Religion is the expression of one's faith put into practice. For many professed Christians, religion is all they have, because they don't have the faith of Christ the Lord. Too much religion will tend to lead us astray. Faith will lead us to Christ.

“When [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Matthew 5 - Take A Bath! You Smell Like A Hypocrite! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

Take a bath! You smell like a hypocrite! Better to live like the unbeliever you are than to act like a Christian on Sundays. Because at least you won’t be deceiving yourself. Take the Purity in heart test from Matthew 5 and examine your motives!

Matthew 5 - Take a bath! You smell like a hypocrite! I don’t know about you but I don’t like the term "pure in heart". It seems like woose talk or I think of someone with an intellectual disability or so totally naïve they don’t see bad things happening all around them. Maybe even children, up to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Legalism Stinks Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Having a clear understanding of God’s law can help us avoid the trap of legalism. King David, the apostle Paul and Jesus can each give us a healthy perspective on God’s law.

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #5 August 12-13, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne Why Legalism Stinks 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Here Come Da Judge!

Contributed by James May on Sep 30, 2009

There is a judgment that we must use but we have to make sure we use the right criteria. Whatever judgment we use, that’s the judgment we also want Christ to use for us.

Here Come Da Judge! By Pastor Jim May All of us have found ourselves being judgmental at times. It’s a natural thing to make quick judgments of another person based upon our own pre-conceived beliefs and personal standards for dress, appearance and mannerisms. The first time you meet someone, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Michael Walther on May 24, 2011

This sermon addressed the problem of hypocrisy based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Hypocrisy can only be cured by recognizing it and by discovering Jesus' unhypocritical love for us.

Introduction It’s foolish to be a pretender. Just ask John Corcoran. John never learned to read in elementary school. Somehow the teachers just kept passing him along. When he got to high school he became at expert at cheating. He turned in other people’s work. He said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

But When You Pray! (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Apr 1, 2014

When you pray-We have to make a mindful decision to pray, and how we pray!

Matthew 6:5-8-And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Feb 2, 2015

Hypocrisy! The bane of the church. The most common excuse for non-believers. But it is also something God HATES! So much that he struck down dead a Couple for it. This sermon examines 4 signs of hypocrisy, and what to do about it.

Hypocrisy Series: Acts Chuck Sligh February 1, 2015 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation of this sermon is available upon request by emailing me at chucksligh@hotmail.com. [PROP: A BEAUTIFUL BOWL/PLATTER (LIGHT COLORED ON THE INSIDE). MAKE SURE OUTSIDE IS CLEAN AND INSIDE IS AS DIRTY AS YOU CAN MAKE ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Closing The Gates To Heaven

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 11, 2016

One of Christ's most scathing sermons.

CLOSING THE GATES TO HEAVEN Text: Matthew 23:13 INTRODUCTION: This chapter contains the most scathing sermon Christ ever gave. Eight times he calls them hypocrites. By their lives they were shutting up the Gates of Heaven against men. They closed the gate to heaven . . . I. BY LIP SERVICE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Church On Earth: What's Wrong With The Church?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

How many times have you listened to sermons, read articles, or read books which inevitably point to the "failings of the church?" It seems like a constant theme.

How many times have you listened to sermons, read articles, or read books which inevitably point to the "failings of the church?" It seems like a constant theme. The church isn't doing this, the church isn't doing that! The church is failing because of this; the church sucks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Salvation Army

Humility

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 2, 2023

Because adopting a stance of humility before others is difficult for us, we would rather witness it that show it.

Humility – Matthew 23:1-12 Intro: In the 2004 Olympics, Matt Emmons was competing in the 50-meter three-position rifle event and was just one shot away from winning the gold medal. As he took his position to fire the final shot, all he had to do was hit the target. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pharisees Confront Jesus: What Does It Mean To Be A Hypocrite? An Issue Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 10, 2023

The Pharisees today are often regarded as hypocrites, mean, nasty, people who killed Jesus, and it’s true that they plotted against Jesus. But in general these were not bad people. These were religious leaders trying to help the people live according to God’s ways.

A lot of the scriptures that we look at, I feel like we get to understand another piece of the puzzle about who Jesus really is. It’s like we dive into a moment in history and we get to look over the shoulder of Jesus and see what he does, and why he does it, and we’re amazed. We want to live like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

Pray Privately Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 3, 2024

Talking about praying privately today- Matthew 6:5-6 (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book called "Red Letter Prayer Life", chapter 2 "Pray Privately") Given for Sunday School class

HoHum: My Uncle Galen taught me how to tie my shoes. Many before him attempted to help me but they did it backwards to the way I did it. When my Uncle Galen showed me it was the right way, left handed people do it the right way because they are in their right mind. Whether it’s losing weight, or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 11:1, Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Deceitful Heart And Unmasking Self-Deception Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 26, 2025

In this sermon, we'll explore the mechanisms of self-deception, its consequences, and the biblical guidance for overcoming this insidious trap.

The Bible warns us that our hearts are "deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9). This sobering truth reveals the propensity of our inner selves to distort reality, leading us down a path of self-deception. In this sermon, we'll explore the mechanisms of self-deception, its ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9

On Fasting And Heart Traesure.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2023

Jesus says, Be not like the hypocrites.

ON FASTING and HEART TREASURE. Matthew 6:16-24. MATTHEW 6:16-18. True Christianity is not the dour, miserable affair which some of its play-actors portray. So when we fast, we must wash-and-brush up in our usual manner. The approval of God is far more to be desired than the applause of men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Bless America?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 26, 2002

In the wake of September 11th, this is a challenge to remember that we’ve got some repenting to do for our sin, too.

In recent days, from a number of sources, I have been given the proclamation of thanksgiving that Lincoln issued in 1863. (I’ve seen it in church newsletters and been sent it via email.) It is being sent because the words ring with a relevance to our present situation. Lincoln, after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist