Sermons on Man-Made Rules:

It Takes All Kinds Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 28, 2013

he Pharisees who were bent on controlling life through rules, tedium, and withholding grace stood in sharp contrast to the common people who flocked to Jesus.

It Takes All Kinds (Mark 3:1-12) 1. Do you think of yourself as a rational, reasonable thinker, or an emotional one? 2. Let me read this story from the AP: “The U.S. is simply abandoning tons of equipment because shipping it home would cost too much… Military planners have decided to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marriage Conflict Resolution Series

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Mar 21, 2002

Part 5 of 5 "The Lord of the Rings" Every long term relationship has problems eventually. Here are some ground rules for fighting "Biblically".

Conquest for the Rings The Lord of the Rings (part 5 of 5) 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15 ¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Enlarge My Territory Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Sep 8, 2001

God is working to expand His reign and rule. Open your eyes and life to the oppportunities He provides. Pray like Jabez, enlarge my territory.

Enlarge My Territory Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Our Ascended King

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jun 2, 2003

Jesus’ ascension assures us that he has fulfilled his mission to save us lost sinners and is now ruling all things for our good.

Worship Our Ascended King Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit guides our hearts and minds today is recorded in Luke 24:44-53: [Jesus] said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Lutheran

800-Pound Gorilla? Or The First Pope?

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 23, 2005

In Matthew 16, Jesus confers on Peter (and, later the other Apostles) authority to rule the Church, founded on the truth of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah.

Matthew 16:13-20 800-Pound Gorilla? Or the First Pope? There’s a phrase that’s popular in modern discussions of any number of topics, and that phrase is this: “an 800 pound gorilla in the room.” An example would be this line which I plucked from a blog entry on the international economy as it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Living As A Slave When You Are A Son Or Daughter

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 21, 2007

Many well-meaning Christians today get involved in legalism in a desire to become better Christians. Legalism means "a relationship that is governed by rules or by law."

Text: Galatians 4:1-18 (NASB) Introduction: Many well-meaning Christians today get involved in legalism in a desire to become better Christians. Legalism means "a relationship that is governed by rules or by law." Their motives may be right, but their method is wrong. At Galatia, these ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Do You Want To Please Jesus More Than Please Yourself? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 4, 2010

Live your live according to the principles Jesus set forth in His life. Not because you are following rules, but because you want to please Him.

05 03 2010 ASHINGDON TIME TO CHANGE No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, you did not just suddenly appear there. No, you started as we all start; becoming aware of a need inside your heart that you probably could not explain. Then, you became aware of Jesus Christ, the One known ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon On The Mount (2) Series

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Feb 1, 2011

Jesus had a great regard for the OT. So should we, but Jesus is looking deeper than a superficial "keeping of rules". He is looking for the character of the man

Story of competitors A few years ago, a Swiss Pharmaceutical Company was looking for a new Marketing Director. After much advertising, three candidates were selected for the final selection process. A mathematician, a statistician and a lawyer. The first to be invited in for the final ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Anglican

House - Part 5 - Model House Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 4, 2009

Is God’s house a building? Does His house have rules, systems, or structure? How can we be His house unless we know?

House “Model House” I. Introduction We are a part of God’s House. In fact, we are God’s house. He is establishing His home in us! Person by person He places us together and constructs for Himself a dwelling place. However, He is not obligated to live in something He hasn’t built! So we must be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

House - Part 6 - Parade Of Homes Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 11, 2009

Is God’s house a building? Does His house have rules, systems, or structure? How can we be His house unless we know?

House “Parade of Homes” I. Introduction God’s House is being built. Part of it or not, like it or not, fully understand it or not God is in fact building for Himself a habitation. My desire is that we become a part of that edifice and structure. So, we have been trying to understand the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:1-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus At The Right Hand: Basis For Living A Life That Honors God And Serves Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2014

Jesus wants to rule in our lives from heaven; if we follow our heavenly ruler, we will nurture well-lived lives on earth as a result.

Jesus At the Right Hand: The Theological Basis for Living A Life That Honors God and Serves Others (Colossians 3:1-4) 1. The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing to have an urgent problem with one of the main computers resolved, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

House - Part 2 - Authority Figures Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Nov 16, 2009

Is God’s house a building? Does His house have rules, systems, or structure? How can we be His house unless we know?

House Part 2 – Authority Figures” I. Introduction I mentioned last week that we use all kinds of terms to try to understand the concept of church. The one term that we are focusing in on is the idea of God building a house. And so, I reminded you that the material He is using to build this house ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

House - Part 4 - House Manners Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Nov 28, 2009

Is God’s house a building? Does His house have rules, systems, or structure? How can we be His house unless we know?

House “House Manners” I. Introduction I told you in the very first message of this series that each natural house has its own set of rules. It has its own structure and set up. I also told you that it is essential for you to be a productive member of that house to know those house rules. So I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Can The Church Be An Obstacle To Discipleship For Jesus?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

Is it possible that some of the doctrine, rules, and regulations of the church be a stumbling block to becoming a disciple for Jesus? Yes, it was definitely one for me and I still struggle with it.

{You may want to read Mark 4:1-9, This is the actual parable that I am speaking about. } [Why parables?] 10 As soon as He was alone, 1 His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-19

Denomination: United Methodist

Legalism Versus Love

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We are in a world of great religious competition. We will all tend to follow one of these two strategies: The legalistic or the loving, the rule book power, or relationship power.

We live in a world where competition is a master motive. When the news reach Russia in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin ordered secret scientists to find a way to catch up to the U.S. Andrei Sakharov was only 24 years old then, but his brilliant mind was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20