Sermons on manmade rules:

Uzzah (2 Samuel 6)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 2, 2025

Are we guilty of placing our reasoning above God's instructions? Let's look at 2 Samuel 6.

Was David hasty in recovering the ark? Did he contribute to Uzzah acting carelessly? Do we sometimes unthinkingly act for God contrary to His will? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 6. Did David plan to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem? David brought together 30,000 of Israel's best soldiers ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Supremacy Of Christ Is Defended Against Man-Made Rules & Regulations

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 18, 2001

The sermon gets to the root of why man-made do’s and don’ts are inferior to actually knowing Chirst.

The Supremacy of Christ is Defended Against Man-Made Rules and Regulations Colossians 2:18-23 October 21, 2001 Intro: A. [Odd Laws Still on the Books, Citation: Robert W. Pelton in The Door. Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 5.] Young girls are never allowed to walk a tightrope in Wheeler, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rules Are Rules Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 1, 2014

The Pharisees of Jesus' day died long ago. But their spirit lives on in congregations across the land. How can we recognize if we have become like the Pharisees, and what did Jesus teach us about what we need to know to avoid becoming like those men?

(Before reading the text I noted that the stories in this section of Mark detailed the conflict between Jesus and a religious group known as the Pharisees… and I emphasized the word "Pharisees" as I read through the text) OPEN: Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rules Of Rules Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 27, 2003

A look at the book of Levitiucs and the role rules play in our lives.

Rules, anyone here into rules? You know laws, decrees, regulations, whatever it is that you want to call them. If you are here’s the good news the book of Leviticus is full of rules, aren’t you lucky? As a matter of fact rules is just about all Leviticus is about. There is really no story to it, ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sabbath Liberation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 20, 2014

The folly of hedging the Sabbath with man-made rules

SABBATH LIBERATION. Our attitudes to the Sabbath can tell a lot about our Christianity. In Luke 13:10-17, the president of the synagogue obviously felt it was more important to keep the Sabbath, even in the minutiae of man-made rules, than to look after his parishioners: "There are six days ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coulda Hada Pear: Rules, Rules, Rules Series

Contributed by G W Bill Elliott Jr on May 4, 2020

Rules, Guidelines, Boundaries… they all help convey limitations… something of a “you can go to this point (here) , but not that far (there)” premise. When God plunked Man into the Garden, there is only one rule…

Common thought today; ° Rules are meant to be broken ° Boundaries are meant to be challenged ° Guidelines are merely suggestions, recommendations, and preferred expectations Almost no one likes rules. Almost no one wants to be ‘governed’, controlled, directed, and worse… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-37, Genesis 1:16, John 15:10, Genesis 2:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Liberty Or Legalism Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 30, 2015

Compassion trumps man-made commandments.

Liberty or Legalism Mark 2:23-28 Rev. Brian Bill November 28-29, 2015 Almost every state has surprising laws on their books. • In Florida, a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. • In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a movie within four hours after ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

His Rules Or House Rules?

Contributed by Rich Cook on Aug 6, 2012

Using the backdrop of board games, we look at God's sovereignty and our temptation to take his original plan and insert our own "house rules."

God’s game. His rules or House rules? 1. Games. (Scrolled through slides of several games: Life, Monopoly, Uno, etc.) 2. Sorry: Object of the game is to get your four pieces from the start into your home, different cards different instructions, slides (but not your own color), safe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Nazarene

A Time To Dance

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 17, 2015

Is it okay for Christians to dance? Are rules against dancing just silly man-made rules or are they right? If dancing is okay, what kind of dancing would be right?

the Christian Church has a long history of making up rules that are not in the Bible. Is this right? Is dancing biblical or forbidden? What is the answer? Jesus criticized the Pharisees for making up religious rules that are not in the Bible. One example of this among Christians is the topic of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Do We Teach? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 23, 2001

Jesus commanded His disciples to "teach everything I have commanded you." But, what exactly does that entail?

OPEN: Charles Paul Conn tells of the time when he lived in Atlanta. He noticed in the Yellow Pages, in the listing of restaurants, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, "Hello! Church of God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Rules And Superstition Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 17, 2008

True spiritual life and wisdom is not found in strict adhearance to rules, or in paths that lead to pagan gods. It is only found in Jesus.

Not rules and superstition Love and Wisdom; God and You Colossians 2:6-23 The famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin faced a conflict after returning from the moon. He spiraled into a deep depression that ultimately resulted in him being hospitalized, medicated and put through a battery of psychiatric ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23

Denomination: Mennonite

The Rule Breaker

Contributed by Chris Beam on Mar 4, 2015

If you want God to do a new thing in your life, you can’t keep doing the same old thing in your life. If you want to experience the miraculous, you need to unlearn every assumption you’ve ever made except for one…God is able.

Series: The Grave Robber The Rule Breaker
Text: John 5:1-10

So far, throughout this series, we’ve looked at Jesus as the Wine Maker, the Choreographer, and today we will see Jesus as the Rule Breaker. Now before you start to scratch your head, wondering why in the world I ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Cardinal Rule Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2023

In this section of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus clarifies what the most important command is. It is to love God and to love others. Wholeheartedly loving God means that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. That kind of love is illustrated in the widow's gift.

A. Knowing what the most important rules are in any given context is very helpful. 1. What are the most important rules for the classroom? a. Listen carefully. d. Raise your hand if you have something to say. b. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. e. Show respect and kindness to your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Titanium Rule

Contributed by Robbie Phillips on Feb 5, 2004

This sermon is a clear presentation of the priority of evangelism; with an emphasis on loving others the way Jesus loves us.

[Sunday, October 29, 2000, Harrison Christian Church, Johnson City, TN Robbie Phillips, Minister] “The Titanium Rule” Jn 15:9-13 Introduction Everyone knows the story: The great queen, when told that her people are starving and have no bread to eat, replies, “Let them eat cake”. The almost comic ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ