Sermons on Outward Religious:

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15.

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15. Vain Traditions Was Jesus criticized over a man-made tradition? Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Never Knew You Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 30, 2025

Jesus' statement "I never knew you" serves as a warning to those who claim to be His followers ...

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:23

Restoring The Blessing Of Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2010

The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim, but the blessing of God as Father.

Today we’re beginning a new series. We’ve entitled this series “Living in the Blessing.” The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim…. but rather something more foundational to life. It is the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Fast Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 25, 2017

God does not reward dieting (fasting) but faith

A. JESUS TELLS US TO FAST “Lord, I will not fast with an outward “religious” face for that is just to get attention from others; the “attention” they get is their reward. 17I will dress my normal way 18when I fast so no one will know I’m fasting. My fast will be a secret between You and me and You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Search For Hope

Contributed by Michael Blankenship on Jan 22, 2001

The inward, outward, heavnward search causes us to draw closer to the abondant love of our Lord and Savior.

First Baptist Church 545 South Main street Jellico, Tennessee. 37762. Pastor: Michael Blankenship Sunday Morning January 14, 2001 It seems as if today more than ever before in history we are less satisfied with the lives, which we live. We have more than our parents and grandparents ever dreamed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Encourage One Another

Contributed by Sarah Keith on Mar 12, 2013

During Lent, rather than giving up something outward and physical, give up discouraging words!

During Lent, many people give up something they enjoy eating--chocolate for instance--in order to focus on and consider anew the sacrifice Jesus made for humankind. This season, however, rather than giving up something outward and physical, I suggest giving up discouraging words. It’s difficult ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:13

Denomination: Christian Church

Is The Church A Lighthouse Or A Club House?

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on May 24, 2017

This sermon helps the congregations see the difference between being and inward focused church and an outward focused church

Introduction: Illustration “The Guiding Light” I. What is a lighthouse? A. A lighthouse provides light to anyone in need B. A church that is a lighthouse understands that the source of light is Christ. - Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. - Joh 1:5 The light shines in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Day By Day

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jul 27, 2025

Paul reminds us that while the “outward man” is “perishing”, but “the inward man is renewed day by day!

II Corinthians 4:7-16 (NKJV) DAY BY DAY July 27, 2025 I. THE VESSEL - There is a problem presented in the text and the problem is the vessel that holds this treasure! The vessel is an earthen vessel and this clay pot is fragile! Verse 7 says . . . “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Complacent Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2008

Do not place your security in the outward forms of church life and neglect your walk with the Lord. Cultivate an authentic relationship with Christ.

The message to the church in Sardis was distinct from those we have seen earlier. • No words of commendation. Just a blunt statement: “you are dead”. • Jesus says He saw their deeds. There were activities going on in the church. • Jesus says “you have a reputation of being alive” – they were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Overcoming False Humility And False Change Of Heart Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 10, 2024

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical teachings on this topic, examining the characteristics of false humility and false change of heart, and providing guidance on how to overcome these counterfeit spiritual experiences.

As believers, we are often encouraged to cultivate humility and to seek a change of heart. However, the Bible warns us about the dangers of false humility and false change of heart. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical teachings on this topic, examining the characteristics of false humility ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5

Disgusted Or Delighted? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

A stark contrast between religious hypocrites and a faithful woman. The religious show-offs were mostly interested in what they could GET out of life. And the poor widow as interested in all she could GIVE.

INTRODUCTION My younger brother, Dan, and I are a lot alike. He serves as a Minister of Education and Senior Adults at a church in Conway, Arkansas. One thing we have in common is that we both have a sense of humor leaning toward puns and groaners. You’ve endured plenty of my groaners through the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Revival, The Second Coming Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 29, 2021

Let’s take a brief look at the greatest revival of all human history, when Jesus returns.

Let’s take a brief look at the greatest revival of all human history, when Jesus returns. The return of Christ will be a time of joy for believers, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's ...read more

Scripture: John 6:39-40, John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Chasing Shadows! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Keeping religious rules and observing religious rituals in order to be close to God are only a shadow of the "real thing," a relationship with Him through Jesus.

INTRODUCTION In the time of the early church, there were people in the churches who were teaching that once you became a Christian, you still had to obey the Jewish regulations and rituals to be religiously correct. That kind of false teaching still exists in the 21st century. In this series I’m ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Baptist