Sermons on Religious Apathy:

Jesus & The Traditions Of The Elders

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 25, 2021

Jesus regularly received criticism from the religious authorities who were seeking to discredit Him. He turned it around as an opportunity to teach us that we need a new heart.

JESUS & THE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS Mark 7:1-23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GETTING IT WRONG 1. Back in the cowboy days, a westbound wagon train was lost and low on food. At last they saw an old Jewish Rabbi, sitting beneath a tree. 2. The leader rushed to him and said, "We're lost ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Caesar Or God? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 13, 2022

Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their survival and existence.

Holy Wednesday Theme: Caesar or God? Text: Luke 20:20-26 Introduction: Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Methodist

Why The Shepherds?

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 1, 2023

The birth of Christ was not announced to the most influential people in the nation, like political, religious, or military leaders, nor to wealthy merchants and prominent men and women, but to the shepherds. Why? Who are they?

News about the birth of a baby is usually greeted with joy, especially news of the birth of a baby from a kingdom, for example, England. In 2021, Caroline Picard and Charlotte Chilton wrote the article "38 Royal Baby Traditions You Didn't Realize Existed." I will share some of them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, John 10:2-4, 2 Samuel 22:28, Psalm 149:4, Matthew 23:12, 1 Peter 5:5-6, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, John 3:16, John 6:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is A Reformed Sinner? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 13, 2022

The individuals who judge others are blameworthy, additionally, of being hypocritical. No one will get away from God's judgment for individual sin, including the religious Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 2:1-16 springs a snare, of sorts, for each peruser who felt that Paul's overwhelming rundown of sins toward the end of Romans chapter 1 was about others. In truth, everybody is at fault for wrongdoing. The individuals who judge others are blameworthy, additionally, of being hypocritical. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon # 8 - Love Like Jesus Loves Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 19, 2024

So many relationships are broken or splintered because of un-forgiveness. God’s mandate for His children is that we should love and forgive others the way He loves and forgives us. This love and forgiveness was perfectly exemplified by Jesus throughout His life and even at the point of death.

Jesus said in Luke 6:32, "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! (GNT) As we continue to meditate on the questions that Jesus asked, we find these questions are relevant and life-giving even today. Most of us in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:32, John 13:34, Matthew 26:49-50, John 13:5, John 13:11, Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:20, Matthew 27:18, Luke 23:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Beware Of False Prophets A Biblical Warning Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 22, 2025

Let's explore the biblical warnings about such false prophets, fake Christians and examine examples from Scripture.

In the midst of a world filled with spiritual deception, it's crucial for Christians to be discerning and cautious. Some individuals claiming to be Christians may falsely declare that they have received a vision or revelation from God about our relationships or other aspects of our lives. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 23, 2007

There is only one power at work in the last week of Jesus’ life - not Pilate’s, not the religious leaders’ - but the power of His love for the world. This power kept Him silent and drove Him to the cross.

John 15:9-13 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Following Jesus To The Cross #2 - Drawing A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Nov 21, 2001

This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.

INTRODUCTION There are many images that come to mind when we think of Easter. -- Easter Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, etc -- Easter Holidays - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. -- Easter Symbols -- Cross, Communion There is a Challenge We Face... -- Each time we experience ...read more

Denomination: *other

What Do We Do With The Weeds?"

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

When the end comes, it will become clear who those people are whose faith is truly in Jesus, and it will become clear who those are who have been just playing a religious game.

When I was a kid, weeding the garden was one of my least favorite activities. It was often hot out there and my back would hurt from bending over. Worst of all, I thought it was monotonous work, so often I did not pay real close attention to what I was doing. And, sure enough, I would sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Luke 9:62

Denomination: Baptist

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Coming Like A Child

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 21, 2005

Christ clearly teaches that it is not religious observance or our goodness that saves. Christ teaches that it simply takes child-like faith. But what does it mean to come to God in child-like faith?

Disclaimer: Concepts and source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledgethese sources whenever possible. COMING LIKE A CHILD LUKE 18:15-17 INTRODUCTION: Sandwiched between the accounts of a Pharisee who believed that he would go to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Handle With Care!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 27, 2008

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard was a stern warning to the Jewish religious leaders of His day. It is also a warning we should heed lest our seat in His kingdom be given to someone else.

-Has it ever happened to you? -Have you ever “lost” something that “belonged” to you? -I don’t mean “lost” and “belonged” in the same way you are thinking -I really mean, has somebody ever given something that you thought should be yours to somebody else instead -How did that feel? Probably about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Preach The Word Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2011

To qualify as worship, our corporate religious activities must include sound preaching. To fail to include this vital aspect of worship is to condemn our congregations to an insipid presence in the midst of a hostile world.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Shepherds?

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.

Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-20 Introduction The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds. Why? Perhaps He wanted the poor and outcast of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist