Sermons on Religious But Lost:

Conflicts, Confession, And The Cost Of Discipleship, Part 1 ( Matthew 16:1-12)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 21, 2025

In this chapter, the Lord Jesus will yet again confront the Pharisees and Sadducees for their religious hypocrisy and Peter will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, which is the rock upon which the church will be built.

After feeding the 4,000 residents of the Decapolis, Jesus and His disciples traveled to the region of Magdala near the city of Caesarea Philippi. It is here where the Pharisees and Sadducees came together for the specific purpose of bringing down Jesus. Their mutual contempt for Him had woven ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-28, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-21, Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In The Light Of Christ Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 19, 2025

The Bible warns us about the dangers of ungodly influences and encourages us to separate ourselves from those who reject truth and positivity.

The Importance of Separating from Toxic Ungodly Influences As children of God, we are called to walk in the light of Christ, adhering to His teachings and commandments. However, the presence of ungodly individuals in our lives can pose a significant threat to our spiritual well-being. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33

Soul Winning Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 2, 2014

Proverbs 11:30 tells us that "He that wins souls is wise." There are three keys to understanding that ought to motivate us to be active soul-winners - the plight of the unsaved, the heart of the believer, and the command of the Savior.

Church Essentials: Part Four Soul Winning - Acts 4:37-41, 47 Essential to the continued existence of any God honoring, Christ centered, church community is an outward focus with the intent of winning souls. The early church was actively engaged in soul winning on a daily basis. Carl Nelson, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Denomination: Baptist

Pluralism Vs. Exclusivism

Contributed by Daniel Dennison on Oct 17, 2006

A biblical look at the ideas posed by religious pluralism and religious exclusivism.

Vespers, 1-31-06 1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Opposing The Opposition

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 21, 2015

These are hard times for the churches across North America. We have the greatest message the world could ever hope to hear but people shut their ears and hearts to it. So what are we to do?

Opposing the opposition - Jeremiah 11:18-20 This week I was drawn to the book of Jeremiah. God called him to a difficult task at a difficult time. Jeremiah was calling out to the people of God but they wanted none of it. In fact they had enough of Jeremiah and planned to kill him because he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20, 1 Peter 4:16-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Celestial Celebrations Series

Contributed by David Welch on Nov 19, 2018

This is message 32 in our exposition of James. This message continue the theme of restoring the wayward. I share how God feels about the wayward by looking to the parables of Jesus in Luke 15.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Celestial Celebrations” Luke 15:1-32 Introduction Last week we explored the attitude toward the wayward, lost, sinners, stumbling, straying James prescribes for every follower of Jesus. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Parable Of The Pouting Son Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

This in-depth view of Prodigal Son parable focuses on the elder son and the bitterness and resentment he displayed upon his brother’s return and how we sometimes have the same inflated sense of goodness and faulty understanding of our Father’s grace.

The Parable of the Pouting Son Luke 15:25-32 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Over the last three weeks we have been looking at what has been called the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In this masterpiece, Jesus communicates several lessons. I believe the main point of this story is to show us what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32, Luke 15:12-32, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Life Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 21, 2024

The healing of these lepers would be a testimony to the priests that no one is untouchable to Jesus, no one is beyond salvation.

Luke 17:11-19 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Doors Are Open

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 22, 2011

A message prepared to launch into National Back to Church Sunday Campaign. The message is adapted from the Back to Church Sunday Resources

Our Doors are Open Luke 15:1-10 National Back to Church Preparation Message September 4, 2011 Morning Service (Adapted from the National Back to Church Sunday sermon resources) When was the last time you had to search for something? People misplace things every day. We lose our keys. We forget ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Pray, Give, Go

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Feb 22, 2010

Designed as a short, punchy talk to motivate people for mission.

Naomi Reed writes a regular column in ‘The Pulse’ magazine. The article is called, ‘Pray, Give, Go’. We ought to be praying for mission, we ought to be giving to mission, and we ought to be sending workers into the field.   I think Naomi has missed the most common response ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 4:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Follow The Leader

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 8, 2023

A third perspective is what Jesus is saying about the sheep. That is, that left to their own devices, sheep will stray.

Why do you suppose The Runaway Bunny is one of the most popular books for toddlers ever written? Because it reassures the child that whatever happens, she can’t get lost for good. Even if he gets mad and runs away, he still can’t get lost - because the mother bunny will always come after her child. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-9, Romans 8:35-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Woman At A Well Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Jul 31, 2010

What would it be like to sit down with Jesus one on one? A woman at a well found out.

Woman at a Well January 31, 2010 Series: One on One with the Master Last week we started imagining what it would be like to sit down with Jesus one on one. We watched as Nicodemas met Jesus in the dark… and how Jesus brought him into the light. We said that meeting Jesus might be a little ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Wesleyan

Bridging The Gap!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Sep 5, 2008

This message challenges us to take a serious look at the attitude of the Church and its efforts in reaching the lost.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30 Title: “Bridging The Gap” Introduction: The situation of Jerusalem is not a pretty one! · Sinning is the order of the day. · The sinning business is growing at an alarming rate unchecked. · Those with the responsibility of addressing the problem have also been ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:26-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

A New Beginning

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 20, 2007

A challenge contrasting the new life in Christ with the religious life that satisfy the most of mankind.

JOHN 3:1-16 A NEW BEGINNING “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist