Sermons on Religious Ceremonies:

Understanding Baptism

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

There's a lot of confusion in the religious world regarding baptism. In this lesson, we'll survey the NT teaching on the ancient practice and learn the why's behind doing it.

The words of Ananias in Acts 22:16 are simple to understand. There’s nothing complicated about them. Nothing complex or ambiguous; “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” And yet the religious world of today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16

Denomination: *other

Who Do You Think You Are?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 16, 2013

Jesus had been spending some time trying to show the religious leaders who he was. Everyone must answer the question for themselves-who is Jesus?

“WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?” John 8:48-59 1) Who did the Jews think Jesus was? • Someone who was demon-possessed (vs. 48). The Jews were responding to all the things Jesus was telling them in the previous passage. Unfortunately, instead of being humble and accepting that they weren’t what they ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

The Confident Lost Vs. The True Believer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One can be confident, zealous, and religious, but also be lost. It is only through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

The Confident Lost Vs. the True Believer (Romans 10:1-13) 1. One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” —James Avery, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On Visions Of Heaven

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 16, 2023

Heaven is defined by Wikipedia as a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where deities, angels, souls, saints or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside.

Oswald Chambers, a Scottish evangelist and teacher once remarked: “We look for visions of heaven and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us.” Revelation 21:1-4 confirms: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13, Hebrews 11:16

The Church Of Laodecia: Death By Contentment (Revelation 3:14-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 19, 2024

The last of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3 had the reputation of being the church that made Jesus sick due to its religious indifference. Heed the lesson.

The downward slide that started in Ephesus with the loss of their “First Love” culminated with the total apostasy found in the last church mentioned in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, the church located in the city of Laodecia. The city had been founded in 253 B.C. by Antiochus II and named after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:5, Matthew 24:12, Luke 10:2, Proverbs 21:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' refusal to accept him, he proved to be the Messiah.

Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, fulfilling the prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' rejection, he proved to be the Messiah. A. To fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, Jesus sent for a donkey. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Topics: Passion Of Christ

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision Of Divine Encounter In A Transformative Century Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 23, 2025

In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment.

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision of Divine Encounter in a Transformative Century Intro: In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment. Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

A Charge Of Being A Rabble-Rouser Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 23, 2023

The fourth reaction to Jesus’ claims comes from the religious and civil authorities. It paints a clear picture of men in every generation who reject or oppose Jesus. That’s because what Jesus says is tragic for all unbelievers.

We have been studying the reactions of the people to Jesus’ claims for the past 3 studies. Tonight, we are going to look at a fourth reaction. The fourth reaction to Jesus’ claims comes from the religious and civil authorities. It paints a clear picture of men in every generation who reject or ...read more

Scripture: John 7:32-36

Denomination: Baptist

Universal Sin Problem For Humanity Series

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Jan 1, 2014

PAUL HAS SHOWN THE RELIGIOUS AND THE HEATHEN ARE ALL BOUND BY SIN IN ROMANS 1 & 2. IN ROMANS 3, HE GOES ON TO SHOW HOW ALL OF HUMANITY SHARES A COMMON PROBLEM OF OUR SINFUL NATURE & STATE

Romans 3: Universal Sinfulness of Mankind 1. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? a. Paul is going to address the benefit of the law and truth in our sinful lives. 2. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. a. Psalms ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Resolution Number 1: Live Free In Christ

Contributed by Jim Kane on Feb 18, 2008

The first of a four part series entitled, ‘Four Resolutions for 2008’

For this sermon series there is a temporary change in the public reading of scripture. I am appreciative of our worship leaders who read the main sermon text each week. (Even when they have those hard to pronounce Old Testament words in them!) (Slide 1) The reason for this change is that we are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26

Denomination: Church Of God

A Biblical Response To Homosexuality, Pt 1 Series

Contributed by Keith Edwards on Aug 9, 2012

This two-part message offers a biblical response to the issue of homosexuality. It speaks the truth in the context of grace and love.

A Biblical Response to Homosexuality Centerpointe Church (2 Timothy 3:1–8 NLT-SE) “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:22-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Concept Of Hell! Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 3, 2022

Hell, in many religious traditions, refers to the domicile, usually beneath the earth, of the unredeemed deceased or the spirits of the damned. From the underworld come dreams, ghosts, and demons, and in its most terrible areas malefactors (reprobates)

Tom Lowe 2/3/2012 The Concept of Hell! There is no mention of hell in the Old Testament. The Old Testament talks about Sheol, which is a watery underworld where everyone went, whether they were Jew or Gentile, good or bad. In its archaic sense, the term hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

The 7 Sayings Of Christ On The Cross

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 29, 2015

The 7 sayings of Jesus from the cross in one sermon.

The 7 Sayings of Christ on the Cross TEXT: Matthew 27:35-50 [READ AS COMMUNION MEDITATION BEFORE SERMON] INTRODUCTION Illus. – In 1979 I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and the doctor told Susan that he did not expect me to live more than six weeks. But my urologist and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:35-50

Denomination: Baptist