Sermons on Religious Conservatism:

Jhhemtyd Part 5: Outward Appearance Vs. Inward Reality

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 30, 2009

Part five of this series on Jesus’ words to the religious leaders regarding their hypocrisy.

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 5 – Outward Appearance vs. Inward Reality Matthew 23:25-28 January 25, 2009 Me/We: I’m wondering something: in all our weeks of looking at the issue of hypocrisy as Jesus talks about it, has anyone gotten the idea that being a hypocrite is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Backward Religion

Contributed by Toby Powers on Dec 23, 2005

Do things in the religious world ever just seem backward to you?

From the desk of Pastor Toby Powers Truth Baptist Church Hwy 78 Bremen, GA Correspondence Address: 56 Taylor Cir Carrollton, GA 30117 Email: tjpowers@gfb.org Backward Religion Jeremiah 7:21-24 Intro: God has spoken to a backslidden generation of Israelites to let them know that they can put away ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Luke And Compassionate Christ Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To remind people that Christ had a heart for those outside the religious ones.

[S] If someone asked you to tell them about the Jesus you know, what would you tell them? And would what you tell them resemble the Jesus revealed in the gospels or would Jesus resemble someone else? We’re in the third week of a series entitled “Jesus as They Knew Him.” A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Bob's Legacy

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 9, 2015

Don't just be religious. Make your life a spiritual quest.

Bob’s house was well built, by which I mean that his life was well-grounded. That’s what the Bible means – at least, most times – when it talks about building houses. We saw in Proverbs where it says, “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Question Of Motive Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 6, 2011

Jesus deals with the motivation in which one carries out their religious devotion.

“A Question of Motive.” Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 Jesus has just finished describing the incredibly high standards of behavior required of those who would be His disciples. In verse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fanaticism Taken Too Far?

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 22, 2019

A Good Friday talk from the point of view of Jesus and religious fanaticism.

Fanaticism Taken Too Far? Israel Folau (an Australian Christian sporting personality) has been in the news lately for expressing unpopular views—for quoting an unpopular part of the Bible on his personal Instagram page. Is his belief in heaven and hell fanaticism taken too far? Is Australian Rugby ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Raising Of Lazarus And The Plot To Kill Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 8, 2022

Religious leaders resisting the 'signs' of Jesus' authenticity.

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS AND THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS. John 11:38-57. 1. The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:38-45). Far from being unable to prevent death (cf. John 11:37), Jesus was about to overcome death in what was to be the seventh and final significant ‘sign’ (prior to Jesus’ own death and ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-57

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mic Drop Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 9, 2025

Final clash in the debates between Jesus and the religious establishment. Who is the Messiah?

Background to passage: This is final exchange in the volley between Jesus and the religious leaders since he entered Jerusalem as a king on a donkey a few days earlier. Jesus will give a couple of long sets of teaching (chapters 23-25) before the events directly leading to his death commence. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of A Form Of Godliness

Contributed by Jovanni Dinsay on Mar 17, 2025

• Many people today claim to be spiritual or religious, but is that enough to save them

Having a form of godliness refers to outwardly appearing to be righteous or spiritual, but lacking the inward reality of a vibrant, personal relationship with God. Characteristics of having a form of godliness Some common characteristics of having a form of godliness include: • Attending church or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Example Do You Set For Your Children's Faith

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 18, 2016

What does it mean when we say, “We engage to religiously educate our children.” This is not saying that we will educate our children in religion. It says we will religiously educate.

Last week we learned that the Gospel is all that matters. I hope we all left here with that thought embedded in our hearts so that everything in our lives will revolve around the Gospel. Well today we’re going to go a step further with that thought as we think about the message we send to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 15, 2013

Taking a look at the dynamics involved in Jesus' encounter with the religious leaders and with the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders set the trap, Jesus turned it back on them and in the end the woman was released from her trap.

The woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11 1) Setting the trap (Vs. 1-6a). Unlike today, the sin of adultery was a serious crime in biblical day-punishable by death. We don’t know how she was caught in the act. Perhaps it was a set-up. And the Pharisees could’ve brought her to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Religion Without Reality Series

Contributed by Don Emmitte on Aug 11, 2014

Many people seem to be content to trust their own efforts and religious practices to make them acceptable before God. We need to be aware that religious activities are only good when they express an inner reality.

Religion Without Reality Romans 2:17-29 Romans Series (Part 6) Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries Take Your Bibles Please… But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

From The Worst To The Best Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

Paul tells us in verses 13 and 14 that he was always a very religious man, and he was zealous in his commitment to Judaism. Paul becomes a great example of both the danger and value of being religious.

Mary Marrow had just arrived in China as a missionary when the Boxer Rebellion broke out in 1900. The leaders of China blamed the missionaries for the problems of the land, and mobs began to violently persecute the Christians. They were dragged from their homes and forced to stomp on a cross or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13