Sermons on Religious Conservatism:

God's Word Or Ours?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 11, 2010

Religious traditions are dangerous. We can easily be satisfied by them. Passified by them so that we go to sleep and do not follow God's call. May God deliver us!

Matthew 15:1-20 has been a key passage to point out the danger of vain worship by following man made traditions instead of God's word. I have often heard this passage applied to the activities that we do in our church services, but Jesus' application is actually much broader. So just what is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

That's What Calvary's For...

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 20, 2016

If we are going to win the lost today we have to have the right mindset. This message attacks religious propaganda and challenges us to embrace the Cross and access what it paid for!

That's What Calvary’s For... Gulf Coast / 1-27-2012 / Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 “(11) And such were some of you…” Introduction: Talk about Calvary. • Walk through the wounds • Talk about the religious people of Jesus day. o They needed the Cross o Same is true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Corinthians 24:14

Denomination: Church Of God

Passionate About Holiness Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 16, 2011

To be Holy is to be set apart. Not “Holier than Thou”, not religious, but Holy in God’s sight. Are we set apart? To be set apart is to be a Christ-like example to those around us.

What do we mean when we say something is Holy? Look at your Bible. It says “Holy Bible.” What makes it Holy? The land of Israel is called “The Holy Land.” The city of Jerusalem is called “The Holy City.” Why? There is a quality about all three that they share in common, They all belong to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-15

Denomination: Christian Church

The Greatest Christmas Gift

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Dec 18, 2018

For some this is a season of magic, others a blatant form of consumer driven religious sacrilege, and some see this time a year as just a slightly more chaotic and crowded version of normal life...

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com Good news everyone, it’s Christmas time! The time of year for presents, lights, music, decorations, fests, stress, shopping, fellowship and presents. Each year many people ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

The Hero's Power, Position, And Person Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 31, 2012

When the religious authorities fail in their attempt to trip up Jesus with the Scriptures they descend to character assassination. They come dangerously close to eternal separation from God. How can that happen?

No one could deny that Jesus was different than anyone who had ever walked the earth. The words He spoke rang true and reamed His opponents. His actions were unmatched—healing, setting people free from possession and disease. His enemies, the Jewish leaders of the day, tried to trip Him up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:6-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Call Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 4) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 13, 2022

It’s critical that we see ourselves and the calling of the disciples was NO different than ours. If we will not share what we know, are we any different than the religious pharisees?

Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for several reasons -- We can clearly see Luke’s genuine interest in people (career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; critical lesson for us - Last week, we unpacked the temptations of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 9:1-6

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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