Sermons on Religious Conservatism:

Simon Magus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 11, 2022

Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for the position, is named after Simon, who tried to buy his way into the power of the Apostles.

Simon Magnus Simon and Peter were intense rivals until Simon challenged Peter's authority and fell out of the sky. Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not Christian Politics

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 27, 2024

We cannot let the rhetoric of racial division, prejudicial chaos, and religious rhetoric continue. We must give unto Ceasar the political system what is theirs and give to God what belongs to Him and that is our hearts, our souls, our minds.

It’s not Christian Politics By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. PRAYER OPENING: - Habakkuk 2:1 says, “I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower and will watch to see what he will say unto me and what I shall answer when I am reproved”. The spiritual duty of a true watchman is a noble, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Psalm 101:7, Revelation 21:8

Denomination: Apostolic

Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 5, 2025

As Jesus confronted the "false religious" on-goings in the Temple, we must ask if we are willing to confront sin, cast it out, and live a life devoted to Him? Or, will we allow our own desires and emotions to lead us?

John, Part 9 Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 John 2:12-22 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children -- Continuing series; REM: John less focused on chronology; purpose (redeem) - Read John 2:12-22 / Pray Point 1 – Confronting Sin ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-22, Psalm 69:9, Revelation 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expressions Of Worship Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 23, 2005

I would propose to you that God wants you to worship Him in spirit and truth. He longs to deliver His people from the religious bondage that comes from legalism, traditionalism, denominationalism and faddism. Our Lord longs for His church to look into G

Turn your Bibles to Colossians 3:16 Title: Expressions of Worship Theme: Connecting with God in the Song Service “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian And The Tongue

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 13, 2001

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Peacemakers are continua

The Christian and the Tongue By Pastor CG 1. The Mark Of Perfection. (James 1:26; 3:1-12; Proverbs 12:18; 13:3; 15:4; 18:8, 21; Luke 6:45; 1 Peter 3:10; Romans 3:13) James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unmasking The Hypocrite Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 16, 2008

Jesus did something no one else had done...He stood up to the religious bullies that were leading people astray. There’s much we can learn about hypocrisy here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Unmasking the Hypocrite Matthew 23:1-39 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnmaskingHypocrite.html This is Jesus’ last public message before He dies on the cross. It is stunning...a scathing denunciation of false religion and hypocrisy. Let’s set the scene: Jesus is speaking to 3 groups of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 1: The Gathering Storm Series

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Feb 15, 2008

While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, His formidable anger took many by surprise. He sharply rebuked the religious leaders in Israel for turning their

The Gathering Storm Selected Scriptures Sermon Series: Jesus: The Greatest Life of All From the Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll Introduction While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Happy Are The Clean Minded Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 16, 2011

As Paul was well aware, the Christian life is an unrelenting conflict between our sinful nature and this spirit or heart that God puts in us at our conversion. So the questions are not which church should I attend, am I doing the right religious things? B

If you have read the Gospels you have heard Jesus rebuke the Pharisees, the upstanding religious leaders and lawmakers in Ancient Israel. Well, we don’t know the half of it. They weren’t just talking about the 10 Commandments when they spoke of the laws. Here are some of the over 600 man made rules ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

The Way Of Salvation

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Aug 14, 2004

When you look around at the religious world one soon learns that there are many ideas concerning the way of salvation. Some people encourage you to "Choose the Church of Your Choice," but do we really have that choice? The bible teaches that when one co

The Way of Salvation Ephesians 2:8¡X10 INTRODUCTION When you look around at the religious world one soon learns that there are many ideas concerning the way of salvation. Some people encourage you to "Choose the Church of Your Choice," but do we really have that choice? The bible teaches that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fatal Flaws Of Religion Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 17, 2006

As we finish Romans 2 this morning, we’re going to learn that many believers today are “cheater Christians,” because they’re fooling themselves and others. Too many religious people have pretty packaging on the outside but have downsized the amount of sp

The Fatal Flaws of Religion Romans 2:17-29 Rev. Brian Bill 6/25/06 I’ve been fascinated and frustrated about something for many years. Have you noticed how companies are shrinking the size of their products while keeping the packaging the same? The result is less product while the price stays ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Contracts The Betrayal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2019

Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather insignificant amount of money. How did he get the courage for this evil act? The Bible has the answer.

Tom Lowe 11/12/2007 HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS JUDAS CONTRACTS THE BETRAYAL Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, LUKE 22:3-6 (ZECHARIAH 11:12) Judas Iscariot[1], whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 24:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The Journey

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 1, 2019

God’s call to take the journey to worship the newborn king isn’t just for those born to privilege, or those born in the church. It isn’t just for pastors, scholars, and religious leaders. No, God’s call to worship is for anyone who will listen.

OPENING STORY An old king sat uncomfortably on his throne, fingernails dug into well-worn grooves in the wood as he waited nervously for the mysterious travelers to approach. All Jerusalem was abuzz with the rumors that these men were searching for a new heir which had just been born, yet neither ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

The First Shall Be Last, And The Last Shall Be First

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 22, 2015

Jesus says that it isn’t the religious folk who are first in the kingdom of heaven. It is those who are most open to turning their lives around who are first in line, those who take action when Jesus says, “follow me”.

It’s painful to have someone you trust tell you that they are going to do something for you---and they don’t. Many of us can tell stories about people who have let us down by making promises and then not following up on them. For example, there is a story of a young widow whose husband ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Anglican

Stephen The Perfect Example Of Martyrdom

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where ..

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where they started to stone him. Stones were hurled ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Teaching Tour Of Galilee Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 9, 2017

At this time, Jesus had a great deal of freedom. He moved freely through Galilee and He taught in the synagogues. The religious leaders would eventually plan to take Him and to put Him to death, however before that, they would bar Him from the synagogue

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 27- Galilee Title: First Teaching Tour of Galilee Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44 -Matthew- And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44

Denomination: Baptist