Sermons on Religious Displays:

The Pharisees Confront Jesus: What Does It Mean To Be A Hypocrite? An Issue Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 10, 2023

The Pharisees today are often regarded as hypocrites, mean, nasty, people who killed Jesus, and it’s true that they plotted against Jesus. But in general these were not bad people. These were religious leaders trying to help the people live according to God’s ways.

A lot of the scriptures that we look at, I feel like we get to understand another piece of the puzzle about who Jesus really is. It’s like we dive into a moment in history and we get to look over the shoulder of Jesus and see what he does, and why he does it, and we’re amazed. We want to live like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

Grace And Truth

Contributed by John Tristan Jayme on Dec 18, 2022

Who is Jesus? The debate begins with a discussion of Jesus’ whole person. Practically every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, a rabbi, or a godly man. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus was beyond a visionary, a good teacher, or a religious man. He is the Son of God.

Points: Who is Jesus to the Jews? The debate begins with a discussion of Jesus’ whole person. Practically every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, a rabbi, or a godly man. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus was beyond a visionary, a good teacher, or a religious man. He is the Son ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, John 1:17

Contrasting Christmases

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 20, 2022

This message reveals a contrast seen within the Christmas story, a contrast between those who are ready and willing to receive the good news, like the shepherds and the Magi, or Wise Men, and those who are not, like King Herod and the religious leaders of that day. Come and See.

Contrasting Christmases Psalm 1; Luke 2; Matthew 2 Someone has said that life is full of contrasts, and as far as I can determine, they are right. But most of these contrasts are self-determined. Psalm chapter one deals with the main contrast, the one that determines all the rest. It involves the ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

A Living Sacrifice

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 7, 2026

God is not asking for occasional religious moments—He is asking for our lives. In A Living Sacrifice from Romans 12:1–2, we consider Paul’s call to present ourselves fully to God and discover how surrender becomes the pathway to a transformed life.

A Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1–2 I come back to Romans 12:1–2 this morning because it is Paul’s transition point in the letter to the Romans. For eleven chapters, the Apostle Paul has unfolded the gospel with clarity and depth. He has shown us the righteousness of God revealed apart from the law. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

When We Gather Together

Contributed by John White on May 3, 2017

The principle and practice of God's people gathering together in the presence of the Lord in a house dedicated to Him for the purpose of corporate praise and worship is clearly taught throughout the Bible by command, precept and example.

WHY WE GATHER TOGETHER Psalm 84:10 "For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 122:1 " I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Matt. 18:20 "Again I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Baptist

Is One Way To God Really Fair

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 26, 2006

Last week the unquestionable and unavoidable claims of Christ…this morning I want to address a concern that often arises from the sidelines of such claims… Is one way to God really fair? It’s a big world…with many following religious traditions within t

Last week the unquestionable and unavoidable claims of Christ…this morning I want to address a concern that often arises from the sidelines of such claims… Is one way to God really fair? It’s a big world…with many following religious traditions within their own culture…isn’t Christianity a bit too ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ransom

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 25, 2005

When we think of ransom in a religious sense, especially in Christianity, we think of ransom as a deliverance from sin or its penalty. And yet, someone has to pay for the sin, do they not? As we find in the passage today, Jesus has paid a huge ransom fo

RANSOM Hebrews 9:11-15 INTRODUCTION... Ransom Ransom, is an action packed drama thriller that came out in 1996 starring Mel Gibson and Rene Russo and directed by Ron Howard. The movie focuses on Mel Gibson’s character, Tom Mullen, a rich airline owner, is shocked when his son is kidnapped. He is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faith Of Jairus

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Oct 6, 2011

In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and went w

Title: The Faith of Jairus Text: Mark 5:21-36 In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Last Mountain

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 4, 2007

Did you ever wish that leaders were held accountable? Today it seems so many leaders in every field of human endeavor politics, business, sports and even religious leaders get away with their offences and sometimes end up pretty well off. Is there some

The Last Mountain Did you ever wish that leaders were held accountable? Today it seems so many leaders in every field of human endeavor politics, business, sports and even religious leaders get away with their offences and sometimes end up pretty well off. Is there some day of reckoning for ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:48-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sabbath Means Rest

Contributed by Jerry Smith on May 17, 2014

Thus, if someone truly wants to observe the Sabbath Day in modern times (New Testament era), that’s a tall order! One that I do not think anyone could keep, because as religious as the Jews were, they could not keep it (Acts 15:10).

SABBATH MEANS REST Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Q: What happens when we operate a cellphone, tablet, ipod, etc. all day? Q: What happens when we ride a horse all day? Q: What happens when we operate an air-conditioner all day? Q: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Real Talk

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Aug 3, 2019

Have you ever felt like your past has disqualified you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life? Have religious people made you feel disqualified? Are you tired of feeling this way? LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

Matthew 9:13 INTRODUCTION: • Have you ever felt like your past has disqualified you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life? • Have religious people made you feel disqualified? (Or is it in your head? The devil will do that too… especially if you are prone to “victim mentality”.) • Are you tired ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:13, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, 1 Corinthians 1:22-29, Mark 10:31, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 John 1:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

"Tricky Words, Tricky Questions”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 16, 2020

Taxes, Taxes California is considering a "Wealth and Exit Tax" Religious leaders need Jesus dead. Jesus would have said, "Whose image is on you?" “Are you reflecting God’s character?” if the discussion continued. It did not.

In Jesus Holy Name October 18, 2020 Text: Matthew 21:45,46a, 22:15 Redeemer “Tricky Words, Tricky Questions” Benjamin Franklin has often been quoted as saying, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Many have figured out ways ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Trying To Trap Jesus - The Easter Story - Day 3 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 3, 2023

Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity to kill Him and tried to trap Him with questions. Jesus rebuked them publicly. He spoke parables and talking to his disciples about the end times.

******************* Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. — Cursed the Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14 — Temple Cleansed - Mark 11:15-19, Isaiah 56:7 — Children in the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17, Psalm 8:2 — Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26 The religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-26, Isaiah 56:7, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 22:15-46, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 24:26-43, Luke 21:8-13, Luke 21:18-28, Luke 21:34-36, Mark 13:3-23, Matthew 21:23-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Seven Honest Questions Regarding Christianity: A Challenge

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 5, 2021

Recently I challenged my friends and acquaintances, those who are skeptics, agnostics, non-religious and so on to raise their best questions regarding the Christian faith. I asked them to raise honest questions, questions that if answered would possibly clear the road for them to believe.

Recently I challenged my friends and acquaintances, those who are skeptics, agnostics, non-religious and so on to raise their best questions regarding the Christian faith. I asked them to raise honest questions, questions that if answered would possibly clear the road for them to believe. I ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army