Sermons on Religious Enablers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

America Today: Calling Evil Good And Good Evil Updated

Contributed by Lee Houston on Feb 26, 2024

Being an old man, I have lived through many changes, changes that caused Americans to disagree, but never have I seen anything like the division and outright hatred we see today. As a pastor, I see our basic problems as religious.

America Today: Calling Evil Good and Good Evil Being an old man, I have lived through many changes, changes that caused Americans to disagree, but never have I seen anything like the division and outright hatred we see today. Here are a few of the things that are causing the division: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20-21

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

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

Jesus Christ: Our Divine Teacher, Part 2

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 4, 2022

Nicodemus had been confronted with the fact that his religious zeal will not make him righteous before God. It is only by being "born again" through the work of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins that we are forgiven and restored to a true relationship with God.

The mark of a true learner is his or her willingness to be corrected of an erroneous belief or idea that would tend to deter them from seeking the truth about a subject of interest or topic of discussion. They are not so immovable in their thinking to where they refuse to consider anything else ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 24:4-10, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Isaiah 45:22, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

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 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

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