Sermons on Religious Extremists:

Charity

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Sep 19, 2024

There seems to be a great divide in the accepted meanings for charity and love. In religious terms, Christians think they are one in the same.

When someone speaks of charity or uses the term charity, we immediately turn to the belief someone did a good deed for another who is poor or in need. Sometimes we associate the term with a foundation which accepts monetary donations for the poor. In contrast, with the term love, (which we often ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:25-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Journey Through Acts (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 16, 2024

In Acts 3, the healing of a beggar leads to a homily by Peter, which leads to harassment from the religious leaders.

The Journey: Following Jesus through Acts (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Scripture: Acts 3 Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/9/2017 If you were with us the last couple weeks, you know we began a ten-week journey through the book of Acts. The very first followers of Jesus weren’t what you might expect. ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Did They Kill Jesus? - Mark 2:6-3:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

Mark uses five conflicts between Jesus and the religious authorities that show how the animosity began and grew.

Five Conflict Stories Does Jesus Christ strike you as a likeable guy? The type of guy most people would look up to and respect, even if they disagreed with his teachings? Most people would say “yes,” but think about how his life ended. It ended in his early 30’s with the crowds in Israel begging ...read more

Candlelighting Sermon: The Responses To The First Christmas

Contributed by Roy Hartzell on Dec 19, 2016

The innkeeper's, shepherds', Herod's,religious leaders', wise men's, and Mary's response to Jesus' birth in poem and Hymn.

The Responses To The First Christmas (adapted from “A Savior Has Been Born” by Melvin Newland; sermoncentral.com) Lk 2:1-20 In the last 15-20 years we have seen a lot of change in how people of this country respond to Christmas. There seems to more and more avoidance of the use of the name of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

"The Christ Bearer"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Mar 27, 2017

When Jesus entered Jerselum on Palm Sunday a donkey was the Christ Bearer, not the disciples, not the crowd, not the religious leaders.

Matthew 21 :1-11 “The Christ Bearer” 1. Matthew tells us that Jesus sends two of his disciples into the village of Bethphage to fetch a donkey and a colt. This is to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Zechariah, “Look, your king is coming to you,” said the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Is Hell Forever? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Sep 30, 2015

Although unpopular in today's culture of tolerance religious pluralism, the doctrine of hell is necessary for Christians and non-Christians.

Is Hell Forever? Perhaps an even more relevant question is whether there really is a hell? According to a 2003 survey by Barna research, 76% of Americans believe Heaven exists, 71% of Americans believe Hell exists, but only .005 believe that they will be sent there. So, while many people believe ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christianity Is An Interactive Community Lesson 8 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025

The earthly church is a community of believers. The community of Christians is entirely unique from all other religious gatherings.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Most people want to know God but want to do it outside the established church. Why do people have problems with the existing church? a. Scandals. b. Traditions. c. Dead music. d. Rules/legalism. e. Always asking for money. f. Ingrown/doesn’t reach out. 2. What do we know about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23, Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Baptist

A Big God For Mothers Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Imagine when Paul told his Jewish mother about his conversion. Imagine when his religious mother heard that her favorite son threw off all his religious accomplishments and call them “dung.” She would, no doubt, be crestfallen.

Today is Mother’s Day! Mothers need a big God. Any and every mother would have proud to have a son like Saul of Tarsus. Find Philippians 3 with me as we are going read Saul/Paul’s profound story. Sons and daughters that are great achievers often make their parents proud. Yet, in Saul we have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Awaiting With Hope

Contributed by Rev Silvester David on Jul 1, 2025

We live in a multi-religious society where everyone will champion the course of what and who they belief in as God or the way of life. Christians must be fully aware what makes Christ and Christianity so different and significant comparing to all other religions and religious teachers or ‘gurus’.

What is the significant difference between Christianity and all other religions? 1. All other religions teaches ‘Work Salvation’ – you work towards attaining salvation. Muslims – must fulfill the 7 pillars of Islam; Hinduism – Karma (do good get good, do evil get evil); Buddism – Charity increases ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Two Conversion Stories Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 18, 2000

Two examples of religious decisions one false conversion (Simon the Sorcerer) and one true conversion (Ethiopian Treasurer).

Two Conversion Stories Acts 8:5-40 The hero of Acts chapter 8 is Philip. Philip was one of the seven chosen to oversee the distribution of relief to the widows. Philip is the first person and the only person in the New Testament called an evangelist (Acts 21:8). It is interesting to consider that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-40

Denomination: Baptist

How To Do Church Planting Research Of A New Area

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

How to Do Church Planting Research of a New Area Profile of Yola-Jimeta, Nigeria, Religious & Social Conditions

How to Do Church Planting Research of a New Area Profile of Yola-Jimeta Religious & Social Conditions Information supplied by Peter Bartimawus Fellow Indigenous Contributors: Ayuba Betso, Jessy Chinjeli, Gasmis Bambuka, Garko Wilberforce, Maina Wakili, and Fiyau Amawo Adapted for use by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unfinished Business

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Sep 15, 2005

When bad things happen, people have unfisished business. Jesus turns to the religious and says that they do too.

Unfinished business Last Sunday we were at a day of celebration of ministry and we had many things to celebrate. But our world circumstances gave us another agenda. We talked about what the real “acts of God” are in today’s world. The acts that the living body of Christ does to reach a world ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Congregational

Artificial Righteousness: Glorifying In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 4, 2009

Glorifying in the flesh is a form of Artificial Righteousness which is motivated by 1) Religious Pride, 2) Cowardice, & 3)hypocrisy.

The news has been filled with week with statistics, world wide reports, deaths and fear from the H1N1 human influenza virus, previously known as swine flu. One of the most distasteful elements of this situation has been the various reactions to it. Minute by minute coverage from many news agencies ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Other

The Ordinance Of Holy Communion

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Mar 1, 2008

Communion is more than a religious tradition. It is a gateway into the presence of God. It holds the promise of cleansing, healing, intimacy and fellowship.

The Ordinance of Holy Communion Intro.: Why do we celebrate communion? Is it just to remember the Lord? Does this ancient tradition have any real significance in today’s church? First shadow of communion: Gen. 14:18, And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16

Denomination: Charismatic