Sermons on Religious Hypocrisy:

Power Over Storms Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Jun 13, 2011

Jesus has dinner with a Pharisee and forgives a sinful woman

Forgiven The Middle East is an extremely conservative, extremely religious area. For a woman to leave the house without her hair up, hair covered, and face hidden behind a veil would have been extremely shameful. Women were not valued at this time, they were not well respected or considered ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: *other

Hope That Nobody Can Take Away

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 21, 2022

Our faith gives life a new basis, a new foundation on which we can stand, one that relativizes the habitual foundation of people’s security, the reliability of material income.

Monday of 3rd Week in Course Spe Salvi We may suppose that little David could have lived his whole life out under the stars, playing his stringed instrument to his flock, chucking rocks at an occasional predator and enduring the taunts of his multiple older siblings. But he heard the call of God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:34, Mark 3:22-30, 2 Samuel 5:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Choose Life (July 3, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 1, 2022

What caused America to loose some of her luster? Is it bad decisions from bad leaders through the generations who chose to “bow down to other gods whom they serve” (Deuteronomy 30:17)?

CHOOSE LIFE Text: Deuteronomy 30:15 -19 Deuteronomy 30:15 - 19:  (15)  See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.  (16)  If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-19

Denomination: United Methodist

"Woe To You": Avoiding The Pharisees’ Mistakes About Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 4, 2025

Jesus' criticism of the religious leaders provides several insights into what genuine faith is supposed to look like.

WRONG WAY: Jesus rejected the Pharisees’ approach to faith. - Luke 11:37-38. - Jesus gets invited to dine with a Pharisee and He goes. That in itself is interesting: Jesus is engaging with those who are His most vociferous enemies. - Why did He do that? I think there are at least a couple ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of The Law, Part 3

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2023

What about spiritual show-offs? What about materialism and material worries? What did Jesus say about these things in Matthew 6?

As Jesus continued describing the Spirit of the law, He discussed spiritual show-offs, prayer and worry about material things. Let’s look at Matthew 6. Religious Show Offs What are our motives in doing good? Jesus taught that our motive should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16) not to show ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Saved From Shallow Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. He teaches us to practice our faith in private, not for public approval, but to build a solid core of self-giving love.

Today we're going to talk about how Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. You know, the kind of religion that's all about showing off and not about what's really going on inside of us. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a cup. Now, this cup looks super shiny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Faith Journey, Religious Depth, Beyond Superficiality

Jesus Disrupts Dead Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Feb 21, 2024

Jesus disrupts the old system of death and sacrifice, bringing in a new system of love and mercy. He challenges corruption and exploitation, and disrupts our lives to remove anything that hinders us from living abundantly in His love.

Imagine you're at your favorite concert, but instead of enjoying the music, people are selling stuff and ripping you off. That's what Jesus walked into at the temple. People were supposed to be worshipping God, but instead, they were making a quick buck. Jesus was not cool with that. He flipped ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Topics: Spiritual Awakening, Religious Reformation, Faith Disruption, Sacred Transformation

Practicing What We Preach

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

The charge of hypocrisy, of not being sincere and genuine, of not practicing what we preach, is a charge that continues to plague the church

Once there was a pair of identical twin brothers; one was a pastor, and the other was a physician. It was almost impossible to tell the two men apart. A woman approached one of them on the street and asked, "Are you the one who preaches?" "No," came the answer, "I'm the one who practices." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Fruitless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 27, 2010

If we want to bear fruit for the glory of God and lead people to Him on a regular basis, then we must let Christ clean out the fruitless religion, and we must pray with hearts full of faith and forgiveness

A clergyman dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter says to this guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you into the Kingdom of Heaven?” The guy replies, “I’m Joe Cohen, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Character Study Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 25, 2025

John the Baptist was a unique and powerful figure in biblical history. His life of devotion, humility, and boldness in preaching repentance made him a significant forerunner of Christ.

CHARACTER STUDY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST – THE FORERUNNER OF CHRIST By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 3:1-6 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Supporting Texts: Mark 1:1-8, Luke ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-6, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 1:5-25, John 1:6-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Hopelessness Of The Hell-Bound Hypocrite

Contributed by Aaron Brown on Sep 27, 2001

A searching, satire on the prevalent hypocrisy in the church: with humorous reflections on the preacher, prayer, choir, deacons, and ushers.

**** Disclaimer **** This sermon’s intent is to highlight hypocrisy in all levels of the church where the enemy is trying to deceive and infiltrate. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO OFFEND OR BE JUDGEMENTAL. I love all people and my heart yearns that all would be saved. He that winneth souls is wise (Prov. ...read more

Scripture: Job 27:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsaved "christians"

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 13, 2009

Good works are not the root of salvation, but they sure are the fruit of salvation. There are so many "Christians" in our churches who are not really saved. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

Unsaved “Christians” (Preached first on 02/11/08, Sunday) Text: Luke 6:43-46 Explain the Scripture text. Illustration: The great evangelist, Billy Graham, has been quoted many times as saying that the greatest mission field in our country to today is in our local church – the people sitting ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:43-46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Job's Friends

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 29, 2009

Rather than show sensitivity to Job’s affliction, his friends critique him...and were dead wrong. Let’s be careful when we appraise people. And let’s be cordial when we disagree.

I recall a fight I had in seminary. I was arguing with another student over some theological matter, when he got mad and slugged me. Before I knew what was happening, I left the room, but not under my own power. A student walking by saw what was going on, grabbed me, and whisked me out before ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:1-9, Job 19:14-19

Denomination: Congregational

Stained-Glass Masquerade

Contributed by Scott Johnson on May 16, 2008

So often in the Church we pretend that everything is perfect, but truth is, it isn’t. The book of James offers insight into how to cure this ailment.

Stained-Glass Masquerade (James 5:13-16) Intro: Do you ever walk in to a church service and begin to question the validity of the perfection that’s displayed? Do you ever look around at the people and ask “Is there anyone in here who fails?” or “Has anyone fallen down in their walk with God ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Messiah Of Fairness Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 13, 2009

In dealing with others is treating them the same way we would want to be treated.

A Messiah of Fairness Text: Matt. 7:1-6 Introduction 1. Illustration: “To accept people is to be for them. It is to recognize that it is a very good thing that these people are alive, and to long for the best for them. It does not, of course mean to approve of everything they do. It means to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Methodist