Sermons on Religious Hypocrisy:

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

"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 5, 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 22, 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

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

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

Like Priest, Like People Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

If Israel’s priests were accountable for Israel’s ignorance and wickedness, what does that mean for all believers as priests and pastors in particular?

[Note: I felt led to preach this sermon during the period leading up to Christmas.] Today is the beginning of the Advent season in churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar. It celebrates the past, present, and future of God’s coming into the world. In fact, “advent” originates in the Latin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-19

Denomination: *other

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

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

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

Life In Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 8, 2010

1- Life in Christ excludes hypocrisy 2- Life in Christ excludes salvation by observance of the law 3- Life in Christ includes death to self

INTRO.- Life. What is life all about? Obviously, that depends on who you are talking to. Here are some examples. ILL.- It was said that Jimmy Johnson, when coaching football on the college level, had a wife and the appearance of a marriage because it was expected of college football coaches. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Your Roof's Been Leakin' Don't Ya Come Workin' On Mine

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 3, 2009

A sermon on judging from Matthew 7:1-5 (Outline taken from Stephen Olford)

Evening Service for 9/27/2009 Matthew 7:1-5 Thesis: These verses teach us 3 important lessons For instances: 1. We must be cautious in judging others. Vs. 1 and 2 a A. Jesus here is talking about a judgmental attitude. How many wrong thoughts, words, and acts would be curbed if we took these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ