Sermons on religious hypocrisy:

Sermon On Pilgrimage

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 18, 2024

A pilgrimage is principally defined as a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion.

Eric Clapton, an English guitarist and singer-songwriter once remarked: “I think everybody has their own way of looking at their lives as some kind of pilgrimage. Some people will see their role as a pilgrim in terms of setting up a fine family, or establishing a business inheritance. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16, 1 Peter 2:21, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Isaiah 40:31

Leaving The Old Behind

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jul 13, 2023

Jesus was saying that this Gospel, the Good News is incompatible with any and all other religious beliefs. It is exclusive and stands alone.

Can you imagine living in an environment where you are told that you are cursed by God, unloved, unacceptable, and a social outcast? As a result you would probably feel marginalized and rejected and have no clue about how to come to God in your current state. Many established religions today put ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Act Of Remembrance Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 19, 2014

Mary is remembered as a devoted disciple of Christ. She honored Him by giving her best. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Judas conspired with the religious leaders in betraying Jesus.

Mark 14:1-11 An Act of Remembrance We are headed towards Jerusalem! 33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Picky Picky Belief Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 14, 2006

The religious leaders were selective about which laws to follow and which ones to ignore or defy. We are too. The point of this is to expose our own double-standards and lead us to show mercy to others.

John 19:31-37 – Picky Picky Belief Tonight, in our last message of The Life of Jesus before Resurrection Day, I’d like to point out an interesting characteristic about the religious leaders that really bears hearing. Just to let you know: likely something I say tonight might make you angry. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Confronts Adultery Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Who is guilty of adultery? Jesus gives us the answer in the Sermon on the Mount and what He reveals might just surprise us; but, if it doesn't, it certainly ought to change our behavior.

JESUS CONFRONTS ADULTERY Matthew 5:27-32 INTRODUCTION ** We introduced this sermon with a 4 minute drama of the woman caught in adultery ** A. WHO IS AN ADULTERER? 1. Those Who Practice Wicked Deeds. Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; Jesus chose murder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

So, You Think You're Not A Pharisee?

Contributed by Dan Funk on Aug 28, 2014

Christ directed the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Praying in the Temple to those who trusted in their own righteousness. We are more prone to trust in our own righteousness than we might think. This self-trust can keep us from being merciful.

Over the years, we have all heard preachers address the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in the Temple. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican

“i Do”

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 13, 2015

Proper 23 (A), 18th Sunday after Pentecost. We enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb when we believe His word of promise and come in faith, to praise and honor Him. Those who did not enter were centered on themselves instead of Christ.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “I Do” “I do.” Two small little words with big impact. While they can be used on many occasions, we immediately associate them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Anonymous Apostles And The World’s Worst Traitor (Matthew 10:1-4)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 9, 2025

Our look at the Twelve apostles concludes with the last four on the list - James the Less, Simon the Zealot, Jude Thaddeus, and the apostle who threw his calling away, Judas Iscariot.

When we look at the lives of the twelve men whom Jesus chose to be His apostles, we need to make a notation. None of these men would be known today except for the fact that Jesus chose to pull them out from obscurity and ordinary situations. None of them were of renown or any type of prominence. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4, 2 Corinthians 12:12, John 6:70, Psalm 41:9, Luke 22:3, Acts 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Biblical Warning Against Fellowship With Sinful Men Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 8, 2024

As believers, we are called to live a life of separation and holiness, set apart from the world and its sinful ways.

As believers, we are called to live a life of separation and holiness, set apart from the world and its sinful ways. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist writes, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers." ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105, 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

3 Simple Rules For Making A Marriage Work Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 12, 2022

In the next few moments, I want to help you celebrate marriage, whether married, divorced, or single. God gave us marriage for our happiness. God gave us marriage to be a blessing in our lives. Your marriage can serve as a catalyst for your relationship with God.

When I say the word “marriage,” what do you think? Are you a little jaundice about the idea of marriage? I spoke to a lady recently who said when I got married I was looking for the ideal, instead, the marriage became an ordeal, so now I want a new deal. One day, a man went to the Super Bowl, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16, 1 Kings 11:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Take A Stand On Key Issues: Addiction, Abortion, & Marriage

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

The silence of the church on key issues of our day is deafening. By remaining silent on these issues, for fear of controversy, the church unilaterally makes itself irrelevant.

The silence of the church on key issues of our day is deafening. By remaining silent on these issues, for fear of controversy, the church unilaterally makes itself irrelevant. When it's just a social club, or even a Christian fellowship of worship, well... something very important is missing. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:11

Denomination: Salvation Army

How To Trigger A Great Awakening

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

Ultimately the Holy Spirit is the only one who can trigger a great awakening in your area. Yet the Spirit is willing. God works through people. He asks "Who will go?" Who is willing to say: "Here I am Lord, send me!"

Ultimately the Holy Spirit is the only one who can trigger a great awakening in your area. Yet the Spirit is willing. God works through people. He asks "Who will go?" Who is willing to say: "Here I am Lord, send me!" That is the beginning. We become willing to be a vessel ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Dangers Of Fault Finding Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 24, 2025

Fault finders usually do not see any good in the efforts of other people. They put on the air of perfection and act as if they are incapable of making mistakes. Such people easily offend others through their actions and speeches. They focus on everyone’s faults except theirs.

As Christians, we're called to build each other up, not tear each other down. Yet, fault finding is a subtle sin that can creep into our lives, damaging relationships and hindering our walk with God. The Pharisees: A Classic Example In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees brought a woman caught in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, John 8:3-11

Shrewd As Serpents Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

“Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16). This verse is not advocating hypocrisy. We are not to employ the methods of the ungodly, but we should posses a similar creative capacity. We need to be clever in our dealings.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus advised us to “be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Was Jesus telling believers to be two-faced hypocrites? Was He saying we need to be unjust in our daily activities and dealings, and then turn right around and act like model Christians on Sunday? No. Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-12

Denomination: Baptist