Sermons on religious hypocrisy:

Do We Have To Keep Being Extra Faithful? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Our religious ritual can make us feel like we are the extra faithful when we are really failing to give God what He wants.

- We had several night visions one after the other in the chapters up to this point in Zechariah. As we come into chapter 7, two years have passed. And there are signs of progress on the temple – the walls are rising! - So is everything great? Not exactly. - The people of Bethel come with a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Answer Is No!

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus is too much a threat to Rome, to the Jewish religious authorities, and to the crowds. They all reject his words of life and his invitation to walk in God’s kingdom.

INTRODUCTION In the movie, “The Lion King” there is the classic plot of good versus evil. There is also a sub-plot of Simba learning what it is to be king. He has to answer the question, “Why will he be king?” Is it to have people do his will? Or, is being a king to serve people. A similar ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Take Off That Coat! Feel The Paradigm Shift That Is Coming?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 27, 2015

The religious crowd tends to desire to feel comfort and safe with the status quo? Be quiet poor old blind man? No, I hear Jesus is coming this way.

TAKE OFF THAT COAT! WHAT DO YOU WANT? CAN YOU FEEL A PARADIGM SHIFT? MY MIRACLE IS COMING! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. WHAT DO YOU WANT? CAN YOU FEEL A PARADIGM SHIFT? I WILL FEAR NO EVIL? I WILL FEAR NO EVIL! A. DO WE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ROD? THE STAFF? B. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-51

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Your Neighbor (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Mar 20, 2014

This was the standard God gave the Jews a long time ago, but the religious leaders had water it down, so that the Jewish people could help who they wanted to help.

Matthew 5:43-48-“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Visions Of Heaven

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 16, 2023

Heaven is defined by Wikipedia as a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where deities, angels, souls, saints or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside.

Oswald Chambers, a Scottish evangelist and teacher once remarked: “We look for visions of heaven and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us.” Revelation 21:1-4 confirms: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13, Hebrews 11:16

The Confident Lost Vs. The True Believer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One can be confident, zealous, and religious, but also be lost. It is only through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

The Confident Lost Vs. the True Believer (Romans 10:1-13) 1. One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” —James Avery, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision Of Divine Encounter In A Transformative Century Series

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 23, 2025

In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment.

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision of Divine Encounter in a Transformative Century Intro: In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment. Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

The Church Of Laodecia: Death By Contentment (Revelation 3:14-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 19, 2024

The last of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3 had the reputation of being the church that made Jesus sick due to its religious indifference. Heed the lesson.

The downward slide that started in Ephesus with the loss of their “First Love” culminated with the total apostasy found in the last church mentioned in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, the church located in the city of Laodecia. The city had been founded in 253 B.C. by Antiochus II and named after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:5, Matthew 24:12, Luke 10:2, Proverbs 21:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' refusal to accept him, he proved to be the Messiah.

Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, fulfilling the prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' rejection, he proved to be the Messiah. A. To fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, Jesus sent for a donkey. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Topics: Passion Of Christ

Christian Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2019

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17.

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17. Healed Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If You Want To Be A Real Christian. . . Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 23, 2022

If you want to be a real Christian... 1. Trust Jesus to help you in amazing ways (Matt 14:34-36). 2. Start obeying God's commands (Matt 15:1-6). 3. Strive to avoid hypocrisy (Matt 15:5-7). 4. Keep seeking the Lord with all your heart (Matt 15:7-8). 5. You will discover real hope (Matt 15:8-9).

If You Want to Be a Real Christian. . . The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 14:34 - Matthew 15:9 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared July 23, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 14. The Holy Spirit led Matthew to begin this part of his Gospel by reporting on the government-approved ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Tuesday - Opening Closed Minds And Penetrating Callused Hearts Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 14, 2022

On Tuesday of the final week of Jesus' earthly life, He spent the day teaching His disciples, the crowds and the religious leaders. His teaching was designed to confront some and comfort others. The choice is always ours.

A. Did you hear about the guy going around different towns and jabbing people with knitting needles? 1. The police believe he was trying to make a point and was following some sort of pattern. B. The word “needle” can be used as a noun or a verb. 1. As a noun, a needle might be: a small slender ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pure In Heart: The Reward Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 17, 2023

This is the second message in a study of the sixth beatitude. The reward for the pure in heart is that they will "see God." How does that promise relate to the resurrection, and how does it relate to this life? What is biblical impact of seeing God?

Intro We are in a study of the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves to be revived and enter into his purposes more fully. Last week we began talking about the sixth beatitude. It is recorded in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”i That is our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 John 1:7-10, 1 John 3:2-3, Hebrews 11:27, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Job 23:10, 2 Peter 1:1-7, Psalm 139:23-24, Hebrews 12:14, Ephesians 5:25-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic