Sermons on religious hypocrisy:

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Handle With Care!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 27, 2008

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard was a stern warning to the Jewish religious leaders of His day. It is also a warning we should heed lest our seat in His kingdom be given to someone else.

-Has it ever happened to you? -Have you ever “lost” something that “belonged” to you? -I don’t mean “lost” and “belonged” in the same way you are thinking -I really mean, has somebody ever given something that you thought should be yours to somebody else instead -How did that feel? Probably about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Preach The Word Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2011

To qualify as worship, our corporate religious activities must include sound preaching. To fail to include this vital aspect of worship is to condemn our congregations to an insipid presence in the midst of a hostile world.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Pharisee And The Publican Series

Contributed by Ricardo Rodriguez on Nov 1, 2012

There is a necessary appropriate attitude in prayer so that it can be answered by God. The Pharisee belonged to a Jewish religious sect that believed that salvation came by obeying the letter of the law and precepts that they and their ancestors had esta

Ice Breaker: Can you describe the characteristics of a humble person? Scripture: Lucas 18:9-14. INTRODUCTION: There is a necessary appropriate attitude in prayer so that it can be answered by God. The Pharisee belonged to a Jewish religious sect that believed that salvation came by obeying ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Apostolic

Don't Deny Gravity - It Hurts! Series

Contributed by Tim May on Apr 26, 2015

Peter and John looked the religious leaders in the eyes, which truth would actually be heard? Peter and John were determined to make sure it would be their truth that would stand the test of time.

INTRODUCTION: We had been out in the field for about a week moving from one position to another. This time we had stopped for a short rest. It was late in the morning, probably around 2am so I was standing around with several Marines when one of them asked, “Hey Chaps do you believe in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:20

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer Meeting In The Jerusalem Church

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 30, 2014

The prayer the Jerusalem Christians prayed when Peter and John were released from the inquisition of the Jerusalem religious leaders teaches some important truths about prayer, which is the subject of this sermon.

Prayer Meeting in the Jerusalem Church Chuck Sligh November 30, 2014 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation of this sermon is available upon request by emailing me at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 4 (TO BE READ LATER) INTRODUCTION The first church in Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

"All Hail The King!"

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 18, 2013

The Triumphal Entry ushered in Jesus' final week before his crucifixion. He was gathering a greater following and the religious leaders didn't like that. Jesus was being hailed as king.

“ALL HAIL THE KING!” John 12:12-19 1) All hail the King! (Vs. 12-13). “The great crowd”. It was near the Passover and the week long Feast of Unleavened Bread celebration, where the population in Jerusalem rose from about 50,000 to over two million. Even though there was a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Shepherds?

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.

Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-20 Introduction The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds. Why? Perhaps He wanted the poor and outcast of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Revival Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Revival is not only a good word used in Scripture, it is also a good and positive experience. When rightly understood, we will long for it in the religious realm as we do in all other areas of life.

Clovis Chappell, the great Southern preacher and author, said in one of his messages, "What announcement could the average pastor make to his people next Sunday that would create less enthusiasm, less approval, less holy expectancy, then that he would soon to begin a revival?" ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

The Reformation Movement (Lesson 2) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 15, 2020

To establish that the Holy Spirit predicted a “departure from the faith” that resulted in religious apostasy and the rise of denominational institutions throughout the world. This lesson describes the failures of the Reformation Movement, and the successes of the Restoration Movement.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 2. The Reformation Movement Remarks. 1. This is lesson two, in our semon-series of the theme: “The Departure from the Faith.” It should be noted that Paul begins our lesson by describing “the retraction movement” or “the departure from the faith!” It should also be noted, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Restoration Movement (Lesson 3) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 15, 2020

To establish that the Holy Spirit predicted a “departure from the faith” that resulted in religious apostasy and the rise of denominational institutions throughout the world. This lesson describes the failures of the Reformation Movement and the successes of the Restoration Movement.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 3. The Restoration Movement Remarks. 1. This is lesson three, in our sermon-series of the theme: “The Departure from the Faith.” It should be noted that we began this series by describing “the retraction movement” or “the departure from the faith!” Recall, we stated, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Social Justice And Critical Theory: Biblical Justice In An Age Of Ideological Civil War

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic lines, and along religious lines.

Proverbs 21:15 "When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic ...read more

Scripture: John 7:24, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 28:5, Galatians 3:26-29, Matthew 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Danger Of High Places Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 1, 2018

Haughtiness is a deceptive sin. It's the type of sin that often traps religious people. Do you know how to recognize this sin in your life... and how to protect yourself against it?

POEM: A lion met a tiger as they drew beside a pool. Said the tiger, "Tell me why you're roaring like a fool" "That's not foolish," said the lion with a twinkle in his eyes. "They call me king of all the beasts because I advertise." A rabbit heard the talking and ran home like a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:48-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Creating A Culture

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on May 19, 2018

Definition of Culture - a: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. b: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization.

Creating a culture. John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational