Sermons on Religious Hypocrisy:

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Healed A Crippled Woman

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Mar 28, 2024

They were upset because this healing that the Lord was doing was not just a onetime deal, but because Lord healing of people on the Sabbath day which was a reoccurring source of contention between Himself and the religious rulers.  

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.   12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Truth Or Tradition? Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 30, 2007

Guess who’s come for a visit? It’s the big whigs from denominational headquarters. Isn’t it sad that Jesus had more problems w/ the religious than the lost? They made it all an outward matter and not an inward experience. Link inc. to text, audio, and Ppt

Truth or Tradition? Matthew 15:1-20 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TruthOrTradition.html Guess who popped in for a visit? It’s the scribes and Pharisees … the big whigs from denominational headquarters in Jerusalem. They are likely part of the Sanhedrin, the heavy hitters if you will. They have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

In Pursuit Of A Clear/Cleansed Conscience

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 6, 2011

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged his audience to pursue a radically transformed/cleansed conscience. People(with religious tendencies--everyone!) are in need of a radically transformed conscience. How can we pursue it? The pursuit of a clear consci

In PURSUIT Of A CLEAR/Cleansed CONSCIENCE—Hebrews 9:1-14 Attention: A young boy called the pastor of a local church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family & was aware they were members of another church down the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid The Worst Woes In Life - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 3, 2023

1. Don't just care how you look. Care how you live (vs. 25-28). 2. Don't compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to God (vs. 29-32). 3. Don't be condemned. Become a child of God (vs. 33). 4. Don't reject God's Word. Receive it! (vs. 34-36).

How to Avoid the Worst Woes in Life - Part 2 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 23:25-36 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared February 3, 2023) BACKGROUND: *In 1 John 4 the Bible tells us twice that "God is love." And thank God that's true! Our God is full of love, grace, and tender mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-36

Denomination: Baptist

Rejected! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2020

What does it mean that Jesus was despised and rejected? Are we who call ourselves Christians guilty of despising the Son of God, even rejecting Him? The message is a challenge to examine our lives to ensure that we honour Christ Jesus the Saviour.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” [1] During these festive days of celebrating the birth of the Son of God, Christ is the unrecognized guest at multiplied tables ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Pharisees Confront Jesus: What Does It Mean To Be A Hypocrite? An Issue Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 10, 2023

The Pharisees today are often regarded as hypocrites, mean, nasty, people who killed Jesus, and it’s true that they plotted against Jesus. But in general these were not bad people. These were religious leaders trying to help the people live according to God’s ways.

A lot of the scriptures that we look at, I feel like we get to understand another piece of the puzzle about who Jesus really is. It’s like we dive into a moment in history and we get to look over the shoulder of Jesus and see what he does, and why he does it, and we’re amazed. We want to live like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

When You Get Bent Out Of Shape Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Whatever is broken in your life, Jesus can fix it. When suffering or religious rules bend you out of shape, let Jesus get you bent on the joy of God’s kingdom.

When You Get Bent Out of Shape Luke 13:10-21 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I recently read a funny story that illustrates how most of us are never satisfied. Frank and Mabel had been married for 40 years. Frank turned 60 a few months earlier and they were celebrating Mabel’s 60th birthday. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-21, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 13:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

How Faith Triumphs Over Prejudice

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed al

1. Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed all that much in 2000 years. People ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:7-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fulfillment Of 69 Weeks (4 Of 6) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Sep 2, 2002

All religious books claim to be the word of God, but prophecy sets the Bible apart as having God’s seal of authentication. This section looks at the exact fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy from the decree to the Messiah.

(Part 4 of 6) According to the angel of God, once the decree to rebuild Jerusalem went forth, God’s people would know for certain that the Messiah would be in Israel in 483 years. This is a fascinating prophecy that opens up scripture and indisputably points to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. God told ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44, Daniel 9:25

Denomination: Baptist

The Search For Significance

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 5, 2003

Wherever groups of people are gathered you can observe behaviors revealing a universal "search for significance." The group may be political, commercial, social or even religious, but the signs will be there. The drive for significance seems to be a part

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:20-28 INTRODUCTION Wherever groups of people are gathered you can observe behaviors revealing a universal "search for significance." The group may be political, commercial, social or even religious, but the signs will be there. The drive for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Know God

Contributed by Greg Smart on Nov 11, 2002

Many different ideas about God. From the atheist who believes there is no God. To the religious pharisee who would believe you’d go to hell if you don’t live a perfect life.

HOW TO KNOW GOD The fool has said in his heart there is no God. Ps 14:1. Many people today have their own ideas about God. Atheist, no God. Many people think of God as granddaddy, sit up on my lap and everthing will be alright. Religious, everything from God don’t care what we do just as long as ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Impediments Removed Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on May 1, 2007

Jesus healed the deaf/dumb man and then told the people not to tell anyone what they had had just seen. How different He is from the many self-seekers of today’s religious’ world.

MARK 7:36, 37 THE IMPEDIMENTS REMOVED I. STIPULATIONS: * Mark 7:36 A. Significance. B. Sensitivity. C. Spurned. II. SPECTATORS: ** Mark 7:37 A. Surprise. B. Statements. C. Surety. III. SIGNS: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:36-37

Denomination: Methodist

The Table Of The Lord

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Feb 3, 2007

The threat of religious ritual is ever looming for church goers. There are many things that we have done hundreds of times, but we must always take the time to remember their significance, as it is with Communion. Lest we forget...

A little girl asked her mother one Sunday morning as she was preparing lunch, “Mommy, why do you cut off the ends of the ham before you cook it?” The girl’s mother turned and looked at her and said, “Oh, sweetie, I’m not really sure why, but I suppose you cut the ends off of the meat so that the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29