Sermons on Religious Hypocrisy:

Returning To Your First Love Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 6, 2025

God desires that we remain passionately in love with Him. The warning to the church in Ephesus serves as a reminder that good works and religious activities are not enough—our love for God must remain fresh and vibrant.

RETURNING TO YOUR FIRST LOVE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Revelation 2:4-5 "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Reasons Why The Kingdom Of God Remains A Mystery (A Hidden Truth) To Many

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 4, 2003

Let us remember that unless we use what we have we will eventually lose our understanding of God’s will and truth. It is a basic, fundamental law of life. That is the great principle upon which God operates to govern human lives and human history. "To him

Isaiah 65:2.Reasons Why The Kingdom of God Remains a Mystery (A Hidden Truth) To Many 1. Truth is only understood when it is perceived through spiritual eyes. (I Cor. 2:14-16) Unless a person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ they will consider the talk about the kingdom of God as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Promise Of Change Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jan 31, 2010

Following up on last week's message about the means of grace, this message talks about how we can use spiritual disciplines to allow God to bring the change that is needed in our lives.

The Promise of Change The Company We Keep, prt. 7 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers June 13, 2009 Last week I spoke to you about “means of grace.” Let’s do a quick review. What are the means of grace? They are the ways you receive God’s grace into your life. This ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Free Methodist

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

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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

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

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 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

God Honors A Contrite Spirit

Contributed by Val Black on Jul 14, 2006

The Lord honors a contrite (broken) spirit more than a "religious" one. Often times traditons & doctrines of men appeal to the flesh but God is searching for a broken spirit to love, honor by His Presence and to renew.

God Honors A Contrite Spirit Luke 7:36-49 Wed. Evening – July 12, 2006 I. Luke 7:36 (KJV) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat (or food). The word “desired” isn’t used in other translations. Most of them say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-49

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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