Sermons on Religious Leaders Lack Courage:

John The Baptist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 9, 2009

John the Baptist - radical and countercultural par excellence

Sermon: John the Baptist – Radical and Countercultural par excellence Story: A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and he was set the following problem to solve. “You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

Tough Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 1, 2020

A warning not only for Israel then, but for the church now. The long-suffering of God.

TOUGH LOVE. Matthew 23:13-39. 1. Jesus spares not to warn those who are on the path to “the damnation of hell” (Matthew 23:33), using such expressions as “woe unto you” (eight times), “hypocrites” (seven times), “blind guides” or “fools and blind” (five times), “ye serpents, (ye) generation of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wake Up Church, Wake Up Christians, Wake Up America! Series

Contributed by Terry Campbell-Lebendig on Nov 4, 2015

A comparison of the Lack in the Churches of Revelation to the Churches of Today

Are our Churches in America asleep or indifferent and why are some wasting away while others flourishing? Is it Apathy or Ignorance? Scripture says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of Persecution

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 8, 2011

Persecution shows us that we are doing what we are supposed to do: be different and make a difference.

A little over 3 years ago, a group of students at an Alabama high school recited the Lord’s Prayer together in the lunchroom, which prompted a suit by the parents of another student. In response, Judge Ira Dement, on October 29, 1997, termed the action “religiously based ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

10. Saul's Victory Through The Spirit's Empowerment Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

History is filled with leaders who, at the right moment, rose to the challenge with courage. Yet, true empowerment comes not from charisma or human strength alone, but from God’s Spirit working through a person.

Saul’s Victory at Jabesh: The Spirit’s Empowerment April 30, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 11 Introduction: The Power to Lead Comes from God History is filled with leaders who, at the right moment, rose to the challenge with courage. One such leader was Winston ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Is Deborah The Foundation For Female Leadership In The Church?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 12, 2021

The story of Deborah is often used to encourage women to seek leadership and teaching roles in the church.

The Bible proclaims that every male and female human being has intrinsic and equal worth and is a reflection of God because they are made in His image. Those who say that the Bible portrays women as subservient to men have never read the Bible or don't know anything about it; otherwise, they ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-24, Judges 5:1-31, Genesis 3:17, 1 Timothy 2:1-14, Ephesians 5:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Have To Say It! Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Sep 23, 2003

Believers courageously speak the truth.

WE HAVE TO SAY IT! Acts 4:1-22 S: Courage Th: Walk with Spiritual Courage Pr: BELIEVERS COURAGEOUSLY SPEAK THE TRUTH. ?: Inductive KW: Stages TS: We will find in our study of Acts 4:1-22 three parts that show how the disciples react to adversity. The _____ part is the… I. TRIAL (1-12) II. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Wise Dads

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 6, 2013

Wise dads know how to lean on God, lead their family, and to give them love.

Wise Dads Dorn Ridge June 17, 2012 (Portions of this message are based on an article of same name by Shawn McMullen in The Lookout June 21, 2009) Father’s Day reminds me of many things for which I'm thankful. I'm thankful for a heavenly Father who loves and cares for me. I'm thankful for an ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Appearance Before Pilate Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 12, 2020

Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They need Pilate to give Jesus the death sentence, since the Jews no longer have that authority. Pilate interviews Christ and announces that he is innocent.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (31) First Appearance Before Pilate Scripture: Matthew 27:2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38 (focal passage) Tom Lowe 2/13/2008 Time: Friday of Jesus’ Final Week Place: Jerusalem Jesus has been taken to Pilate’s palace by the religious leaders. They ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Baptist

Is There A Need For Evangelism?

Contributed by Phillip Frady on Sep 17, 2002

The sermon looks at the response of Jesus to the reaction of the religious leaders of the day in His encounters with sinners and publicans in His story of the man who had all he thought he needed in this life only to discover his eternal destiny was relat

Evangelism – Is There A Need? Luke 16:19-31 I. The mans earthly situation a. He had no need for other security b. He had no need for material things c. He had no need for comfort d. He had no need for God II. The mans after death situation a. He had no help b. He had no hope Our goal today is to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

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

Listening To Unchristian America

Contributed by Jay Robison on Nov 1, 2007

Christianity has an image problem. What can we learn from how those outside the church see the church today. I use Jesus criticism of religious leaders to cause us to think.

I have used sermoncentral along with other resources in this message. James White’s Critical Times email was a starting point. I also referred to Kinnaman’s book. LISTENING TO UnCHRISTIAN AMERICA October 28, 2007 Jay Davis Robison MATTHEW 15:1-12 The Church in America HAS AN IMAGE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Be Threatened?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Feb 4, 2018

Many in the Body of Christ are living in compromise. They are allowing the world to dictate what they will and will not believe about the Bible. How does this happen? Peter and John's confrontation with the religious leaders in Acts 4 shows us how.

I was thinking about Bro. Alain’s message this morning and what saddens me so much is how much of the Body of Christ is living in compromise and we don’t even realize it. And I thought about a Republican senator here in Ohio who came out strong and hard against homosexuality. He came out strong and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-30, Mark 16:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

" An Interview With John The Baptist" (Sermon 3 Of Series On Gospel Of John) Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Mar 29, 2021

Early in the ministry of John the Baptist he had introduced a new teaching of baptism to the Jewish people. In this message the religious leaders interview John the Baptist on this new doctrine, and aquestion him to see if he is the Christ.

AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN THE BAPTIST John 1: 21-34 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ January 31, 2021 [Sermon three on the Gospel of John series 2021 Video Link to Sermon: https://youtu.be/n9pQUAGlVPM INTRODUCTION: 1.) As an introduction to this passage of Scripture I want to read from ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15, Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:21-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ