Sermons on Religious Leaders:

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

Reaction To The Resurrection Of Lazarus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 5, 2017

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and that miracle brought results. First of all and most important is that many believed on him. There were others that did not believe and they went back to Jerusalem to report this incident to the religious leaders.

Perea to Bethany Lesson: Reaction to the Resurrection of Lazarus John 11:45-54 (John 11:45-46) Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Ganging Up On Jesus Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 11, 2012

In this portion of Mark we get a clearer picture of what it means to rely on God for things, and what it means to rely on the government. Here the religious leaders try to trip Jesus up, but they fall right into His trap.

After the episode in the Temple on the previous day, I guess Jesus should have expected the religious leaders of Israel to react. In fact, the Lord is trying to get them to react and eventually figure out a way to arrest and condemn Him. In the end of Chapter 11 and into Chapter 12 we see a series ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

If Only People Understood What Jesus Was Offering Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 9, 2021

The problem here is not so much that the religious leaders didn't understand Jesus. It's more that they actually do understand Him. What's He saying that is so provocative?

THE CLIMAX OF THE CONVERSATION: The more they understood Jesus, the more they thought He was crazy. - John 8:48, 52a, 55-57, 59. - This is the climax of a long conversation in John 8 that we’ve handled in several sermons because there is so much content there. The further the conversation went, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: Baptist

When Do Religious People Whoop It Up?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 15, 2007

God invites us to share his joy when someone who was lost, is found.

Title: When Do Religious People Whoop It Up? Text: Luke 15:1-10 Thesis: God invites us to share his joy when someone who was lost, is found. Introduction Have you ever lost something you really treasured… something you would really like to find? After reading the text for today, I thought ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Servant Leader: A Biblical Concept

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

he radical idea of the servant leader. I have brought this subject up many times. The true role of leader in the Bible is that of the humble servant. People have said that kind of limited view of leadership is "dangerous."

John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The radical idea of the servant leader. I have brought this subject up many times. The true role of leader in the Bible is that of the humble ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8, John 12:26, Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Hand Of God Was Upon Him

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 30, 2006

The story of Ezra is presented as an encouragement for us to study God’s word, practice God’s will and teach God’s law.

THE HAND OF GOD WAS UPON HIM Ezra Introduction: Ezra was a contemporary of Nehemiah. In about 457 B.C. Ezra led a group of Jews from captivity back to Jerusalem. The purpose of his journey was to restore the worship of God in the temple. Ezra was a scribe (scholar). He was one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Trial, The Denial, And The Betrayal - When The Heart Is Tested - Matthew 26:57-27:10 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 25, 2025

Every heart is tested in the presence of JESUS. The religious leaders rejected Him, Peter denied Him, and Judas betrayed Him, and yet each story reveals the depth of human weakness and the overwhelming grace of GOD’s redemptive love. Question is...How will you respond when your heart is tested?

2025.10.26.Sermon Notes. THE TRIAL, THE DENIAL, AND THE BETRAYAL - WHEN THE HEART IS TESTED MATTHEW 26:57-27:10 Matthew 26:57-75, Matthew 27:1-10 William Akehurst, HSWC KEY WORD: Trial, Denial, Rejection, Betrayal, Sanhedrin, Blasphemy, Remorse, Repentance, Field of Blood, Remorse without ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75, Matthew 27:1-10, Isaiah 53:7, Daniel 7:13-14, John 5:39-40, Luke 22:61-62, John 21:15-17, James 4:8, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28, John 8:36, Zechariah 11:12-13, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:10, 2 Corinthians 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Jesus Went For Wisdom

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

In another of the confrontations Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day, it is instructive to see where He went for His authority. He amazed the crowds with His responses, but we have the same basis for authority that He exercised.

Passage: Matthew 22:23-33 Intro: Christians have been portrayed down thru the years as “Bible-thumpers”. Il) there is an “I hate Bible- Thumpers” page on Facebook. 1. in many ways, it is a compliment. 2. means that we draw our authority, our wisdom, from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-33

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Political Ruler Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 11, 2012

This chapter discusses the two terrible rulers that are to arise in the end time, the antichrist and his cohort, the world-wide religious leader who will help the antichrist gain and maintain control over the world. The Scripture refers to them as beasts

Chapter 13 is probably the key to the whole book of Revelation. It covers the antichrist. If a person understands this chapter, then he will understand the whole book of Revelation. This chapter discusses the two terrible rulers that are to arise in the end time, the antichrist and his cohort, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus 360: Authentic Leader Series

Contributed by Todd Bishop on Mar 28, 2007

This sermon looks at the 1st major characteristic of Jesus - He was an authentic leader. Jesus is worth following.

INTRODUCTION In this story Jesus is praying. He stops. And he starts his conversation with a question. How many of you like ever liked pop quizzes or surprise tests? Probably no normal person, especially when the Master Teacher is giving the quiz. Jesus’ first question is “Who do people say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Am I A Religious Or A Christian Person

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Aug 28, 2006

A sermon for the 13th Sunday after pentecost Proper 17

13th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 "Am I a Religious or a Christian Person?" 7:1* ¶ Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2* they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

By Who's Authority? Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 13, 2003

It is not that the religious leaders did not know who Jesus was, but that they would not accept his authority. We are in the sinful state that we are in today, not because we do not know that God exists, but because we have refused to acknowledge h

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 55 By Who’s Authority? Luke 19:45-48, 20:1-18 Over the last week or so we have seen pictures of thousands of Shiite Moslems as pilgrims in Iraq as demonstration of their religious devotion. A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:1

Denomination: Baptist

Consequences Of Bad Religion

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2013

THE JEWISH NATION HELD A PRIVILEGED STATUS WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND THE SANHEDRIN FEARED THAT JESUS WOULD GAIN A LARGE FOLLOWING, CAUSE A CIVIL UPROAR, AND ANGER THE GOVERNING ROMAN EMPIRE. IF THAT HAPPENED, these religious leaders would lose their...

5-16-2004 Title: Consequences of Bad Religion Text: John 11:47-48, 53 Scripture Reading: John 11:45-53 Introduction CHRIST DIED DURING Passover week in Jerusalem. It was the HIGH HOLY WEEK ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-53

Denomination: Baptist

Labeling Jesus Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 1, 2023

In this section, Mark sandwiched an incident with Jesus' family and an incident with the Jewish religious leaders to show the judgments people were making about Jesus. In the end, Jesus can only be one of three possibilities: Lord, liar or lunatic.

A. You’ve heard the old joke: “You can call me anything you want, just don’t call me late for dinner.” 1. Have you ever had someone call you a name that hurt you? We all have, right? 2. Some people call us names to deliberately hurt us, but others sometimes call us names in jest, and yet those ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35, Matthew 12:32, Matthew 5:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ