Sermons on Religious Leaders:

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

Can You Be A Christian Without Being Religious? Series

Contributed by Dr. George Calhoun on Oct 30, 2008

Christianity differs from all religions in that it’s not about us finding God, but about us responding to God who has been reaching out to us.

Can you be a Christian without being religious? It almost sounds like a contradiction in terms. However, according to Webster, a religion is a system of faith and worship... Christianity is certainly that! According to Webster, a religion is the service to and the adoration of God expressed in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:31-39

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

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Goes To Jerusalem For Second Passover; Heals Lame Man Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 14, 2017

The clash between Jesus and the religious leaders was over the Sabbath. They never forgave Him for what He did on the Sabbath days, and then when He said, “…..The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath,” (Mark 2:27) they hated Him.

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 28- Jerusalem Title: Goes to Jerusalem for Second Passover; Heals Lame Man (Exodus 20:10) John 5:1-47 The healing of the impotent man by the pool of Bethesda is a very wonderful incident. But it is also a turning point in the ministry of Christ. You see, after this ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

Fill This Temple

Contributed by Larry Grant on Nov 20, 2021

There are some in the Christian community that suggest that politics and religion should never work together. Some in the public square that suggest that religious leaders ought to stay out of politics and concern themselves with only the spiritual. But God has the final say on this matter!

In the passage today we take a second look at the people of Israel during the ministry of Haggai the prophet. As we learned last week, 70 years earlier, in the year 586 BC, the Babylonians invaded the Southern Kingdom, destroyed Solomon's beautiful temple in Jerusalem and had taken the people ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:2-9

Denomination: Baptist

From Wretched To Blessed

Contributed by David Roth on Oct 5, 2020

The religious leaders of Isreal were removed from the kingdom of God because of their rejection of the prophets and of Christ. As Christians, Christ has placed us into His kingdom, that we would serve Him by handing over the fruits His righteousness produces.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14) “From wretched to blessed” Two weeks ago, we heard Jesus tell a parable about a vineyard, and how the owner of the vineyard paid the same wage ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Finalizing His Authority Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 9, 2023

In this section of Mark's Gospel, we see Jesus finalizing His authority. We see His superior wisdom, knowledge and power as He is confronted by three groups of Jewish religious leaders and rises above each confrontation.

Introduction: A. Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts back in the 1950s and one day when he was campaigning for a second term in office, he went looking for votes at a church barbecue. 1. Herter was famished and as he moved through the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Answering Religious Pluralism

Contributed by Dr. Kenneth Rhodes, Jr on Sep 29, 2002

Defending the Christian faith against religious pluralism and tolerance.

1. Answering Religious Pluralism Also called tolerance. 2. Defining Pluralism · “Traditional tolerance (Social Pluralism) is now referred to as negative tolerance. This is defined as ‘respecting others beliefs and practices without sharing them,’ or ‘to bear or put up with something not ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religious Or Christ-Like?

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ.

Thesis: There is a big difference between being "religious" and following Jesus Christ. Intro.: 1. When you hear someone use the word "religion" or hear someone refer to another person as "religious" what do you think of? a. Illust. Do you think of "Church Lady" on Saturday Night Live who goes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

The Ungratefulness Of Religious People

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Nov 28, 2002

In this text, Jesus reveals how prevelant ungratefulness is among religious people.

Introduction: Today many people will be celebrating what is called; "Thanksgiving Day." Parade goers will fill the streets. People will fill their yards with lavish eating and drinking. The smell of barbecue sauce will permeates the air. It is a tragedy that this day like most others have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Party Poopers

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jun 9, 2005

A look at hypocrisy.

In what way was Christianity new and improved from Judaism? Why is it inappropriate for Christians to boring and depressed? Why do so many people have the idea that Christians are narrow minded and uncompassionate people? How can we balance celebration in Jesus with a serious commitment? Well ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Religious In All Respects

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 11, 2012

Religion doesn’t save you; a relationship with God through Jesus Christ saves you.

Religious in all Respects March 11, 2012 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Religion doesn’t save you; a relationship with God through Jesus Christ saves you. Focus Passage: Acts 17:22-31 Supplemental Passage: If anyone thinks himself to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Religious Or Spiritual?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 28, 2008

This week the texts seem to revolve around the idea that you can’t be "religious" but not "spiritual". It sounds like that tired line, "I’m spiritual but not religious". In the Gospel reading, I think it is interesting how Jesus heals both someone who wou

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three in One who has come to call sinners home. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Up to 10 percent of the world’s population that does not attend church on a regular basis describes itself as “spiritual, but not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Guilt & Hypocrisy Of The Religious Series

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Jan 1, 2014

IN ROMANS 1, PAUL SHOWS HOW SINFUL HUMANITY IS WITHOUT THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURES. IN THIS STUDY, PAUL CONTRASTS AND SHOWS HOW SINFUL ARE THOSE WHO KNOW THE SCRIPTURE BUT ARE BOUND BY THEIR SINFUL NATURE

Romans 2:1-16—Guilt & Hypocrisy of the Religious 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever you art that judges: for wherein you judges another, thou condemns yourself; for you that judges do the same things. 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God