Sermons on Religious Leaders:

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

First Teaching Tour Of Galilee Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 9, 2017

At this time, Jesus had a great deal of freedom. He moved freely through Galilee and He taught in the synagogues. The religious leaders would eventually plan to take Him and to put Him to death, however before that, they would bar Him from the synagogue

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 27- Galilee Title: First Teaching Tour of Galilee Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44 -Matthew- And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Vs The Temple

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 7, 2012

The Passion Week was not Jesus vs the Jewish religious leaders, or Jesus vs Rome...it was Jesus vs the Temple. A different perspective on a text we look at every year. Two kingdoms approach Jerusalem from two opposite directions at the same time with t

Jesus VS The Temple Palm Sunday (2012) Mark 11:1-11 Chronological Bible 10/23 pg. 1410 Mark 11:1–3 (NLT) Jesus’ Triumphant Entry As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contrasting Christmases

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 20, 2022

This message reveals a contrast seen within the Christmas story, a contrast between those who are ready and willing to receive the good news, like the shepherds and the Magi, or Wise Men, and those who are not, like King Herod and the religious leaders of that day. Come and See.

Contrasting Christmases Psalm 1; Luke 2; Matthew 2 Someone has said that life is full of contrasts, and as far as I can determine, they are right. But most of these contrasts are self-determined. Psalm chapter one deals with the main contrast, the one that determines all the rest. It involves the ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Judas Contracts The Betrayal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2019

Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather insignificant amount of money. How did he get the courage for this evil act? The Bible has the answer.

Tom Lowe 11/12/2007 HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS JUDAS CONTRACTS THE BETRAYAL Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, LUKE 22:3-6 (ZECHARIAH 11:12) Judas Iscariot[1], whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 24:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The Journey

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 1, 2019

God’s call to take the journey to worship the newborn king isn’t just for those born to privilege, or those born in the church. It isn’t just for pastors, scholars, and religious leaders. No, God’s call to worship is for anyone who will listen.

OPENING STORY An old king sat uncomfortably on his throne, fingernails dug into well-worn grooves in the wood as he waited nervously for the mysterious travelers to approach. All Jerusalem was abuzz with the rumors that these men were searching for a new heir which had just been born, yet neither ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Culture Of Godly Leadership Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 23, 2012

A church is positioned to be most effective when leaders are chosen on the basis of their reputation for living a Christ-like life and having wise discernment.

Title: A Culture of Godly Leadership Text: Acts 6:1-7 Thesis: A church is positioned to be most effective when leaders are chosen on the basis of their reputation for living a Christ-like life and having wise discernment. We are on a Pathway to Congregational Vitality. We want to be a Healthy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mocking The Messiah Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 30, 2012

Jesus suffered as much emotionally as he did physically.

Mocking the Messiah Text: Matt. 27:27-44 Introduction 1. Illustration: Nobody likes to have people make fun of them. Most of us know the old saying, "stick and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Well, I think most of us know that isn't true. Nothing hurts worse than to have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44

Denomination: Methodist

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2019

Jesus dealt with wrong ideas about tradition

The Tyranny of Tradition - Mark 2-13-28 1. The Problem of religious exclusivity v. 13-17 2. The Problem of religious exercise v. 18-22 3. The Problem of religious enlightenment v. 23-28 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Faith Of Jairus

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Oct 6, 2011

In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and went w

Title: The Faith of Jairus Text: Mark 5:21-36 In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beyond Blame

Contributed by Sylvan Finger on Jun 12, 2024

Adam and Eve hide from God and blame everyone but themselves. The religious leaders call Jesus anything but good. Why the mix-up of good and evil? But in the midst of all the confusion, God comes to us and leads us to what is right and good and graciously provides rescue.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now have you ever had a difficult time identifying what is good and what is bad? I know diet experts seem to keep changing their mind in what a good diet is. People seem to have different ideas in how to be good stewards with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15, Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Lutheran

"Tricky Words, Tricky Questions”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 16, 2020

Taxes, Taxes California is considering a "Wealth and Exit Tax" Religious leaders need Jesus dead. Jesus would have said, "Whose image is on you?" “Are you reflecting God’s character?” if the discussion continued. It did not.

In Jesus Holy Name October 18, 2020 Text: Matthew 21:45,46a, 22:15 Redeemer “Tricky Words, Tricky Questions” Benjamin Franklin has often been quoted as saying, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Many have figured out ways ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus The Great I Am

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 7, 2017

Jesus actually claimed to be God and He did so repeatedly. In fact that is why the Jewish religious leaders were so angry with Jesus. He wouldn’t stop making the claim. He had every right to make the claim and the Jews had a right to be angry

Jesus the Great I Am Exodus 3:14 John 4:21-26 John 18:1-8 Philippians 2:6-11 Revelation 1:8 Today I want to show you how you can prove that Jesus claimed to be God by using His own words from the Gospel of John. Using a highlighter you can become a witness for the Lord. This is the easiest ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-26, John 3:14, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Peter 18:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trying To Trap Jesus - The Easter Story - Day 3 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 3, 2023

Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity to kill Him and tried to trap Him with questions. Jesus rebuked them publicly. He spoke parables and talking to his disciples about the end times.

******************* Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. — Cursed the Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14 — Temple Cleansed - Mark 11:15-19, Isaiah 56:7 — Children in the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17, Psalm 8:2 — Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26 The religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-26, Isaiah 56:7, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 22:15-46, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 24:26-43, Luke 21:8-13, Luke 21:18-28, Luke 21:34-36, Mark 13:3-23, Matthew 21:23-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist