Sermons on Religious Leaders:

The Religious But Hard-Hearted Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 2, 2007

If God does not soften ones heart, one may dabble with religion, but one will never find a saving relationship with the true God.

The Religious But Hard-Hearted (Exodus 8:20-9:12) 1. What if God was politically correct? Imagine this: Moses was sitting in the Egyptian ghetto. Things were terrible. Pharaoh wouldn’t even speak to him. The rest of the Israelites were mad at him and making the overseers even more irritable than ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Before A Religious Spirit Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 25, 2018

The path to the Cross finds it judgment before the religious. Matthew 26:57-68 holds truths that should shock all who read them.

Jesus Before A Religious Spirit A Biblical Examination of Jesus' Trial Before The Religious of His Day The path to the Cross finds it judgment before the religious. Matthew 26:57-68 holds truths that should shock all who read them. The Jewish religious leaders question our Lord's authority, seek ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus' "Firsts" Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 9, 2008

In the third sermon of the John series, Jesus performs his first miracle, connects with his first apostles, and has his first confrontation with the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

John’s Gospel #3 Jesus’ Firsts CHCC: January 20, 2008 John 1-2 INTRODUCTION: Today we’re going to look at Jesus’ Firsts in the Gospel of John. In chapters 1 and 2 John tells about Jesus’ 1st Apostles, his 1st Miracle, and his 1st Confrontation with the Religious Leaders. MY 1st thought was ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Act Of Remembrance Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 19, 2014

Mary is remembered as a devoted disciple of Christ. She honored Him by giving her best. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Judas conspired with the religious leaders in betraying Jesus.

Mark 14:1-11 An Act of Remembrance We are headed towards Jerusalem! 33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Think You Are?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 16, 2013

Jesus had been spending some time trying to show the religious leaders who he was. Everyone must answer the question for themselves-who is Jesus?

“WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?” John 8:48-59 1) Who did the Jews think Jesus was? • Someone who was demon-possessed (vs. 48). The Jews were responding to all the things Jesus was telling them in the previous passage. Unfortunately, instead of being humble and accepting that they weren’t what they ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-59

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Your Neighbor (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Mar 20, 2014

This was the standard God gave the Jews a long time ago, but the religious leaders had water it down, so that the Jewish people could help who they wanted to help.

Matthew 5:43-48-“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Rebels (Joseph And Nicodemus) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#2 in series, about 2 guys who broke free from religion’s rules and traditions, to serve Jesus.

John 19:38-42 – Were You There? #2 – Religious Rebels (Joe and Nick) As we continue through our pre-Resurrection series, or our Passion series, we come to 2 unlikely heroes in the mix. Last week, we examined the lives of the religious leaders, and how their adherence to the rules combined with ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

How To Motivate People

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

HOW TO MOTIVATE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR TRADITIONAL VALUES When it comes to getting people motivated some religious leaders love to use fear, guilt and shame.

HOW TO MOTIVATE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR TRADITIONAL VALUES When it comes to getting people motivated some religious leaders love to use fear, guilt and shame. However, fear, guilt and shame are only effective in motivating most people in the short run. Actually, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guilty Or Not Guilty Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2003

This sermon uses a non-traditional style to expound the text. A court proceeding is set up and narrated to communicate Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders of His day. It was fun to preach!

Guilty or Not Guilty Fortifying the Foundations # 13 John 5:16-47[1] 8-3-03 Intro: I want you to come with me to a courtroom this morning. There with the prosecution at this table[2] are a number of well-dressed men. They are well known in the community, experts in the law and highly ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-47, John 2:16

Denomination: Charismatic

What Does It Takes To Enter God's Kingdom Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

Jesus made a shocking statement to the religious leaders who were around Him. He says: “The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

What Does It Takes To Enter God’s Kingdom Matt.21: 28-32 Note: Some materials of this sermon are taken from sermoncentral.com This morning, we will study the parable of the two sons. The Lord addressed this parable to the religious leaders who were around him that time to find reasons to accuse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust And Obey God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 5, 2024

Jesus tells parables to warn the religious leaders not to remain in their unbelief and disobedience. We are called to believe and obey God. We obey Him because He loves us.

Matt 21:33-46 TRUST AND OBEY GOD We just read a parable by Jesus this morning – the parable about the evil tenants. • If you take a look at what He said before and after, you will notice that Jesus spoke THREE parables in a row. • The first one was the parable of the two sons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Shouldn’t I Trust What The Preacher Says? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 27, 2021

This passage showcases the myriad of problems created when you have self-confident religious leaders. How do we avoid that problem with today's preachers?

OF COURSE I SHOULD: If the preacher is God’s messenger, shouldn’t I trust what he says? - Many presume that they should just trust everything that the preacher says. - This passage is a reminder to us in a myriad of ways that religious leaders aren’t always on point. SO MANY MISTAKES IN THIS ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-52

Denomination: Baptist

Put Your Rock Down

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 1, 2025

Picture this scene: a woman is dragged into the temple courts, humiliated, exposed, guilty. A crowd gathers with stones in hand, ready to enforce the law. Religious leaders stand with accusations prepared.

Introduction Picture this scene: a woman is dragged into the temple courts, humiliated, exposed, guilty. A crowd gathers with stones in hand, ready to enforce the law. Religious leaders stand with accusations prepared. But then Jesus does something unexpected—He bends down and writes in the dust, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Are You Righteous Or Religious

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 28, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain". Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.”

Are You Righteous or Religious? By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - A couple of weeks ago I did a message titled “What Kind of Spirit do you Have”? I love how God sends and uses confirmation. My brother Mark also has been dealing with something very similar and dealing with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Micah 6:8

Denomination: Apostolic

Moses - An Embattled Leader Series

Contributed by Thomas Monroe on Nov 9, 2002

Continuing with the life of Moses. This message - looking at his dealings with the Golden Calf.

Moses - An Embattled Leader Exodus 32 Every leader must: I. Expect doubters! A. Moses had his! (37:1-2, 22-24) 1. Aaron 2. The people B. God had His! 1. Satan (Job’s life) 2. The Pharisees 3. The disciples (Peter, Thomas) C. We will have ours! II. Care - Even when we don’t ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35

Denomination: Baptist