Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 5, 2025

As Jesus confronted the "false religious" on-goings in the Temple, we must ask if we are willing to confront sin, cast it out, and live a life devoted to Him? Or, will we allow our own desires and emotions to lead us?

John, Part 9 Series: Jesus’s First Public Events, Part 2 John 2:12-22 - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here today; dismiss children -- Continuing series; REM: John less focused on chronology; purpose (redeem) - Read John 2:12-22 / Pray Point 1 – Confronting Sin ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-22, Psalm 69:9, Revelation 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Perspectives Influence Actions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many religious reactionaries are told, "Your actions are speaking so loud I cannot hear what you are saying!" James wrote with similar thinking in chapter 2:14,17 when he wrote, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has not deeds? In the same way, faith in itself, if it

Many religious reactionaries are told, "Your actions are speaking so loud I cannot hear what you are saying!" James wrote with similar thinking in chapter 2:14,17 when he wrote, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has not deeds? In the same way, faith in itself, if it ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian And The Tongue

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 13, 2001

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Peacemakers are continua

The Christian and the Tongue By Pastor CG 1. The Mark Of Perfection. (James 1:26; 3:1-12; Proverbs 12:18; 13:3; 15:4; 18:8, 21; Luke 6:45; 1 Peter 3:10; Romans 3:13) James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Fatal Flaws Of Religion Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 17, 2006

As we finish Romans 2 this morning, we’re going to learn that many believers today are “cheater Christians,” because they’re fooling themselves and others. Too many religious people have pretty packaging on the outside but have downsized the amount of sp

The Fatal Flaws of Religion Romans 2:17-29 Rev. Brian Bill 6/25/06 I’ve been fascinated and frustrated about something for many years. Have you noticed how companies are shrinking the size of their products while keeping the packaging the same? The result is less product while the price stays ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of Salvation

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Aug 14, 2004

When you look around at the religious world one soon learns that there are many ideas concerning the way of salvation. Some people encourage you to "Choose the Church of Your Choice," but do we really have that choice? The bible teaches that when one co

The Way of Salvation Ephesians 2:8¡X10 INTRODUCTION When you look around at the religious world one soon learns that there are many ideas concerning the way of salvation. Some people encourage you to "Choose the Church of Your Choice," but do we really have that choice? The bible teaches that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Unmasking The Hypocrite Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 16, 2008

Jesus did something no one else had done...He stood up to the religious bullies that were leading people astray. There’s much we can learn about hypocrisy here. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Unmasking the Hypocrite Matthew 23:1-39 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/UnmaskingHypocrite.html This is Jesus’ last public message before He dies on the cross. It is stunning...a scathing denunciation of false religion and hypocrisy. Let’s set the scene: Jesus is speaking to 3 groups of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 1: The Gathering Storm Series

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Feb 15, 2008

While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, His formidable anger took many by surprise. He sharply rebuked the religious leaders in Israel for turning their

The Gathering Storm Selected Scriptures Sermon Series: Jesus: The Greatest Life of All From the Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll Introduction While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Happy Are The Clean Minded Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 16, 2011

As Paul was well aware, the Christian life is an unrelenting conflict between our sinful nature and this spirit or heart that God puts in us at our conversion. So the questions are not which church should I attend, am I doing the right religious things? B

If you have read the Gospels you have heard Jesus rebuke the Pharisees, the upstanding religious leaders and lawmakers in Ancient Israel. Well, we don’t know the half of it. They weren’t just talking about the 10 Commandments when they spoke of the laws. Here are some of the over 600 man made rules ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

The Wrong Horse

Contributed by Jeffrey Powell on Mar 29, 2010

Preached Palm Sunday 2010. Many religious people of Jesus' day thought they were winning by killing Jesus. They, like many today inside and outside the church let their isn and pride stand in the way of a true relationship with Christ and lost the race. T

Luke 19vv25-48 The Wrong Horse Two Kentucky farmers who owned racing stables had developed a keen rivalry. One spring, each of them entered a horse in a local steeplechase. Thinking that a professional rider might help him outdo his friend, one of the farmers engaged a crack jockey. The two horses ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-48

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Of Able Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Jul 3, 2014

In this study we'll notice what kind of faith God recognizes, both Able and Cain had been told by their parents Adam and Eve the only kind of sacrifice that God would except, Cain is a picture of religious people trying to get to heaven by WORKS.

#2 ~ Heb. 11: 4 ~ABEL~ (HALL OF FAITH CHAPTER) 4-19-14 Today we'll continue with our study of Hebrews chapter 11: -- often called "the hall of faith chapter" also the "catalog of the faithful." -- Paul, or the writer first mentioned the O.T. faithful back in Heb. 6:12. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Christ: Our Divine Teacher, Part 2

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 4, 2022

Nicodemus had been confronted with the fact that his religious zeal will not make him righteous before God. It is only by being "born again" through the work of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins that we are forgiven and restored to a true relationship with God.

The mark of a true learner is his or her willingness to be corrected of an erroneous belief or idea that would tend to deter them from seeking the truth about a subject of interest or topic of discussion. They are not so immovable in their thinking to where they refuse to consider anything else ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 24:4-10, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Isaiah 45:22, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen The Perfect Example Of Martyrdom

Contributed by Lay Man on May 29, 2015

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where ..

Lord, do not hold this sin against them. - Acts 7:60 Stephen who was a Deacon full of the Holy Spirit was testifying to the religious leaders who crucified Christ just days before. He was dragged out of the temple and city and brought to a place where they started to stone him. Stones were hurled ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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