Sermons on Religious Legalism:

"Look To Jesus And Live!"

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Apr 20, 2016

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. He discovers that his broken religious system cannot save him. Jesus tells him he must be born again (born from above - born by God). He explains to him to Look to Jesus and Live!

“Look to Jesus and Live” John 3:1-17 “Religion can be boring. You don’t have to do any research to prove the point. Just compare the crowd at church with the crowds that attend baseball or football games. Apparently there is no excitement at church that compares with ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jesus Tells Date Of His Crucifixion Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 12, 2019

Here in this passage, Jesus predicts His death at the hand of the ones who should have been the first to accept him as Israel’s Messiah. It is incredible that these religious leaders perpetrated history’s greatest crime during Israel’s holiest festival.

JESUS TELLS DATE OF HIS CRUCIFIXION INTRODUCTION Life presents us with many opportunities; how we respond to them depends on what we love and what we look for in life. The Jewish leaders looked for the opportunity to destroy Jesus, while at the same time Jesus was anticipating the opportunity ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Complaints Into A Celebration

Contributed by Paul Sizemore on Oct 10, 2016

Jesus was often judged harshly by the religious authorities in his day. The Pharisees and the scribes believed wrongly that he was condoning the sins of people whose company he shared. Instead Christ came to make of them "new creations" (2 Cor. 5:17).

“Turning Complaints into a Celebration” Luke 15:1-10, Proper 19-C September 11, 2016 “Grumble”: It’s an interesting word isn’t it? And here we find it in the second verse of our Gospel lesson today. “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Real Repentance

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2014

Repentance... How would you define it? It may be the case if I asked every person in this room to give me a definition of repentance, I may get quite a few different answers. This is a subject that I believe is greatly misunderstood in the religious world

Repentance... How would you define it? It may be the case if I asked every person in this room to give me a definition of repentance, I may get quite a few different answers. This is a subject that I believe is greatly misunderstood in the religious world, including amongst the Lord’s people. ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Christ: Our Divine Teacher, Part 1

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 30, 2021

John 3 introduces us to Nicodemus, a religious man who seemed sincere in wanting to know more about Jesus. He received the greatest lesson in that a real relationship with God is made possible only by the finished work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection.

The third chapter of John's Gospel gives us a portrait of the Lord Jesus as the Divine Teacher. He has already been presented as the Light, The Word of God, the Lamb of God, and the Messiah. Now He gives His attention to teach us how to flee the darkness of this world and come to the Light, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21, John 7:51, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Numbers 21:4-10, Acts 16:31, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Thinking

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Sep 19, 2021

One of the greatest dangers in life is the misunderstanding of a concept. Because of misunderstandings we have many different belief systems, different religious ideas, people have been called heretic, crazy, looney, and many other names all because there is a misunderstanding of concept.

Kingdom Thinking By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: Now let me explain this before someone gets the wrong concept. One of the greatest dangers in life is the misunderstanding of a concept. Because of misunderstandings we have many different belief systems, different religious ideas, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Apostolic

Simon Magus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 11, 2022

Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for the position, is named after Simon, who tried to buy his way into the power of the Apostles.

Simon Magnus Simon and Peter were intense rivals until Simon challenged Peter's authority and fell out of the sky. Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

It's Not Christian Politics

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 27, 2024

We cannot let the rhetoric of racial division, prejudicial chaos, and religious rhetoric continue. We must give unto Ceasar the political system what is theirs and give to God what belongs to Him and that is our hearts, our souls, our minds.

It’s not Christian Politics By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. PRAYER OPENING: - Habakkuk 2:1 says, “I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower and will watch to see what he will say unto me and what I shall answer when I am reproved”. The spiritual duty of a true watchman is a noble, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Psalm 101:7, Revelation 21:8

Denomination: Apostolic

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

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