Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Lay, Ordained, And Orders Called To Follow Him

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 19, 2023

no matter our position in the church, we are all called to follow Jesus

Matthew 4:12-23 Many stories within the Bible are known as ‘call stories.’ A call story tells how God invites someone to become something new and unexpected. God calls this person to begin and not only begin but persist so that this new thing can occur. One day Andrew, Simon, James, and John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Episcopal

"Relationship Vs. Religion” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 1, 2019

Paul warns about threee subtles deceptions about living the Christian life that can cause us to get detoured from focusing on a growing love relationship with God.

Having discussed how our victory over the power of sin and the temptations to sin provided by the flesh, the world and the devil in our daily lives has been provided for through Christ death, burial and resurrection; Paul now addresses three subtle detours that can get the child of God. These ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness Without Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 23, 2016

Legalistic list makers focus on having clean hands; the Lord gives us clean hearts.

Holiness Without Hypocrisy Mark 7:1-13 Rev. Brian Bill July 23-24, 2016 More than 200 years ago, Edward Gibbon wrote a six-volume series called, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He spent 20 years studying the Roman Empire to find out how a nation that was so great suddenly ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Faith? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 2, 2012

What is the real nature of faith? We often think it is blind trust in Jesus to give us what we ask for. In reality faith means a transformation of how you think of life, needs, and your relationship with Jesus.

In this portion of Chapters 7 and 8 Jesus puts His men into several situations to show them what it means to rely on Jesus. Sadly, they don’t get it, but it gives us some great direction on how to trust Jesus in our lives. We leave a situation where Jesus encountered the Pharisees who thought ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Divine Inspired Conversation Series

Contributed by Nicolas Campbell on Jul 7, 2012

Dramatic monologue of Nicodemus talking with Joseph of Arimathea

Nicolas Campbell John 3:1-15 “Divine Inspired Conversation” Dramatic monologue 1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian Church

Peter's Conflict With The Religious Leaders Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 16, 2020

Any progress in the Christian life will face opposition

Peter's conflict with the religious leaders Acts 4:1-22 1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 being grieved that they taught the people, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Nicodemus' Religious Blindness Lesson 8 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 6, 2023

Why must a person be born again?

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 3:1-8 1. Positive things about Nicodemus: a. Sanhedrin, “ruler of the Jews” (3:1). b. Defended Jesus. “Does our law judge any man before it hears him” (John 7:51). c. Secret believer. “Joseph of Arimathaea … disciple of Jesus but secretly … also Nicodemus” ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Religious Would Always Attack The Message Of Grace

Contributed by Richard Papafio on Oct 2, 2018

DONT STOP PREACHING THE MESSAGE OF GRACE AND NEITHER MIX GRACE AND THE LAW

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Topic: THE RELIGIOUS WOULD ALWAYS ATTACK THE MESSAGE OF GRACE Acts 21:17-40 King James Version (KJV) 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-40

Denomination: Charismatic

Can You Take That (Religious) Mask Off!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 30, 2020

Can You Take That (Religious) Mask Off! - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (A). Three Negative Truths: • Negative Truth #1: Don't be hypocritical (vs 5). • Negative Truth #2: Don't be limit your praying to public places (vs 6). • Negative Truth #3: Don't use meaningless repetition (vs 7). (B). Three Positive Truths: • Positive Truth #1: We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Denomination: Brethren

When Do Religious People Whoop It Up?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 15, 2007

God invites us to share his joy when someone who was lost, is found.

Title: When Do Religious People Whoop It Up? Text: Luke 15:1-10 Thesis: God invites us to share his joy when someone who was lost, is found. Introduction Have you ever lost something you really treasured… something you would really like to find? After reading the text for today, I thought ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Part Iii - The Religious Leaders – The Voice Of Apathy Series

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Dec 15, 2007

This is part three in a series looking at the different characters in the Christmas narrative and what we can learn from their contributions.In this case the religious elite of this time seemed completely apathetic to the idea of the advent of the Christ.

The Voices of Christmas Part III The Religious Leaders – the Voice of Apathy The greatest event in human history has taken place. The Messiah has been born in the City of David. The King of kings has made a very humble entry into the world. He was not born in Jerusalem, neither was His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Change The World Without Being Religious Series

Contributed by Adrian Warnock on Feb 15, 2007

What are the identity markers of the Christian?

Changing the World- one person at a time. How to Change the world without being religious (Acts 10) Why study Acts? Not just a story but a template for how church should be Acts is the key to understanding the rest of the NT Acts shows why Jesus died- to start the church Acts provides the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Beyond The Church Walls: Just For The 'religious' Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Mar 25, 2014

The final sermon in the Kindred United Series, this sermon shows the difference between "religion" and "relationship", and shows how we should do more than just sit in a pew on Sunday; we should serve others in need, and do so in love.

Beyond The Church Walls--Just For The Religious This week, we wrap up the teaching series "Kindred United". This series, nine messages in all, ended up going much longer than I had expected. We have learned, first of all, that the overarching thought of "loving God, loving others" starts with ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Bible Church