Sermons on Religious Legalism:

Listening To Unchristian America

Contributed by Jay Robison on Nov 1, 2007

Christianity has an image problem. What can we learn from how those outside the church see the church today. I use Jesus criticism of religious leaders to cause us to think.

I have used sermoncentral along with other resources in this message. James White’s Critical Times email was a starting point. I also referred to Kinnaman’s book. LISTENING TO UnCHRISTIAN AMERICA October 28, 2007 Jay Davis Robison MATTHEW 15:1-12 The Church in America HAS AN IMAGE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Forgivenss

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 14, 2011

Forgiveness enhances our prayers. Forgiveness enhances our faith. Forgiveness enhances our battle with doubt. Forgiveness enhances our fruitfulness. Forgiveness is powerful.

Prayer Keys - Forgiveness “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 In the last few days there was an item on the news about residents in a local neighborhood finding a bobcat in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:25

Denomination: Baptist

Where The Bible Speaks... Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2007

Does it matter if matter if we change Bible terminology? If we add to God’s thinking because we think we can "improve" upon His Word? Consider these thoughts.

OPEN: A man once told of purchasing his first pickup truck. And he also bought a book on gasoline engines because he was afraid of being ripped off at the service station. He wrote: “The first time I took the truck in for repairs, I smugly wrote down what the problem was and what needed to be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Separate Ourselves From The Sins Of The Pharisees

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 22, 2004

Jesus gives us a challenge He gave about the Pharisees. He wants us to show mercy and love to those who need salvation, not just go through the motions of our own religious beliefs

How to Separate Ourselves From the Sins of the Pharisees Jesus said to them, "Be careful and on your guard against the leaven (teaching, corruption, hypocrisy) of the Pharisees and Saducees." (Matthew 16:6) Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the eyes of men. But God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exposing A Myth

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Apr 9, 2004

They are many examples of myths, both scientific and otherwise. And people throughout history have believed them. While it may not seem all that critical to accept scientific myths, the acceptance of religious myths could have devastating consequences. In

Exposing a myth (can be a Power Point Presentation) 1. Exposing a myth – what are myths… Examples… 2. Myths are easily accepted as truth it they have been around a long time. Take the case of the spider. About 350 B.C., the Greek philosopher Aristotle classified the spider as having six legs. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:3

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Should You Fear God? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

We think that grace means there’s nothing to fear in our behavior. And so the sanction of judgment has no place in our lives. But God is gracious and calls us back today to fear the behavior that leads to destruction.

I heard about a young boy that went off to one of these extremely expensive universities, and the bills were coming in monthly to these parents and they were struggling to keep their head above water. One day his mother received a letter from him and he said: “Dear Mom, I’m writing to inform you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Turning The Other Cheek

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The religious leaders of the world can quote their wise and holy men in ways that show they too have many of the values of the Sermon on the Mount. But they have nothing to match the teachings of Christ on the love of one's enemies.

Almost everybody agrees with the Sermon on the Mount in general, but almost nobody can agree to the specifics of the last part of chapter 5. Even Nikita Krushev, an atheist, when he was the leader of Russia, could say he agreed with the Sermon on the Mount, for even in Russia they do not consider ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

The Pressures Off Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 7, 2008

2000 years ago a religious guy met Jesus and was told he was headed down the wrong road and needed to make a u-turn that led to a life where the pressure is off and was never the same again.

The Pressures Off Never The Same Again (8) I hope you are getting pumped up about taking the One Month To Live Challenge. NEXT WEEK – we will kick off the series with an Easter Message. AND THEN – things will really start to rock and roll the week of March 30th when we launch our One Month ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pure In Heart: Defined Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 10, 2023

In this sixth beatitude, we must understand the standard Jesus is setting with the with the phrase "pure in heart.". If we set the standard too low, we fail to enter into the fullness of the blessing. If we set it too high we forsake the pursuit as futile.

Intro We are studying the Beatitudes with an interest in how to position ourselves for revival. What attitudes of heart are conducive to experiencing more of God’s grace and participating in what he is doing. The Beatitudes provide insight for participating in the kingdom of God because this is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:21-28, Psalm 51:6-7, 1 John 1:7-9, Psalm 66:18, Matthew 6:1-24, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Jeremiah 17:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You Living By Rules Or A Relationship? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2006

Are you still trying to obey rules and observe rituals to earn God’s favor?

INTRODUCTION During this Grace-Robbers series we have noted there are many people who are still trying to live under law instead of grace. Rules and laws can often be ridiculous, and even funny. Here is a list of ten actual laws from different states. 1. In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Adoption

Contributed by David Scudder on Aug 21, 2010

The word "adoption" is an action noun, so it acts like a verb, i.e. the Holy Spirit performs the act of adopting. In Roman law an adopted child had the exact same position and privileges as a natural born child, e.g. legal standing, or inheritance.

Purpose: To show what spiritual adoption is and what a great privilege it is. INTRODUCTION: ADOPTION huiothesia ^5206^, from huios, "a son," and thesis, "a placing," akin to tithemi, "to place," signifies the place and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong. The word ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Honor Your Father And Mother Series

Contributed by Michael Sawyer on Nov 16, 2013

This covers the commandment to honor our father and mother. Rather than looking from a legal standpoint or even looking at how they could do better as parents, the Bible is telling us that we are responsible for giving honor to those God has put over us.

Honor Your Father and Mother Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. With the start of the fifth commandment, we move from a framework of relationship to God and start to focus on the relationship we have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

What Went Ye Out To See?

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon deals with the 3 questions that Jesus asked the religious pharisees and scribes that looked for fault in him. They provide us an interesting study of today’s world as well.

“What Went Ye Out for to See?” Luke 7:24-28 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 7:24-28 B. Background of John the Baptist – (John 1:6-8; 15-18) (John 1:19-34) C. Concerned about the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jewish leaders sent men to investigate. D. Many today are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia

Contributed by Matthew Doebler on Aug 13, 2003

Teens are interested in religion and religious topics and yet we have such a tough time sharing our faith. Why? What can we do about it?

Youth Rally Sermon Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia There are a lot of phobias out there, aren’t there? You’ve heard of some of them, like aquaphobia, arachnophobia, xenophobia, but here are a few more: Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Condemnation Of All Men

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1.

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1. Spiritual Privileges Do Have Value (:1-2) Question: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Restated: What value ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible