Sermons on Religious Legalism:

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

Nurtured In The Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 30, 2009

Jesus was brought up in a family that actively participated in the religious traditions and rituals of their faith. Being brought up in the community of believers prepared Jesus for his earthly ministry.

Luke 2:41-52 “Nurtured in the Faith” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed how quickly Christmas is celebrated and then forgotten? The stores have already started removing their Christmas decorations and replacing them with Valentines Day. The radio stations have stopped playing Christmas Carols, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

To An Unknown God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 15, 2010

Our world is incurably religious and is filled with people on a spiritual search. We find it easy to talk religion, but our calling is to share our relationship with the living Christ.

We are incurably religious! Wherever you go, you will find that people are religious. We are groping for something we never quite find. Ride with me up and down Sixteenth Street, here in the city, or out New Hampshire Avenue, past Colesville. The architecture is ample proof that people are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Fly High - Acts Part 7 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 20, 2006

God uses ordinary even notorious people to do his work for the Kingdom of God. Paul the religious terrorist meets Grace and changes into the Preacher of grace and mercy.

“Fly High” - Acts part 7 On the lighter side of life: Picture from Jennifer Opening Illustration: Religion has produced more terrorists than non-religion. Just take a look at the Middle East and also at The Crusades. Also take a look at this article RELIGIOUS TERRORISM Tragically, all major ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Battlefield Wounds Of Christ

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Apr 14, 2006

Jesus means for the Communion service to be a lot more than just a religious observance, but to keep fresh in our minds the act of sacrificial love He has for us.

Turn your Bibles to Matthew 27: 28 – 31 Title: The Battlefield Wounds of Christ Theme: Remembering His Cost was Our Gain Introduction: When I first got started in the Arabian Horse business, my parents and I attended a special coronation celebration for a beautiful Arabian Stallion. On a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wise And The Foolish

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 3, 2006

Is all that religious stuff necessary? The foolish found out, as you will, when the rapture takes place and when you find the door shut in your face.

THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH Matt 25:1-13 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

Those Rebellious Talkers And Deceivers

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2013

Who are these rebellious people and how are we supposed to respond to them? 1- They were religious but rebellious 2- They were teachers but liars 3- They were to be rebuked and silenced

INTRO.- ILL.- William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist, social commentator and motion picture actor. He was one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s. Known as "Oklahoma's Favorite ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wickedness Revealed Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 21, 2010

Though sinners may seem to prosper, they & the whole system of religious, political & commercial ungodliness, that will so powerfully dominate the earth & its people, will also ultimately fail.

ZECHARIAH 5: 5-11 (THE 7TH VISION) WICKEDNESS REVEALED [Revelations 17:1-6, 15-16] Religious Lawlessness & the World Commercial System. The previous vision of The Flying Scroll is related to this vision of The Woman in the Basket in that they refer to the judgment which flagrant, persistent ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Pollution In The Soul Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 27, 2009

Jesus is confronted by the religious elite that His disciples weren’t washing correctly. Jesus tells the Pharisical hypocrites they have more problems than that to worry about.

Pollution in the Soul Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

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

Understanding Baptism

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

There's a lot of confusion in the religious world regarding baptism. In this lesson, we'll survey the NT teaching on the ancient practice and learn the why's behind doing it.

The words of Ananias in Acts 22:16 are simple to understand. There’s nothing complicated about them. Nothing complex or ambiguous; “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” And yet the religious world of today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16

Denomination: *other

True Leadership

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 31, 2017

When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good?

Prelude When is religious authority right and wrong? How should we behave in an imperfect church? Should we quit church and return to the devil or stay and be a force for good? Let’s look at Jesus’ blunt assessment of human religious leadership in Matthew 23:1-12 and see if we can learn a better ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Have To Keep Being Extra Faithful? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Our religious ritual can make us feel like we are the extra faithful when we are really failing to give God what He wants.

- We had several night visions one after the other in the chapters up to this point in Zechariah. As we come into chapter 7, two years have passed. And there are signs of progress on the temple – the walls are rising! - So is everything great? Not exactly. - The people of Bethel come with a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist