Sermons on Religious Legalism:

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

The Answer Is No!

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus is too much a threat to Rome, to the Jewish religious authorities, and to the crowds. They all reject his words of life and his invitation to walk in God’s kingdom.

INTRODUCTION In the movie, “The Lion King” there is the classic plot of good versus evil. There is also a sub-plot of Simba learning what it is to be king. He has to answer the question, “Why will he be king?” Is it to have people do his will? Or, is being a king to serve people. A similar ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Great Commandment Of Love Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 27, 2018

Surrounded by legalist and religious tradition within the Temple, Jesus was questioned by an earnest scribe which of all the many commandments was greatest. Jesus answered with a convicting and compelling statement.

The Great Commandment of Love Mark 12: 28-34 Jesus was often questioned and challenged concerning His interpretation of Scripture. Who better to know the word than the Word Himself? In this chapter He was questioned of the Pharisees concerning paying taxes, of the Sadducees concerning the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sermon On Visions Of Heaven

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 16, 2023

Heaven is defined by Wikipedia as a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where deities, angels, souls, saints or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside.

Oswald Chambers, a Scottish evangelist and teacher once remarked: “We look for visions of heaven and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us.” Revelation 21:1-4 confirms: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13, Hebrews 11:16

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

The Church Of Laodecia: Death By Contentment (Revelation 3:14-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 19, 2024

The last of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3 had the reputation of being the church that made Jesus sick due to its religious indifference. Heed the lesson.

The downward slide that started in Ephesus with the loss of their “First Love” culminated with the total apostasy found in the last church mentioned in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, the church located in the city of Laodecia. The city had been founded in 253 B.C. by Antiochus II and named after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:5, Matthew 24:12, Luke 10:2, Proverbs 21:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision Of Divine Encounter In A Transformative Century Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 23, 2025

In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment.

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision of Divine Encounter in a Transformative Century Intro: In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment. Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Jesus' Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' refusal to accept him, he proved to be the Messiah.

Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, fulfilling the prophecies and presenting himself as the Messiah. Despite the religious authorities' rejection, he proved to be the Messiah. A. To fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, Jesus sent for a donkey. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Topics: Passion Of Christ