Sermons on Religious Legalism:

The Hero's Power, Position, And Person Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 31, 2012

When the religious authorities fail in their attempt to trip up Jesus with the Scriptures they descend to character assassination. They come dangerously close to eternal separation from God. How can that happen?

No one could deny that Jesus was different than anyone who had ever walked the earth. The words He spoke rang true and reamed His opponents. His actions were unmatched—healing, setting people free from possession and disease. His enemies, the Jewish leaders of the day, tried to trip Him up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:6-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Hot To Trot Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 30, 2009

When God’s leaders, whether secular political, secular business, or church religious leaders, fail, the result is disastrous for both God’s people and those around them.

Some of you are bound to be offended at the title of this sermon. If you are familiar with the slang of a couple of generations ago, this was the ‘40s and ‘50s description of a person who had cast moral considerations aside and wanted to have a hot and heavy affair. It usually denigrated women as ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-10

Denomination: *other

Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem And Jesus Clears The Temple Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 29, 2010

Jesus enters Jerusalem on the colt to the praises of a throng of followers and under the scrutiny of the religious leaders, but His mind is focused on the souls of the city of Jerusalem, which represented God's chosen nation.

Read Luke 19:41-48… Setting the stage: v.41-48 detail the conclusion of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem toward the destined sacrifice He was sent here to make for the sins of the world. For many days Jesus had been on a resolute journey toward the city of Jerusalem. He had predicted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:40-48

Denomination: Baptist

That's What Calvary's For...

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 20, 2016

If we are going to win the lost today we have to have the right mindset. This message attacks religious propaganda and challenges us to embrace the Cross and access what it paid for!

That's What Calvary’s For... Gulf Coast / 1-27-2012 / Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11 “(11) And such were some of you…” Introduction: Talk about Calvary. • Walk through the wounds • Talk about the religious people of Jesus day. o They needed the Cross o Same is true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Corinthians 24:14

Denomination: Church Of God

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus & The Traditions Of The Elders

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 25, 2021

Jesus regularly received criticism from the religious authorities who were seeking to discredit Him. He turned it around as an opportunity to teach us that we need a new heart.

JESUS & THE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS Mark 7:1-23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GETTING IT WRONG 1. Back in the cowboy days, a westbound wagon train was lost and low on food. At last they saw an old Jewish Rabbi, sitting beneath a tree. 2. The leader rushed to him and said, "We're lost ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Healing In The Synagogue Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 22, 2025

Jesus saw a man whose right hand was withered and then, in the synagogue, healed him. Some of the religious leaders were there, too, and were furious with Jesus because of this.

A Healing in the Synagogue Introduction: Jesus healed people in different places at different times. One of the more unusual healings took place when four men carried a paralyzed man to a house but couldn’t enter. They didn’t stop, though: they carried the man up to the roof, opened a hole in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 4) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 13, 2022

It’s critical that we see ourselves and the calling of the disciples was NO different than ours. If we will not share what we know, are we any different than the religious pharisees?

Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for several reasons -- We can clearly see Luke’s genuine interest in people (career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; critical lesson for us - Last week, we unpacked the temptations of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is A Reformed Sinner? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 13, 2022

The individuals who judge others are blameworthy, additionally, of being hypocritical. No one will get away from God's judgment for individual sin, including the religious Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 2:1-16 springs a snare, of sorts, for each peruser who felt that Paul's overwhelming rundown of sins toward the end of Romans chapter 1 was about others. In truth, everybody is at fault for wrongdoing. The individuals who judge others are blameworthy, additionally, of being hypocritical. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

True Conversion Demonstrated Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 24, 2020

This message is an exposition of Philippians 3:7-11. Here Paul offers himself as an example of the changes that occur when a person is truly born again: (1) A Change in Values (2) A Change in Righteousness (3) A Change in Life Goals.

We are in a study of Philippians. Our text today is found in Philippians 3:7-11. We will begin by reading that from the New International Version. “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-11, John 7:22-23, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 8:28-29, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 4:18-22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:19-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Land Of Liberty

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The Christians who came to America to enjoy liberty did not come here to escape the bondage of atheists or humanists, but of other Christians. In our Western history it has been Christians who have been the greatest opponents of religious liberty.

Liberty is America's second name. We have such national symbols as the Statue Of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and the songs of liberty like My Country Tis Of Thee-sweet land of liberty, of thee of I sing. The Preamble to our Constitution says, "We the people...in order to establish ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 34:8-22

Pigheaded Pigpen Living

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Aug 13, 2018

God has given us spiritual teachers, but we don't always listen. When we go our own way, we are being pigheaded. Also a discussion of the legalistic pouty older brother.

Luke 15:18 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, For years I have mentored people in the faith. I have always taken joy in teaching others, even long before I was saved, so mentoring kind of came naturally to me. But ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

A Better Way To Live, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 3 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

Most of you know that I grew up as a pastor’s kid (for some of you, that explains everything). And my dad became an expert over the years at helping wounded churches become healthy…today we call that revitalization. And during the time that I lived at home, he pastored three different churches…and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Curse Of The Law

Contributed by John Lowe on May 18, 2016

Salvation could never come by obedience to the Law, because the Law brings a curse, not a blessing. The Law demands obedience, and this means obedience in all things. The Law is not a “religious cafeteria” where people can pick and choose.

Tom Lowe 5/17/16 The Curse of the Law (3.10-12) Galatians 3.10-12 (KJV) 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Getting To The Heart Of Things – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 6, 2007

Jesus never liked bullies - still doesn’t either. Today we get a look at how Jesus dealt with the religious bullies of His time, the very people who would soon be His worst enemies.

Have you ever heard somebody let somebody else “have it” and feel a sense of glee over it? Ever seen someone let a bully “have it” and felt a sense of awed relief that bordered on giddiness? I can remember an incident back in my early youth when a bully who had been picking on a friend of mine and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational