Sermons on Religious Legalism:

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Manages His Vineyard Well

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 18, 2025

Jesus reworks the old parable of the vineyard to fit the new barbarism. He directs the moral at the human vineyard managers, the religious and secular men who treat the Law and Temple as their personal fiefdom.

Friday of the Second Week of Lent 2025 St. Matthew’s Gospel is moving toward its climax, which is called Holy Week. Frequently we see Jesus crossing swords verbally with his adversaries. Jesus was an out-of-towner, considered a religious zealot and “hick” by the secular and religious authorities ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:22, Genesis 37:3-4, Genesis 37:12-13, Genesis 37:17-28, Psalm 105:16-21, Matthew 21:33-43, Matthew 21:45-46, Matthew 21:44, John 11:49-51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

The Judgment Of The Almighty Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 12, 2022

The Old Testament prophets predicted a day so alarming that even those who are religiously careless wake from their moral sleepiness. They frequently refer to it as “that day” when the nations are judged.

It is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time, Shawshank Redemption was released nearly thirty years ago in 1994. It became an instant classic telling the tale of an innocent man in prison who eventually gains his freedom through a satisfying escape plan. And if watched any TV in the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:33, Romans 12:19, Malachi 3:17, Malachi 3:2, Acts 17:30-31, Luke 6:23, Matthew 19:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Romans 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 5:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"Magic, Mystery, Miracle”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 20, 2022

The theme is take from Leonard Sweet the message of Christmas. In our society, there are two great religious holidays—Christmas and Easter. The green wreath of Christmas is juxtaposed to the Good Friday wreath of thorns.

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2022 Text: Matthew 1:20b-23 Christmas Eve - Redeemer “Magic, Mystery, Miracle” Christmas is here. I’m sure you went through rolls of scotch tape in order to decorate all the Christmas gifts. Your scotch tape was probably made by the 3M ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23, Luke 2:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Holy But Haughty – The Trap Of Spiritual Pride Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Jun 23, 2025

"Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all religious diseases. It feeds on orthodoxy, grows in the shadows of ministry, and disguises itself as righteousness while it quietly kills humility." — Jonathan Edwards

Title: Holy but Haughty – The Trap of Spiritual Pride Text: Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) “ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Escaping The Trap Series

Contributed by David Asch on Feb 16, 2005

How do we escape the traps of life, religion, etc? How do we get out, how do we keep out? In this message we discover the keys as we see some religious leaders try to trap Jesus.

ESCAPING THE TRAP Mark 12:13-27 INTRO: Pitch the hamster – feeling trapped. A hum-drum existence, punctuated by brief moments of excitement. Eat the food. Run on the wheel. Over and over again. Not able to be all a hamster could be. You could tell it was getting to her – more urgent climbing and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#16 Who Is Jesus?—2 Opinions, 1 Truth Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 3, 2020

Jesus’ family thought He was insane and the scribes though He was demon possessed. This led to Jesus teaching on the unforgivable sin.

#16 Who Is Jesus?—2 Opinions, 1 Truth Series: Mark May 3, 2020 Chuck Sligh TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 3:20. NOTE: PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30

Denomination: Baptist

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 28, 2010

Why wouldn’t people love their neighbors? And do I have to love myself before I can show this kind of love to others?

Today is our Friend Sunday, and many of you invited your neighbors to worship with you this morning. So, this morning I thought I’d give you a little quiz on neighbors. Years ago PBS featured a program where the host would enter the studio, take off his cardigan sweater, and his dress shoes and put ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

How can Jesus say anger is equivalent to murder? Killing a human being has such greater consequences and is so much more extreme. This message will show how the two sins have the same DNA and will expose how even our best efforts to obey God’s Word can degenerate into legalism.

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-21

The New Life In Christ (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Nov 22, 2010

If we are trying to live our lives under our own steam then we are under legalism. Jesus has set us free from rules and regulations in how we live our life – so we can freely worship Jesus and experience freedom living for him.

Romans “The New Life in Christ” Romans 5:1-8:39 Intro: Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome addresses: 1. Who needs to be a Christian? 2. Why I need to be Christian? 3. How Can I become a Christian? 4. How does a Christian live his/her life? We have already looked to the first ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Timothy Mills on Oct 13, 2002

Exegetical, verse-by-verse exposition of John 5:1-17. "The only teaching more dangerous than liberalism is legalism, but Jesus is Lord. In Ch.1, Jesus is Lord of creation; in ch. 2, disciples, customs, & Temple; in ch. 3 plan of salvation; in ch. 4, gend

1) He is Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus went to an unnamed, but obligatory, feast. Jesus went to church habitually, Luke 4:16 “and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.” His habit was to go to synagogue on the Sabbath. Worship on Sunday should be our habit as it was Jesus’. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16, John 5:1-17

Book Of Judges Introduction Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2023

he term JUDGE doesn’t mean someone who sits in a court and decides legal issues. The Hebrew word shaphat has more of the idea of a heroic leader, ruler, saviour, or deliverer.There were fourteen judges in the book, including Deborah and Barak, who served as co-judges.

LESSON 1 Judge: The term JUDGE doesn’t mean someone who sits in a court and decides legal issues. The Hebrew word shaphat has more of the idea of a heroic leader, ruler, saviour, or deliverer. “The Hebrew word Shophetim means to put right and to rule. The English title is somewhat misleading with ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Watch Them Dogs

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 22, 2001

The purpose of this sermon is to move the hearers to LOOK-OUT for religious leaders (which are spiritually blind, greedy, and lazy) that will attempt to turn them against the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ through their WORDS AND ACTIONS.

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Stewart, Georgia References: Acts 21:40 (ex. Of Paul’s ability to address folk in the Hebrew Tongue/Language); Ezekiel 33:2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Chr. 12:32 (ex. Of the prophets understanding what Israel ought to do); Romans 8:26-27 (… the spirit enabling the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2, Philippians 3:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Saviour's Concern And Our Concern

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 5, 2004

Our Lord came into a world that believed that God cared only for the good and obedient. The people of his day thought that God was impassive and unconcerned and unmoved about those who were non religious.

The Saviour’s concern and our concern Text: Luke 15:2 “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Introduction Our Lord came into a world that believed that God cared only for the good and obedient. The people of his day thought that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fear This!

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 29, 2007

Part IV in the series - 24. This is a first person narrative account from the perspective of Pilate. The preaching idea: Jesus’ faith, unlike the religious people of his day, was genuine. How about yours?

Introductory Remarks… Over the past three weeks we’ve met three characters who were present during the final hours in the life of Jesus Christ. We began this unique series of sermons with a visit from a man who purportedly owned the house in which the Last Supper took place. Two weeks ago we met ...read more

Denomination: Methodist