Sermons on Religious Legalism:

The Heart Of The Matter: When Tradition Makes A Trespasser

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 4, 2025

This sermon delivers Jesus' powerful warning that religious traditions can become a dangerous substitute for God's commands, leading to a worthless worship from a heart that is far from Him.

Introduction: The Danger of Good Habits Traditions can be wonderful things. They give us a sense of identity and rhythm. They connect us to our heritage and to our families. In the life of faith, traditions and habits—like coming to church, praying before a meal, or reading our Bibles—can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Consequential Dinner Conversation With Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 6, 2025

As Jesus shares a meal with several religious leaders, He shares insights into how God's people should act with humility, express generous hospitality, and respond to the gospel call with honor.

Conversations over meals can be consequential in variety of ways. slow down and be together Share stories Get to know one another (Tell me something about you that will help me understand or truly know you better- Dobson) Teach and learn biblical truths Influence CG meals Family meals Wedding or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-24, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 29:23, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 6:32-36, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, James 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1, Revelation 4:10, Matthew 6:1-4, Deuteronomy 24:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Answer To Prejudice And Discrimination

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

In this my adaption of a sermon by Eric Carey-Holt, I have focused on what I believe to have been the Lord’s original intent in His parable of the “Good Samaritan”, addressing the problem of racial discrimination, and socio-economic, gender, and religious prejudice.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, we invite you to visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) One researcher found in a survey that 49% of the people interviewed said they would be able to tell the story of the Good Samaritan if asked to do so, 45% said they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: United Methodist

"Tricky Words, Tricky Questions”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 16, 2020

Taxes, Taxes California is considering a "Wealth and Exit Tax" Religious leaders need Jesus dead. Jesus would have said, "Whose image is on you?" “Are you reflecting God’s character?” if the discussion continued. It did not.

In Jesus Holy Name October 18, 2020 Text: Matthew 21:45,46a, 22:15 Redeemer “Tricky Words, Tricky Questions” Benjamin Franklin has often been quoted as saying, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Many have figured out ways ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Islam's War On The West Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 20, 2012

What to look out for in the future, and what is going on between Islam and America right now.

Exposing Satan’s End Time Terror Series Islam’s War on the West Chester First Baptist Church Dr. Mike Fogerson April 15 2012 A. 1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The First Shall Be Last, And The Last Shall Be First

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 22, 2015

Jesus says that it isn’t the religious folk who are first in the kingdom of heaven. It is those who are most open to turning their lives around who are first in line, those who take action when Jesus says, “follow me”.

It’s painful to have someone you trust tell you that they are going to do something for you---and they don’t. Many of us can tell stories about people who have let us down by making promises and then not following up on them. For example, there is a story of a young widow whose husband ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Anglican

I Never Knew You Series

Contributed by Chuck Morley on Sep 30, 2004

Is it possible to spend your life in church and your eternity in hell?

I Never Knew You! (Can A Christian Go To Hell?) Imagine, for a moment what it would be like to die and open your eyes in hell. Even more terrifying is if you had spent your life in church, supposedly doing all the right things. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Honors A Contrite Spirit

Contributed by Val Black on Jul 14, 2006

The Lord honors a contrite (broken) spirit more than a "religious" one. Often times traditons & doctrines of men appeal to the flesh but God is searching for a broken spirit to love, honor by His Presence and to renew.

God Honors A Contrite Spirit Luke 7:36-49 Wed. Evening – July 12, 2006 I. Luke 7:36 (KJV) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat (or food). The word “desired” isn’t used in other translations. Most of them say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-49

Denomination: Charismatic

The Search For Significance

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 5, 2003

Wherever groups of people are gathered you can observe behaviors revealing a universal "search for significance." The group may be political, commercial, social or even religious, but the signs will be there. The drive for significance seems to be a part

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:20-28 INTRODUCTION Wherever groups of people are gathered you can observe behaviors revealing a universal "search for significance." The group may be political, commercial, social or even religious, but the signs will be there. The drive for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Faith Triumphs Over Prejudice

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed al

1. Prejudice is at the heart of much of the resistance to Christ and His message. In the first century, the religious leaders thought of their knowledge of truth to be superior to that of Christ, the upstart carpenter’s son. Things have not really changed all that much in 2000 years. People ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:7-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Know God

Contributed by Greg Smart on Nov 11, 2002

Many different ideas about God. From the atheist who believes there is no God. To the religious pharisee who would believe you’d go to hell if you don’t live a perfect life.

HOW TO KNOW GOD The fool has said in his heart there is no God. Ps 14:1. Many people today have their own ideas about God. Atheist, no God. Many people think of God as granddaddy, sit up on my lap and everthing will be alright. Religious, everything from God don’t care what we do just as long as ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Fulfillment Of 69 Weeks (4 Of 6) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Sep 2, 2002

All religious books claim to be the word of God, but prophecy sets the Bible apart as having God’s seal of authentication. This section looks at the exact fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy from the decree to the Messiah.

(Part 4 of 6) According to the angel of God, once the decree to rebuild Jerusalem went forth, God’s people would know for certain that the Messiah would be in Israel in 483 years. This is a fascinating prophecy that opens up scripture and indisputably points to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. God told ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44, Daniel 9:25

Denomination: Baptist

Christ's Most Remarkable Convert Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Mar 7, 2008

Difficult to Choose the Most Remarkable Convert Converts among the rich: Joseph of Aramathea Converts among the religious: Nicodemas Converts among the rejected: The Woman at the Well The Most remarkable May be the Thief of the Cross- The pat

Disclaimer Please note that all my sermons come from the Lord. But I get my info from many sources from my library and other sources. I do not claim all material as my originality. I don’t quote all sources but I give credit to the Lord who is the author of all sermons. “All originality and no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

The Table Of The Lord

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Feb 3, 2007

The threat of religious ritual is ever looming for church goers. There are many things that we have done hundreds of times, but we must always take the time to remember their significance, as it is with Communion. Lest we forget...

A little girl asked her mother one Sunday morning as she was preparing lunch, “Mommy, why do you cut off the ends of the ham before you cook it?” The girl’s mother turned and looked at her and said, “Oh, sweetie, I’m not really sure why, but I suppose you cut the ends off of the meat so that the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29