Sermons on Religious Passion:

The Up Close God

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 12, 2009

The up close God wants you to get close to Him if you are willing to be more than religious...

The Up Close God Text: Acts 17:16-34 Intro: After being chased out of Thessalonica & Berea for preaching the good news about Jesus, the apostle Paul spent a few days in the city of Athens. I’m not sure what Athens is like today, but in that time it was a favorite place for philosophers and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Beauty And The Beast Series

Contributed by Martin Holland on Apr 16, 2013

There will be a day as we are beginning to see when politics and religion will join hands in a false political and religious system.

Beauty and the Beast Rev. 17:1-6 The developments in the Vatican the past couple of weeks has a lot to do with the future events of a one world order. The worldwide attention of the electing of a new Pope gives you the feel for how popular that position has become. See: Rev. 17:3 And I saw a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 1: The Need For Humility

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 7, 2008

First message looking at the "woes" that Jesus brings down on the Pharisees and religious leaders during Holy Week

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do!  Part 1 - The Need for Humility Matthew 23:1-12 October 19, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me/We: I’m willing to bet that no one likes a hypocrite. At least no one I know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

John The Baptist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 7, 2013

John the Baptist's message to the religious is that God requires integrity - a real change of heart and not simply intellectual assent

Sermon: The Message of John the Baptist 08-12-2013 Yesterday morning, I was listening to an interviewer on Radio 4 who asked Jimmy Carter, the former US President, what he thought about the idea that some people were likening Nelson Mandela to Jesus. Did Jimmy Carter agree with them? Jimmy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Spiritual Identity Series

Contributed by Bruce B. Miller on Jun 7, 2012

A journey to ancient Corinth, a place of materialism, sexuality and conflicting religious traditions, much like us today.

Spiritual Identity Today we begin our new series. Come on a journey with me to ancient Corinth, a place of materialism, sexuality and conflicting religious traditions, much like us today. Come discover God’s spiritual wisdom for how to live for Christ in a foolish world. The Corinthian Christians ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Is Hell Forever? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Sep 30, 2015

Although unpopular in today's culture of tolerance religious pluralism, the doctrine of hell is necessary for Christians and non-Christians.

Is Hell Forever? Perhaps an even more relevant question is whether there really is a hell? According to a 2003 survey by Barna research, 76% of Americans believe Heaven exists, 71% of Americans believe Hell exists, but only .005 believe that they will be sent there. So, while many people believe ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Christ Bearer"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Mar 27, 2017

When Jesus entered Jerselum on Palm Sunday a donkey was the Christ Bearer, not the disciples, not the crowd, not the religious leaders.

Matthew 21 :1-11 “The Christ Bearer” 1. Matthew tells us that Jesus sends two of his disciples into the village of Bethphage to fetch a donkey and a colt. This is to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Zechariah, “Look, your king is coming to you,” said the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Candlelighting Sermon: The Responses To The First Christmas

Contributed by Roy Hartzell on Dec 19, 2016

The innkeeper's, shepherds', Herod's,religious leaders', wise men's, and Mary's response to Jesus' birth in poem and Hymn.

The Responses To The First Christmas (adapted from “A Savior Has Been Born” by Melvin Newland; sermoncentral.com) Lk 2:1-20 In the last 15-20 years we have seen a lot of change in how people of this country respond to Christmas. There seems to more and more avoidance of the use of the name of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Charity

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Sep 19, 2024

There seems to be a great divide in the accepted meanings for charity and love. In religious terms, Christians think they are one in the same.

When someone speaks of charity or uses the term charity, we immediately turn to the belief someone did a good deed for another who is poor or in need. Sometimes we associate the term with a foundation which accepts monetary donations for the poor. In contrast, with the term love, (which we often ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:25-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Did They Kill Jesus? - Mark 2:6-3:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

Mark uses five conflicts between Jesus and the religious authorities that show how the animosity began and grew.

Five Conflict Stories Does Jesus Christ strike you as a likeable guy? The type of guy most people would look up to and respect, even if they disagreed with his teachings? Most people would say “yes,” but think about how his life ended. It ended in his early 30’s with the crowds in Israel begging ...read more

Christianity Is An Interactive Community Lesson 8 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025

The earthly church is a community of believers. The community of Christians is entirely unique from all other religious gatherings.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Most people want to know God but want to do it outside the established church. Why do people have problems with the existing church? a. Scandals. b. Traditions. c. Dead music. d. Rules/legalism. e. Always asking for money. f. Ingrown/doesn’t reach out. 2. What do we know about ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23, Romans 15:7, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Baptist

We Have No King But Caesar

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 20, 2018

The passion narrative of Jesus, His last 2 weeks is full of detail with theology mixed up with history and politics - indeed a third of each gospel is devoted to the passion of Jesus. Every time you read or hear the account something new hits you.

We have no king but Caesar John 19:15 Today is Passion Sunday, the 1st day of a period of 2 weeks when we focus our thoughts on the arrest, trial, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we know this is a very significant period in the life of Jesus, the climax of His ministry which ...read more

A Big God For Mothers Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Imagine when Paul told his Jewish mother about his conversion. Imagine when his religious mother heard that her favorite son threw off all his religious accomplishments and call them “dung.” She would, no doubt, be crestfallen.

Today is Mother’s Day! Mothers need a big God. Any and every mother would have proud to have a son like Saul of Tarsus. Find Philippians 3 with me as we are going read Saul/Paul’s profound story. Sons and daughters that are great achievers often make their parents proud. Yet, in Saul we have ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Happened To Your Joy? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

There’s no joy in religious legalism. Joyless religion is like going into a nice restaurant and eating the paper menu instead of enjoying the food.

INTRODUCTION We’ve all seen special-occasion cakes that have a message spelled out in the frosting. There’s a collection of pictures of funny messages called Cake Wrecks. Apparently, some of these cake decorators had someone order a cake over the phone and they took their verbal ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

God's Not Dead: Prepare To Give An Answer Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Nov 18, 2014

Convincing unbelievers that God is not dead starts with an intimate relationship with God and a passion in wanting to share that relationship with anyone who will listen.

GOD’S NOT DEAD: PREPARE TO GIVE AN ANSWER A. How many of you have ever had to DEFEND your FAITH in COMMENT: Maybe you had a co-worker who challenged your belief in God? Or had a classmate in school who made fun of you because you went to church? Perhaps the one who you have to defend ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ