Sermons on Religious Preferences:

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

Caesar Or God? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 13, 2022

Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their survival and existence.

Holy Wednesday Theme: Caesar or God? Text: Luke 20:20-26 Introduction: Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Methodist

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

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

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 Lukewarm Church Of Laodecia

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 17, 2019

Lukewarmness is like a dud bomb. Accomplishes not a thing. Jesus Christ prefers us to be passionately against God or, much better, passionately for God. And He disciplines us because He loves us so very much. Thanks to William Barclay's insights which are reflected throughout this message.

November 17 Sermon - The Churches of Revelation - Laodicea So we have come to the end of our look at the churches of Revelation, today being the last day. And it’s been a fascinating journey to see some of the challenges that the early church faced, and how Jesus directly, through this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-20, John 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some People Have Entertained Angels Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Aug 28, 2021

There are a few people that come to you for help and you would prefer not to help them since you don't have any acquaintance with them or they don't have a place with your congregation, yet you have failed to remember that those individuals might be a heavenly messenger of your life.

There are a few people that come to you for help and you would prefer not to help them since you don't have any acquaintance with them or they don't have a place with your congregation, yet you have failed to remember that those individuals might be a heavenly messenger of your life. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:6, Hebrews 13:2

The Trap Of Carnality

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 6, 2003

Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup said, "We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are rema

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possessions, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privilege for selfish reasons) Illustration: That evening, the assassin John Wilks Booth stopped in a saloon near the Ford ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following Jesus To The Cross #2 - Drawing A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Nov 21, 2001

This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.

INTRODUCTION There are many images that come to mind when we think of Easter. -- Easter Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, etc -- Easter Holidays - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. -- Easter Symbols -- Cross, Communion There is a Challenge We Face... -- Each time we experience ...read more

Denomination: *other

Why Shepherds?

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.

Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-20 Introduction The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds. Why? Perhaps He wanted the poor and outcast of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 23, 2007

There is only one power at work in the last week of Jesus’ life - not Pilate’s, not the religious leaders’ - but the power of His love for the world. This power kept Him silent and drove Him to the cross.

John 15:9-13 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Coming Like A Child

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 21, 2005

Christ clearly teaches that it is not religious observance or our goodness that saves. Christ teaches that it simply takes child-like faith. But what does it mean to come to God in child-like faith?

Disclaimer: Concepts and source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledgethese sources whenever possible. COMING LIKE A CHILD LUKE 18:15-17 INTRODUCTION: Sandwiched between the accounts of a Pharisee who believed that he would go to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Handle With Care!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 27, 2008

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard was a stern warning to the Jewish religious leaders of His day. It is also a warning we should heed lest our seat in His kingdom be given to someone else.

-Has it ever happened to you? -Have you ever “lost” something that “belonged” to you? -I don’t mean “lost” and “belonged” in the same way you are thinking -I really mean, has somebody ever given something that you thought should be yours to somebody else instead -How did that feel? Probably about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist