Sermons on Religious Reformation:

America Today: Calling Evil Good And Good Evil Updated

Contributed by Lee Houston on Feb 26, 2024

Being an old man, I have lived through many changes, changes that caused Americans to disagree, but never have I seen anything like the division and outright hatred we see today. As a pastor, I see our basic problems as religious.

America Today: Calling Evil Good and Good Evil Being an old man, I have lived through many changes, changes that caused Americans to disagree, but never have I seen anything like the division and outright hatred we see today. Here are a few of the things that are causing the division: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20-21

The Pharisees Confront Jesus: What Does It Mean To Be A Hypocrite? An Issue Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 10, 2023

The Pharisees today are often regarded as hypocrites, mean, nasty, people who killed Jesus, and it’s true that they plotted against Jesus. But in general these were not bad people. These were religious leaders trying to help the people live according to God’s ways.

A lot of the scriptures that we look at, I feel like we get to understand another piece of the puzzle about who Jesus really is. It’s like we dive into a moment in history and we get to look over the shoulder of Jesus and see what he does, and why he does it, and we’re amazed. We want to live like ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Before God

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 24, 2019

What determines our standing before God? The Pharisee, tax collector, and disciples give us an answer.

Can there be anything more nerve wracking than being evaluated at work or school? When we are criticized or graded, we are vulnerable and exposed. We may wonder and think, “What will people say or think of me? Is what they are saying true or accurate? Do they truly see my talents and abilities, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-17, Luke 18:9-14, Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Ransom

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 25, 2005

When we think of ransom in a religious sense, especially in Christianity, we think of ransom as a deliverance from sin or its penalty. And yet, someone has to pay for the sin, do they not? As we find in the passage today, Jesus has paid a huge ransom fo

RANSOM Hebrews 9:11-15 INTRODUCTION... Ransom Ransom, is an action packed drama thriller that came out in 1996 starring Mel Gibson and Rene Russo and directed by Ron Howard. The movie focuses on Mel Gibson’s character, Tom Mullen, a rich airline owner, is shocked when his son is kidnapped. He is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is One Way To God Really Fair

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 26, 2006

Last week the unquestionable and unavoidable claims of Christ…this morning I want to address a concern that often arises from the sidelines of such claims… Is one way to God really fair? It’s a big world…with many following religious traditions within t

Last week the unquestionable and unavoidable claims of Christ…this morning I want to address a concern that often arises from the sidelines of such claims… Is one way to God really fair? It’s a big world…with many following religious traditions within their own culture…isn’t Christianity a bit too ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Last Mountain

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 4, 2007

Did you ever wish that leaders were held accountable? Today it seems so many leaders in every field of human endeavor politics, business, sports and even religious leaders get away with their offences and sometimes end up pretty well off. Is there some

The Last Mountain Did you ever wish that leaders were held accountable? Today it seems so many leaders in every field of human endeavor politics, business, sports and even religious leaders get away with their offences and sometimes end up pretty well off. Is there some day of reckoning for ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:48-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Faith Of Jairus

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Oct 6, 2011

In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and went w

Title: The Faith of Jairus Text: Mark 5:21-36 In this text we read about a religious leader named Jairus. His daughter was lying on her deathbed and so Jairus goes to Jesus and tells him about his situation. Notice that as soon as Jairus spoke his faith, Jesus was attracted by that faith and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sabbath Means Rest

Contributed by Jerry Smith on May 17, 2014

Thus, if someone truly wants to observe the Sabbath Day in modern times (New Testament era), that’s a tall order! One that I do not think anyone could keep, because as religious as the Jews were, they could not keep it (Acts 15:10).

SABBATH MEANS REST Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Q: What happens when we operate a cellphone, tablet, ipod, etc. all day? Q: What happens when we ride a horse all day? Q: What happens when we operate an air-conditioner all day? Q: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Real Talk

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Aug 3, 2019

Have you ever felt like your past has disqualified you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life? Have religious people made you feel disqualified? Are you tired of feeling this way? LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

Matthew 9:13 INTRODUCTION: • Have you ever felt like your past has disqualified you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life? • Have religious people made you feel disqualified? (Or is it in your head? The devil will do that too… especially if you are prone to “victim mentality”.) • Are you tired ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:13, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, 1 Corinthians 1:22-29, Mark 10:31, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 John 1:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

"a Hardened Heart In A Healed Body" (Message 11 In Gospel Of John 2021) Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Mar 31, 2021

This message deals with the healing of a man who had been lame for 38 years. Rather than being filled with praise and thanksgiving for the miracle he reported Jesus to the religious authorities to get him in trouble because of his resentment of Jesus for confronting him in his sin.

“A HARDENED HEART IN A HEALED BODY” John 5:1-15 Message 11 in Gospel of John 2021 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ, March 28, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/8YfVvENb5Ro INTRODUCTION: 1.) Over the past few weeks, I have said the miracles of Jesus were to bring people to ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15, Matthew 12:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"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

Jesus The Great I Am

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 7, 2017

Jesus actually claimed to be God and He did so repeatedly. In fact that is why the Jewish religious leaders were so angry with Jesus. He wouldn’t stop making the claim. He had every right to make the claim and the Jews had a right to be angry

Jesus the Great I Am Exodus 3:14 John 4:21-26 John 18:1-8 Philippians 2:6-11 Revelation 1:8 Today I want to show you how you can prove that Jesus claimed to be God by using His own words from the Gospel of John. Using a highlighter you can become a witness for the Lord. This is the easiest ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-26, John 3:14, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Peter 18:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trying To Trap Jesus - The Easter Story - Day 3 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 3, 2023

Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity to kill Him and tried to trap Him with questions. Jesus rebuked them publicly. He spoke parables and talking to his disciples about the end times.

******************* Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. — Cursed the Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14 — Temple Cleansed - Mark 11:15-19, Isaiah 56:7 — Children in the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17, Psalm 8:2 — Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26 The religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-26, Isaiah 56:7, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 22:15-46, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 24:26-43, Luke 21:8-13, Luke 21:18-28, Luke 21:34-36, Mark 13:3-23, Matthew 21:23-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond Blame

Contributed by Sylvan Finger on Jun 12, 2024

Adam and Eve hide from God and blame everyone but themselves. The religious leaders call Jesus anything but good. Why the mix-up of good and evil? But in the midst of all the confusion, God comes to us and leads us to what is right and good and graciously provides rescue.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now have you ever had a difficult time identifying what is good and what is bad? I know diet experts seem to keep changing their mind in what a good diet is. People seem to have different ideas in how to be good stewards with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15, Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Lutheran