Sermons on Religious Rites:

Saved From Shallow Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. He teaches us to practice our faith in private, not for public approval, but to build a solid core of self-giving love.

Today we're going to talk about how Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. You know, the kind of religion that's all about showing off and not about what's really going on inside of us. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a cup. Now, this cup looks super shiny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Faith Journey, Religious Depth, Beyond Superficiality

Jesus Disrupts Dead Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Feb 22, 2024

Jesus disrupts the old system of death and sacrifice, bringing in a new system of love and mercy. He challenges corruption and exploitation, and disrupts our lives to remove anything that hinders us from living abundantly in His love.

Imagine you're at your favorite concert, but instead of enjoying the music, people are selling stuff and ripping you off. That's what Jesus walked into at the temple. People were supposed to be worshipping God, but instead, they were making a quick buck. Jesus was not cool with that. He flipped ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Topics: Spiritual Awakening, Religious Reformation, Faith Disruption, Sacred Transformation

Hope That Nobody Can Take Away

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 21, 2022

Our faith gives life a new basis, a new foundation on which we can stand, one that relativizes the habitual foundation of people’s security, the reliability of material income.

Monday of 3rd Week in Course Spe Salvi We may suppose that little David could have lived his whole life out under the stars, playing his stringed instrument to his flock, chucking rocks at an occasional predator and enduring the taunts of his multiple older siblings. But he heard the call of God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:34, Mark 3:22-30, 2 Samuel 5:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Double-Agent Series

Contributed by Matt Newburg on Jan 19, 2023

There should be a “Warning Label” on this message. Calling out all the double agents in our churches!

I. INTRO: NOT A SERMON I WANT TO PREACH...BUT A SERMON THAT MUST BE PREACHED. A. I think I don’t want to preach about this subject because I'm at the center of it. 1. I'm BUSTED...Nowhere to run...the cat’s out of the bag...pointing out the elephant in the room. I’d rather just ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spirit Of The Law, Part 3

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2023

What about spiritual show-offs? What about materialism and material worries? What did Jesus say about these things in Matthew 6?

As Jesus continued describing the Spirit of the law, He discussed spiritual show-offs, prayer and worry about material things. Let’s look at Matthew 6. Religious Show Offs What are our motives in doing good? Jesus taught that our motive should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16) not to show ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Woe To You": Avoiding The Pharisees’ Mistakes About Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 4, 2025

Jesus' criticism of the religious leaders provides several insights into what genuine faith is supposed to look like.

WRONG WAY: Jesus rejected the Pharisees’ approach to faith. - Luke 11:37-38. - Jesus gets invited to dine with a Pharisee and He goes. That in itself is interesting: Jesus is engaging with those who are His most vociferous enemies. - Why did He do that? I think there are at least a couple ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Baptist

Not Everyone Who Says To Me, 'lord, Lord,' Will Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 25, 2024

Jesus Christ Himself warned that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Not Everyone Who Says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ Himself warned that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical requirements for being a true Christian. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28, Luke 13:3, John 3:16

Be Grrrrrreat!

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 8, 2001

There is a lot of room for greatness in the kingdom of God. It’s not a competition, it’s a condition!

Be Grrrrreat! Matthew 18:1-4 Pastor Jim Luthy An interesting scene developed as Jesus and his disciples headed south along the road from Caesarea Phillipi to Capernaum. There seemed to be a bit of tension among his disciples. A heated discussion was taking place among them. Occasionally, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lost And Not Knowing It Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Mar 28, 2013

This message examines the difference between being religious and being a Christian.

Do you believe that there are people in the world who are lost and don’t even know it? The vast majority of these people are very religious. They do religious things, they talk using the religious jargon and they even dress correctly. In the world today there are approximately 4,200 different ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preachers In Perdition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 6, 2024

Many professed Christians will be turned away from Heaven because they have trusted an act rather than trusting the Son of God.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Is Our Sunday Service Missing Something?”

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 4, 2002

This message examines what true worship is all about.

Mark 8:22-26; Isaiah 6:1-8 I find it interesting that we call our “church worship gatherings” services. The definition of service is, an act of devotion to God; witness. b. A religious rite. Is that why you came to church this morning, out of devotion to God? Many people go to church with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Of Legalism

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 9, 2014

A sermon that describes the religious legalist.

"The Gospel of Legalism" Galatians 1:6 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Introduction: This morning I may be preaching one of the most important messages I have ever preached anywhere in my ministry. I hope that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Challenging Religion Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

Jesus confronts religious leaders

Challenging Religion Vital to read the entire book at one sitting from time to time. Chapters 5-7 at minimum Jesus' teaching are set in the backdrop of the Feast of Tabernacles - Season of our Gladness! Called Succoth - Booths. Booths = we want rain. Fall harvest festival - reminder of tent ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crossing The Line Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

Jesus angers religious leaders

Jesus Crosses the Line Show Video Clip - JN 8:34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's ...read more

Scripture: John 8:34-59

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking For The Uppertaker, Not The Undertaker Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Feb 20, 2014

It seems in today's world, things keep getting worse and worse. It's not your imagination. One day soon, the Rapture of the church will occur, and all Christians will go home to Heaven prior to the worst period the earth has ever known. Three messages.

Rev 4:1-2 1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Bible Church