Sermons on Religious Rites:

Rejection, Spiritual Blindness, Occupation Of The Heart. Matthew 12.22-50 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 11, 2025

1. The religious leaders' continued rejection of Jesus reveals their hardened hearts, leading to their spiritual blindness and condemnation. 2. OCCUPY your heart with JESUS.

2025.05.11. Sermon Notes. MATTHEW 12.22-50 REJECTION, SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, OCCUPATION OF THE HEART WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:22-50, Acts 19:13-16, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, John 19:30, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 1:3-4, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-50, Acts 19:13-16, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, John 19:30, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, Romans 1:3-4, John 16:12-14, John 15:26, Acts 3:14-15, Acts 3:17-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 3:17, John 6:40, Hebrews 2:11, 1 Timothy 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

Dangerous Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Feb 27, 2026

Jesus is dangerous because He threatens every system built without Him—religious, political, or intellectual—and calls people to bow to the living God.

OPENING SLIDE INTRODUCTION • This is week four of our five-week series. • This is Week 4's energy. • Tension is rising. • Opposition is tightening. • The cross is closer. • Have you ever noticed that the most dangerous person in any system is the one who cannot be controlled? • Not the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Works Of Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 9, 2024

This sermon explores the importance of faith in Christ as the foundation of our righteousness, rather than adherence to religious law, as illustrated in Galatians 2:11-21. Key

Greetings, beloved family in Christ. It is a joy to be with you once again, in this sacred space where our hearts unite in worship, our souls find solace in His presence, and our spirits are nourished by His Word. Today, we turn our gaze upon a passage that is a treasure trove of wisdom and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Topics: True Faith

Statutes, And Judgments

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 2, 2018

A study in the book of Deuteronomy 7: 1 – 26

Deuteronomy 7: 1 – 26 Commandments, Statutes, and Judgments 7 “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

In Pursuit Of A Clear/Cleansed Conscience

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 6, 2011

The writer to the Hebrews encouraged his audience to pursue a radically transformed/cleansed conscience. People(with religious tendencies--everyone!) are in need of a radically transformed conscience. How can we pursue it? The pursuit of a clear consci

In PURSUIT Of A CLEAR/Cleansed CONSCIENCE—Hebrews 9:1-14 Attention: A young boy called the pastor of a local church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family & was aware they were members of another church down the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Artificial Righteousness”: Glorifying In The Flesh.

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 16, 2019

Paul points to three factors that tend to motivate human works of attempted righteousness. They are often reflect: 1) Religious Pride (Galatians 6:12a), by 2) Cowardice (Galatians 6:12b), and 3) Hypocrisy (Galatians 6:13).

This month, heavily armed assailants again attacked an Ebola treatment centre in the heart of eastern Congo’s deadly outbreak. Some community members wary of outsiders after years of deadly rebel attacks have shown hostility to health workers in a region that is facing its first Ebola outbreak. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Other

"Artificial Righteousness”: Glorifying In The Flesh.

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 16, 2019

Paul points to three factors that tend to motivate human works of attempted righteousness. They are often reflect: 1) Religious Pride (Galatians 6:12a), by 2) Cowardice (Galatians 6:12b), and 3) Hypocrisy (Galatians 6:13).

This month, heavily armed assailants again attacked an Ebola treatment centre in the heart of eastern Congo’s deadly outbreak. Some community members wary of outsiders after years of deadly rebel attacks have shown hostility to health workers in a region that is facing its first Ebola outbreak. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Other

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

What Went Ye Out To See?

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon deals with the 3 questions that Jesus asked the religious pharisees and scribes that looked for fault in him. They provide us an interesting study of today’s world as well.

“What Went Ye Out for to See?” Luke 7:24-28 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 7:24-28 B. Background of John the Baptist – (John 1:6-8; 15-18) (John 1:19-34) C. Concerned about the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jewish leaders sent men to investigate. D. Many today are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia

Contributed by Matthew Doebler on Aug 13, 2003

Teens are interested in religion and religious topics and yet we have such a tough time sharing our faith. Why? What can we do about it?

Youth Rally Sermon Shattering Sharethefaithaphobia There are a lot of phobias out there, aren’t there? You’ve heard of some of them, like aquaphobia, arachnophobia, xenophobia, but here are a few more: Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

It's Time To Build The Lord's House

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 17, 2003

The first message from Haggai to the ruling politician, the religious priest and the returned people addresses the unfinished house of God. For eighteen years God’s work was delayed.

It’s Time To Build The Lord’s House Scripture Reference: Haggai 1:1-15 INTRODUCTION In 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar invaded and overthrew Jerusalem. The city was raised to the ground and the temple was completely destroyed. God’s people were taken into Babylon as captives and there they remained for ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revival-Light The Fire! (Ezekiel) Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jul 2, 2003

The world is looking for God. Tragically and ironically, as the world is looking for God, God’s people are asleep in their pews, asleep in religious traditions and lethargy. CHURCH, IT IS TIME FOR REVIVAL!

Revival–Light the Fire (The Revival of Ezekiel) Ezekiel 37:1–14 INTRODUCTION The world is looking for God. Tragically and ironically, as the world is looking for God, God’s people are asleep in their pews, asleep in religious traditions and lethargy. CHURCH, IT IS TIME FOR REVIVAL! 1. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Basics Of Being A Consecrated Believer

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 21, 2004

In the midst of civil and religious ruin, harsh living conditions and spiritual apathy Ezra is used by God to revive Israel as he demonstrates the basics of being a consecrated believer.

THE BASICS OF BEING A CONSECRATED BELIEVER Ezra 7:6-10 EZRA 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Introduction: The Israelites returned to Jerusalem after having been taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Condemnation Of All Men

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1.

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE) 1. Spiritual Privileges Do Have Value (:1-2) Question: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Restated: What value ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible