Sermons on Religious Rites:

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Believers Lose Their First Love

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Oct 22, 2025

When believers lose their first love, their passionate devotion, intimacy, and zeal for God fade, leaving them with outward religious activity and an empty heart disconnected from true fellowship with Him.

WHEN BELIEVERS LOSE THEIR FIRST LOVE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Revelation 2:4-5 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Demonstrating Your Power Source-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 18, 2014

2 of 4. Paul demonstrated/confirmed the Spirit’s power thru his manner of witness to the church at Corinth. How/When is a Christian’s power source confirmed/demonstrated? 5 demonstrations of one’s power source.

DEMONSTRATING YOUR POWER SOURCE-II—1Corinthians 2:1-16 Attention: Black-belt in Karaoke While attending college, a young lady worked evenings at a retail store. On slow nights her co-worker Susan would often sing along with the radio while the two of them did paperwork or restocked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2016

Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to deliver a people for His Name into His eternal Kingdom.

In the midst of darkness, God’s glory blazes. When evil appears to triumph, grace prevails. When dark denizens of this fallen world convince themselves they have defeated grace, righteousness conquers. These themes are written large in accounts provided of the brief hours leading to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Silent Night Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2022

A message to be delivered on Christmas day. Christ has come, and he will return. This is the promise of the season. Amen.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Fear This!

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 29, 2007

Part IV in the series - 24. This is a first person narrative account from the perspective of Pilate. The preaching idea: Jesus’ faith, unlike the religious people of his day, was genuine. How about yours?

Introductory Remarks… Over the past three weeks we’ve met three characters who were present during the final hours in the life of Jesus Christ. We began this unique series of sermons with a visit from a man who purportedly owned the house in which the Last Supper took place. Two weeks ago we met ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

How Prophecy Is Fulfilled (3 Of 6) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Sep 2, 2002

All religious books claim to be the word of God, but prophecy sets the Bible apart as having God’s seal of authentication. This section looks at the destruction of Tyre and Jesus’ declaration of His fulfillment of prophecy.

How Prophecy is fulfilled. (Part 3 of 6) Destruction of Tyre Look at Ezekiel 26: 3 "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ’Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. 4 ’And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 26:3-14, Luke 4:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Worldviews

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 20, 2006

A look at the religious groups of Jesus day and how they were affected by their culture (as might be): 1. Zealots 2.Phariasees 3. Saduccees 4. Scribes 5. Herodians 6. Essenes

How would you like it if someone spit on you? In our cultural setting it would be a sign of disrespect, an attempt to shame and humiliate a person. But for some cultures, it has an entirely different meaning. I am reading a wonderful book entitled Christianity Rediscovered. It is written by a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-34

Denomination: Methodist

Redemption, Adoption And Inspiration, Or Slavery! Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 14, 2005

There are two tempting traps that return us to slavery. One is clearly sinful, the other looks and smells religious, but actually is bondage. Paul asks, "Who’s your Mother?" It makes all the difference!

It was April 17, 1957 at 12:05 a.m. in a hospital in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. A baby boy was born to Charles and Betty Nance. He was their first born son. Three years earlier they had a daughter, and five and seven years later they would have two more boys. This is my family. You know, I had no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Saviour's Concern And Our Concern

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 5, 2004

Our Lord came into a world that believed that God cared only for the good and obedient. The people of his day thought that God was impassive and unconcerned and unmoved about those who were non religious.

The Saviour’s concern and our concern Text: Luke 15:2 “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Introduction Our Lord came into a world that believed that God cared only for the good and obedient. The people of his day thought that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Breaking The Law...for God's Sake

Contributed by David E. Watters on Aug 14, 2011

Matthew 15: 10-20 - Barclay stated that this Scripture was 'one of the supreme contests in history'. Two religious viewpoints clash with what Jesus says. Jesus again points to what is really important.

Good morning. Laws are important in any society in order to keep peace and order. But there are laws and then there are laws. Here are some laws that are still on the books in our state of Kansas. • In Derby, it is illegal to hit a vending machine that stole your money. • In Dodge ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20, Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Declaration Of Dependence Series

Contributed by David Tack on Jul 14, 2013

Have you ever run into the religiously righteous crowd who thought they had a little somethin, somethin extra? Well, in Romans chapter 4 the Apostle Paul is dealing with the same type of folks.

INTRODUCTION: “How dangerous it is to join anything of our own [works] to the righteousness of Christ, in pursuit of justification before God! Jesus Christ will never endure this; it reflects upon His work dishonorably” (Flavel, John). JUST WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION? It is a legal term, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

We Have Been Hurt, We Have Been Used, We Have Failed, We Need Healing Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 21, 2012

The Holy Spirit took fisherman, former prostitutes, ex-religious leaders, tax collectors, and various family members of Jesus and the other disciples and formed them into a united group we call the church.

Today across our group of churches is Healing and Wholeness Sunday. We are a Pentecostal Church and we believe that God can and does Heal people every day. So why do we have a specific day dedicated to Healing and Wholeness? In many ways today is no different from any other day but often we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Appeal Of Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 30, 2009

There are many church, synagogue & mosque members today devoted to rituals & rule-keeping. They are living in religious bondage. They need to hear that spiritual freedom is possible only through the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

GALATIANS 4:8-20 AN APPEAL OF LOVE The conclusion reached in verse 7 is that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Paul now tells the Galatians they are not acting like heirs of God! So he asks them if they prefer slavery or freedom, legalism or the Spirit? Did ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Open Your Heart's Door To Jesus Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Mar 18, 2021

Many people have used this verse evangelically; however, its true context is for Christians. Jesus is speaking to the Church members of Laodicea to let Him into their life for fellowship and worship and not only religious pretense.

This is my last message on the theme of doors in the Bible. Our text is Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (I put on screen pictures of painting - artist depictions of this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist