Sermons on Religious Ritual:

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

Jesus Christ: Our Divine Teacher, Part 2

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 4, 2022

Nicodemus had been confronted with the fact that his religious zeal will not make him righteous before God. It is only by being "born again" through the work of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins that we are forgiven and restored to a true relationship with God.

The mark of a true learner is his or her willingness to be corrected of an erroneous belief or idea that would tend to deter them from seeking the truth about a subject of interest or topic of discussion. They are not so immovable in their thinking to where they refuse to consider anything else ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 24:4-10, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Isaiah 45:22, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Grace And Truth

Contributed by John Tristan Jayme on Dec 18, 2022

Who is Jesus? The debate begins with a discussion of Jesus’ whole person. Practically every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, a rabbi, or a godly man. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus was beyond a visionary, a good teacher, or a religious man. He is the Son of God.

Points: Who is Jesus to the Jews? The debate begins with a discussion of Jesus’ whole person. Practically every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, a rabbi, or a godly man. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus was beyond a visionary, a good teacher, or a religious man. He is the Son ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, John 1:17

Contrasting Christmases

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 20, 2022

This message reveals a contrast seen within the Christmas story, a contrast between those who are ready and willing to receive the good news, like the shepherds and the Magi, or Wise Men, and those who are not, like King Herod and the religious leaders of that day. Come and See.

Contrasting Christmases Psalm 1; Luke 2; Matthew 2 Someone has said that life is full of contrasts, and as far as I can determine, they are right. But most of these contrasts are self-determined. Psalm chapter one deals with the main contrast, the one that determines all the rest. It involves the ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Cyprus And The Proconsul Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 21, 2017

Satan is busy with great men and men in power, in order to keep them from being religious, for their example will influence many. Saul is called Paul for the first time, and never again is he called Saul. Saul was his Hebrew name; Paul was his name....

August 20, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: Cyprus and the Proconsul (13:4-12) Scripture (Acts 13:4-12; KJV) 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Contracts The Betrayal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2019

Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather insignificant amount of money. How did he get the courage for this evil act? The Bible has the answer.

Tom Lowe 11/12/2007 HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS JUDAS CONTRACTS THE BETRAYAL Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, LUKE 22:3-6 (ZECHARIAH 11:12) Judas Iscariot[1], whom Jesus called “the son of perdition,” lived up to his name by agreeing to hand over Jesus to the religious leaders for a rather ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 24:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Taking The Journey

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 1, 2019

God’s call to take the journey to worship the newborn king isn’t just for those born to privilege, or those born in the church. It isn’t just for pastors, scholars, and religious leaders. No, God’s call to worship is for anyone who will listen.

OPENING STORY An old king sat uncomfortably on his throne, fingernails dug into well-worn grooves in the wood as he waited nervously for the mysterious travelers to approach. All Jerusalem was abuzz with the rumors that these men were searching for a new heir which had just been born, yet neither ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

First Teaching Tour Of Galilee Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 9, 2017

At this time, Jesus had a great deal of freedom. He moved freely through Galilee and He taught in the synagogues. The religious leaders would eventually plan to take Him and to put Him to death, however before that, they would bar Him from the synagogue

Harmony of the Gospels -AD 27- Galilee Title: First Teaching Tour of Galilee Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44 -Matthew- And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23-25, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Let Go Of The World Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 9, 2001

"JESUS is ENOUGH!!" The first 2 chapters in Colossians hit hard the truth, now that we know this truth - HOW - should it effect our lives. This is what we’ll be doing the next 4 weeks... (Jesus is Enough - Part 4)

Jesus Is Enough - Part 4 "Therefore, LET GO Of the WORLD" Colossians 3:1-11 Okay, here we go....This is week four in our study of the book of Colossians, a study we are calling; "Jesus is enough." Remember, Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colosse because false teachers had come into ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Starting Right, Finishing Wrong Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jun 6, 2002

We are to live in grace.

STARTING RIGHT, FINISHING WRONG Galatians 3:1-5 S: Legalism Th: Grace-Full Living Pr: We are to live in grace. ?: Why? KW: Assertions TS: We will find in Galatians 3:1-5, two assertions that explain why we are to live in grace. The ____ assertion that explains why we are to live in grace ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Our First Response Series

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Oct 24, 2003

What do we do when we have a problem? The Scripture is clear, and yet it is our our natural first response. The Bible tells us that our first response should be to pray. Why?

In the film, The Perfect Storm, a true story about an ocean going fishing boat that went off the coast of Massachusetts, way out into a storm. They didn’t go out into a storm but a storm developed in the ocean there, the North Atlantic. And they were trying to get back through the storm. And if ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Messages From Our Resurrected Lord Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon concerning messages Jesus spoke to His disciples: (1)Peace be with you (2)I am sending you (3)Stop doubting and believe. Used video clip from "The Inn of Sixth Happiness" to illustrate being sent.

Messages from our Resurrected Lord Fortifying the Foundation # 45 John 20:19-31[1] 8-29-04 Come with me this morning to a small house in the city of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The sun is setting as the first Easter day is coming to a close[2]. Some of Jesus’ closest followers have huddled ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, John 19:21

Denomination: Charismatic

Dealing With Fatal Flaws (Saul) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 25, 2007

Deal with your fatal flaws before they deal with you.

Dealing with Fatal Flaws (Saul) 1 Samuel 8-15 Rev. Brian Bill 2/25/07 Video Clip: “Who Do You Place Your Confidence In?” Did you notice that most people are uncertain when they’re asked this question? If we could ask this same question to people who lived during the time of Samuel, they’d ...read more

Denomination: Baptist