Sermons on Religious Rules:

A Deliberately Staged Demonstration Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 4, 2025

Main thought: This morning we will look at the set up for a confrontation between Jesus and the rulers and authorities, as well as the Jewish concept of a Messiah who would bring deliverance from Roman oppression.

Background to passage, Matthew 21:1-11: Jesus has been moving toward Jerusalem for some time now. He has come down from Galilee on his final approach. From Jericho (their last stop), it would have been a 6-8 hr walk uphill covering 15 miles and over 3000’ of elevation. He had predicted his death ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 9:53, Matthew 12:14

Denomination: Baptist

Words Of Comfort To Weary Souls (Matthew 4:12- 5:12)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 17, 2024

Jesus' public ministry got underway after His time in the wilderness. He had overcome the temptations of the devil, and was now ready to change the world.

Matthew 4:12-28: Jesus had just returned from the desert when He heard that John the Baptist had been cast into prison by the order of Herod Antipas for speaking out against Herod's adulterous relationship with the wife of his brother Philip. The LORD went on to the region of Galilee, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25, Matthew 5:1-12, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 42:1-4, Luke 6:20-49  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Transformation Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 7, 2013

REAL transformation takes place when we focus on Jesus.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Our life in Christ should be a joy; it should be a life transforming experience. One of the exciting parts of belonging to Jesus is experiencing the transformation into the image of the one we love and serve! • Each day belonging to Jesus can be and is an ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Higher Standard

Contributed by Danny Nance on Mar 21, 2008

The standard of holiness has never been lowered, and the need for grace never more seen.

A Higher Standard Matt. 5:20, 48 I’d like to be a track star. How cool would it be to stand before a roaring crowd that has stood to its feet because I set a new record in high jump! And I could do it, you know—if the record for high jump stood at two feet. Unfortunately for me, the record is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-48

Denomination: Baptist

Pilate's Dilemma

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 11, 2006

What was Pilate to do with the Christ? That really was his dilemma. What was he to do with this man? In the end, Pilate made his decision to condemn an innocent man to death and allow the crowds and the chief priests to have their ways.

PILATE’S DILEMMA MARK 15:1-15 INTRODUCTION... READ MARK 15:1-15 I. THE PRIESTS (verses 1-11) We find that in the dilemma of Pilate he had the chief priests and elders and the teachers of the law pulling at him in certain directions. Pilate correctly percieved that these religious leaders handed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is The Only Way To Heaven: True Or False? Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 18, 2006

Part 2 of the series, The Truth About Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was April Fool’s Day. How many of you were fooled by an April Fool’s Day joke? [My best April Fool’s joke] There’s a website called museumofhoaxes.com that lists “The Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time.” The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest: In 1957, the respected BBC news show ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist

(Resurrection) Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Michael Pahls on May 19, 2001

Peter’s explanation of the events leading to the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman soldier and Gentile) bears witness to the surprising and yet familiar ways of God and points us to the new possibilities for surprise that the Resurrection message opens in in our lives.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C May 13, 2001 Acts 11:1-18 1st CENTURY PALESTINE: A WORLD WITHOUT SURPRISES This passage is all about the surprising works of God but to get the surprise you must have the back story. Hang in there, the payoff in this passage for your life is worth the extended ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Battling The Broken Mind Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 26, 2012

The saying "It's all in your head" is truer than we would like to admit. What can start out as something done with good intentions can lead us very far astray save for one crucial ingredient: God's Word.

Jesus, our Ultimate Action Hero came to planet Earth to do battle against a host of enemies in order to set us free. He battled Satan and his hordes of demons, he battled the religious system that had kidnapped people from being able to find God, and today we see him battling even the human mind, ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Death And Taxes

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Aug 14, 2023

Jesus was questioned about taxes paid to Rome

Death and Taxes Mark 12:13-27 In 1789, Benjamin Franklin said, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency. …but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Is that statement true; nothing is certain except death and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Supreme Court Decision - Wake Up Call

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 29, 2016

In this sermon Dr. Tow presents a response to the 6/26/15 Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage. He encourages a Biblical approach to loving others and standing on God's word.

Supreme Court Decision: A Wake up Call for the Church 06-28-15 (www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) On Friday, June 26, ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:14

Denomination: Charismatic

I Am From Above

Contributed by Rick Burdette on May 21, 2018

How We See Jesus, How We See Other People

I AM - I AM from Above May 27, 2018 John 8:12-23 (p. 746) Introduction: [For the 15 years I ministered in Louisville I had the privilege of being on WJIE the Christian radio station 3 times a day doing a “Ministry Minute.” 60 seconds of encouragement, scripture, or just a ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Power Over Sin Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Jun 13, 2011

Jesus has the authority to forgive sins

Power over Sin In 1938 a German leader was awarded the title: Time’s person of the year. He took a nation from post-war defeatism and gave it new life. He unified a divided country and turned a broken people into a military super-power. For many Adolf Hilter was considered a hero, most ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: *other

The Rewards Of Obedience Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 24, 2009

When we obey God, it does not mean everything will be fine, but it does mean God will see us through. Obedience is a choice we make. Be prepare to pay a price but it’s worth it. God will do His part; there is a divine partnership in obedience. Obedience

There is a similarity between this incident and that of Acts 4. • But this time it’s not just Peter and John being arrested, the whole group of the apostles were arrested for preaching the gospel. • Once again they make it clear that the necessity of their lives is to obey God, not men; therefore ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Silent, No More!

Contributed by Mickey Bell on Feb 16, 2006

Christians have allowed the world to determine how we are to live and believe. It’s time we stand up and began being heard. But make sure you are not going to the wrong places and the wrong people to sound off your voice.

Silent, No More! Luke 19:40 The news continues to share with us the many stories of how this world is falling apart. How some people work to remove everything that has to do with God! You see it in our: Schools Courthouse Jobs Corporate America What should we do? *Read Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:40

Denomination: Baptist