Sermons on Religious Rules:

Reborn Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Feb 12, 2008

Even people like Nicodemus (religious, powerful, intelligent) need to be born again.

Today we are beginning a new three-part series on John 3 called Eternal Life: The Live Jesus Gives. This chapter begins with Jesus telling a man about the necessity of being “born again.” Have you noticed that the world used the phrase “born again” as an expression to describe a variety of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Journey From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 29, 2013

What is religion? So many people when they talk about Christianity call it religion. They say I got religion, or I’m a religious person. Or I don’t want to hear about Jesus because I don’t like religion. Religion is the conscientious following of rules th

I am covering in a summary fashion 3 chapters in the book of Luke this morning so I won’t be reading a lot of Scripture and there is no outline, but I will be referring to several passages. I encourage you to read Luke chapters 19-23 on your own this week to prepare for Easter weekend. I want ...read more

Jhhemtyd Part 4: Majoring On The Minors

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 30, 2009

Fourth in the series regarding Jesus’ words about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 4 – Majoring on the Minors Matthew 23:23-24 January 18, 2009 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me/We: How many in here today are detail-oriented? It’s okay, nothing to be ashamed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

Belonging To Another Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

We can try to live by a code of rules or we can live by a relationship. We could put it this way: True release comes from a relationship with Jesus, not from rules.

Belonging to Another Romans 7:1-6 1 Do you not know, brothers-- for I am speaking to men who know the law-- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fanaticism Taken Too Far?

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 22, 2019

A Good Friday talk from the point of view of Jesus and religious fanaticism.

Fanaticism Taken Too Far? Israel Folau (an Australian Christian sporting personality) has been in the news lately for expressing unpopular views—for quoting an unpopular part of the Bible on his personal Instagram page. Is his belief in heaven and hell fanaticism taken too far? Is Australian Rugby ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Judgment And Glory Series

Contributed by James Jack on Nov 29, 2007

It is the humble servants of the Lord, not the outwardly religious, who will enjoy Him forever.

One of the awesome things I’ve noticed as we’ve gone through Isaiah over the last few months has been amazing contrasts we see in the character to God, the paradoxes in his divine nature and his sovereign action. We saw it in dazzling brilliance last week when Cameron spoke to us from Isaiah 55. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-24

Denomination: Anglican

When A Miracle Makes You Mad Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Today, I want to tell the story… the story of three people – Jesus, the miracle-worker, the religious leaders, and a diseased man. And you’ll see two emotional reactions for us and we’ll see two life lessons. Along with way, I’ll even share with you one of Grimm’s fairy tales.

When people talk about miracles, they typically think of healing miracles. One day the tumor is there; the next day, it’s no longer. Someone prays for a blind man and he regains his sight. Miracles are supernatural events that offer hope and healing to people in need. We started a series on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-6, John 11:21

Denomination: Baptist

Two Men And God

Contributed by Chris Layton on Jun 7, 2005

We, as Christians, need to stop being "religious" and humbly start living for Christ.

Two Men and God Luke 18:9-14 Are you as good as other men or as good as God? It seems that every time you talk to a “Christian” about something that is wrong in their life, the very first thing to come out of their mouth is “Well I am doing better than ole so-and-so”. Paul wrote, “There is no one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Sabbath: Enjoy The Rest Of Your Life Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 24, 2018

Who said Sunday is the new Sabbath? Roman Emperor Constantine did in 321 A.D. The Roman Catholic Church did. The Church of England did, and the Puritans did. But the Bible never did.

INTRODUCTION The wife of a man who died assumed they had plenty of money so she gave him a very nice funeral and a fancy tombstone that said, “Rest in Peace.” However, when the estate was settled she learned he had wasted all their money on gambling and bad investments. This made her so angry she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Truth? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 27, 2010

God rules over hearts and minds with truth and advances a kingdom of repentance and righteousness.

Scripture Introduction In 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley published a poem on the ephemeral nature of human kings and political powers: I met a traveler from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Met Man's Greatest Need

Contributed by Sajayan Chacko on Jan 24, 2024

Jesus meets with Nicodemus, an achiever religious leader and tells his in order to be saved.

Jesus Met Man's Greatest Need Jesus meets with Nicodemus, an achiever religious leader and tells his in order to be saved. 1. The CREDENTIAL of Nicodemus *verses 1-3, (his CONFESSION and the COMMAND of Jesus to him) Now there was a man of the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Hey Jesus - Who Do You Think You Are, Anyway?"

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jul 20, 2008

Discussion of Jesus’ challenging of the religious leaders who challenge His authority at the temple.

“Hey Jesus – Who Do You Think You Are, Anyway?” Matthew 21:23-27 July 20, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." We: How many times have you been caught by surprise by someone asking you why you believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

"The Corinthians And Their Apostles" Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 19, 2018

The “Golden Rule” that should be applied to passing judgment is “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

October 8, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Topic #2: The Problem of Divisions, 1 Corinthians 1.10-4.21 Lesson 2.9: The Corinthians and Their Apostles Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4.5-4.13 1 Cor 4.5-13 (KJV) 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Ultimate Fighter Round #5

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

The Galatians have made a wrong turn and were on a road that leads back to an eternal life of hopelessness. Paul has used rhetoric, satire, allegory and even abusive language to get their attention.

Paul has used rhetoric, satire, allegory and even abusive language to get their attention. He now turns, feeling confident that the last four chapters were sufficient to prove his point, to encouragement of these lost Christians coupled with a warning not to repeat these mistakes again. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-22, Romans 8:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational