Sermons on Religious Rules:

What's The Bible All About?

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Nov 20, 2004

Many people today believe they can make it to heaven by following a set of rules. If you live by a moral code of conduct and if you are a good person, then you will make it to heaven. Some people will even use the Bible as their rule book. WHAT IS THE

As a teenager we would sing a song called “I’ve Been Redeemed.” We made up several verses about how you could and couldn’t get to heaven. For instance: Oh you can’t get to heaven, in a washing machine. No, you can’t get to heaven, in a washing machine. No, you can’t get to heaven, in a washing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Kingdom Living Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 14, 2020

Our life will be revolutionized when we allow Christ and his message to rule our lives.

Kingdom Living Matthew 7:28-8:1 Our life will be revolutionized when we allow Christ and his message to rule our lives. SLIDE #1 INTRODUCTION • Today we reach the end of the Sermon on the Mount Series. • Jesus laid out a new foundation for living, a new foundation that was utterly foreign ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why I H8 Religion Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Nov 13, 2013

Pastor Aubrey looks at the rules that make up religion and its trap to pride, servitude to death & hell

John 3:1-11 Why I H8 Religion Theologian Karl Barth was lecturing to a group of students at Princeton. One student asked the German theologian "sir, don’t you think that god has revealed himself in other religions and not only in Christianity?" Barth’s answer stunned the crowd. With a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

And You Call Yourself A Christian? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 6, 2007

The danger that confronts religious people is that they rely on their performance to gain right standing with God.

Scripture Several years ago I was pulled over by a police officer for running a red light. “Why did you do it?” he asked. “Well, Officer,” I explained. “I am a pastor. One of the members of our church is about to have open heart surgery at Harrisburg General Hospital. I got off to a late start ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

There Once Was A Country...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 5, 2024

What we are as a nation is not what we were, and the difference is not something to be celebrated.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: ‘Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’ “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Is That All You've Got?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2024

We who follow Christ are responsible to present the message of grace at every opportunity. Many will dismiss our message as foolish talk. We must honestly present the truth to such people, refusing to give up our stand for the truth.

“As [Paul] was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Trial, The Denial, And The Betrayal - When The Heart Is Tested - Matthew 26:57-27:10 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 25, 2025

Every heart is tested in the presence of JESUS. The religious leaders rejected Him, Peter denied Him, and Judas betrayed Him, and yet each story reveals the depth of human weakness and the overwhelming grace of GOD’s redemptive love. Question is...How will you respond when your heart is tested?

2025.10.26.Sermon Notes. THE TRIAL, THE DENIAL, AND THE BETRAYAL - WHEN THE HEART IS TESTED MATTHEW 26:57-27:10 Matthew 26:57-75, Matthew 27:1-10 William Akehurst, HSWC KEY WORD: Trial, Denial, Rejection, Betrayal, Sanhedrin, Blasphemy, Remorse, Repentance, Field of Blood, Remorse without ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75, Matthew 27:1-10, Isaiah 53:7, Daniel 7:13-14, John 5:39-40, Luke 22:61-62, John 21:15-17, James 4:8, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28, John 8:36, Zechariah 11:12-13, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:10, 2 Corinthians 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church And State Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

What separation does mean is that all true religious faith is a matter of free choice, and so no state power can ever be rightly used to enforce faith or any religious conviction.

Until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, the abuse of power will be a major cause of human suffering. When the country of Chad in Africa became independent in 1960 the Christian missionaries were delighted that the first President was a Baptist. Tambolboye was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

The Fatal Flaws Of Religion Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 17, 2006

As we finish Romans 2 this morning, we’re going to learn that many believers today are “cheater Christians,” because they’re fooling themselves and others. Too many religious people have pretty packaging on the outside but have downsized the amount of sp

The Fatal Flaws of Religion Romans 2:17-29 Rev. Brian Bill 6/25/06 I’ve been fascinated and frustrated about something for many years. Have you noticed how companies are shrinking the size of their products while keeping the packaging the same? The result is less product while the price stays ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To The Cross Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Jun 23, 2016

Matthew records the events leading up to the crucifixion. Jesus prophecy, and the actions of the religious elite.

I. Introduction A. The outline for this message came from “The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible’” by Leadership Ministries Worldwide B. Lets begin by turning to Matthew 26:1 - 5 Matthew 26:1-5 (NKJV) Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

You Might Be A Pharisee

Contributed by George Durham on Dec 9, 2012

Luke 11: 37-52; Warning for those who are very religious but not truly spiritual.

You Might Be A Pharisee If...Lk11:37-52 Who Were The Pharisees ? Jewish Separatists. Only One Way Of Doing Things....And It Was There Way. Aloof And Arrogant. Believed In Traditions, And Rituals That They Created As Much As They Did The Word Of God. Believed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-52

Denomination: United Methodist

From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 17, 2009

The human religious nature that tries to resolve our guilt and shame in our own way.

Last week - healing… reaffirm… We’ll see more… but today… what’s driving through Jesus… the CENTRAL POINT OF CLASH AND CONFLICT… Mark 1:40-41 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church, Christianity Or Religion? Part 4 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 14, 2007

The church, more Christian (followers of Christ) then religious (practising traditions and rituals)

The Church, Christianity or Religion Part 4 Text: John 8:1-12 Introduction: 1. While Religion and Christianity should be the same thing, far too often it is not. Religion too often thrives on creeds, credentials, and adherence to codes of conduct True Christianity holds to faith ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-12

Denomination: Mennonite

The Good Samaritan

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 6, 2004

God is not interested in our religious duty but in our relationships - with Him and with others

11-07-04 SMM Luke 10: 25-37 – The Story of the Good Samaritan Story: In the 60’s Simon and Garfunkel wrote this I am a rock, I am an island. I’ve built walls, A fortress deep and mighty, That none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It’s laughter and it’s loving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Anglican

Who Wants To Marry A Prostitute?

Contributed by Steve Wynkoop on Aug 10, 2004

Passionately pursue a relationship with God don’t tend to a religious duty.

Who Wants to Marry a Prostitute? A young couple were on their way to get married when they had a tragic accident. The next thing they knew, they were standing arm-in-arm at the pearly gates. They told St. Peter what had happened and then said, "We really want to spend eternity as man and wife. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:2-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ