Sermons on Religious Rules:

Raising Your Kids To Be Followers Of Jesus Rather Than Fans

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Jul 16, 2013

If you approach the Bible as a book that you have to read, a bunch of rules that you have to memorize, then that is how your kids will approach it, too.

I read a story recently about three ladies who were sitting around and bragging about their children. The first one said, "You know my son, he graduated first in his class from Stanford, he’s now a doctor making $250,000 a year in Chicago." The second woman said, "You know my son, he ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 28, 2018

Our Joy is found in the ultimate righteous rule of Jesus. Our Joy is found in the restoration of Jesus. Our joy is found in the spread of His gospel .

Joy Isaiah 11:1-10 Our Joy is found in the ultimate righteous rule of Jesus. vv.1-5 Our Joy is found in the restoration of Jesus. vv.6-9 Our joy is found in the spread of His gospel Vs. 10 (on screen) Christmas is such a time for celebration, isn’t it? And joy is resident ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Dying To Know

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 28, 2025

Death began with sin, ruled through fear, was broken by Christ’s resurrection, and will vanish forever when He creates the new heavens and earth.

Part 1 – Everyone Wants to Know 1. An ache we can’t explain Friends, have you noticed how every culture carries an unspoken question about what happens after the last heartbeat? We read it in ancient poetry, we see it in the pyramids of Egypt, we glimpse it in Silicon Valley’s dream of uploading ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26, Genesis 3:19, Romans 5:12, Revelation 21:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Perfect Christmas - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 11, 2021

Isaiah 7 predicts how the Messiah is to be born. Isaiah 9 predicts how the Messiah will bless. Isaiah 11 predicts how the Messiah will rule.

One of America's favorite holiday songs this time of year is the classic, I'll Be Home for Christmas. The song was originally written during WW II to honor soldiers who longed to be home for the holidays. It's been sung by the likes of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2017

Why would Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath and then tell the man (in violation of the Sabbath rules of the Pharisees) to pick up his mat and walk?

OPEN: There’s a story I read once of 3 umpires who were talking about the feeling of power they had on the baseball field. As they talked about what gave them this sense of empowerment, the 1st umpire said – “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.” The 2nd smiled and said, “That ain’t nothing. I call ‘em as ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will Make Me Happy? Series

Contributed by Adam Weber on Mar 17, 2017

It’s not about rules and instructions, God is concerned with our heart. True joy is found in faith-fueled obedience to all that God teaches.

Well… I just wanna welcome everyone here to Embrace… My name is Adam… I’m one of the pastors here… and as always…we are so excited… and overjoyed… that you are here… And today… I just wanna start… ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-2

Freedom From Legalism PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 4, 2023

Understand and appreciate the freedom and love we receive from God's grace, as explained in Paul's letter to the Galatians, rather than complicating it with legalism and rules.

Good morning, Church Family! You know, we have a tendency to complicate things that are simple. We can even turn the beautiful gift of God’s grace into a frustrating set of rules and regulations. But let’s remind ourselves of what Philip Yancey once said: “Grace means there is nothing we can do to ...read more

Topics: Frustration, Freedom

Weak And Worthless Things

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Paul called rule-keeping "weak and worthless things" when it comes to earning God’s favor - why do we keep going back to them?

Weak and Worthless Things TCF Sermon August 25, 2002 In his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey quotes Mark Twain --- he writes that the famous author used to talk about people who were – as he put it - “good in the worst sense of the word.” And Yancey added that this is a phrase ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Other Side Of The Storm

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2023

As Christians, we will pass through storms. Sometimes these storms will be violent. Yet, we are assured that when we pass through the storm, Christ will be with us. We shall not be overwhelmed. And on the other side of the storm, all will be at peace.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

When Religion Blocks Relationship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 21, 2016

We go about trying to live religious lives, but do we miss connecting with God in the process? Christianity is about relationship, not religion. And Jesus makes such a relationship possible.

Luke 13:10-17 When Religion Blocks Relationship It was a day I will never forget. Our village had gathered at the local Synagogue to hear the word and receive teaching, to pray together, and to worship Yahweh, the one true God. On this day there was an unusual excitement in the crowd because we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Time For Separation Is Over And Coming Together Must Be Our Plan!

Contributed by Jevon Turner,sr. on Nov 1, 2008

We need to tare down Religious Seregation and bring the body of Christ together! We must tare down the separation between us Jesus! Hate Sin!

Time for Separation Is Over and Coming Together Must Be Our Plan! Acts Ch2 Vv1-2 Philippians Ch2 Vv1-5 As I stand here this morning it saddens my heart to know that at this very hour all across the world, we are more divide on this day that we call Sunday than any other day of the week. At this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-2

Growth And Transformation Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jul 18, 2010

A fairly short talk given at an all-age baptism service as part of a series of talks entitled Jesus The Storyteller

It was a Saturday - the Jewish Sabbath - and Jesus had just had compassion on a lady who had been crippled "for 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all" (13:11). Jesus did a wonderful thing. He placed his hands on her and healed her. She was delighted and praised God for her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-21

Denomination: Anglican

Never A Slave Again Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

things to be grateful for as we celebrate Independence Day

Next Sunday people in the United States celebrate Independence Day, the time the little colony of the thirteen states threw off the English yoke of domination and established a new country. It is the time that we remember those forefathers who were brave enough to take a stand and risk war to say ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

The Accuracy Of Prophecy (1 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 focuses on the measure of a prophet and the accuracy of scripture.

Accuracy of Prophecy (Part 1 of 6) Prophecy is an integral part of scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It is prophecy that sets the Bible apart from all world religions. Many religious leaders make predictions but none uphold the same standard as the Bible requires. The Bible sets two ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:31-35, Isaiah 45:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Caesar Or God? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 13, 2022

Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their survival and existence.

Holy Wednesday Theme: Caesar or God? Text: Luke 20:20-26 Introduction: Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Methodist