Sermons on Religious Tests:

Rejection, Spiritual Blindness, Occupation Of The Heart. Matthew 12.22-50 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 11, 2025

1. The religious leaders' continued rejection of Jesus reveals their hardened hearts, leading to their spiritual blindness and condemnation. 2. OCCUPY your heart with JESUS.

2025.05.11. Sermon Notes. MATTHEW 12.22-50 REJECTION, SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, OCCUPATION OF THE HEART WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:22-50, Acts 19:13-16, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, John 19:30, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 1:3-4, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-50, Acts 19:13-16, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, John 19:30, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, Romans 1:3-4, John 16:12-14, John 15:26, Acts 3:14-15, Acts 3:17-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 3:17, John 6:40, Hebrews 2:11, 1 Timothy 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Memory Of Christ, More Than An Ordinary Memory Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 31, 2024

The one commandment that Christians have kept, religiously, over the twenty centuries of the Church is “This is my Body. . .This is my Blood. . .do this in memory of Me.”

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ 2024 The 20th century English priest and convert, Msgr Ronald Knox, used to say that if you go over all the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, you find instructions for leading an exemplary Christian life, including the Ten Commandments and the rather ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, Mark 14:22-26

Denomination: Catholic

To Judge Or Not To Judge Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 7, 2024

In this text Jesus is like "when it comes to judging others the world and the religious do it this way, but I say to you do it my way"

“To Judge Or Not To Judge, Now That’s A Really Good Question” Matthew 7:1-6 OKAY - I want to start off our time together this morning by reading 2 passages of Scripture, and then I will pray us into our time of study. The first passage is in Luke 18 beginning at verse 9... To some who were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

All Will Be Well Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

in spite of world tragedies we need to remember that 'all things WILL be well'

Mark 13:1-8 I had written this sermon last week since I was out-of-town at a training for the first of the week and then at Diocesan convention for the last two day. But in light of the events at Beirut, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Paris, I felt compelled to speak about those atrocities. The abhorrent ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, Mark 13:5-6

Denomination: Episcopal

Revival Must Start At Home

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2019

We long for revival, but revival seems to be delayed. Contemporary Christians must "break up the fallow ground" if we will ever experience revival.

“From the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not the war against the unjust overtake them in Gibeah? When I please, I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against them when they are bound up for their double iniquity. “Ephraim was a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Merciful Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

Most people think we should be merciful to other people. But is their understanding of mercy biblical? This message expounds the 5th Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

Intro Our text today is Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”i Do you need mercy from God? Do you need a lot of mercy from the Lord? Do you need contined mercy from the Lord? Our answer to those questions alerts us to the importance of this text. Jesus is giving us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Peter 1:3, Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 9:36, Acts 3:1-10, 1 John 3:17, Proverbs 19:17, Mark 10:47, Romans 10:10-14, Matthew 18:23-35, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 9:13, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Handle With Care!

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 27, 2008

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard was a stern warning to the Jewish religious leaders of His day. It is also a warning we should heed lest our seat in His kingdom be given to someone else.

-Has it ever happened to you? -Have you ever “lost” something that “belonged” to you? -I don’t mean “lost” and “belonged” in the same way you are thinking -I really mean, has somebody ever given something that you thought should be yours to somebody else instead -How did that feel? Probably about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Tribute To Caesar Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 26, 2018

The Pharisees were a religious and political party in New Testament times. They were known for insisting that the law of God be observed, as the scribes interpreted it, and for their special commitment to keeping the laws of tithing and ritual purity.

May 14, 2007 -Tuesday- Jerusalem Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 (focal passage); Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

How To Live Like Christ

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 8, 2015

God calls us to have a servant's heart. He wants us to glorify him and not ourselves. God places us where he wants us to serve, and we must give our all in everything he asks us to do. God wants our obedience and our best effort.

It is February 15, 1921. In the operating room of the Kane Summit Hospital, Dr. Evan O'Neil Kane is performing an appendectomy, but this is no ordinary appendectomy. First, it marked the first use of local anaesthesia in major surgery. Dr. Kane believed local anaesthetic was much safer than ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Anglican

A Forgotten Blessing Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 10, 2021

Counting our blessings can often be a way of encouraging ourselves in our walk with Christ. However, there's one blessing we often forget.

In Psalm 103:12 David exhorts himself in this way: “Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget none of his benefits.” It’s an interesting sentiment. The great King David finds it necessary to instruct himself, or remind himself, not to forget any of the Lord’s blessings or benefits. If David had to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, Proverbs 17:3, Romans 8:28, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 41:1-2, Psalm 103:12, Luke 22:31, Romans 5:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

A Crisis Of Faith

Contributed by Bob Groves on Jan 17, 2003

Dealing with a time of tragedy. Where your faith is put to a test because things didn’t work out as you planned & were believeing for.

Meghan Mother Theresa - “I know that God will not put more on me than I can bear - I just wish that He didn’t Trust me so much!” Today CRISIS of FAITH I Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Renewing Your Strength

Contributed by James May on Jun 5, 2002

The renewing of our strength requires that we wait upon the Lord even in the midst of great trials. Our faith and trust must be tested to gain strength.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

25 Pentecost A

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Nov 7, 2002

Championships are won when the stands are empty. We make daily choices that may not be glamorous but are foundational to our faith. Only in difficult times are the foundations tested.

25 Pentecost A Matthew 25:1-13 10 November 2002 Rev. Roger Haugen There is a slogan written on the walls of a football locker room somewhere that says, “Championships are won when the stands are empty”. When you think about it you know it is true. If it were not for hard work at many practices ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

God Has A Great Sense Of Humor Series

Contributed by Mickey Bell on Jan 18, 2006

Once you have reached your place of destiny, God wants to keep you there. This is one test you have to pass to remain in that position.

God’s Great Sense of Humor Genesis 41:39-41 Every test, every turning point in Joseph’s life has been leading up to this moment. · For Presidential candidates this is like the swearing in ceremony. After four years of running the race, visiting major cities in every state, fulfilling all the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist