Sermons on Religious Tests:

Hope That Nobody Can Take Away

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 21, 2022

Our faith gives life a new basis, a new foundation on which we can stand, one that relativizes the habitual foundation of people’s security, the reliability of material income.

Monday of 3rd Week in Course Spe Salvi We may suppose that little David could have lived his whole life out under the stars, playing his stringed instrument to his flock, chucking rocks at an occasional predator and enduring the taunts of his multiple older siblings. But he heard the call of God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:34, Mark 3:22-30, 2 Samuel 5:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

The Spirit Of The Law, Part 3

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2023

What about spiritual show-offs? What about materialism and material worries? What did Jesus say about these things in Matthew 6?

As Jesus continued describing the Spirit of the law, He discussed spiritual show-offs, prayer and worry about material things. Let’s look at Matthew 6. Religious Show Offs What are our motives in doing good? Jesus taught that our motive should be to glorify God (Matthew 5:16) not to show ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Everyone Who Says To Me, 'lord, Lord,' Will Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 25, 2024

Jesus Christ Himself warned that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Not Everyone Who Says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ Himself warned that not everyone who claims to be a Christian will enter the kingdom of heaven. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical requirements for being a true Christian. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:27-28, Luke 13:3, John 3:16

Double-Agent Series

Contributed by Matt Newburg on Jan 19, 2023

There should be a “Warning Label” on this message. Calling out all the double agents in our churches!

I. INTRO: NOT A SERMON I WANT TO PREACH...BUT A SERMON THAT MUST BE PREACHED. A. I think I don’t want to preach about this subject because I'm at the center of it. 1. I'm BUSTED...Nowhere to run...the cat’s out of the bag...pointing out the elephant in the room. I’d rather just ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Saved From Shallow Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. He teaches us to practice our faith in private, not for public approval, but to build a solid core of self-giving love.

Today we're going to talk about how Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. You know, the kind of religion that's all about showing off and not about what's really going on inside of us. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a cup. Now, this cup looks super shiny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Faith Journey, Religious Depth, Beyond Superficiality

Jesus Disrupts Dead Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Feb 22, 2024

Jesus disrupts the old system of death and sacrifice, bringing in a new system of love and mercy. He challenges corruption and exploitation, and disrupts our lives to remove anything that hinders us from living abundantly in His love.

Imagine you're at your favorite concert, but instead of enjoying the music, people are selling stuff and ripping you off. That's what Jesus walked into at the temple. People were supposed to be worshipping God, but instead, they were making a quick buck. Jesus was not cool with that. He flipped ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Topics: Spiritual Awakening, Religious Reformation, Faith Disruption, Sacred Transformation

Not Offended

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15.

Would we be offended if Jesus critiqued some of our church traditions as being vain? Let’s examine Matthew 15. Vain Traditions Was Jesus criticized over a man-made tradition? Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Herod And The Wise Men Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 9, 2021

The wise men were religious outsiders who traveled a good distance while the religious insiders were sitting on the front porch of Bethlehem but failed to take another step. The religious insiders watched the religious outsiders pass right by them.

Today, we begin a short Christmas series entitled The Characters of Christmas. All throughout the story of Christmas, there are major and minor characters who play an important role in making the story of Christmas great theatre. Now, I love to watch a good movie, and I imagine many of you are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution: The Opening Salvoes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

Religious opposition to the Gospel!

PERSECUTION: THE OPENING SALVOES. Acts 4:1-31; Acts 5:12-42. Soon after the early success of Pentecost, the fledgling New Testament church found herself facing persecution. This is not surprising, and quite in keeping with the pattern of the earlier ministry of Jesus. For example, Herod the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31, Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Count It All Joy"

Contributed by Timothy Proctor Sr. D. Min on Mar 15, 2002

No matter what you may encounter, count it all "Joy". Problems come and they go, but count it all "Joy". With Jesus, we can face the whole world, and know that we have the Victory!

Intro: James was the oldest half-brother of the Lord Jesus (Matt. 13.55). He witnessed Christ’s appearance following His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), and was among those who assembled together following the Ascension (Acts 1:14), He awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. Later he became a leader ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, James 1:1-18

Denomination: *other

A Snake In The Sand

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 26, 2008

What Jesus does in the desert puts right the wrong that was done in the garden. Satan had been waiting for this as he watched Jesus grow day by day. Jesus restored the beauty and perfection that was the Garden of Eden while in the desolation of the desert

A Snake in the Sand The greatest battle between a man and Satan is the one recorded here concerning Jesus temptation in the desert. Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and as a result Jesus is revealed as the Lamb of God as John puts it. The Holy Spirit has come upon him like a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Side Road To Temptation

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 11, 2012

Have you been drawn away from God’s will for your life, by the appeal of the side-roads? Have you been led down the path of sin or disobedience to the perfect will of God? It will surely end in serious loss, mischief, maybe physical death, but worse in th

Intro: Yungas Road of Bolivia is the world’s most dangerous side road; built by prisoners in 1930s; 200-300 annual deaths since it opened in 1935. It is only 10 feet wide but over 60 kms. long. It passes thru heights of 4,000-15,000 feet from La Paz. I. THE BEGINNING OF TEMPTATION (Jas. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-16

Denomination: *other

The Cross Of Temptation Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 28, 2012

When we understand teh nature of temptation we can fully appreciate and share in the suffering of Christ.

Title: The Cross of Temptation Text: Mark 1:9-15 (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-14) Thesis: When we understand the nature of temptation we can fully appreciate and share in the suffering of Christ. Lenten Season: The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with the celebration of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Temptations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2017

Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won.

Intro Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus too was faced with great temptations, but he succeeded. Goal Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Plan We will look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Matthew 4:1-2 Led by the Spirit We read in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Doesn't God Do What I Ask? Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 24, 2017

What are God's reasons for not answering?

A. INTRODUCTION: WHY OUR PARENTS DON’T DO ALL WE ASK 1. It’s not good for us. 2. They don’t have resources. 3. They have other plans for us. 4. They have something better. 5. It would hurt us. B. WHY SOME HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS 1. Promise. “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do” (John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:39

Denomination: Baptist