Sermons on Religious Tradition:

Following Jesus To The Cross #2 - Drawing A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Nov 21, 2001

This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.

INTRODUCTION There are many images that come to mind when we think of Easter. -- Easter Bunnies, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, etc -- Easter Holidays - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, etc. -- Easter Symbols -- Cross, Communion There is a Challenge We Face... -- Each time we experience ...read more

Denomination: *other

What Do We Do With The Weeds?"

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

When the end comes, it will become clear who those people are whose faith is truly in Jesus, and it will become clear who those are who have been just playing a religious game.

When I was a kid, weeding the garden was one of my least favorite activities. It was often hot out there and my back would hurt from bending over. Worst of all, I thought it was monotonous work, so often I did not pay real close attention to what I was doing. And, sure enough, I would sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Luke 9:62

Denomination: Baptist

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Coming Like A Child

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 21, 2005

Christ clearly teaches that it is not religious observance or our goodness that saves. Christ teaches that it simply takes child-like faith. But what does it mean to come to God in child-like faith?

Disclaimer: Concepts and source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledgethese sources whenever possible. COMING LIKE A CHILD LUKE 18:15-17 INTRODUCTION: Sandwiched between the accounts of a Pharisee who believed that he would go to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Why Shepherds?

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.

Why Shepherds? Luke 2:8-20 Introduction The birth of Jesus Christ was not revealed to kings or rulers. It was not revealed to the religious elite. When God came to earth, He let the world know by announcing the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds. Why? Perhaps He wanted the poor and outcast of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 23, 2007

There is only one power at work in the last week of Jesus’ life - not Pilate’s, not the religious leaders’ - but the power of His love for the world. This power kept Him silent and drove Him to the cross.

John 15:9-13 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Don't Deny Gravity - It Hurts! Series

Contributed by Tim May on Apr 26, 2015

Peter and John looked the religious leaders in the eyes, which truth would actually be heard? Peter and John were determined to make sure it would be their truth that would stand the test of time.

INTRODUCTION: We had been out in the field for about a week moving from one position to another. This time we had stopped for a short rest. It was late in the morning, probably around 2am so I was standing around with several Marines when one of them asked, “Hey Chaps do you believe in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:20

Denomination: Methodist

Short, Sweet And Ignorant

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 19, 2016

There is common phrase that is often heard from people who have attended weddings, baby dedications and other religious ceremonies, "That was short and sweet, just like I like it."

Short, Sweet and Ignorant The Consequences of Not Wanting To Hear From God The Bible says, "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil." (Ecclesiastes 5:1) There is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Revival Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Revival is not only a good word used in Scripture, it is also a good and positive experience. When rightly understood, we will long for it in the religious realm as we do in all other areas of life.

Clovis Chappell, the great Southern preacher and author, said in one of his messages, "What announcement could the average pastor make to his people next Sunday that would create less enthusiasm, less approval, less holy expectancy, then that he would soon to begin a revival?" ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

Fourth Of July America Your Bone & Flesh

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jul 3, 2021

For the church in the USA, the Fourth of July is always problematic. While not a religious holy day, there is an expectation from many that at least some recognition of the day is required So this sermon looks at Freedom and ralationship.

Your Bone & Flesh SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B MARK 6:1-13 When I think of the term Flesh-n-Bone what comes to mind is the Rapper. Born Stanley Howse and known to his fans as Flesh-n-Bone, this Ohio-bred hip hop artist rose to fame as a member of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony this young man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

The Retraction Movement (Lesson 1) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 15, 2020

To establish that the Holy Spirit predicted a “departure from the faith” that resulted in religious apostasy and the rise of denominational institutions throughout the world. This lesson describes the failures of the Reformation Movement, and the successes of the Restoration Movement.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Retraction Movement Remarks. 1. This is lesson one, in our sermon-series of the theme: “The Departure from the Faith.” It should be noted that Paul begins our lesson by describing “the retraction movement” or “the departure from the faith!” It should also be noted, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"All Hail The King!"

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 18, 2013

The Triumphal Entry ushered in Jesus' final week before his crucifixion. He was gathering a greater following and the religious leaders didn't like that. Jesus was being hailed as king.

“ALL HAIL THE KING!” John 12:12-19 1) All hail the King! (Vs. 12-13). “The great crowd”. It was near the Passover and the week long Feast of Unleavened Bread celebration, where the population in Jerusalem rose from about 50,000 to over two million. Even though there was a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Parable Of The Pharisee And The Publican Series

Contributed by Ricardo Rodriguez on Nov 1, 2012

There is a necessary appropriate attitude in prayer so that it can be answered by God. The Pharisee belonged to a Jewish religious sect that believed that salvation came by obeying the letter of the law and precepts that they and their ancestors had esta

Ice Breaker: Can you describe the characteristics of a humble person? Scripture: Lucas 18:9-14. INTRODUCTION: There is a necessary appropriate attitude in prayer so that it can be answered by God. The Pharisee belonged to a Jewish religious sect that believed that salvation came by obeying ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Apostolic