Sermons on Religious Vocations:

Conflicts, Confession, And The Cost Of Discipleship, Part 1 ( Matthew 16:1-12)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 21, 2025

In this chapter, the Lord Jesus will yet again confront the Pharisees and Sadducees for their religious hypocrisy and Peter will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, which is the rock upon which the church will be built.

After feeding the 4,000 residents of the Decapolis, Jesus and His disciples traveled to the region of Magdala near the city of Caesarea Philippi. It is here where the Pharisees and Sadducees came together for the specific purpose of bringing down Jesus. Their mutual contempt for Him had woven ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-28, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-21, Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’ Shrewd Side Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 4, 2016

Part of being Christ-like is knowing when and how to be shrewd.

Jesus’ Shrewd Side (Mark 11:27-12:13) 1. A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her. Looking in her purse, she commented, "That's funny. When I lost my bag there was only a $100 bill in it. Now there are five $20 ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Two Sons Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Sep 25, 2020

Jesus tells a very point parable to confront the religious elite with the truth that their religious activities were not taking place in the vineyard that was doing the will of the Father. The true vineyard is only where Jesus is the Vine.

Message Matthew 21:28-32 “The Two Sons” Our parable today is spoken in the last week before Jesus was put to death. Only days before He had ridden into Jerusalem on a colt – the crowds had enthusiastically welcomed and escorted Him into the city. Surely this was a fulfilment of the promises in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In The Light Of Christ Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 19, 2025

The Bible warns us about the dangers of ungodly influences and encourages us to separate ourselves from those who reject truth and positivity.

The Importance of Separating from Toxic Ungodly Influences As children of God, we are called to walk in the light of Christ, adhering to His teachings and commandments. However, the presence of ungodly individuals in our lives can pose a significant threat to our spiritual well-being. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33

Turning The Tables Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 14, 2012

By his resurrection, Jesus has turned the tables. Rather than be consumed with the present and the temporary, we are able to turn our attention to the hope and eternity. The change in perspective can tyurn our lives up-side-down, or right-side-up.

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION I heard a story recently about a young man who had trouble one Sunday getting up for worship. His mother knocked on his bedroom door and called to him that it was time to get up. The young man rolled over and pulled the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Breaking Career And Destiny Barriers Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 16, 2026

God’s divine plan empowers believers to overcome every career and destiny limitation and step into His ordained future.

BREAKING CAREER AND DESTINY BARRIERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jeremiah 29:11 Key Verse: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Supporting Texts: Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-2; ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Call To The Market Place Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 27, 2025

When we think of a call, we often think of a full-time vocation. This message looks at what it means to be called to the Marketplace.

When you hear that someone has been called to something or has answered a call on their life, who do you think of? A preacher? A missionary? Maybe a doctor, a nurse or a teacher. There seem to be certain professions that we feel particular folks are called to. For many people, a call means that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Take This Job And...love It!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 15, 2005

How to enrich our work lives and affect eternity, no matter what our vocation is. Powerpoint template available at website.

Take this Job and . . Love It! Mark 14:3-9 powerpoint template at: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/TakeThisJob.html Introduction Is the work you are doing good work? Do you love your work? I have talked to people who say “pastor I love my job.” I have also heard people say “I hate my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

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

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

"Jephthah, A Dirty $20-Dollar Bill” Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 18, 2002

Jephthah rises above being an outcast due to confidence in God and in himself.

“Jephthah, a dirty $20-dollar bill” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts A young child was saying his bedtime prayers, thanking God for the day. He ended his prayer with: “And thank You, God, for the nice boy you gave this family—Amen.” His mother asked, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-39

Denomination: Congregational

Walking With God

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 13, 2010

Walking may be a passtime for some, but walking with God must be a vocation for the man or woman of God who is seeking the best that the Lord has for their life.

Walking with God Genesis 5:21-24 21 ¶ And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: {Methuselah: Gr. Mathusala} 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:21-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gospel Of Legalism

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 9, 2014

A sermon that describes the religious legalist.

"The Gospel of Legalism" Galatians 1:6 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Introduction: This morning I may be preaching one of the most important messages I have ever preached anywhere in my ministry. I hope that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Challenging Religion Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

Jesus confronts religious leaders

Challenging Religion Vital to read the entire book at one sitting from time to time. Chapters 5-7 at minimum Jesus' teaching are set in the backdrop of the Feast of Tabernacles - Season of our Gladness! Called Succoth - Booths. Booths = we want rain. Fall harvest festival - reminder of tent ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational