Sermons on Wicked Rulers:

Good To Great

Contributed by James Barrett on Aug 16, 2003

A look at the rich young ruler, based on Jim Collins book, Good to Great. What must a person do to move from a Good to Great Christian?

GOOD TO GREAT MATTHEW 19:16-22 Intro: Best-selling author, Jim Collins is causing quite a stir with his latest book, Good to Great. In his book he reports the results of over ten years of research of the financial results of every company on the Fortune 500 list from 1965 until 1995. The object was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Chose To Not React To Cultural Or Personality Traits But focused On Principles

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus knew that He would have been accused of partiality by giving favorable treatment to the rich young ruler over the woman at Jacob's well.

1. Jesus knew that He would have been accused of partiality by giving favorable treatment to the rich young ruler over the woman at Jacob's well. Surely, Jesus understood all of the elements of social-cultural norms and the intricacies of personalities, but He chose to objectively address all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:34-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Boy With The Heart Of A King Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Apr 3, 2003

God looks on the heart not on the outside. The human ruler is at his most kingly when he bows before God, freely, willing, and out of love for God.

By Guerin Tueno What a disaster! King Saul has gone from being the golden boy of Israel to the John Elliot of the Old Testament. Saul’s reign was like a roller-coaster ride. Started low, but then he shot up as King, and then down again. He misunderstood who’s really in charge. God isn’t some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

This One Thing I Do Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Mar 8, 2006

The stories of the Rich Young Ruler and of Mary and Martha show that Christians need the discipline of denying self, learning of Christ and following HIm in order to find peace.

THIS One Thing I DO Philippians 3__13 If a person is even remotely interested in the world around him, has an occupation and a family, his responsibilities and interests quickly out grow his ability to accomplish all that need be done or that he would like to do. Only a few people can do more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-23

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus At The Right Hand: Basis For Living A Life That Honors God And Serves Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2014

Jesus wants to rule in our lives from heaven; if we follow our heavenly ruler, we will nurture well-lived lives on earth as a result.

Jesus At the Right Hand: The Theological Basis for Living A Life That Honors God and Serves Others (Colossians 3:1-4) 1. The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing to have an urgent problem with one of the main computers resolved, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Truth Matters Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Apr 23, 2012

Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler reveals that when we minisnter to others we need to tell them the truth because we love them.

Here at Thornydale Family Church our mission is to develop mature disciples who follow, serve and proclaim Jesus as Messiah. Just prior to Easter, we spent seven weeks getting to know Jesus better through His “I am” sayings found in John’s gospel account. And the primary thing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Compassion Changes Conditions

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Aug 26, 2019

A sermon on how compassion changed the woman with the crooked spine, and how the synagogue ruler's religiosity resisted kindness. Compassion should always win.

Compassion Changes Conditions I cried when I read the hunchback of Notre Dame. Victor Hugo’s novel is one that stays with you your whole life because we see pieces of each character in ourselves. In the beginning, we meet Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame. It is the Festival of Fools in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Episcopal

People Aren't Hopelessly Wicked: John Is Recommissioned, As Prophet To All People (Rev. 10:1-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 12, 2023

God's judgments don't stand alone, or work alone. He commissions John, and then the 2 witnesses, to testify about Jesus. People turn, when we obey our commission.

This morning, we have the privilege of working our way through Revelation 10. This is a great chapter. I really enjoyed studying it, and wrestling with it. But it caused me all kinds of fits, because it's a chapter that can't be understood by itself. Until you hear the OT echoes, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:1-11, Daniel 12:1-13, Revelation 9:20-21, Ezekiel 2:1-10, Ezekiel 3:1-11, Revelation 19:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Herod - How Deniers Find Jesus Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 15, 2014

Herod was a wicked man and an evil king. But you don't have to kill baby Jesus to end up in hell. You just have to deny him.

Herod - How Deniers Find Jesus Matthew 2:19-20 Today’s message takes a somber tone. This is our third message on the subject of Finding Jesus. Today, we look at Herod who was seeking Jesus but for the wrong reason. As we know, Herod was seeking Jesus to kill him. He demonstrates for us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Beware

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on May 29, 2002

When things seem to be going well.....BEWARE....this is exactly the time when satan lulls us into a sense of false security...only to spring his wicked traps.

BEWARE ILLUSTRATION: Look at the beautiful bird sitting on the tree limb...soaking in the sunshine...singing such a beautiful song. This bird seems so, at peace, with everything. She seems to have a full belly and a beautiful day awaits her...BAM...CRASH! 1. The lights go out...the cat got ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Breath Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2010

The Faith is under assault by a wicked world. In such times, believers are encouraged by the knowledge that God shall prevail; and the evidence for this truth is the eternal Word that reveals the Son of God.

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Race Toward Evil - Which Way Will You Run? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2005

Judah had embraced wickedness in their lives... but why? Did they just wake up one morning and say "I’m going to be wicked?"

wOPEN: Why do people do “evil things?” About 7 years ago (8/31/98), Charles Colson wrote that “A generation of liberals in academia and government has accepted the view that if only the evils of society – such as poverty, unemployment and racism – were overcome, crime would disappear.” Former ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Colossians As A Case In Point Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 26, 2018

It was while you and I were in rebellion against Him, while we were doing wicked works, that He reconciled us to Himself.

7/4/18 Tom Lowe Title: IIB6?The Colossians as a Case in Point ?Colossians 1:21-23 • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” follow associated verses. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV) (Text) 1:21-23: (21) Once you were alienated from God and were enemies ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

"the Dragnet: A Call To Urgency" Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Mar 29, 2025

Now, we turn to "The Parable of the Dragnet," a story that zooms in on the future—the day when the righteous and wicked will be separated.

Matthew 13:47-50 Introduction • Setting the Stage: We’ve been diving into the parables of Jesus, uncovering what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. We’ve seen its growth and challenges in parables like "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven," its value in "The Hidden ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50, Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 12:41-42, John 5:24-30, Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 5:22, Mark 9:43-48, Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

The Slave That Ruled A City

Contributed by James Tetley on Jul 2, 2007

One mans view of the parable of the parable of the mina’s from Luke 19 - showing the amazing grace of God in turning him from a slave to a ruler of cities

You’ll never guess what I saw – it seemed so unfair. He seemed such a nice chap – he had a wife and a couple of kids. He wasn’t seeking to do better than all the others. Just get by. He wasn’t the type to take needless risks – he was a good steady sort. Looked after his family… took care of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist