Sermons on Babylonian Religion:

Religion Or Relationship?

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Jul 14, 2011

Knowing all the right WORDS and doing all the right WORKS are not enough. Do you KNOW Jesus?

RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP? Karl Barth was a famous theologian. He lived in Basel, Switzerland. One day he was on a streetcar. A tourist to the city climbed on and sat down next to him. The two men started chatting with each other. "Are you new to the city?" Barth inquired. "Yes," said the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Religion That Works

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 23, 2012

James 1:26-27 offers a three point message on religion that is a must DO.

As we continue our Summer Service Series let’s turn to one of the most practical books in the New Testament: James. This little letter is packed with instruction and wisdom for Christian ACTION and SERVICE. James is big on application. A few weeks ago I did a lesson entitled “Do to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem With Religion Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 15, 2020

Let’s live lives that honor God in every way.

THE PROBLEM WITH RELIGION Text: Rom. 2:17-24 Introduction 1. Illustration: When we Pastored in Yellville, AR there was a little restaurant that I used to like to hang out at called The Hill Top. One day a man from a nearby town called Zinc stopped in for lunch. The town of Zinc was famous for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Methodist

Restrictive Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 3, 2018

If you want to be free from a guilty conscience, don’t depend on restrictive religion, which is limited by its procedures, its place, its people, and its purifying power.

Two neighbor boys were the best of friends on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday, however, they didn’t talk to each other, because one was a Catholic and the other was a Baptist. Their parents were concerned, so they agreed to let their sons visit each other’s ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

True Religion Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 21, 2018

Message 13 in our exposition of James. This message focuses on three characteristics of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “True Religion” This is our thirteenth excursion in front of God’s faith-exposing mirror. James’ letter provides pointed instruction evaluating the true nature of our faith. James’ mirror exposes the reality of faith by showing us the character of true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Talking Religion

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Many of us have a hard time talking with others about our faith. Jesus gives us a good example.

“1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat them. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, `Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' 3 Jesus answered them, `Have you never read what David did when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5, Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28

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

Rethink Religion

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Sep 1, 2021

When we say "religion" what do we really mean?

Rethink Religion Walk in Wisdom / James 1:17–27   • When we say “religion” what do we really mean? • Bible dictionary calls it Religion: “A relationship of devotion or fear of God or gods.” • Various types of conduct or ritual practices are included in that concept. • Those rather scholarly ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-27, 1 John 2:3-6, Hebrews 13:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Daniel Teberian on Mar 16, 2023

What does a true Christian look like? How do our actions reflect the faith that we have? How do our actions reflect the love of God?

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. [James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27, Matthew 12:34, 1 John 4:7-8

Religion And Politics

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 31, 2020

A look at the words of Jesus as it pertains to our election.

Religion and Politics November 1, 2020 I’m not sure if you know, but there’s an election coming up this Tuesday! There hasn’t been much talk about it. It’s been pretty hush, hush. So, I thought for my first Sunday back, I should talk about religion and politics. Some say it’s the most important ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Withering Religion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2020

Judgment begins at the house of God.

A WITHERING RELIGION. Matthew 21:12-22. Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Compromise Religion

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 11, 2023

In this portion of scripture is a brief sketch of the history of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan.

I. Pharaoh Tried to Intimidate Israel Away from the very Thought of God and Religion 1. Exodus 5:1-9 2. He said that Moses’ message of salvation was only “vain words.” Useless, nothing to it. 3. The Devil is using this same method with people today. He tries to frighten away because of what others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist