Sermons on Burdensome Religion:

Pure Religion

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 4, 2012

A sermon about the contradiction between vain and pure religion.

“Pure Religion” James 1:22-27 Scripture Reading James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Worthless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 8, 2012

Don’t let anyone judge you by legalistic standards, disqualify you by mystical experiences, nor enslave you by ascetic practices, because Jesus is all you need. A warning of the false ideas of legalism, mysticism, & asceticism.

Back in 2004, when several hurricanes hit the state of Florida, it left thousands of people without electrical power. Like many Floridians, Don Aycock’s neighbor used a portable generator to supply power until the electrical lines could be repaired. It had been running for a while when the man ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Ditchin' Religion

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 14, 2012

A sermon about how believers should not allow religion to dictate their lives, but how Christ should live through them.

Text:, Title: Ditchin’ Religion, Date/Place: NRBC, Carver Baptist Church, 3/11-12/12, PM A. Opening illustration: Quote from Not A Fan, page 25, about stadiums with enthusiastic fans, but no interested in the pain of following. Have a brief discussion on how we describe the best Christians ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Is Not Enough

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Feb 9, 2012

A major problem in our world today is religion. In fact, lots of people are turned off to God because of religion. Many people will not consider the claims of Christ because of religion. Religion is a problem.

Religion Is Not Enough Romans 2:17-29 17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

Freedom Of Religion Series

Contributed by Wade Allen on Oct 3, 2007

Life’s greatest choice is freedom of religion.

A couple had been married for twenty years when they went to a wedding of a close friend’s daughter. During the ring exchange ceremony, the husband started to cry. The wife, surprised by her husband’s emotional outburst, said, "I didn’t realize that you have such deep feelings about your friend’s ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 8, 2013

We live in an age of convenience. There's nothing wrong with convenience per se. The danger is when we look for a Christianity of convenience rather than sacrifice and commitment. This sermon looks at "convenience Christianity" from several angles.

A Religion of Convenience Chuck Sligh April 7, 2013 TEXT: 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – “And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons On Religion

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 16, 2010

In the story of the Pharisee and tax collector, Jesus contrasts true and false religion.

Lessons on Religion Luke 18:9-14 INTRODUCTION A. Are some things what they don’t appear to be? 1. Have you ever thought you might not be who you think you are? 2. Is it possible to think you are a Christian when you’re not? 3. The world seems flat when you look at the horizon, Columbus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Answer To Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 20, 2010

Whenever religion is infused with independence, power, and control it becomes ultimate evil, but when it leads into the way of submission, sacrifice, and service it bears the ultimate goodness of God.

Much argument today is made about whether religion is helpful or harmful for society. Of course much of the discussion hinges on what we mean by religion. It‟s a topic that many of us could really go off on. But if I had to sum up what I see it would be this: whenever religion is infused ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 31, 2013

Paul tells that it is actually dangerous to be religious

Dangers of Religion Romans 2:17 - 3:8 Paul wrote to a very proud people, the Jews. They were convinced that they were God's chosen people ... His ONLY chosen people ... and that everyone else was a heathen .... hated by God and marked for destruction. The Jews on the other hand were a people of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Relationship, Not A Religion!

Contributed by Monte Brown on Oct 11, 2012

We are to have a relationship with God, not a religion.

A Relationship, Not a Religion! Introduction What kind of relationship do we have with God? Or do you just have religion? • A past relationship • A once a month relationship • A once a week relationship • A long-distance relationship • A present relationship A ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Dean Morgan on May 10, 2017

The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; maybe they had what they thought were more important things to do.

Tekoa: a town in Judah in the wilderness, fortified by Rehoboam. It was the home of the prophet Amos. They were part of the group helping Nehemiah rebuild the wall. The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal