Sermons on burdensome religion:

What Does God Desire For Us? (James 1:12-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 24, 2022

The good news, is that God gave birth to the church-- a people/kingdom who live rightly toward God, and others. God doesn't want us to sin.

Let's start today by simply rereading last week's verses. James 1:1-12: (1) James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, a slave. To the twelve tribes-- to the ones in the dispersion: Greetings. (2) All joy consider it, my brothers, whenever various testings/trials you encounter, (3) ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-27

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

What's Preventing You From Accepting Christ As Your Savior?

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Nov 23, 2021

Some reasons given for why I’m not accepting Christ as my Savior and scripture responses.

Religion-- Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 ?It’s not about religion. It’s about Jesus. Confess and believe and you will be saved. Romans 10:9 I don't believe in Heaven-- Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again to receive you unto myself. John 14:2-3 Revelation 21:3-4 ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Romans 10:9, John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:3-4, Mark 9:43-48, Matthew 13:41-42, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 22:35-40, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The War On Principles & The Hope In Our Worldview

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 26, 2021

We live in a culture where really, values are passe. You aren't allowed to have values.

We live in a culture where really, values are passe. You aren't allowed to have values. Morality, principles are scorned by the media, ignored by academia, dismissed in politics, and mocked by Hollywood. Especially for young people, if you have values your a loser. If you carry a Bible ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Salvation Army

Are You Religious Or Not?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2024

Jesus, in the Gospel, enumerates the evil we must avoid, or repent of if we haven’t avoided it. It’s like a to-do list from a modern person’s daily schedule, isn’t it?

Twenty-Second Sunday in Course 2024 Those who have known me as a preacher for any length of time also know that I am not a big fan of the clerics who put our Lectionary together. They tend to omit verses and paragraphs to shorten the readings at Mass. And that itself is a kind of insult to the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Psalm 15:2-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Good Old Days (God)

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 16, 2025

It is evident that the glory has departed from many churches and Christians. We need to be casting again.

A history note, In the early days of this country Baptists were disliked because every time they spoke to someone they had "a scripture to cast in your teeth." Sadly, they have come a long way and the wrong way. For many years in ministry I have had to plead with Baptists to come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15, Mark 4:20, 1 Samuel 4:21

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Truth

Contributed by Paul Hammons on Mar 13, 2007

We have heard that truth is relative, what’s true for you may not be true for me, what’s true for Americans may not be true for Iraqi’s, what’s true for some religions may not be true for other religions.

What Is Truth; John 18:37-38 Two men had an argument. To settle the matter, they went to a judge to let him decide. The plaintiff made his case. He was very eloquent and persuasive in his reasoning. When he finished, the judge nodded in approval and said, "That’s right, that’s right." On hearing ...read more

Scripture: John 18:37-38

The Implications Of The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Mar 20, 2008

Christianity begins where other religions end - with the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb. Other religions point may point to a founder as Christianity, but they must also point to a founder’s grave. ONLY Christianity is able to point to an em

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST Matthew 28:1-10 W. E. Sangster was stricken with a progressive illness that was taking his voice and would eventually rob him from preaching in his pulpit. One day he said to his friend, “It is going to be a terrible thing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Unity Factor Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 19, 2009

Who is God and what’s he like? The Trinity is one of the distinctive beliefs of the Christian faith. No other religion has incorporated in its belief system this concept of the Trinity. Many religions propose that there is only one God – Islam, for exampl

Trinity: The Unity Factor 1 John 5:7 NKJV If someone asked you, “What’s God like?” how would you respond? One email I received answered this way: "God is a little like General Electric. He brings good
things to life." God is a little like a Visa Card. He’s everywhere you want
to be. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:7

Denomination: Methodist

Why Christ Is Insulted And Mohammed Is Honoured

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2014

A religion without a saviour that has suffered cannot endure insults to win those who mock. A religion that cannot bear insults must bear the impossible load of upholding the honour of one who did not give his life for others.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Teaching Obedience To The Next Generation

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 22, 2021

Saul hides behind his religion. Mafia hitmen rationalize, “Yes, I kill people but I’m really good to my mother.” We are incredibly good at self-deception. People hide behind their religion to evade obedience

Today, I want to speak to parents and grandparents on raising children who have a stalwart character all their lives. Let’s look at one of the most interesting kings of ancient Israel, King Saul. Today’s Scripture The word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoice In The Lord

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 18, 2000

Billy Sunday said, "If your have no joy in your religion, there is a leak in your Christianity.

Billy Sunday said, "If your have no joy in your religion, there is a leak in your Christianity. The missing thing in a lot of Churches today is real Christian joy. In a lot of Churches it is made up, its a put on. Some Churches look like the house of the dead rather than the house of the living or ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Open Church

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Sep 12, 2002

We come to church not as consumers of religion, but as a community of faith that is open to God, to one another, and to outsiders

The Open Church 1Peter 2:9-10 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: *other

La Perversión De "La Religión Pura" Series

Contributed by Carlos Camarena on Apr 7, 2003

James’ warning against the perversion of "true religion" by faithless "Joneses" who control the church with their money.

La perversión de “la Religión Pura” Santiago 2:1-7 Texto: Lucas 6:20-23 Por Carlos C. Camarena I. Introducción A El capítulo 2 de Santiago viene a ilustrarnos en términos bien claros el lado negativo de lo que Santiago considera una religión “pura” y “sin mancha” (ver 1>27). Esa religión ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-7, Luke 6:20-23

Denomination: Adventist

Joy Killers.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Sep 6, 2004

. Billy Sunday said if there is no joy in your religion then there is a leaky vessel, a leak in your Christianity somewhere.

Joy killers. Philippians 1:1 -- 2. 08/15/04 I want us to go through this book of Philippians because we can learn a lot about joy. Who is it that doesn’t want joy? I guess you have discovered that in the Bible you will find the answers to questions of life. For instance, many people want to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist