Sermons on Burdensome Religion:

True Religion

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 22, 2016

What was Jesus’ first and only stipulation for those He called? Follow Me!

True Religion Mark 2:13-17NLT Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this description of the game of baseball in their program: “You have two sides, one out in the field, and one in. Each man that's on the side that's in, goes out and when he's OUT he comes in and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Tim White on Feb 9, 2017

Paul addresses the dangers of hiding behind religion to avoid a relationship with God.

Last week, from Romans 1, we saw how people get so far from God, God gives them up to their vile choices and futile minds. That is the most tragic story in the Bible. We pointed out that all of us are susceptible to the same spiral stairway. Even believers, even Churches, can become cold towards ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Religion

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Nov 3, 2015

To establish that “pure religion” is not a feeling, but a faithful service to others by those who live daily to remain pure and unspotted from the world. Pure religion has it origin from the Word of God; not from the words of men!

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Perceived Religions 2. Pure Religion 3. Practices of Religion Remarks. 1. James speaks of “pure religion” that which is undefiled, what it is not; what it is; and what are it practices. He writes: “If any man among you seems to be religious, and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25-27

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

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

"Authentic Religion"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 27, 2013

A sermon about love.

John 13:34-35 "Authentic Religion" A headline on the front page of the paper this past Tuesday caught my eye. It read: "Bomb Suspects Driven by Faith." It went on to say: "The two brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon appear to have been motivated by their religious ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Stale Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 30, 2013

If you want to keep your relationship with Christ fresh and vital, don't focus on tradition and clean hands; instead, focus on scripture and a clean heart.

Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but had never thought much about their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Demands Of A Religion

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 6, 2013

The Invitation to this wedding banquet was an invitation extended by grace. It is a powerful picture showing that all who received the invite had it received it by grace. When grace is rejected, wrath will be given.

The Demands of Religion Text: Matt. 22:1-14 Dorn Ridge June 10, 2012 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Much is made of plurality in today’s society. 2.) The major concern about plurality for many seems to be its implied permission to participate in every kind of belief and practice. A.) The parable of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Timothy Enns on Oct 26, 2014

Looking at Man's rules and God's views. This is the 3rd sermon in the series James, Faith in action. We need to be guarded against what our tongue can say and what our anger can do and we need to see what faith in action is all about...

Well this is our third Sunday in the book of James. Last week we looked at James 1:19-25 and this week we are primarily looking at James 1:26-27, but I want to back to James 1:19-21. One of you asked last week if I just skipped over the controlling your tongue and anger thing on purpose. Have no ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Nazarene

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

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 7, 2025

Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Tachus means quick, swift, and speedy. Akouo means exercise the faculty of hearing to understanding that which has been heard. Bradus means take a relatively long time to act with deliberation.

Theme: Pure Religion Text: James 1:19-27   Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever! Introduction: "YOU WILL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY, THE LORD YOUR GOD." In Jan we have learned the attributes of God as Holy. In Feb we have seen that the worshippers God must be holy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Methodist

Religion Of Hypocrites Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 10, 2025

He called them blind guides (Matthew 23:16), snakes and brood of vipers (23:33). We are called to practice true godliness, sincere love, and enduring faith.

Text: Matthew 23:23-32 Theme: Hypocrite Religion   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!   Introduction: Today, we would meditate and understand what doesn’t mean hypocrisy, and how Pharisees and scribes were hypocrites, and where we stand in our spiritual life. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-32

Denomination: Methodist

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