Sermons on Burdensome Religion:

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

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

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

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

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

Religion Or Relationship? Series

Contributed by Ronald Thorington on Jan 1, 2008

Salvation does not come through religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ.

#22 8-26-07 Religion or Relationship? Introduction, 1) How do you know if you are truly saved? 2) Are you relying on religious credits to save you? 3) Apostle Paul had a great amount of religious credits. Text, Philippians 3:3-8 I. Salvation in not earned through Religion (3:4-6) A. Salvation ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:3-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Restoring Religion Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

Who is worship supposed to be about? God. And it is His worship that He was restoring in Jerusalem in this passage. This message looks at restoring our religion.

1. Worshipped as family (3:1 – they gathered together as one man) 2. Worshipped fittingly (3:2 – in accordance with the Word of God) 3. Worshipped freely (3:3 – in spite of the fear of the nations) 4. Worshipped fully (3:4-5 – they kept all the feasts and offered all the offerings) It seems like ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Religion In A Nutshell Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 13, 2008

Exposition of Mark 12:28-34 about the greatest commandment of Jesus

Text: Mark 12:28-34, Title: Religion in a Nutshell, Date/Place: NRBC, 11/9/08, PM A. Opening illustration: in 1602, when Shakespeare had Hamlet declare, "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count my self a King of infinite space." That song Center of the Mark, B. Background to passage: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Cage Of Religion Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 24, 2009

We all want to live life to the fullest, yet we seem to be held back. What cages us in? What locks us down? What fences us in? It is a fight to get out, but victory is possible!

Ultimate Cage Fighting Pt. 4 – The Cage of Religion I. Introduction Round 1, we battled the Cage of Fear. Round 2, we squared off against the Cage of Death. In Round 3, we slugged it out with the Cage of Addiction. Today, we take on what may be an even tougher opponent . . . the Cage of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Problem Of Religion Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Apr 26, 2009

There are two sides to sin and evil. On the one side we can be very bad and break all the rules, on the other side we can be very good and keep all the rules. Both are trusting in ourselves and not God (thoughts from The Reason for God by Timothy Keller).

(Ideas for this sermon come from the book: The Reason for God, Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller) Introduction This week- complete- 2nd part of a two week series. Last week we looked at The Problem of Sin, this week we are going to look at The Problem of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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

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