Sermons on Burdensome Religion:

This Is War Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 9, 2024

As we continue to pursue the "true religion" that James encourages us to embody, we come face to face with a war that we face. Sure, there are battles with culture, but this war is within.

One of my favorite bands is the group “Switchfoot.” While I like their sound (it is unique and often very easily identifiable), what I like most is their lyrics. Switchfoot is a band that is made up of Christians. Their lyrics and songs have made their way onto both Christian and secular charts ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12, Luke 16:13, Matthew 7:7-8, Exodus 34:14, Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 37:4, Matthew 5:3-4, 1 John 1:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Nearness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 27, 2022

Popular religion speaks about man reaching up to God. However, the reality is that God is reaching down to us. Yes, Christ is stretching out His arms to us upon the Cross.

THE NEARNESS OF GOD. Isaiah 65:1-9. People sometimes talk about somebody who ‘found God.’ God was never lost; it is people who are lost. When the prodigal son returned to his father, the father said, ‘this my son was lost, but now is found’ (cf. Luke 15:24). Yet, in their distress, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why People See Christians As Weak Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Boasting or bragging is excluded because it elevates you to the pinnacle of importance. It’s sad to say this, but religion is a great place to do just this – to brag about one’s morality

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Ok God, What Do You Want From Me?

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Sep 20, 2025

Religion can sometimes be seen as a system of laws or rules designed to please God, but that is not what God wants. God wants a loving relationship with His Children, and that we follow His commands because we Love Him! Micah 6 and Galatians 5 help us to see the difference between Love and Legalism.

Good Morning. This morning, we have 2 excellent lessons intended to guide God’s people back on track from bad mindsets. Micah 6 begins in a heavenly courtroom. All of creation, the mountains and hills, are poetically called in as a jury to witnesses God’s case against His people. Israel has lost ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Galatians 5:16-24

Denomination: Anglican

The Son Of God - Meeting Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 1, 2005

What possible meaning could Peter’s "good confession" have for what we should know and believe about Jesus?

OPEN: St. John’s University is apparently known for being a theological school where intellectualism is highly regarded. Someone wrote the following graffiti on one of the walls there: Jesus said unto them: “Who do you say that I am?” And they replied: “You are the escha-tological ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Build A Church (Spiritually) Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 11, 2023

We must remember that building any physical structure is a tool to build the church spiritually. You should know the Bible has a lot to say about building the church spiritually too.

Our church has been thinking a lot about our new building in our new location. Since the month of May three hundred loads of dirt has been delivered to prepare the lot. A foundation has been poured. Volunteers have worked security at the site around the clock. So many of us have given ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25, Matthew 17:20, Isaiah 56:7

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction To Romans 4 Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 25, 2024

Five practical benefits of understanding Romans 4 are shared. The theme of justification by faith is contrasted with justification by works which is characteristic of false religions and cults. The grace teaching in Romans 4 is essential in evangelism and forms the foundation for Christian living.

Today we resume a study in Romans that we taught in 2019. Five years ago, we expounded Romans 1-3 verse-by-verse with 35 messages. Those are available on our YouTube channel for anyone who wants to review them.i Romans is a book that cannot by properly understood without giving detailed attention ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Romans 3:20-31, Romans 10:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Watch Your Step

Contributed by Ronald Fair on May 31, 2002

The more carefully we attend to such practical lessons as this passage contains, the more shall we recommend our religion to others, and the more inward peace shall we find in our own souls.

Watch Your Step Scripture: Luke 17:1-5 Introduction: There is a story about a man who was a doctor of divinity, who lived with his son, who was a doctor of medicine. One day the telephone range and the D.D. answered it. “Is this Dr. Frank speaking?” “Yes” was the answer. “Are you the one who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Windswept

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2005

America is a land swept by the winds of change. Are they destructive? Yes, if we invest in religion without integrity and if we accept leaders committed to materialism. But refreshing winds are possible as we the church are in touch with the Spirit.

In the hills of eastern Kentucky, not far from where we once lived, there is a hidden-away estate called Windswept. If you crawl up the winding grade of US 421 to the wide place in the road called Morrill, off to your left there is a driveway that leads to a lovely stone house. Windswept was ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 8:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Hiding Behind A Veil

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 21, 2005

We often suffer from "blurred vision" when it comes to religion or belief in God. We see what we want to see colored by the prejudices (veils) we have created or experienced.

Hiding Behind A Veil Exodus 34:29-35 / 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 Intro: I once attended the wedding of a friend. When the bride started down the aisle, I noticed she was having a difficult time. It was as though she was intoxicated. As she neared the row where I was seated, I could see the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Scourge Of Legalism Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 12, 2004

The problem with legalism is: 1. It turns a relationship of love into a religion of laws. 2. It turns people from encouragers into fault-finders. 3. It emphasizes outward conformity rather than inner transformation.

What an interesting story about the early church The Word of God has just spread to the Gentiles (non-Jews and people from other lands), and they have responded enthusiastically to its message. There were thrilling stories of healings, miracles and dramatic conversions. These new converts were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Parting Words Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 12, 2009

We commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection annually and claim to personally experience the resurrection of Christ in our own lives. If however there is hostility toward the church and organized religion, something about the resurrection of Christ

• I showed a comic slide to start, which asked the question, "Did anyone hear what the chairman of the board’s parting words were?" The point is how we can walk through an experience, meeting, etc., and totally miss what it was all about. The big question facing us this morning is that very ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:9-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Effective Christianity

Contributed by Scott Fields on Oct 9, 2013

Why is Christianity in America declining? Why are professions of faith and baptisms on the decline. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. Church is not a place we go or something we do it is God's people doing His will.

I have a very serious question to start us off with this morning. Why is Christianity on the decline here in America? I am sure there are probably as many answers as there are people. • Could it be because Christianity is competing with so many other religions? • Could it be because ...read more

Scripture: John 5:31-42

Denomination: Baptist

Believers Or Decievers

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Sep 25, 2015

Paul writes that if we are believers, we should realize that we are vessels that God resides in through the Holy Spirit. The world will try to deceive us and tell us that God reside within religion.

BELIEVERS OR DECIEVERS 1 Corinthians 3:16-20 (NLT) Intro: A dog food company’s latest product was not selling very well, so the president called a board meeting to discuss why. The advertisement department said the ads were great and going full speed ahead. The research and development ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Example Do You Set For Your Children's Faith

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 18, 2016

What does it mean when we say, “We engage to religiously educate our children.” This is not saying that we will educate our children in religion. It says we will religiously educate.

Last week we learned that the Gospel is all that matters. I hope we all left here with that thought embedded in our hearts so that everything in our lives will revolve around the Gospel. Well today we’re going to go a step further with that thought as we think about the message we send to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist