Sermons on Counterfeit Religions:

Losing God In Religion Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 3, 2015

We lose God when we emphasize a ritual or object over and above our relationship with God. Don't expect God's blessings without repentance.

During a service at an old synagogue, when a particular prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The new rabbi didn't know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Religion Without God

Contributed by David Radcliff on Apr 2, 2016

Christianity is a relationship not a religion.

RELIGION WITHOUT GOD II Timothy 3:1-5 I. WITHOUT CHRIST 1. Formality II Timothy 3:5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof A skeleton has a form of man, but is dead! 2. Faithless Luke 18:8. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? There ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Is True Religion? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Sep 21, 2013

What does James mean by pure and undefiled religion?

A Study of the Letter of James James 1:26-27 September 18, 2013 Read Scripture:James 1:26-27 [show scripture] 26If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Gone Bad

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 12, 2012

Religion goes bad when our lives are not marked by genuine humility and heartfelt generosity.

Title: Religion Gone Bad Text: Mark 12:38-44 Thesis: Religion goes bad when God is not the object of our devotion. Introduction (Disclaimer… this introduction may not be for the faint of heart.) I am fascinated by some of the reality programming on the Discovery Channel. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religion Without Reality Series

Contributed by Don Emmitte on Aug 11, 2014

Many people seem to be content to trust their own efforts and religious practices to make them acceptable before God. We need to be aware that religious activities are only good when they express an inner reality.

Religion Without Reality Romans 2:17-29 Romans Series (Part 6) Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries Take Your Bibles Please… But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

God Beyond Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 13, 2018

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey Intro We are continuing our series… “Conversations with Jesus”… As described in previous weeks… many conversations are just polite exchanges. Some are practical exchanges. But there are some that can be life ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, John 4:39-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The False Security Of Religion Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 29, 2014

Who are you trying to please? Are you into a religion or are you into a relationship?

INTRODUCTION Some of you know the pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida, Dr. Jim Henry, is a good friend of mine. Not long after they had been in their new building, they had an unusual thing happen on a Sunday morning. They were through most of the worship service and the choir was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Religion, Reformation, Or Relationship

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 1, 2017

What matters is not what religion you are or cleaning up your act. What matters is your relationship with Christ.

Religion, Reformation, or Relationship Matthew 12:34b-50 Traditionally, on New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions. About 85% of those made are for some form of self-improvement. While most of those who make resolutions are sincere, only 8% ever achieve their goal. How many times have you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:34-50

Denomination: Baptist

When Religion's Not Enough Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

A look at the high priesthood of Jesus and the implications that carries for our lives

1. Title: When Religion’s Not Enough 2. Text: Hebrews 7 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM worship crowd, August 13, 2006, in the series “Nothing Better Than The Best” 4. Type: expository 5. Objectives: • For the people to understand the necessity of having a High Priest in our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Freedom From Religion

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 4, 2006

Following Christ is a relationship not a religion.

Sunday Morning 8/12/01-Col. 2-Freedom From Religion Key idea: Following X is a relationship not a religion. Video Clip: Matrix 1:37:20-1:38:19 Neo confused about his identity, doesn’t understand who he really is, we as xians suffer from the same problem. Don’t know or understand who we are. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-13

Denomination: *other

Losing My Religion Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

To be able to break away from tightly held beliefs, there has to be a conversion of the heart and mind

Losing my Religion Acts 10-11 After several years of trying to bring about change from the inside, former President Jimmy Carter announced that he’s severing his ties with the Southern Baptist church over its treatment of women. “I have been a practicing Christian all my life and a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Second-Hand Religion

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

Faith in Jesus allows us to have a real personal relationship with God.

Focus Passage: Exodus 33:7-23 KEY VERSE 18 “Show me Your glory” Supplemental Passage: John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Introduction: References to second hand clothing or other items, or ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-23

Denomination: Baptist

From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 21, 2012

As Jesus ministered to Nicodemus, He focused on moving him from relgion to a relationship.

This morning, as we continue to learn how to be more effective ministers for Jesus by studying how He ministered, we’ll come to what is undoubtedly the most well known verse of Scripture in the entire Bible. We see the reference to that verse on signs at sporting events, printed on the bottom ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by John Oquinn on Sep 15, 2018

Religion vs. Relationship

I will start by reading a book excerpt from the June 3,1989 issue of Today in the Word, published by the Moody Bible Institute. As I read, see if you can guess whom is being spoke of. He made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:19-24, Romans 3:9-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 5, 2018

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen?

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 In His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist