Sermons on Deviant Religion:

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Makes A Church Ugly? Ephesus Pt 5 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

The problem with Ephesus is they were doing so much inside the walls they never went out. They were a “come-and-get-it” church and not a “go-and-get-them” church. This church saw their culture as something you stay away from.

“What Makes a Church Ugly?” Ephesus. Revelation 2:1-7 The world tries to get it right, but in all of its wisdom it can never measure up to the truth of God—it is all foolishness. LOVE is not a feeling to be lost—but it can be forsaken. LOVE causes us some great and full ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Benefit Of A “ Chrisma “ Atmosphere

Contributed by Scott Carroll on May 27, 2011

The difference between ministering to people or just giving them religion.

THE BENEFIT OF A “ CHRISMA “ ATMOSPHERE 4-5-09 Luke 10:30-35 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“spectators Or Combatants?” Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 20, 2011

Man's religion is at war with God's revelation.

Introduction “The tale is told of a soldier during the Civil War who simply could not make up his mind which side of the conflict he supported. Thus, he dressed in a blue coat and gray pants, and walked down the center of the battlefield confident of his approval by both sides…and was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Known By God Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 20, 2011

Man's religion is at war with God's revelation.

Introduction A number of years ago I had an experience while working on my undergraduate degree in biblical studies that so shocked me that it has stayed with me. For the final exam in a systematic theology course, I understood the assignment to be to write a series of brief essays on several ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

Building My Life On Jesus Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 3, 2019

The more I focus on what I am doing for God the more likely I am to miss what God is doing in me.

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"god So Loved The World...those O So Famous Words" Series

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 26, 2019

read the passage in John 3... the sermon will be preached in the first person. Nicodemus will tell his story and give his testimony.

Title: those o so famous words… John 3: 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Religious? (Part Three) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 23, 2017

What does it mean to become polluted by the world? To be polluted means our thinking and behaviors are of the world. We are subscribing to its philosophies and ideals. We are liviing in accordance with the sinful nature. So how do we become unpolluted?

ARE YOU RELGIOUS (part three) Recap: Last week we looked at the beginning of James 1:27, "Religion as God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." We looked at why orphans and widows and it's because these are among the most vulnerable, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, James 2:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Question Of Fasting

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 18, 2020

A warning against mixing things that differ.

THE QUESTION OF FASTING. Matthew 9:14-17. It is a strange thing that the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus to ask, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14). It is unfortunately typical of religious people to be performing some ritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Wine, Skinny Jeans Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 8, 2021

How does the gospel relate to our lives, our religions, and our methods?

Introduction I want to open this morning with a challenge for you. No matter who you are, your position or title; no matter what kind of degree you hold, or how long you’ve been coming to church. No matter how much or how little you read your Bible, no matter if you think I’m right or I’m wrong; ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39, Matthew 6:2-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

A Christians Responsibilities In Politics

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Mar 23, 2015

What is the Christians responsibility in politics?

Introduction: "Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right." William E. Gladstone William E. Gladstone British Liberal Prime Minister, Statesman (1809-1888) I. Christians must be engaged - When the righteous increase, - We must be part of the process A) Lies Christians are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For Everyone! Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Nov 10, 2014

Religion cannot save you no matter how zealous you are, only a relationship with God!

God Set Israel Aside Because: 1) They did not Listen to Him. Vs. 2 Truth: For a Jew, your whole life revolves around your religion. Philippians 3:4-6 Key: Religion cannot save you no matter how zealous you are, only a relationship with God! 2) They tried to save themselves by good ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

For The Best Of Baptists-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 1, 2011

2 of 3. The writer to the Hebrews described what was available in Christ Jesus to the religiously comfortable. A higher plane is available to the religiously comfortable. But what heights are available? 7 Higher planes exist even for the Best of Bapti

For The BEST of BAPTISTS-II—Hebrews 7:1-10 Need: The writer to the Hebrews described what was available in Christ Jesus to the religiously comfortable. A higher plane is available to the religiously comfortable. What heights are available to the religiously comfortable or the Best of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Real… Oh Yes, It’s Real!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

There are some lessons in life that some folks seem to have to learn the hard way.

Illus: A first grade teacher asked her class to write six things in life they had learned the hard way. One little girl jotted these six things down. She had learned: • No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats • When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair • ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Week 1 Salvation Series

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 28, 2023

First in a series of seven.

SALVATION I. Introduction Acts 16:29-31 (29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:10, Acts 4:2

Denomination: Baptist