Sermons on Earthy Religion:

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

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

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

Ditchin' Religion

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 14, 2012

A sermon about how believers should not allow religion to dictate their lives, but how Christ should live through them.

Text:, Title: Ditchin’ Religion, Date/Place: NRBC, Carver Baptist Church, 3/11-12/12, PM A. Opening illustration: Quote from Not A Fan, page 25, about stadiums with enthusiastic fans, but no interested in the pain of following. Have a brief discussion on how we describe the best Christians ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Or Relationship?

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Jul 14, 2011

Knowing all the right WORDS and doing all the right WORKS are not enough. Do you KNOW Jesus?

RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP? Karl Barth was a famous theologian. He lived in Basel, Switzerland. One day he was on a streetcar. A tourist to the city climbed on and sat down next to him. The two men started chatting with each other. "Are you new to the city?" Barth inquired. "Yes," said the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Pure Religion

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 4, 2012

A sermon about the contradiction between vain and pure religion.

“Pure Religion” James 1:22-27 Scripture Reading James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Worthless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 8, 2012

Don’t let anyone judge you by legalistic standards, disqualify you by mystical experiences, nor enslave you by ascetic practices, because Jesus is all you need. A warning of the false ideas of legalism, mysticism, & asceticism.

Back in 2004, when several hurricanes hit the state of Florida, it left thousands of people without electrical power. Like many Floridians, Don Aycock’s neighbor used a portable generator to supply power until the electrical lines could be repaired. It had been running for a while when the man ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Relationship, Not A Religion!

Contributed by Monte Brown on Oct 11, 2012

We are to have a relationship with God, not a religion.

A Relationship, Not a Religion! Introduction What kind of relationship do we have with God? Or do you just have religion? • A past relationship • A once a month relationship • A once a week relationship • A long-distance relationship • A present relationship A ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

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 Compromise Religion

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 11, 2023

In this portion of scripture is a brief sketch of the history of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan.

I. Pharaoh Tried to Intimidate Israel Away from the very Thought of God and Religion 1. Exodus 5:1-9 2. He said that Moses’ message of salvation was only “vain words.” Useless, nothing to it. 3. The Devil is using this same method with people today. He tries to frighten away because of what others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Daniel Teberian on Mar 16, 2023

What does a true Christian look like? How do our actions reflect the faith that we have? How do our actions reflect the love of God?

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. [James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27, Matthew 12:34, 1 John 4:7-8

Real Religion

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Oct 16, 2024

The bible describes what real worship really is

Real Religion Jas 1:27 religion= a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices Attitude= help ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Baptist