Sermons on Empty Religion:

Hard Sayings: How To Accept Them

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 21, 2024

The problem with “nice” religion is that it isn’t religion at all, and today’s three Scriptural passages are proof of that reality.

Nineteenth Sunday in Course 2024 Hard Sayings There’s a very popular opinion about religion, and I think you may be already aware of it. Folks often think that religion ought to be “nice.” In other words, religion should make you feel good about yourself, first, and then, if possible, about other ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69, Ephesians 5:21-32, Psalm 34:2-3, Psalm 34:16-21, Joshua 24:1-2, Joshua 24:15-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Easter Day (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2025

Sermons upon the Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 111:1-10, Exodus 12:21-28, Colossians 3:1-7, John 20:1-10. A). A COMMITMENT TO PRAISE THE LORD. Psalm 111:1-10. After the initial exhortation to “Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 111:1), this song forms an acrostic, using all twenty-two Hebrew letters in alphabetical order. As for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 111:1-10, Exodus 12:21-28, Colossians 3:1-7, John 20:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Is Risen

Contributed by Johnny Small on Jul 2, 2003

This Easter we celebrate the empty tomb.

He Has Risen Please stand as we read God’s Holy Word. Luke 24:1-8 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-5, Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen! Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 15, 2017

the empty tomb proves death is not the end

HE IS RISEN! Luke 24:34 Have you ever heard of a man named Harry Houdini? He died in October of 1926, but Harry Houdini’s claim to fame was that he was a magician and an excellent escape artist. Houdini was said to have the flexibility of an eel and the nine lives of a cat. They did all kinds of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:4-5, Luke 24:20-35, John 2:19, Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Episcopal

Why Are You Weeping?! Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jun 27, 2014

Tears of Joy at Easter. The tomb is empty.

Why are you Weeping? April 20, 2014 John 20:1-18 Whether we want to admit to it or not . . . we all have dreams. We set out at a young age, with dreams. Oftentimes they’re little boy and girl fantasies. And sometimes they become realities. We dream about fun and exciting stuff, glamorous ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

It Takes Two Wings To Fly Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 29, 2025

Your works are empty without faith.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. It takes two wings to fly. Faith and human effort/prayer and programs/power of God and practical method. 2. Only faith in Christ saves us. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). a. Faith turns to God from idols. (I Thess. 1:9), which is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Denomination: Baptist

Islam- Submission To Whom?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 1, 2001

Comparing Christianity to Islam, Jesus Christ to Mohammed.

Sermon for 10/28/2001 Submission to Whom? Colossians 2:8 Adapted from an outline on Pastor’s Pastor Introduction: A. David Brown- What’s going on? The sidewalks are swarming with excited children masquerading as every imaginable creature and character. There is Batman and the Joker, Wonder ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:4-10, 1 John 4:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going Deeper

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 29, 2008

Within this Scripture I see that we can be at four basic different levels in our walk with God…four varying depths of relationship with Him.

Going Deeper Opening Question: How much of God are you experiencing? Within this Scripture I see that we can be at four basic different levels in our walk with God…four varying depths of relationship with Him. These differing depths are our choice, not God’s. We decide how far we are willing ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

History Of The Mormon Church

Contributed by Tylor Cates on May 24, 2002

This is a history of the Mormon Church

The Mormon Church I. History of the Mormon Church A. Founder is Joseph Smith Jr. (1805-1844) 1. Born Dec. 23, 1805, The fourth child of Lucy and Joseph Smith Sr. 2. His father was a self-proclaimed mystic, who spent most of his life digging for buried treasure. a. He was particularly interested in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:18

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Religious Or Spiritual?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 28, 2008

This week the texts seem to revolve around the idea that you can’t be "religious" but not "spiritual". It sounds like that tired line, "I’m spiritual but not religious". In the Gospel reading, I think it is interesting how Jesus heals both someone who wou

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three in One who has come to call sinners home. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Up to 10 percent of the world’s population that does not attend church on a regular basis describes itself as “spiritual, but not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Righteous Or Religious?

Contributed by John Butler on Jun 28, 2008

Examine yourself using the parable of the good Samaritan.

*******SERMON OUTLINE******* Righteous Or Religious? 1) Introduction... The George Barna Research Institute conducted a survey that revealed something about religious life in America that may come as a shock to you. According to the survey: 94 percent of Americans claim to believe in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

How The Pharisees Got It Wrong

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 19, 2011

In this topical sermon we are going to examine how the Pharisees missed it so badly by examining their history, their beliefs, and where they went wrong.

How the Pharisees Got it Wrong Text: Matthew 15:1-14 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Well we’re taking a little break from Ecclesiastes. We did last week so that I could talk to you all about how we might better serve God as a church. And tonight, I want to talk to you about how the Pharisees ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

True Worship - More Than Good Intentions

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Aug 20, 2011

There are Lessons to Be Learned About Worship from the story of Cain and Abel.

Our text is Genesis 4:1-16. Here we saw that apart from GOD, sin dominates us. We learned that sin comes from our NATURE, not our ENVIRONMENT. Now, there are Lessons to Be Learned About Worship from the story of Cain and Abel. Arthur Pink notes, “The central truth of the chapter is that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ghostbusters

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2009

Panicked people do irrational things, like attempt to live in the past or to live out of bad religion. Panic can be dealt with only by trusting God and living in integrity. Luther’s Reformation is a prime illustration.

Children are not the only ones who are afraid of the dark. You do not have to be a child to be subject to irrational, unreasoning fears, fears that take you over and leave you breathless. Children may be afraid of dark rooms and of monsters under the bed, but the rest of us also panic. Don’t tell ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:3-18

Denomination: Baptist

Being With The Lamb Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 18, 2011

In Chapter 17, Babylon represents a false religious system that we guard against by being with the Lamb.

Although we’ve certainly come across some difficult passages in our journey through the Book of Revelation, there is little doubt that the passages that we’ll examine over the next two weeks in chapters 17 and 18 are the toughest to deal with. There are so many different opinions about ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-18

Denomination: Baptist