Sermons on Hypocritical Religion:

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

What Does God Desire For Us? (James 1:12-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 24, 2022

The good news, is that God gave birth to the church-- a people/kingdom who live rightly toward God, and others. God doesn't want us to sin.

Let's start today by simply rereading last week's verses. James 1:1-12: (1) James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, a slave. To the twelve tribes-- to the ones in the dispersion: Greetings. (2) All joy consider it, my brothers, whenever various testings/trials you encounter, (3) ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-27

Are You Religious Or Not?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2024

Jesus, in the Gospel, enumerates the evil we must avoid, or repent of if we haven’t avoided it. It’s like a to-do list from a modern person’s daily schedule, isn’t it?

Twenty-Second Sunday in Course 2024 Those who have known me as a preacher for any length of time also know that I am not a big fan of the clerics who put our Lectionary together. They tend to omit verses and paragraphs to shorten the readings at Mass. And that itself is a kind of insult to the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Psalm 15:2-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

All Worship Is Not Acceptable

Contributed by Ramsey Ledford on Jul 19, 2005

This is a sermon on how to both worship and fear God as He desires us to rather that simply going through the "form" of religion only.

“All Worship is Not Acceptable” Introduction: Assyria conquered Israel and most were deported from Samaria to Assyria. Assyria replaced the deported Israelites with captives of other countries to live in Samaria. This is where our text will pick up. #1) What has been imported into our way of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 17:24-41

Denomination: Baptist

Eight Woes Upon The Pharisees

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Sep 13, 2001

the 8 woes of sin as displayed by the Pharisees in Jesus time. They profess to be the only guide in religion, but are blind to truth and practical Christianity. They strain at gnats and swallow camels.

Eight Woes Upon The Pharisees Marks of a Pharisee Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Matthew 23:2 a [Moses’ seat] Twenty-one Characteristics of Hypocrites 1. They demand respect as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Two Marks Of Genuine Faith

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

1. Last week we looked into the mirror to see if our religion or faith is real.

1. Last week we looked into the mirror to see if our religion or faith is real. We looked into God’s word and then we looked at ourselves to see if we reflect the image of a genuine believer. 2. James shares with us three marks, evidences or signs that our faith is authentic. The first one we ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Cross And Christ Of No Effect

Contributed by Chuck Morley on Feb 2, 2001

When we neglect the truth of the cross we are left with empty religion and a powerless Christ.

A CROSS AND CHRIST OF NO EFFECT "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God;" (2 Corinthians 3:2,3) This verse is pretty ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The First Christmas

Contributed by Othey Mcnew Jr. on Dec 26, 2003

We as a nation, and as a world have increasingly tried to cut religion completely out of CHRISTmas.

The First Christmas Luke 2: 1-14 Luke 2 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For A Bad Day Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Aug 11, 2003

In the words “He is risen” lies the difference between Christianity and every other religion in the world.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 68 “Good News For A Bad Day” Luke 24:1-8 How many of us have been approached by someone who said, “I have some good news and some bad news, which do you want to hear first?” I am always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Sinchronicity" Doesn't Mix With Jealousy Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 28, 2003

Sermon on the golden calf and how God doesn’t allow us to mix religions.

August 31, 2003 Exodus 32-34 When I read the confessions of our Lutheran church, there is not one doctrine that I am embarrassed about or feel is contrary to Scriptures. I am firmly convinced that EVERY teaching is in accordance with God’s Word. That is not to say that we don’t have any ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

What Do You Believe? Islam Part 4

Contributed by David Diyanni on Aug 26, 2008

This is a sermon series that looks at false religions and cults and how they differ from Biblcial Christianity

What Do You Believe? Part 4 Islam Introduction A. Today we are continuing our series called “What do you believe?” We are talking about some of the major false religions that we are faced with today such as Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, Scientology and Islam and why Christianity is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Vineyard

What Do You Believe? Catholics

Contributed by David Diyanni on Sep 2, 2008

This is a sermon series that explores the beliefs of different religions and comapres them to what the Bible says.

What Do You Believe? Catholicism Introduction A. Today we are finishing our series called “What do you believe?” We have been talking about some of the major false religions that we are faced with today such as Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, Scientology and Islam and why Christianity ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5

Denomination: Vineyard

The Book Series

Contributed by W F on Mar 31, 2007

Christianity is stands out from all other religions because of its unique book.

INTRODUCTION Nearly every brand of religion is based on a book. Whether it’s an ancient religion or a modern construction it’s almost certain that it will follow some kind of sacred book. And in that sense Christianity is no different. We have our holy book and it’s called the Bible. But the Bible ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-25

Denomination: *other

Apostolic Preaching

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2007

How did the message of the Apostles differ from the message of the religions competing with the Christian Faith?

“When [the Sanhedrin] had brought [all the Apostles], they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Myth And The Magic, The Moment And The Master

Contributed by Ronald Law on Jul 6, 2006

Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship.

Mark 5:24-34 The Myth and the Magic, The Moment and the Master Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship. Introduction The story of the woman who reached through the crowd and touched the hem of His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Methodist