Sermons on Man Made Religion:

"The Religion Police"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 28, 2010

Our value as a person has nothing to do with having our name on the up in lights. God loves us; we can’t improve on that! You don’t have to try and prove you are worthwhile by sneaking your nametag a little higher up on the table. And praise God for that!

Luke 14:1-14 “The Religion Police” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Luke opens chapter 14 by telling us that Jesus “went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee,” on the Sabbath and that “he was being carefully ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"Man's Age-Old Question”

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 13, 2006

Answering the age-old Qustion! “What’s the use of religion? Does it make any difference to a man’s condition?” “Does God know my grief?”

Biblical Text: Malachi 3:13-16 and 4:1-2 (KJV) “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Why Religion Stinks Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on Jan 6, 2009

Part 3 of our "Being the Church" series, this one focusing on the need for an authentic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how "religion" does not meet that need.

Stephen N. Collins Millville – 06/22/08 Being the Church Part 3: Why Religion Stinks Acts 4:1-22 Icebreaker: The kindergarten teacher asked the students in her class to bring something related to their families’ religions to class the next day. She asked for volunteers to show what they had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Church Of God

Embracing Change — Making Room For Pure Religion

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Jun 1, 2025

Change is never easy. But in the Kingdom of God, change is often the doorway to growth. The Church has always been called to adapt—not by compromising truth, but by shedding old forms that no longer serve the mission.

“Embracing Change — Making Room for Pure Religion” Authentic Worship, Missional Evangelism, and the Call to Genuine Relationship Todays Scriptures: • James 1:27 • Matthew 4:19-22 • Acts 10:34-35 • John 4:23-24 • Matthew 28:18-20 Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call Change is never easy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 4:21, Matthew 4:22, Acts 10:34-35, John 4:23-24, Matthew 28:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Embracing Change — Making Room For Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Jun 8, 2025

Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call Change is never easy. But in the Kingdom of God, change is often the doorway to growth. The Church has always been called to adapt—not by compromising truth, but by shedding old forms that no longer serve the mission.

Sermon 1 “Embracing Change — Making Room for Pure Religion” Authentic Worship, Missional Evangelism, and the Call to Genuine Relationship Key Texts: • James 1:27 • Matthew 4:19-22 • Acts 10:34-35 • John 4:23-24 • Matthew 28:18-20 Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call Change is never easy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, Matthew 4:19-22, Acts 10:34-35, John 4:23-24, Matthew 28:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Satan Uses Religion

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 30, 2022

Satan uses hypocrisy, fratricide, and self righteousness to misdirect and misfocus the Christian (Adapted from a book by Joe Beam called "Seeing the Unseen")

HoHum: Does Satan go to church? I know he does. Yes, the spiritual forces of evil are here but mostly they work through people. Imagine Simon Peter’s surprise when this happened: “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:28, Matthew 12:25, Luke 18:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Religion Steals Series

Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on Sep 7, 2009

(PowerPoint Slides freely available by e-mailing Emile@Wolfaardt.com) Dealing with the spirit of religion so that Christ is glorified.

Journeying with John - It’s a Blast (JWJ-20) When Religion Steals John 5:9-17 Good morning! Today I want to start with something rather unusual - I want to identify a thief in our midst - I want to name this thief so you are no longer vulnerable to his attack, I want to expose him. That thief’s ...read more

Scripture: John 5:9-17

Denomination: *other

The Dangers Of False Religion

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Apr 8, 2003

How to identify the apostate church

The Dangers of False Religion 1st John 2:18 - 27 Jeff Hughes I. Introduction a. Tonight, we are going to look at 1st John, Chapter 2, verses 18 through 27. Here we see another warning for the church from John the Apostle. Last time, in verses 15-17 John warns that a love of the world can be a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Verses Religion

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 9, 2001

Religion can point one to God and provide expression for faith, but only the Person of Christ can bring slavation.

The Gospel Vs. Religion Eph 2:1-10 A recent article in the religion section of our local newspaper, dealt with the question, “Is it better to be religious or spiritual?” Opinions were garnered from five local pastors, representing Unity, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, and Bahai. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Challenging Our Religion Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Jan 5, 2011

So Jesus came to challenge and to change the way people think. And as He continued to challenge religion His ministry led Him to a variety of places. We see two of them today.

“Challenging our Religion” Matthew 12:1-14 Eventually the ministry of Jesus was sure to cause great controversy. After all, Jesus challenged all of the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees, the Saducees, anyone who was teaching tradition over truth. Jesus was never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Economics, Politics, And Religion Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Oct 15, 2008

Exposition of Mark 12:13-17 about Jesus’ confrontation with Pharisees over the taxes issue

Text: Mark 12:13-17, Title: Economics, Politics, and Religion, Date/Place: 10/12/08, PM A. Opening illustration: Lots of really dumb things have been carried out in the name of these three B. Background to passage: this is during Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, and He has just told the parable ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

"From Religion To Relationship"

Contributed by David Henderson on Apr 12, 2011

We come this morning to one of the most familiar passages of scripture in the Bible. Certainly most of us have memorized John 3:16 than any other verse ion the Bible. Preschoolers can recite it. Football fans paint it on signs and sit in the end zone.

“From Religion to Relationship” John 3:1-16 Billy Graham tells the story of the time early in His ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a revival meeting. He had arrived a bit early so he decided to finish a letter he was writing and get it in the mail. He finished the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Without Christ Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Apr 7, 2008

Many today are teaching that Christ is only one way to God. This passage reminds us that religion without Christ is worthless.

Religion Without Christ Hebrews 6:1-3 Purpose: To call religious people to trust fully in Christ. Aim: I want the listener to be fully surrendered to the Gospel. INTRODUCTION: “Retro” styles are now in. Wikipedia defines “Retro” this way: “Retro is a term used to describe aspects of modern ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Consequences Of Bad Religion

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2013

THE JEWISH NATION HELD A PRIVILEGED STATUS WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND THE SANHEDRIN FEARED THAT JESUS WOULD GAIN A LARGE FOLLOWING, CAUSE A CIVIL UPROAR, AND ANGER THE GOVERNING ROMAN EMPIRE. IF THAT HAPPENED, these religious leaders would lose their...

5-16-2004 Title: Consequences of Bad Religion Text: John 11:47-48, 53 Scripture Reading: John 11:45-53 Introduction CHRIST DIED DURING Passover week in Jerusalem. It was the HIGH HOLY WEEK ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-53

Denomination: Baptist