Sermons on Mechanical Religion:

True Religion

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 22, 2016

What was Jesus’ first and only stipulation for those He called? Follow Me!

True Religion Mark 2:13-17NLT Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this description of the game of baseball in their program: “You have two sides, one out in the field, and one in. Each man that's on the side that's in, goes out and when he's OUT he comes in and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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 Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 31, 2013

Paul tells that it is actually dangerous to be religious

Dangers of Religion Romans 2:17 - 3:8 Paul wrote to a very proud people, the Jews. They were convinced that they were God's chosen people ... His ONLY chosen people ... and that everyone else was a heathen .... hated by God and marked for destruction. The Jews on the other hand were a people of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

"Authentic Religion"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 27, 2013

A sermon about love.

John 13:34-35 "Authentic Religion" A headline on the front page of the paper this past Tuesday caught my eye. It read: "Bomb Suspects Driven by Faith." It went on to say: "The two brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon appear to have been motivated by their religious ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Dean Morgan on May 10, 2017

The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; maybe they had what they thought were more important things to do.

Tekoa: a town in Judah in the wilderness, fortified by Rehoboam. It was the home of the prophet Amos. They were part of the group helping Nehemiah rebuild the wall. The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cage Of Religion Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 24, 2009

We all want to live life to the fullest, yet we seem to be held back. What cages us in? What locks us down? What fences us in? It is a fight to get out, but victory is possible!

Ultimate Cage Fighting Pt. 4 – The Cage of Religion I. Introduction Round 1, we battled the Cage of Fear. Round 2, we squared off against the Cage of Death. In Round 3, we slugged it out with the Cage of Addiction. Today, we take on what may be an even tougher opponent . . . the Cage of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Problem Of Religion Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Apr 26, 2009

There are two sides to sin and evil. On the one side we can be very bad and break all the rules, on the other side we can be very good and keep all the rules. Both are trusting in ourselves and not God (thoughts from The Reason for God by Timothy Keller).

(Ideas for this sermon come from the book: The Reason for God, Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller) Introduction This week- complete- 2nd part of a two week series. Last week we looked at The Problem of Sin, this week we are going to look at The Problem of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Charismatic

Religion Or Relationship Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 14, 2011

A study of chapter 1 verses 2 through 31

Isaiah 1: 2 - 31 Religion Or Relationship 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “ I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me; 3 The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:2-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel