Sermons on mechanical religion:

Religion Undefiled Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Aug 26, 2009

Pure religion lives out as an outworking of the grace of God in us!

“Religion Undefiled” James 1:17-27 “Religion Undefiled” James 1:17-27 Introduction The story is told of an evangelist overseer of an African Church, was talking about following the “pure” path, and the “pure” path only. It was night, and a crowd of natives sat around the campfire. A native dog ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Christian Church

Religion And Government

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Aug 6, 2009

We need to restore to society a common moral code by being a light of Christ actively involved in our communities. Religion should be in government but government must not be in religion

As we struggle to understand to live out our faith and God’s will in our lives, we know that God does in fact care about all of the issues we will address during our Tough Issues Sermon series. Can anyone who is a believer truly think that God does not care what we think regarding criminal justice ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Religion Or Relationship? Series

Contributed by Ronald Thorington on Jan 1, 2008

Salvation does not come through religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ.

#22 8-26-07 Religion or Relationship? Introduction, 1) How do you know if you are truly saved? 2) Are you relying on religious credits to save you? 3) Apostle Paul had a great amount of religious credits. Text, Philippians 3:3-8 I. Salvation in not earned through Religion (3:4-6) A. Salvation ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:3-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Restoring Religion Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

Who is worship supposed to be about? God. And it is His worship that He was restoring in Jerusalem in this passage. This message looks at restoring our religion.

1. Worshipped as family (3:1 – they gathered together as one man) 2. Worshipped fittingly (3:2 – in accordance with the Word of God) 3. Worshipped freely (3:3 – in spite of the fear of the nations) 4. Worshipped fully (3:4-5 – they kept all the feasts and offered all the offerings) It seems like ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

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

Godless Religion

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 6, 2009

What does religion look like when God is not at the center? 1) It is empowered by rebellion. 2) It is based on human works. 3) It invariably leads to judgment.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GODLESS RELIGION GENESIS 10: 8-11, 11:1-9 1. Illus. of ecumenical church service • Religious leaders from a dozen different faiths held an Ash Wednesday service at United Nations Church Center Chapel in New York. • The front of the chapel included not only a cross, but also ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

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

Religion That Works

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 23, 2012

James 1:26-27 offers a three point message on religion that is a must DO.

As we continue our Summer Service Series let’s turn to one of the most practical books in the New Testament: James. This little letter is packed with instruction and wisdom for Christian ACTION and SERVICE. James is big on application. A few weeks ago I did a lesson entitled “Do to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Answer To Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 20, 2010

Whenever religion is infused with independence, power, and control it becomes ultimate evil, but when it leads into the way of submission, sacrifice, and service it bears the ultimate goodness of God.

Much argument today is made about whether religion is helpful or harmful for society. Of course much of the discussion hinges on what we mean by religion. It‟s a topic that many of us could really go off on. But if I had to sum up what I see it would be this: whenever religion is infused ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A Withering Religion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2020

Judgment begins at the house of God.

A WITHERING RELIGION. Matthew 21:12-22. Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religion And Politics

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 31, 2020

A look at the words of Jesus as it pertains to our election.

Religion and Politics November 1, 2020 I’m not sure if you know, but there’s an election coming up this Tuesday! There hasn’t been much talk about it. It’s been pretty hush, hush. So, I thought for my first Sunday back, I should talk about religion and politics. Some say it’s the most important ...read more

Denomination: Baptist