Sermons on Mechanical Religion:

The Way That Works Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Oct 17, 2006

4 of 5 messages on Colossians. This message speaks of religion, spirituality, secularism, and Godliness.

Life 101: The Way That Works Four Ways to Live Three ways crash and one way works Is there anything as irritating as when something that is supposed to work – doesn’t? Sit in your car and turn the key but all you hear is the starter growling incessantly. There is no comforting roar of spark plugs ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Intimacy With God

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 1, 2007

Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with a loving God who desires an intimate relationship with us.

DURING THE 17TH CENTURY, OLIVER CROMWELL, LORD PROTECTOR OF ENGLAND, SENTENCED A SOLDIER TO BE PUT TO DEATH FOR HIS CRIMES. THE EXECUTION WAS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE RINGING OF THE EVENING CURFEW BELL. HOWEVER, THE BELL DID NOT SOUND. THE SOLDIER’S FIANCÉ HAD CLIMBED INTO THE BELFRY AND CLUNG TO THE ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Don't Make Me Pull This Car Over!" Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Nov 24, 2008

Our study of James continues by looking at what true religion is according to God.

Fracture Part 4- “Don’t Make Me Pull This Car Over” Pastor Ryan Akers James 1:19-27- explanation of title…There is a ton of good stuff in this scripture and what I want to do this morning instead of giving you point 1, point 2, point 3 is I want to unpackage it little by little so that we can get ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Woe To The Hyprocrites!

Contributed by James Jack on Apr 11, 2009

Jesus’ stinging tirade against the hyprocrites and heretics is a righteous condemnation of false religion.

I get worked up about a lot of things. I get worked up when they change the words to old hymns that are favourites of mine. I get worked up at umpiring and refereeing decisions – perhaps not as much as St. George supporters, but worked up nonetheless. I get worked up when Damien takes the last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Anglican

Fired Up, Or Fizzled Out?

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 19, 2007

Satan has no problem with a church that has smoke going up the chimney, as long as there’s no fire in the furnace. If the church isn’t careful, its ministry can become mere methods and mechanics, performed legalistically, without love for Christ.

FIRED UP, OR FIZZLED OUT? Text: Rev.2: 4 Intro: In the first seven verses of Revelation chapter two, the resurrected Christ, via the Apostle John, writes a letter to the church of Ephesus. At the time this letter was penned, the church of Ephesus was a thriving body of believers. Times were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Diversity Of Spiritual Gifts In Contributing Toward Unity Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 13, 2018

We must make a distinction between “spiritual gifts” and natural abilities. When you were born into this world God gave you certain natural abilities, perhaps in mechanics, art, athletics, or music. In this regard, all men are not created equal . . .

Commentary on the Book of Ephesians By: Tom Lowe Date: 8/13/17 Lesson 17: The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts in Contributing Toward Unity (Ephesians 4:7-16) Ephesians 4:7-16 (KJV) 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

Full Disclosure Of The Mystery Of God Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 21, 2017

Paul's deep struggle concerning false teachers and false doctrines is one that continues today. We see some of the characteristics of false religions and cults and how the Church can be guarded against them.

Full Disclosure of the Mystery of God Colossians 2:1-5 We begin Chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Universal Gift Series

Contributed by John Sears on Dec 3, 2013

In a culture where tolerance is the highest virtue and where sincere belief is the only thing important to faith, are Christians too exclusive in believing that Jesus is the only way to eternal life? What does that salvation look like?

Introduction I have a confession I need to make. I have owned my cell phone for a little more than a year now. In that time, I have lost my charging cord five times. Now don’t blame me. I think it’s possible that charging a phone soon causes the cord to fade into the netherworld ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Understanding Religious Fundamentalism

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Mar 12, 2015

The United States has a very long history of unsuccessful conflicts with Islamic fundamentalists. The reason is that the only person who can really understand the dedication of a religious fundamentalist is another religious fundamentalist.

UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM ILLUSTRATION THE GATHERS There was a very wise man who one day decided to journey to a neighboring city with three of his followers. They were not long into their journey when they came upon a man picking berries. In his quest to get the largest and best ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

Creed Or Deed? Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 29, 2012

What matters the most in our walk with God? Faith is not just metnal acknowledgement of the living God but actions to affirm him in our lives.

Did you ever wonder where that expression The Real McCoy comes from? According to the folks at phrases.org, nobody really knows for sure. Several possibilities are often cited. • Some think it came from the advertisements for a brand of Scottish whiskey from the 1870’s. To combat cheap ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Better Part

Contributed by Vonnie E James on Mar 25, 2010

This is a sermon about relationships, the burdensome type),verse those that are rested in Christ.

Luke 10:38-42- “The Better Part” Reflective questions: Given a choice, who will you prefer to be? Yes, yes yourself (but seriously) Is it a “Martha”? Or a “Mary”? …Really...just who are you now? Scripture passage: Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Rely Upon? Series

Contributed by Bobby Oliver on Apr 23, 2018

The Egyptians relied upon the Nile River for religion, for their food and water, and for their livelihood. Who or what are you relying upon?

Who Do You Rely Upon? Exodus 7:14-25 - We’re continuing our study through the book of Exodus. - Last week, we looked at some of the reasons why God is the source of our boldness. - We saw that God knows everything, when He told Moses exactly how Pharaoh was going to respond. - We saw that God ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

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

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's Preventing You From Accepting Christ As Your Savior?

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Nov 23, 2021

Some reasons given for why I’m not accepting Christ as my Savior and scripture responses.

Religion-- Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 ?It’s not about religion. It’s about Jesus. Confess and believe and you will be saved. Romans 10:9 I don't believe in Heaven-- Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again to receive you unto myself. John 14:2-3 Revelation 21:3-4 ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Romans 10:9, John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:3-4, Mark 9:43-48, Matthew 13:41-42, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 22:35-40, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist