Sermons on Mechanical Religion:

Freedom From Religion

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 4, 2006

Following Christ is a relationship not a religion.

Sunday Morning 8/12/01-Col. 2-Freedom From Religion Key idea: Following X is a relationship not a religion. Video Clip: Matrix 1:37:20-1:38:19 Neo confused about his identity, doesn’t understand who he really is, we as xians suffer from the same problem. Don’t know or understand who we are. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-13

Denomination: *other

Faith Vs. Religion

Contributed by Rob Westlund on May 15, 2003

Faith sees Jesus and all that Jesus is. Religion sees what is comfortable and common

In Wyoming’s Fitzpatrick Wilderness at 11400 feet above sea level is the pristine shore of a nameless lake. This is where we join Mike Turner, a Presbyterian minister completing his sabbatical leave with a solo adventure with God. This adventure Mike called a “Wander in Wonder” was a 60 mile hike ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-60

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Religion's Favorite Sin

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Oct 2, 2005

the danger of hypocrisy

Intro: one of the classic, I Love Lucy shows was the show where Lucy and Ethel traded places with Ricky and Fred; one of the funniest parts of that show was when Ricky put a whole box of yeast into his dough and it overflowed the oven. Yeast is a powerful substance, just a little is needed to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Religion Meets Relationship

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jan 3, 2005

This is a Bible study from John 3 that can be easily preached or taught in a small group setting.

Religion Meets Relationship John 3:1-16 I. Who Was Nicodemas? (v. 1-2, 10) A. He was a ruler of Israel. This means that He would have been on the Sanhedrin, Pharisee and leading teacher. B. He came on behalf of a group C. He acknowledged that Jesus was a great teacher. D. Why did Nicodemas come ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

"Religion The Right Way”

Contributed by Andy Grossman on May 26, 2009

Reveals how you can know what religion God approves of.

“Religion the Right Way” May 31, 2009 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Holiness

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

The Traits Of Token Religion

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 17, 2009

Just because someone attaches the word "worship" to a religious service, doesn’t mean that the term fits. This was often the case with Israel’s religous rituals. Sadly, it is often true of many church services in our day.

The Traits Of Token Religion Text: Phil.1: 3-11 Intro: Today I want to focus on the thought mentioned in the second half of Philippians 1: 10. Paul tells the Philippians that he was praying that their love for Christ might continue to grow, resulting in knowledge, discernment, and sincerity. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 17, 2009

The human religious nature that tries to resolve our guilt and shame in our own way.

Last week - healing… reaffirm… We’ll see more… but today… what’s driving through Jesus… the CENTRAL POINT OF CLASH AND CONFLICT… Mark 1:40-41 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Your Struggle With Religion Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

God cares about how his name is used, both in words and in what we do and what we fail to do.

By Rev Bill Stewart Back in the late 1990s everyone was talking about Y2K and wondering if their computer would still work on the 01/01/ 2000. The new millennium was all over the media. The Australian magazine even ran an article called "10 Commandments for the next Millennium" (7-8 March 1999). No ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:4-10

Denomination: Anglican

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

Second-Hand Religion

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

Faith in Jesus allows us to have a real personal relationship with God.

Focus Passage: Exodus 33:7-23 KEY VERSE 18 “Show me Your glory” Supplemental Passage: John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Introduction: References to second hand clothing or other items, or ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-23

Denomination: Baptist

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

"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

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