Sermons on mystery religions:

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

Battling Convenient Religion

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jun 16, 2005

This message takes a look at the account of the Rich young Ruler in Mark 10 and how it is is a mirror of those that are seeking convenience through religion.

Battling Convenient Religion Mark 10:17-22 I. The Man’s Presumptions (v. 17) A. He presumed his inheritance could be earned “…what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” – v. 17 B. He presumed discipleship was about doing “..what must I do…” – v. 17 1. Discipleship is about ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Religion Series

Contributed by Wade Allen on Oct 3, 2007

A challenge to avoid being Pharisaical in the church.

The Apostle Paul had an interesting style of ministry. Paul would travel to a city, get to know a few people, plant a church, then stay around as long as it took (usually a couple years) until the church was self-sufficient. Then he would pack up and move to a new city and start the process all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Replacing My Religion Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Apr 24, 2007

Religion which is man-made brings insecurity, but a Relationship with Jesus brings confidence.

> When I was a young man, I would frequently hear, “I’m gonna lose my religion!” Normally, this was said at a time of stress and frustration. > Gallup took a poll on “Religion” in January of 2007, the results of which seems to me to be a little contradictory in nature. When asked “do you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

"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

Moving To A World Religion

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 6, 2009

Roman Catholic & Islam.

- It has been said that politics and religion don’t mix - Iran is primarily run by the religious clerics - Today the foundation being laid for a one-world religion. - BBC Tuesday, 3 March 2009: The Vatican is sponsoring a five day conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:14-15

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

The Gospel Vs. Religion Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 18, 2010

This message is from my expository series through the book of Romans.

“The Gospel vs. Religion” Romans 1:8-17 September 14, 2008 Religion is a dud; the gospel is dynamite. I did a little fact-checking on dynamite this week: • It is not the same as “TNT”; in fact, the only similarity between them is that they both ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

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

From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 21, 2012

As Jesus ministered to Nicodemus, He focused on moving him from relgion to a relationship.

This morning, as we continue to learn how to be more effective ministers for Jesus by studying how He ministered, we’ll come to what is undoubtedly the most well known verse of Scripture in the entire Bible. We see the reference to that verse on signs at sporting events, printed on the bottom ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

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

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