Sermons on Pharisaical Religion:

When Religion Collides With Revelation

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 8, 2025

Cain and Abel reveal two spiritual systems: self-made religion or grace-filled revelation. God accepts only the worship shaped by surrender to His revealed way.

Some of the most defining moments in Scripture arrive without fanfare. No thunder. No angels. No miracles that split seas or shake mountains. Just a simple scene, described with almost startling brevity, that quietly reveals the inner architecture of the human heart. The story of Cain and Abel in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-7, Hebrews 11:4, 1 John 3:12, Hebrews 12:24, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Problem With Old Time Religion

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 8, 2002

How to remain a Christian and grow in response to God’s grace

The Problem with Old-Time Religion Text: 1 John 2:5-17 Topic: How to remain a Christian and grow in response to God’s grace A little boy was in a relative’s wedding. As he was coming down the aisle, he would take 2 steps, stop and trun to the crowd. While facing the crowd, he would put his ands up ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:5-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Saved From Shallow Religion Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon introduction emphasizes the importance of private acts of giving, praying, and fasting as taught by Jesus, highlighting the need for a self-giving love that seeks God's approval rather than that of others.

Hello church and welcome. I am glad we are observing Ash Wednesday together. Today is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, confession, and letting go. We join with believers all over the world during Lent. Lent is a time for us to assess ourselves and make adjustments. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Self-Giving Love, Spiritual Practices, Divine Approval

How God Views Religion Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 7, 2022

Amos 4:1-5:17 shows us how God views religion.

Introduction In The Washington Post on February 2, 2018, Bob Smietana wrote an article titled, “For Tom Brady, Football has Become Religion. No, Really.” He noted that Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots (at that time), is on a spiritual quest. Football has become Brady’s ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Saved From Shallow Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. He teaches us to practice our faith in private, not for public approval, but to build a solid core of self-giving love.

Today we're going to talk about how Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. You know, the kind of religion that's all about showing off and not about what's really going on inside of us. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a cup. Now, this cup looks super shiny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Faith Journey, Religious Depth, Beyond Superficiality

Jesus Disrupts Dead Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Feb 21, 2024

Jesus disrupts the old system of death and sacrifice, bringing in a new system of love and mercy. He challenges corruption and exploitation, and disrupts our lives to remove anything that hinders us from living abundantly in His love.

Imagine you're at your favorite concert, but instead of enjoying the music, people are selling stuff and ripping you off. That's what Jesus walked into at the temple. People were supposed to be worshipping God, but instead, they were making a quick buck. Jesus was not cool with that. He flipped ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Topics: Spiritual Awakening, Religious Reformation, Faith Disruption, Sacred Transformation

The Testing Of Pure And False Religion

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Feb 6, 2023

We need to make sure we test our religion to see if it has value or not. The heart of pure religion is not in the garb, the traditions, the rituals but is based in Love in action.

The Testing of Pure and False Religion By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Years ago I collected soda cans and turned them in for money at the recycling center. At the recycling center I would place all the cans I collect on a belt that went through the giant magnet and if the can was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Apostolic

Valentine's Day, The Olympics And Religion

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 7, 2002

About God’s incredible love for us inspite of our sin which gives us security to move into our world to bless others in Christ’s name

Valentine’s Day, The Olympics and Religion Eph.3:14-4:16 a. One thing in common in all three: PRESSURE! In the Olympics – go for the gold! Try telling the Canadian men’s hockey team if they don’t feel it. Tell Elvis Stojko if he does not want to succeed badly and go out in a blaze of glory in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Your Religion Worth?

Contributed by J. Richard Lord, Jr. on Feb 16, 2002

If your religion does not transform you, convince you of it’s rightness, and is something you share, it’s not worth very much.

January 6, 2002 Parkview Church of the Nazarene J. Richard Lord, Jr. What Is Your Religion Worth? I Peter 1:3-9 Is your faith genuine? It is worth more than gold? Your religion is not worth very much: I. IF IT DOES NOT MAKE A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN YOUR ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS. Some people wear ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Holiness

Do Have Religion Or Relationship?

Contributed by Kirk Devine on Nov 18, 2002

This message examines the dangers of just going through the motions of religion without any relationship with the Lord.

Apr-01 Revised Nov-02 DO YOU HAVE RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP? 2 TIMOTHY 4:3-5 Our text paints for us what I believe is a very accurate picture of the times that we live in… It gives us an example of what we are seeing everyday around us… Even though Paul here is specifically speaking to Timothy, a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religion Vs Christian Love

Contributed by Benny Horn on Oct 29, 2001

Religion produces babes in Christ and a carnal church, but christian love produces spiritual maturity and a strong church.

"Religion vs Christian Love" Introduction: If I asked each one of you what you wish for this church, I feel sure that I would not get one single person who would wish anything bad to happen here. Yet, without even asking, I already know what "Old Satan" wishes for this or any other church. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

My Objections To A Sinning Religion

Contributed by George Crumbly on Aug 27, 2005

To call sin what it is and know that it separates us from God

MY OBJECTIONS TO A SINNING RELIGION by George Crumbly John 8: 1-11 Sunday AM April 20, 2003 Sheridan Arkansas Easter Sunday Uncle Buddy Robinson wrote a book years ago titled "My Objections to a Sinning Religion". I’m afraid there are many in the church today that call themselves Christians, yet ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Dead Religion Or New Life? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 27, 2005

The riches of a relationship with the true God through faith in Christ alone cannot compare to the bankruptcy of merit religion.

Dead Religion or New Life? (Philippians 3:1-3) INTRO 1. Many of you know that I love the music of the 20’s and 30’s and old time radio from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. 2. Because of MP3 formatting of discs, I have discs with over 100 shows on them…all available Jack Benny programs (the greatest radio ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Religion Gets In The Way Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 22, 2006

Third in a series on the life of David. This message focuses on how religion can pervert our relationship with God.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas have made quite a name for themselves in the past several years. The church is led by Pastor Fred Phelps, and though it has “Baptist” in the name of the church, it is not associated with any Baptist denomination. The church is focused on the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sick Religion And Healed Hearts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 29, 2003

Religion is sick when it is system-only, salvation-only, or self-only. Christ gives us instead a relationship with Himself, a model of life, and an embracing compassion.

Religion is either one of life’s greatest blessings, or it is one of the sickest things we do. Religion can be wonderful. I assume that because you are in church today you agree with that. Religion can be fulfilling, it can be instructive, it can be inspiring. Religion has driven so much of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist