Sermons on Pharisaical Religion:

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Your Religion Will Not Save You

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jul 13, 2022

No amount of rule keeping or adherence to religious rituals will be able EVER to reconcile a sinner to the true and Holy God. Your Religion will not Save You – You Must Be Born Again.

Religion Will Not Save You By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - For quite a while now I have been dealing with leaving religion and entering into Kingdom. If you recall at the beginning of the year, I stated how God had been dealing with me about seeking the old paths and walking therein ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-7, Proverbs 14:12, 2 Corinthians 6:7, Acts 17:30

Denomination: Apostolic

Pseudo Religion, Prophets And Teachers

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 27, 2021

2 Peter 2

PSEUDO RELIGION, PROHETS AND TEACHERS (2 PETER 2) One report says that counterfeit products made up 5 to 7% of world trade in 2013. According to The Counterfeit Report, "China produces 80% of the world's counterfeits and the United States buy about 60% to 80% of the products. Do you know ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gimme That Old Time Religion”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 19, 2022

Years ago churches across the nation used to sing that old familiar song, “Gimme that old time religion.”

Illus: Some of the words that the congregation sang were, “Gimme that Old Time Religion” because they said: • It will do when I am dying, it will do when I am dying. It will do when I am dying, it’s good enough for me. • It will make us read our Bibles, It will make us read our Bibles, It will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

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

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 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

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

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

The Gift Goes On

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 4, 2010

Since we are adopted we have a responsibility to promote adoption.

“The Gift Goes On” Several years ago the Kalamazoo Public Schools made the national news with the announcement of The Kalamazoo Promise. As you may know, some generous anonymous donors gifted large sums of money to establish a fund that would provide students educated in the Kalamazoo Public ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Roots Of Islam Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Jul 27, 2007

This two-week series was given two weeks after 9-11, to inform about the nature of Islam.

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christian Freedom

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 18, 2019

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17.

Are we truly free or still in bondage? Let’s learn that being saved from sickness and bondage to vain traditions are somewhat similar. Let’s discuss healing, slavery to man-made religious rules and freedom in Luke 13:10-17. Healed Luke 13:10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist