Sermons on Pharisaical Religion:

A Talent For The Ridiculous! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 30, 2012

We’ve reached a familiar story in the book of Matthew – the parable of the talents.

It’s a parable I’ve known since my youth - one I am quite familiar with – and having been in this parish almost 21 years now, it’s one that I am reaching for the 7th time even since I’ve been here, which is why it is all the more astounding that I’ve never ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Of Our Fathers

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Feb 26, 2012

God's chosen people must recount His mighty acts among themselves.

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you” (Dt. 4:1,2). Keeping the law was to be Israel’s fame among the nations. Israel was not to be known for its wealth (although Solomon’s riches were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

Why I’m Not A Hospital Chaplain

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 9, 2012

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying.

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying, “I think if it had appeared in the paper that a priest had threatened to beat up a fellow patient in a Sydney Hospital, the most common response would have been, ‘I didn’t know Dave was in hospital!’” I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Benefit Of A “ Chrisma “ Atmosphere

Contributed by Scott Carroll on May 27, 2011

The difference between ministering to people or just giving them religion.

THE BENEFIT OF A “ CHRISMA “ ATMOSPHERE 4-5-09 Luke 10:30-35 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Completion Of The Way

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jul 18, 2011

When Paul testifies before Festus and Agrippa he not only shares his testimony he shows the flaw being judgmental and the difference between religion and relationship.

A man was having difficulty communicating with his wife and concluded that she was becoming hard of hearing. So he decided to conduct a test without her knowing about it. One evening he sat in a chair on the far side of the room. Her back was to him and she could not see him. Very quietly he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

“spectators Or Combatants?” Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 20, 2011

Man's religion is at war with God's revelation.

Introduction “The tale is told of a soldier during the Civil War who simply could not make up his mind which side of the conflict he supported. Thus, he dressed in a blue coat and gray pants, and walked down the center of the battlefield confident of his approval by both sides…and was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Known By God Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 20, 2011

Man's religion is at war with God's revelation.

Introduction A number of years ago I had an experience while working on my undergraduate degree in biblical studies that so shocked me that it has stayed with me. For the final exam in a systematic theology course, I understood the assignment to be to write a series of brief essays on several ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

The Question Of Fasting

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 18, 2020

A warning against mixing things that differ.

THE QUESTION OF FASTING. Matthew 9:14-17. It is a strange thing that the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus to ask, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14). It is unfortunately typical of religious people to be performing some ritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Week 1 Salvation Series

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 28, 2023

First in a series of seven.

SALVATION I. Introduction Acts 16:29-31 (29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:10, Acts 4:2

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Real… Oh Yes, It’s Real!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

There are some lessons in life that some folks seem to have to learn the hard way.

Illus: A first grade teacher asked her class to write six things in life they had learned the hard way. One little girl jotted these six things down. She had learned: • No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats • When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair • ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

New Wine, Skinny Jeans Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 8, 2021

How does the gospel relate to our lives, our religions, and our methods?

Introduction I want to open this morning with a challenge for you. No matter who you are, your position or title; no matter what kind of degree you hold, or how long you’ve been coming to church. No matter how much or how little you read your Bible, no matter if you think I’m right or I’m wrong; ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39, Matthew 6:2-6, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Are You Religious? (Part Three) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 23, 2017

What does it mean to become polluted by the world? To be polluted means our thinking and behaviors are of the world. We are subscribing to its philosophies and ideals. We are liviing in accordance with the sinful nature. So how do we become unpolluted?

ARE YOU RELGIOUS (part three) Recap: Last week we looked at the beginning of James 1:27, "Religion as God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." We looked at why orphans and widows and it's because these are among the most vulnerable, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, James 2:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Building My Life On Jesus Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 3, 2019

The more I focus on what I am doing for God the more likely I am to miss what God is doing in me.

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Relationship Of Believers To Religionsists Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 28, 2024

We live in a world of religion and religionists. The world even looks at believers as religionists, but we aren’t.

So far in chapter 15 of the gospel of John we have talked about: • The relationship of Jesus to the people of the world. • The relationship of Jesus to believers. • The relationship of believers to believers. • The relationship of believers to the world. Tonight, we move into chapter 16 and look ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-6

Denomination: Baptist