Sermons on Pharisaical Religion:

Creed Or Deed? Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 29, 2012

What matters the most in our walk with God? Faith is not just metnal acknowledgement of the living God but actions to affirm him in our lives.

Did you ever wonder where that expression The Real McCoy comes from? According to the folks at phrases.org, nobody really knows for sure. Several possibilities are often cited. • Some think it came from the advertisements for a brand of Scottish whiskey from the 1870’s. To combat cheap ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Understanding Religious Fundamentalism

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Mar 12, 2015

The United States has a very long history of unsuccessful conflicts with Islamic fundamentalists. The reason is that the only person who can really understand the dedication of a religious fundamentalist is another religious fundamentalist.

UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM ILLUSTRATION THE GATHERS There was a very wise man who one day decided to journey to a neighboring city with three of his followers. They were not long into their journey when they came upon a man picking berries. In his quest to get the largest and best ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

The Universal Gift Series

Contributed by John Sears on Dec 3, 2013

In a culture where tolerance is the highest virtue and where sincere belief is the only thing important to faith, are Christians too exclusive in believing that Jesus is the only way to eternal life? What does that salvation look like?

Introduction I have a confession I need to make. I have owned my cell phone for a little more than a year now. In that time, I have lost my charging cord five times. Now don’t blame me. I think it’s possible that charging a phone soon causes the cord to fade into the netherworld ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-14

Denomination: Christian Church

What Does God Desire For Us? (James 1:12-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 24, 2022

The good news, is that God gave birth to the church-- a people/kingdom who live rightly toward God, and others. God doesn't want us to sin.

Let's start today by simply rereading last week's verses. James 1:1-12: (1) James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, a slave. To the twelve tribes-- to the ones in the dispersion: Greetings. (2) All joy consider it, my brothers, whenever various testings/trials you encounter, (3) ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-27

The War On Principles & The Hope In Our Worldview

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 26, 2021

We live in a culture where really, values are passe. You aren't allowed to have values.

We live in a culture where really, values are passe. You aren't allowed to have values. Morality, principles are scorned by the media, ignored by academia, dismissed in politics, and mocked by Hollywood. Especially for young people, if you have values your a loser. If you carry a Bible ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Salvation Army

Who Do You Rely Upon? Series

Contributed by Bobby Oliver on Apr 23, 2018

The Egyptians relied upon the Nile River for religion, for their food and water, and for their livelihood. Who or what are you relying upon?

Who Do You Rely Upon? Exodus 7:14-25 - We’re continuing our study through the book of Exodus. - Last week, we looked at some of the reasons why God is the source of our boldness. - We saw that God knows everything, when He told Moses exactly how Pharaoh was going to respond. - We saw that God ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Religious Or Not?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2024

Jesus, in the Gospel, enumerates the evil we must avoid, or repent of if we haven’t avoided it. It’s like a to-do list from a modern person’s daily schedule, isn’t it?

Twenty-Second Sunday in Course 2024 Those who have known me as a preacher for any length of time also know that I am not a big fan of the clerics who put our Lectionary together. They tend to omit verses and paragraphs to shorten the readings at Mass. And that itself is a kind of insult to the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Psalm 15:2-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

What's Preventing You From Accepting Christ As Your Savior?

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Nov 23, 2021

Some reasons given for why I’m not accepting Christ as my Savior and scripture responses.

Religion-- Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 ?It’s not about religion. It’s about Jesus. Confess and believe and you will be saved. Romans 10:9 I don't believe in Heaven-- Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again to receive you unto myself. John 14:2-3 Revelation 21:3-4 ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, Romans 10:9, John 14:2-3, Revelation 21:3-4, Mark 9:43-48, Matthew 13:41-42, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 22:35-40, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Full Disclosure Of The Mystery Of God Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 21, 2017

Paul's deep struggle concerning false teachers and false doctrines is one that continues today. We see some of the characteristics of false religions and cults and how the Church can be guarded against them.

Full Disclosure of the Mystery of God Colossians 2:1-5 We begin Chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Good Old Days (God)

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 16, 2025

It is evident that the glory has departed from many churches and Christians. We need to be casting again.

A history note, In the early days of this country Baptists were disliked because every time they spoke to someone they had "a scripture to cast in your teeth." Sadly, they have come a long way and the wrong way. For many years in ministry I have had to plead with Baptists to come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15, Mark 4:20, 1 Samuel 4:21

Denomination: Baptist

La Perversión De "La Religión Pura" Series

Contributed by Carlos Camarena on Apr 7, 2003

James’ warning against the perversion of "true religion" by faithless "Joneses" who control the church with their money.

La perversión de “la Religión Pura” Santiago 2:1-7 Texto: Lucas 6:20-23 Por Carlos C. Camarena I. Introducción A El capítulo 2 de Santiago viene a ilustrarnos en términos bien claros el lado negativo de lo que Santiago considera una religión “pura” y “sin mancha” (ver 1>27). Esa religión ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-7, Luke 6:20-23

Denomination: Adventist

Joy Killers.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Sep 6, 2004

. Billy Sunday said if there is no joy in your religion then there is a leaky vessel, a leak in your Christianity somewhere.

Joy killers. Philippians 1:1 -- 2. 08/15/04 I want us to go through this book of Philippians because we can learn a lot about joy. Who is it that doesn’t want joy? I guess you have discovered that in the Bible you will find the answers to questions of life. For instance, many people want to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoice In The Lord

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 18, 2000

Billy Sunday said, "If your have no joy in your religion, there is a leak in your Christianity.

Billy Sunday said, "If your have no joy in your religion, there is a leak in your Christianity. The missing thing in a lot of Churches today is real Christian joy. In a lot of Churches it is made up, its a put on. Some Churches look like the house of the dead rather than the house of the living or ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Open Church

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Sep 12, 2002

We come to church not as consumers of religion, but as a community of faith that is open to God, to one another, and to outsiders

The Open Church 1Peter 2:9-10 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: *other