Sermons on Practicing Religion:

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Losing Your Religion

Contributed by Gary Washburn on Jul 11, 2002

REligion and spirutality have always been at odds with one another. Do we need to lose our religion?

Losing Your Religion Romans 2:17-29 Intro: 10 years ago Bette Midler had hit song entitled, “God is watching us.” I believe it was popular because it expressed our cultural theological view. We want a god who provides but does not intrude, who protects and helps us out but does interfere with our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Religion

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 4, 2006

Following Christ is a relationship not a religion.

Sunday Morning 8/12/01-Col. 2-Freedom From Religion Key idea: Following X is a relationship not a religion. Video Clip: Matrix 1:37:20-1:38:19 Neo confused about his identity, doesn’t understand who he really is, we as xians suffer from the same problem. Don’t know or understand who we are. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-13

Denomination: *other

Religion, The Choice Of This Generation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2023

Highlight the consequences of rejecting God's authority, the benefits of remaining faithful to Him, and the importance of choosing authentic faith over a superficial, worldly version.

Good morning, family. If you have your Bibles or Bible apps handy, please turn with me to 2 Chronicles 12:1-11. As we dive into His Word today, we're going to be exploring some big themes: the consequences of rejecting God's authority, the benefits of faithfulness to the Lord, and authentic and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 12:1-11

Topics: Synthetic, Authentic

God Beyond Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 13, 2018

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey Intro We are continuing our series… “Conversations with Jesus”… As described in previous weeks… many conversations are just polite exchanges. Some are practical exchanges. But there are some that can be life ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, John 4:39-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religion's Favorite Sin

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Oct 2, 2005

the danger of hypocrisy

Intro: one of the classic, I Love Lucy shows was the show where Lucy and Ethel traded places with Ricky and Fred; one of the funniest parts of that show was when Ricky put a whole box of yeast into his dough and it overflowed the oven. Yeast is a powerful substance, just a little is needed to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gospel Verses Religion

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 9, 2001

Religion can point one to God and provide expression for faith, but only the Person of Christ can bring slavation.

The Gospel Vs. Religion Eph 2:1-10 A recent article in the religion section of our local newspaper, dealt with the question, “Is it better to be religious or spiritual?” Opinions were garnered from five local pastors, representing Unity, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, and Bahai. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

More Than Religion Series

Contributed by James Goforth, Jr. on May 3, 2006

An Exposition on Romans

More than Religion Romans 2:17-29 From the Inside Out Religion Vs Relationship God had made a covenant with Abraham - Genesis 17:13 His people would be “set apart” and “marked” with circumcision “my covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant” Matt 5:20 20 For I tell you that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For Wearisome Religion Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 22, 2014

Jesus came so that we could step off the treadmill of "law" and into the glory of His Grace.

Law and Gospel: The Cure for Wearisome Religion Matthew 11:25-30 I have never cared to much for exercising on a treadmill: I think it may be my overwhelming desire to be practical, even with effort and exercise; I hate to walk in one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

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 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

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

Loosing My Religion

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION We continue this morning our study of the apostle Paul's elaborate assessment of the plight of a hopelessly sinful mankind before the face of the eternally righteous God, as set forth in the first three chapters of the Epistle to the Romans.

A. INTRODUCTION We continue this morning our study of the apostle Paul's elaborate assessment of the plight of a hopelessly sinful mankind before the face of the eternally righteous God, as set forth in the first three chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. We began last week a consideration of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Turning Religion Into Relationship

Contributed by Devin Hudson on Feb 18, 2002

John sermon series--8th sermon

Turning Religion into Relationship “Nick at Night” John 3.1-15 3 men died and were standing at the pearly gates. What have you done to deserve Heaven? 1st—police officer, enforced law, fought crime. Peter, “OK, go on in.” 2nd—very wealthy and gave lots of money to charitable causes. Peter, “OK, go ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, John 3:1-21, John 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist