Sermons on Relationship Not A Religion:

Presumption

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 9, 2007

Religion does not create a relationship with God, nor does ritual. It is refinement born of repentance that shapes that relationship. Repent, relate, and receive.

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Famous words supposedly spoken by journalist Henry Morton Stanley somewhere in Tanganyika at the end of his expedition to find the missing explorer. “I presume”. It means, “I think I know what I am doing. Would you please confirm it for me? You look like what I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

To An Unknown God

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 15, 2010

Our world is incurably religious and is filled with people on a spiritual search. We find it easy to talk religion, but our calling is to share our relationship with the living Christ.

We are incurably religious! Wherever you go, you will find that people are religious. We are groping for something we never quite find. Ride with me up and down Sixteenth Street, here in the city, or out New Hampshire Avenue, past Colesville. The architecture is ample proof that people are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Deception Of New Age Spirituality A Biblical Perspective Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 24, 2025

New age religion can be concerning for Christians because it often promotes ideas that contradict biblical teachings. Its pantheistic views of God, emphasis on personal experience over scripture

New age religion can be concerning for Christians because it often promotes ideas that contradict biblical teachings. Its pantheistic views of God, emphasis on personal experience over scripture, and focus on self-realization can lead Christians astray from their faith's core principles. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:18-23

The Myth And The Magic, The Moment And The Master

Contributed by Ronald Law on Jul 6, 2006

Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship.

Mark 5:24-34 The Myth and the Magic, The Moment and the Master Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship. Introduction The story of the woman who reached through the crowd and touched the hem of His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Methodist

False Testimony Series

Contributed by Russ Adams on Jul 26, 2013

This message examines two lies that the world is telling about the church.

July 21, 2013 Church Planting False Testimony Acts 6:8-15 Opening words: This summer we are looking at the first eight chapters of the Book of Acts. I have called this sermon series, Church Planting. So much has happened to this point. The Holy Spirit was unleashed on the world and the church was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:8-15

Denomination: Methodist

God's Humble Servants Honored Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 2, 2009

God has had enough of people who do not listen to His word & despise those who do. God will one day judge those who are depending on externals to establish their relationship with Him, who delight in their way instead of the Lord’s way.

ISAIAH 66: 1-6 GOD’S HUMBLE SERVANTS HONORED As the climax to the book, this chapter describes the Lord fulfilling some of the promises He has made. The Lord had promise to distinguish between His true people and those who honor Him with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him (especially ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

God's Purpose For My Life (Living With An Eternal Perspective)

Contributed by Ed Cheng on Jul 14, 2016

God has a specific purpose for your life. It is that you come to know Him intimately and enjoy His presence in a relationship that is deeply personal and satisfying. This glorifies Him when you know Him in such a way!

God’s Purpose for my Life (Gaining an Eternal Perspective) Col. 1:15-16 (NIV) The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Without Rules

Contributed by David Smith on Aug 14, 2010

Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-ab

I’m struggling with Colossians this week - not with the ancient people of Colossae of course but with St Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and not with the whole letter either but with one word in one verse that really has me bamboozled: Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Abraham Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 13, 2008

God did more than start a "religion" with Abraham. He started a "relationship" - a relationship that models what God desires to do in our lives.

OPEN: A third grader once wrote a homework assignment where he was supposed to "Explain God." "One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grown-ups, just babies. I think because ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Part 1 - Are You In A Relationship With God? Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Feb 7, 2007

Part 1 of the Week of Renewal 2007 series. The topic this year was Being Doers of God’s Word. Part 1 looks at your relationship with God.

4th Annual Week of Renewal 2007 “Being Doers of His Word” House of Faith www.PS127.org January 19: Are you in a relationship with God? Pastor Bruce Shields Guest Speaker: Nancy Kramer WELCOME Format † Open with Prayer † Sermon † Prayer / Response Time † Guest Speaker † Prayer / Response ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-20

Denomination: Bible Church

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

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

Grace And False Assurances Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Mar 21, 2011

Religion is about a relationship, not adhering to a set of rules and placing our confidence in them or anything else.

Grace And False Assurances Romans 2:17-24 I. The Jews False Assurance A. Have you ever received false assurances? 1. Imagine the child who receives false assurances from the parent who does not have custody but only visitation rights. 2. Dad promises to pick them up at a certain time or take them ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

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

Our Relationship With Our Jewish Brothers Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 14, 2017

‘Dialogue and friendship with the children of Israel are part of the life of Jesus’ disciples.'

Thursday of Easter Week 2017 Joy of the Gospel I have often been amazed as I have spent the last three years reflecting on Pope Francis’s encyclical Joy of the Gospel, how the Thursday Scriptures mesh so well with the various themes the Holy Father visits. Today he is writing about our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-26

Denomination: Catholic