Sermons on Relationship Not A Religion:

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

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

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

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

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

True Religion James 1:26-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 31, 2021

James 1:26 speaks of "true religion." We know about caring for orphans and widows, but what about the other part?

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Confirmation Can We Coexist With Other Religions?

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 6, 2017

Often I see this bumper sticker... I always want to say: “Really? Have you even investigated the “teachings” of each religion represented?” In reality this bumper sticker flows out of tolerance without "Truth" (quotes from Ravi Zacharias.

In Jesus Holy Name June 5, 2016 Text: Acts 4:12 Series: The Story Confirmation Redeemer (Note the title uses the bumper sticker "COEXIST" Every so often I see this bumper sticker on someone’s car. I always want to say: “Really? You must live in a dream world. Have you ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Two Way Communication

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Mar 22, 2004

One of the greatest tragedies of the Christian life is that we fail to ever enter into a relationship with God that is born of the Holy Spirit. We are left with a religion, not a relationship.

Two Way Communications Isaiah 50:4b; John 10:27 Recently I have been over hearing in certain classes on whether or not we can influence God? I think that if that question is asked or thought of here maybe our people feel that way as well. If we as future shepherds, feel that way how can we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4, John 10:27

Denomination: Holiness

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

Christianity Is A Reciprocal Relationship Lesson 5 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025

God and mankind belong together because He created us.

A. INTRODUCTION: THE NECESSITY OF A RELATIONSHIP 1. Definition: “Relationship is a connection of two or more (parts) which belong together; connected because of affinity, or reciprocal interest.” a. God and mankind belong together because He created us. b. Because we are created in His image ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:3-7, 1 John 1:7

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

Musings Of A Seed Picker 1 Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Oct 15, 2008

Exposition of Acts 17:16-23 regarding the setting and methodology and introduction of Paul’s speech at Mars Hill

Text: Acts 17:16-23, Title: Musings of a Seed-Picker 1, Date/Place: NRBC, 10/19/08, AM A. Opening illustration: talk about my visit to Cairo, Egypt, the “city of 1000 mosques” B. Background to passage: Missionary journey #2. Spitefully treated in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, however planting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-23

Denomination: Baptist