Sermons on relationship not religion:

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 8, 2013

We live in an age of convenience. There's nothing wrong with convenience per se. The danger is when we look for a Christianity of convenience rather than sacrifice and commitment. This sermon looks at "convenience Christianity" from several angles.

A Religion of Convenience Chuck Sligh April 7, 2013 TEXT: 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – “And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Religion

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 4, 2012

A sermon about the contradiction between vain and pure religion.

“Pure Religion” James 1:22-27 Scripture Reading James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Religion With A Kick!

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Jun 2, 2001

This is a message that deals with the lifeless attitude that keeps trying to creep into the churches across this nation and the change that God want to make in those churches.

Scripture: Matthew 9:17 Title: “Religion With A Kick!” Introduction: Jesus came into this world to institute CHANGES! The forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself began their preaching ministries with the message of “REPENTANCE.” Evidently the Scribes and Pharisees were critical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 7, 2025

Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Tachus means quick, swift, and speedy. Akouo means exercise the faculty of hearing to understanding that which has been heard. Bradus means take a relatively long time to act with deliberation.

Theme: Pure Religion Text: James 1:19-27   Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever! Introduction: "YOU WILL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY, THE LORD YOUR GOD." In Jan we have learned the attributes of God as Holy. In Feb we have seen that the worshippers God must be holy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Methodist

The Giant Of Religion Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on Jun 5, 2008

Today we are going to look at a very cruel giant, the giant of religion

INTRO: A young girl became a Christian in an exciting revival at her church and was baptized the closing Sunday morning. That afternoon she ran through the house singing and dancing. Her sour grandfather rebuked her with these words, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You just joined the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 31, 2013

Paul tells that it is actually dangerous to be religious

Dangers of Religion Romans 2:17 - 3:8 Paul wrote to a very proud people, the Jews. They were convinced that they were God's chosen people ... His ONLY chosen people ... and that everyone else was a heathen .... hated by God and marked for destruction. The Jews on the other hand were a people of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Undefiled Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Aug 26, 2009

Pure religion lives out as an outworking of the grace of God in us!

“Religion Undefiled” James 1:17-27 “Religion Undefiled” James 1:17-27 Introduction The story is told of an evangelist overseer of an African Church, was talking about following the “pure” path, and the “pure” path only. It was night, and a crowd of natives sat around the campfire. A native dog ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Christian Church

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Trouble With Religion

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 31, 2001

Religion gets people in a lot of trouble but it is the Spirit of Christ, we need in our lives, and living out faith is having Him, not just religion, directing us.

The Trouble with Religion John 3:1-15 By Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC One criminal broke into the basement of a bank through a street-level window. In the process, however, he suffered from several lacerations. After he realized that he could neither get the money nor climb back ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

True Religion Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 21, 2018

Message 13 in our exposition of James. This message focuses on three characteristics of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “True Religion” This is our thirteenth excursion in front of God’s faith-exposing mirror. James’ letter provides pointed instruction evaluating the true nature of our faith. James’ mirror exposes the reality of faith by showing us the character of true ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Worthless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 8, 2012

Don’t let anyone judge you by legalistic standards, disqualify you by mystical experiences, nor enslave you by ascetic practices, because Jesus is all you need. A warning of the false ideas of legalism, mysticism, & asceticism.

Back in 2004, when several hurricanes hit the state of Florida, it left thousands of people without electrical power. Like many Floridians, Don Aycock’s neighbor used a portable generator to supply power until the electrical lines could be repaired. It had been running for a while when the man ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Having A Religion That Is Worth Anything Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 31, 2012

Religion to most is external- what you look like. Jesus says that a religion that is worth anything begins internally with a relationship with Him and will be lived out to the widows and orphans that we meet in life.

Having a religion that is worth something James 1:19-1:27 Introduction- We are continuing to be in the series Nuts and Bolts of life. We have looked at relationships, both with God and others. We have looked last week at trusting God when we are in difficult times, and this morning we will look ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Household Religion

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 31, 2003

I believe the Bible teaches that faith is intended to be a household matter.

HOUSEHOLD RELIGION Acts 18:1-3, 18-19, 24-26 11/10/02 Let me introduce to you before we read God’s precious Word, Aquila and Priscilla. I have never truly met them until this past week. These are a Godly family. I believe the Bible teaches that faith is intended to be a household matter. You ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-3

Denomination: Baptist