Sermons on Relationship Over Religion:

Norms Of Pure Religion Series

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

The foundation of a pure religion is the Bible, not just hearing and considering its implications nevertheless acting in accordance with the LORD's Word.

Theme: Pure Religion and its Norms Text: James 1:27   Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever! Introduction: "YOU WILL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY, THE LORD YOUR GOD." Holy God expects this Holy Race with specific morals, spiritual practices, and a useful social ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Methodist

Do It Yourself Religion Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 13, 2006

Examines the folly of syncretism and universalism from a biblical standpoint.

1. Title: Do It Yourself Religion 2. Text: Acts 4:12 et al 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd., February 12, 2006, 3rd in the series “A Clear and Present Danger” 4. Objectives: -for the people to understand the danger of trying to make God fit us rather than ourselves fit Him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Or The Trappings Of Religion? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 19, 2009

People who have a heart for the true God observe the outward trappings of Biblical faith, but they put the focus loving and knowing God by internalizing His Word.

God or the Trappings of Religion? (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 15; Matthew 22:34-40, 23:1-12) 1. There is more than one way to look at things. 2. "Our daughter took the afternoon off from her job at the funeral home to visit her daughter in preschool. When one of the kids asked what she did for a living, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Losing Your Religion

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Apr 12, 2021

As a Pharisee, Nicodemus believed that God’s law had to be strictly observed and that strict observance was necessary in order to obtain God’s blessing.

TITLE: LOSING YOUR RELIGION SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 3:1-10 The first appearance of Nicodemus we see are found in the scriptures as read in our text. Nicodemus went to seek out Jesus at night. He was afraid to be seen with Him in the day. When Nicodemus met Jesus, he said he believed Jesus came from ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Restored Relationships

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jul 6, 2007

It is difficult to move forward until we are set free from the past.

July 8, 2007 Morning Worship Text: Matthew 5:21-26 Subject: Forgiveness Title: Restored Relationships I’m still praying for revival. As I pray I continually ask the Lord, “What hinders revival? What keeps it from happening here?” One thing that I keep hearing is that the one thing that will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Relationships That Work Series

Contributed by Keith Walker on May 18, 2004

God’s model for marriage, principles for parenting, and way in the workplace are explored in this practical message.

INTRODUCTION During the rehearsal for a wedding the bride was nervous and had trouble getting the details right on how to walk down the aisle. Her pastor took her aside to give her some advice. He told her when you enter the church tomorrow, you will be will be walking down the same aisle you’ve ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Relationship Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jul 6, 2009

What do we do when the situation gets so bad that we need to break relationship?

Justin & Marie July 12 Sarah & Wes – July 17 Government Prayer Jesus and Toxic People 4 Breaking Relationship Matthew 18:15-19 Recap – do not lose the radical nature of Jesus’ treatment of Judas. Confronting Toxic people – restore them gently In the power of God’s love. Sarah’s “yeah ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-19

Denomination: *other

Christian Relationships Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 19, 2012

The way we love and submit in the home, the way we work in our jobs, the way we treat our employees, are all a reflection of our relationship with God.

Illustration A young bride was at her wedding rehearsal and was visibly shaken and nervous; overwhelmed by the details that she had to remember. And the pastor realized this and pulled her aside after the practice and said, "This is all you have to do. When you come in for the wedding, all you have ...read more

Denomination: *other

Religion Gone Bad

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 12, 2012

Religion goes bad when our lives are not marked by genuine humility and heartfelt generosity.

Title: Religion Gone Bad Text: Mark 12:38-44 Thesis: Religion goes bad when God is not the object of our devotion. Introduction (Disclaimer… this introduction may not be for the faint of heart.) I am fascinated by some of the reality programming on the Discovery Channel. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Consequences Of Bad Religion

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2013

THE JEWISH NATION HELD A PRIVILEGED STATUS WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND THE SANHEDRIN FEARED THAT JESUS WOULD GAIN A LARGE FOLLOWING, CAUSE A CIVIL UPROAR, AND ANGER THE GOVERNING ROMAN EMPIRE. IF THAT HAPPENED, these religious leaders would lose their...

5-16-2004 Title: Consequences of Bad Religion Text: John 11:47-48, 53 Scripture Reading: John 11:45-53 Introduction CHRIST DIED DURING Passover week in Jerusalem. It was the HIGH HOLY WEEK ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-53

Denomination: Baptist

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

Forgiveness And Relationships

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 13, 2011

Taking seriously the command of Jesus to forgive -- what it means and what it does not mean.

A man was walking on the sidewalk outside a playground with a high wooden fence and heard the children chanting, “Thirteen! Thirteen! Thirteen!” He stopped and, finding a small hole in the fence, he bent over to look in. Just like that, a finger poked him in the eye. And the chanting continued, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Methodist

Robbed By Relationships Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 20, 2006

The first of four messages on the threats to spiritual identity theft.

Identity Theft March 12, 2006 Robbed By Relationships Intro: I need a volunteer. Did you ever take the ACT/SAT? This will be kind of like that. Have you ever seen one of these? I want you to take a few seconds to put these shapes into the canister. According to our Vandy alumni this is ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-22

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom's Relationships Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 8, 2016

You are free because you are loved!

Pastor Lee Eclov, from Vernon Hills, Illinois, talks about his first visit to a health club in the 1970s. His friend Frank had invited Lee to go with him, and when they arrived, they entered a room filled with weight machines. Pastor Lee had never seen those things before in his life, so Frank ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Faith Vs. Religion

Contributed by Rob Westlund on May 15, 2003

Faith sees Jesus and all that Jesus is. Religion sees what is comfortable and common

In Wyoming’s Fitzpatrick Wilderness at 11400 feet above sea level is the pristine shore of a nameless lake. This is where we join Mike Turner, a Presbyterian minister completing his sabbatical leave with a solo adventure with God. This adventure Mike called a “Wander in Wonder” was a 60 mile hike ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-60

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed