Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

Holy, Whole, And Free! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 13, 2018

If you want to take care of the sin problem in your life, don’t depend on religion. Instead, enter into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and let Him make you holy, whole, and free.

Pastor and author John Ortberg talks about a time early in his marriage when he and his wife sold their Volkswagen Beetle to buy their first really nice piece of furniture. It was a sofa. It was a pink sofa, but for that kind of money, Ortberg says, “It was called a mauve sofa.” The man at the sofa ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

An Offer To God

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Mar 27, 2009

God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ritual; He wants us, and our praise to Him needs to reflect true righteousness and thanksgiving.

An Offer to God Griffith Baptist Church – 3/29/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 50 Key verse: Psalms 50:23 – Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Premise: God does not want sanctimonious platitudes and feel-good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Turning A Religion Into A Relationship Series

Contributed by Steve Hanchett on Apr 23, 2001

Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. Sincere seekers need to be born again.

“When a Religion Becomes a Relationship” John 3:1-15 Steve Hanchett, pastor Berry Road Baptist Church April 22, 2001 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, Psalm 37:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Place Of Emotion In Religion

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

What does it mean to love God with "all your heart"?

Introduction: I’m sure you’ve all heard the old story about the enthusiastic man who walked into a dignified worship service and sat down in a pew. The minister had just started his sermon when the visitor said fervently, “Amen!” A moment later the fellow said, “Praise the Lord!” The usher ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Apr 9, 2002

Religion has been replacing a solid relationship with God ever since Satan has been in business and too many Christians are not aware of it.

Scripture: Luke 11:37-12 Title: “Religion vs. Relationship” Introduction: It has been said, “The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” (Christianity Today, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Second Hand Religion

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 10, 2001

The need for a personal Savior

Second-Hand Religion If you grew up in a large family, you know exactly what hand-me-downs or second hand items are. If you grew up in the Depression Era, and you were the third son or daughter, your clothes might have been a bit threadbare after going through the wear and tear of two siblings. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-6, John 7:17, Revelation 6:15-17, Psalm 118:8, Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:23-26, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 15:1-9, John 7:17-18, Titus 3:9, John 3:3, John 16:13, James 5:14, James 1:5, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 4:10, Acts 17:10-12, Luke 10:38-42, Romans 1:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Jun 29, 2001

This message compares the lifelessness of religion to the power of being in a relationship with God.

Scripture: Luke 11:37-12 Title: “Religion vs. Relationship” Introduction: It has been said, “The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” (Christianity Today, ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

31 Flavors Of Religion

Contributed by Chris Mason on Nov 2, 2001

God has laid out a clear plan on what to do in order to be saved. However you have to follow the plan in order to make it work. You see the truth is the truth whether you believe it or not.

INTRODUCTION I want to tell you a secret! You have to promise not to tell anyone, O.K.? The secret is: I LOVE ICE CREAM! Not just any ice cream, not Hy Vee or Walmart or even Albertsons, but rather the greatest ice cream of all time: Baskin Robins Ice Cream. When I go to Baskin Robins, I have ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41, Acts 16:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

John Wayne Religion

Contributed by Lee Henry on Nov 15, 2006

Jesus teaches us how to behave like a real Christian without being a hypocrite.

John Wayne Religion Matt. 6:1-18 Intro: I like John Wayne. If an old John Wayne movie is on T.V. that I have seen 5 or 6 times, I’ll still watch that over almost anything else on television. John Wayne played his part so convincingly that I could almost believe he really was that person. Of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Religion That Makes A Difference Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 23, 2006

Religion that makes a difference is characterized by godly language, godly love and a godly lifestyle. James not only tells us what we should be, he tells us how to get there.

Introduction A. I heard about a man who came into church late one Sunday. 1. He asked someone in the back of the auditorium, “Is the sermon done yet?” 2. The person wisely answered, “The sermon has been preached, but it has yet to be done.” 3. Wow! You talk about truthful and insightful! 4. The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sin Of A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on May 17, 2007

Conception of a religion of convenience Characteristics of a religion of convenience Consequences of a religion of convenience

The Sin of a Religion of Convenience I Kings 12:25-33 The passage before us describes the act which is so often described in Scripture as the "sins of Jereboam." It is referred to more than twenty times in the Word of God. I Kings 15:30 "Because of the sins of Jereboam which he sinned, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:25-33

Denomination: Baptist