Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

The Problem With A Religion Of Rules Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 11, 2022

Two Sabbath stories bring out some key dangers of a rules-based religion.

- We have two stories here that both look into the rules the religious leaders had back in Jesus’ day concerning the Sabbath. THE PROBLEM WITH A RELIGION OF RULES: 1. WE ARE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHICH RULES WE PAY ATTENTION TO. - Matthew 12:1-5, 9-11. - The Pharisees considered themselves to be the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Childishness And Small Religion

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 27, 2025

Jesus calls us to lay down childish stubbornness and take His hand in trusting, growing childlikeness that welcomes the Kingdom.

Have you noticed that Jesus holds two ideas in tension? He tells us to be childlike …and also warns us not to be childish. Only Jesus can say, “Become as little children” and “Grow up”…in the very same breath. He sees what we cannot. He can tell the difference. Our passage today is Luke 7:31-35. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, Mark 10:15, Psalm 131:1-2, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

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

A Fairy Tale Religion

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 22, 2025

Many churches promote “Easy-Believism” today in their churches.

This is a dangerous teaching! Why? God has given us the gospel of Christ to take into the homes of lost people and show them what the Lord can do for them if they will accept Him as their Lords and Savior. The gospel of Christ is the only gospel God has given to the church to reach a lost ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Which Jesus Do You Follow? Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 4, 2025

There's only one true Jesus, but there are many false concepts of Jesus whom people follow. Do you follow a religious Jesus who requires rituals and works for salvation. Then, think again.

As we mentioned in our bulletin this morning, we begin a new series of messages today entitled "Meet the Real Jesus?' And I'm going to begin this morning by asking each of you here, "Which Jesus do you follow?" Now, yes, I'm anticipating some questions or comments which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Isaiah 64:6, James 2:10, Romans 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Religion Isn't Enough Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 20, 2015

This is the 4th sermon in the series, "The Cure". Religion won't save you.

Series: The Cure [#4] RELIGION ISN’T ENOUGH Romans 2:17-29 Introduction: We have studied many different areas of sin in just 2 chapters of Romans. This morning’s sermon may point out one of the most dangerous problems in the Church- Religion. I do understand that Christianity is a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

A Model Of Love

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 9, 2014

Salvation is through the grace of Jesus Christ. Some people still insist on adding to the plan. They believe things like not only should you accept Jesus, but you need be baptized, or you need to be confirmed, or you need to take the Lord's Supper.

JUL 28 2013PM A Model of Love Acts 15:22-35 The great decree of salvation issued by the early church should have settled the issue forever. There is no question; salvation is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But some people still insist on adding to the plan. They believe things ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:22-35

Denomination: Baptist

Cedar, Hyssop, And National Security

Contributed by David Western on Nov 19, 2025

Just as a general once showed me a car I thought was spotless still carried an odor, Leviticus 14 reminds us that God sees what we cannot—and through cedar, hyssop, and scarlet, He reveals the only cleansing that reaches the heart.

“Get Me a Car That Doesn’t Stink”** When I was a captain at the Air Force Academy, I had the honor—and the anxiety—of escorting General Hornburg, the ACC Commander, during a visit for Corona. That was when all the generals came together for a high-level meeting, and it was the kind of event where ...read more

"Defiled Religion, Defiled Hearts"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 25, 2008

God is concerned with true worship from the heart, not outward observances.

“The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Orthodox

Avoiding Anger: Doers Of The Word, Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 26, 2021

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021, FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B, While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word.

Avoiding Anger: Doers of the Word August 29, 2021 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B text James 1:17-27 While anger might not be the center of this text, it is one of those distractions that often keeps us from being doers of the word. Throughout this series, we are reflecting on how well ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

The Lies Of False Religion.3 Series

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Jul 29, 2005

When you change one part of scripture you make, in essence, the rest of the Bible void.

The Lies of False Religion.3 MINA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Some 2.5 million Muslims took part in the "Stoning of Satan" ritual, as the Islamic world marked the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice following the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. According to tradition, it is the place where Satan appeared ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:40-41

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gimme That Old-Time Religion

Contributed by Mark White on Aug 1, 2003

Various Cults at work today.

GIMME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION Mark White 1-03-02 Scripture Focus – 2Thessalonians 1-3 Time Magazine calls The New Age is "a combination of spirituality and superstition, fad and farce, about which only one thing is certain, it is not new". Actually its philosophies are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Religion Or Relationship" Part 2 Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 16, 2011

A quick look at the lessons from Philippians.

Question: What is your Hope Built on? "The depravity of man is the only doctrine we have with thousands of years of evidence." Pastor Matt Chandler Where is your confidence? 1. In Religious Ritual? Vs. 3 "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Can Not Satisfy Nobody Series

Contributed by R. Escoanyelin Ortiz on Nov 10, 2011

to show the emptiness of mere belief without experience

"They hold an apperance of godliness" (2 Timothy 3:5). YOU SEE, WHERE CAN WE FIND TRUE SPIRITUALITY? BELOVED, IT IS NOT ABOUT RELIGION, BUT A SPIRITUAL REALITY THAT CAN BE EXPERIENCED AND ENJOYED. LOOK AT THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, SHE HAD RELIGION, BUT NO HAPPINESS. LOOK AT THE PHARISEES, THEY KNEW THE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Those Who Love Religion

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 3, 2013

A sermon on Luke 16:14-15 addressed to those who love religion and focusing on why man's religion can be a bad thing (Adapted from John MacArthur at: http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/42-209/why-false-teachers-mock-the-truth-part-1)

HoHum: GOLLUM AND THE RING
Many of us are familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We cannot help but remember the character named Gollum. He was a hideous, pathetic creature who was possessed by the power of the ring. In fact, the ring was the reason for his hideous appearance. His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ