Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

When Religion Blocks Relationship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 21, 2016

We go about trying to live religious lives, but do we miss connecting with God in the process? Christianity is about relationship, not religion. And Jesus makes such a relationship possible.

Luke 13:10-17 When Religion Blocks Relationship It was a day I will never forget. Our village had gathered at the local Synagogue to hear the word and receive teaching, to pray together, and to worship Yahweh, the one true God. On this day there was an unusual excitement in the crowd because we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pseudo Religion, Prophets And Teachers

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 27, 2021

2 Peter 2

PSEUDO RELIGION, PROHETS AND TEACHERS (2 PETER 2) One report says that counterfeit products made up 5 to 7% of world trade in 2013. According to The Counterfeit Report, "China produces 80% of the world's counterfeits and the United States buy about 60% to 80% of the products. Do you know ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gimme That Old Time Religion”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 19, 2022

Years ago churches across the nation used to sing that old familiar song, “Gimme that old time religion.”

Illus: Some of the words that the congregation sang were, “Gimme that Old Time Religion” because they said: • It will do when I am dying, it will do when I am dying. It will do when I am dying, it’s good enough for me. • It will make us read our Bibles, It will make us read our Bibles, It will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Christianity Vs Other Religions

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Jul 20, 2024

Before you choose a religion, you need to know about the person who is centred around (icon) in that religion. Ask yourself, what good qualities you can follow in that leader. Why did he come? How did he live? What did he teach? Where did he come? Where did he go?

Look for Ten good qualities in that leader. Look for ten good qualities of the followers. Look for ten good qualities of that religion or faith. Ask yourself again, where would you end up if you follow that person and his teachings in your life. You are trusting someone completely and following ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12, Acts 4:12, John 3:16, John 1:1-14, John 10:10, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 22:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"before Religion" Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Sep 13, 2023

Genesis 1:1. It is said that if you can get through the first verse of the Bible, you can read and believe the rest. Do you believe in God? If so, why? How do I know God exists?

One of the simplest stories in the Bible seems to be one of the hardest stories for some to believe. One of the famous men that doubted the Biblical creation story was a man named Charles Darwin, who died in April of 1882. Through Darwin’s studies he determined that man was not created by God, as ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Will Never Save You.

Contributed by John Oquinn on Sep 15, 2018

Your religion will never save you. Only a relationship with Jesus can.

I am certainly happy to be done with the first chapter. The wrath of GOD and attributes of a depraved society are not easy subjects to speak on, or even listen to. We are often torn between the conflicting standards of society, or of GOD. Choose you this day whom ye will serve. For the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Religion Or Faith #3 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 3, 2019

We return to Galatians, moving into chapter three and entitling this sermon, Religion or Faith? Paul continues his rant by challenging us through a diatribe.

We return to Galatians, moving into chapter three and entitling this sermon, Religion or Faith? Paul continues his rant by challenging us through a diatribe. A diatribe is a rhetorical method often used by orators of his day which uses ironic, satirical and sometimes even abuse language to make a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:21-27, Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian Religion According To Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Dec 22, 2025

Jesus helps us to see that His followers should be marked by humility, faith, and devotion.

What is a good Christian like? Is it someone who doesn’t as the saying goes “drink or smoke or cuss or chew or date/marry people who do”? Is it someone who faithfully attends church? Is it someone who waits until marriage to engage in sexual activity? Is it someone who is morally upright? Is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-30, Romans 7:21-24, Proverbs 22:6, Genesis 15:6, Colossians 3:5, Exodus 20:1-17, Luke 16:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Saved From Shallow Religion Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon introduction emphasizes the importance of private acts of giving, praying, and fasting as taught by Jesus, highlighting the need for a self-giving love that seeks God's approval rather than that of others.

Hello church and welcome. I am glad we are observing Ash Wednesday together. Today is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, confession, and letting go. We join with believers all over the world during Lent. Lent is a time for us to assess ourselves and make adjustments. It’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Self-Giving Love, Spiritual Practices, Divine Approval

Saved From Shallow Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. He teaches us to practice our faith in private, not for public approval, but to build a solid core of self-giving love.

Today we're going to talk about how Jesus saves us from sin and shallow religion. You know, the kind of religion that's all about showing off and not about what's really going on inside of us. Let's start with a little object lesson. I want you all to imagine a cup. Now, this cup looks super shiny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Faith Journey, Religious Depth, Beyond Superficiality

Jesus Disrupts Dead Religion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Feb 21, 2024

Jesus disrupts the old system of death and sacrifice, bringing in a new system of love and mercy. He challenges corruption and exploitation, and disrupts our lives to remove anything that hinders us from living abundantly in His love.

Imagine you're at your favorite concert, but instead of enjoying the music, people are selling stuff and ripping you off. That's what Jesus walked into at the temple. People were supposed to be worshipping God, but instead, they were making a quick buck. Jesus was not cool with that. He flipped ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Topics: Spiritual Awakening, Religious Reformation, Faith Disruption, Sacred Transformation

Eyes Fixed On Jesus Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 10, 2024

Rather than being rigid in our worship, interpretation of His word, and rituals intended to bring us closer to Him, let our primary aim be not the control of others but the pursuit of holy lives.

Eyes Fixed on Jesus 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Ever since creation humanity has struggled to establish channels of communication and demonstrate reverence towards a holy God! Sacraments such as confession, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Repeat After Me Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Why did Jesus give us this prayer?”

Who has been watching the Olympics this week? There was a lot of excitement around the newest event, snow-board-cross. We do like new things, don’t we. Even the winter Olympics themselves are, in a way, new. The Ancient Greeks didn’t ski, or ice skate. In fact, the first 13 Olympiads featured only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Strategies To Witness To Cults

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 10, 2003

Looking at verses we can use to address false teaching.

Strategies to Witness to Cults By Ed Vasicek You have to first of all determine if you want to take the time and energy to attempt to confront cultists. Most successful evangelism of cult members occurs when you have a relationship with a person: a relative, co-worker, or a neighbor, etc.. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:48

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Religion Will Never Save You! Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Nov 10, 2014

Religion—is man’s best attempt to get to God.

Religion—is man’s best attempt to get to God. Eight Characteristics of the Religious Person: 1) They rely on a Label. Jew—means a praises or he who praises God! 2) They depend upon Rules and Regulations. Fact: The law has never saved anybody! John 5:39-40 3) They ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Baptist