Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

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

Backyard Religion

Contributed by Mark Atherton on Apr 28, 2001

a faith of our own making will not cut it

1) Backyard Religion doesn’t take sin seriously. (17:1-2) ----------Godly sorrow vs. worldly sorrow (2Cor. 7:10) 2) Backyard Religion worships in spirit but not in truth. (17:3-6) ---------“There’s a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.” ---------“Not everyone who says ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:1-13

Denomination: Holiness

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

Fruitless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 27, 2010

If we want to bear fruit for the glory of God and lead people to Him on a regular basis, then we must let Christ clean out the fruitless religion, and we must pray with hearts full of faith and forgiveness

A clergyman dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter says to this guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you into the Kingdom of Heaven?” The guy replies, “I’m Joe Cohen, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Bad Religion SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 24, 2023

An exposition on Matthew 23:1-25. Christianity is not about making converts to dogma but making converts to love.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves on the precipice of a journey, a journey that will take us through the winding roads of faith, the valleys of doubt, and the mountains of revelation. We are here to embark on a pilgrimage through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-25

Topics: Toxic Religion

Rethink Religion

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Sep 1, 2021

When we say "religion" what do we really mean?

Rethink Religion Walk in Wisdom / James 1:17–27   • When we say “religion” what do we really mean? • Bible dictionary calls it Religion: “A relationship of devotion or fear of God or gods.” • Various types of conduct or ritual practices are included in that concept. • Those rather scholarly ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-27, 1 John 2:3-6, Hebrews 13:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Relevant Religion PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

This sermon aims to explore the power of true worship, emphasizing the importance of reflecting Christ in our worship and the necessity of genuine devotion to God, as exemplified in Luke 19:37-40.

Good morning, Church family! I'm delighted to be here with you today to dive into God's Word together. We’ve got a special treat today as we explore Luke 19:37-40 and unpack the power of true worship, the relevance of Jesus' example, and the necessity of genuine devotion. I’ll start with a quote ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:37-40

Topics: True Worship

The Dangers Of Religion Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 21, 2007

15th in a series from Ephesians. The danger of following a religion instead of seeking a relationship.

A man was walking across a bridge one day, and he saw another man standing on the edge, about to jump off. He immediately ran over and said "Stop! Don’t do it!" "Why shouldn’t I?" the man asked. The first man replied, "Well, there’s so much to live for!" "Like what?" "Well ... are you religious ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Easy Religion

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 3, 2002

Too many people today are trying to substitute easy and convenient religion for Spirit led sanctification. How does Jesus feel about that?

EASY RELIGION Jn. 2:13-22 INTRO. The Bible records a visit by Jesus to the temple at age 12 (Lk. 2:42); and then again at age 30 (text). (See 2:12) The Passover was a commemoration of the Exodus. In N.T. times the Passover sacrifice was ritually slaughtered in the Temple. A company bound ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Relationship Or Religion Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 14, 2024

James gives us the difference between relationship or religion

Help Wanted: Relationship or Religion James 1:26-27 Good morning, would you turn to James chapter one, the text will be various verses from chapter one. James is writing to believers. You would think some of the things he says to them that he would be writing this letter to unbelievers. James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Nazarene

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

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 1, 2004

A sermon of how we are becoming complacent in our society.

A RELIGION OF CONVENIENCE 1 Kings 12:25-33 INTRO: The woman came home in her car with automatic transmission, pushed a button and the garage door opened automatically. Her A/C had automatically started ½ hour earlier. She took a prepared meal out of her automatic defrosting freezer, placed it in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Relational Religion Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Mar 9, 2010

God wants your religion to be characterized by love, compassion, and holy living.

Relational Religion James 1:19-27 Intro: The word “religion” has really gotten a bad rap in modern history. It is almost a dirty word to some. Maybe you’ve heard some of these phrases before: “Oh, you got religion!” “Don’t shove your religion on ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Religion Or Relationship? Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on May 2, 2003

Like us, Isaiah cries out for REVIVAL, but God answers surprisingly: He can’t bring it because the people really want RELIGION and he wants RELATIONSHIP

Religion or relationship? Isaiah 64:1-65:7 WBC 4 May 2003 pm. Kate Chapman’s Baptism Revival Good to have you here tonight. Good to be here! - Folks here with all kinds of outlooks, spiritually o you’re ALL v welcome! - Those - Seeking. Unsure. Tentative - those who feel no need to seek… no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Comparing Religions

Contributed by Duane Giles on May 31, 2003

Why the Christianity of the Bible is superior to other world religions.

COMPARING THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD WITH TRUE CHRISTIANITY Duane Giles, 10-19-02 IS THERE A GOD, ANYWAY? The first step in our search for reason and truth should be for us to prove to our own satisfaction, whether or not God really exists. We were raised up as children to believe in God. Most ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:37, Psalm 103:17

Denomination: Church Of God