Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

Religion That Works

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 23, 2012

James 1:26-27 offers a three point message on religion that is a must DO.

As we continue our Summer Service Series let’s turn to one of the most practical books in the New Testament: James. This little letter is packed with instruction and wisdom for Christian ACTION and SERVICE. James is big on application. A few weeks ago I did a lesson entitled “Do to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Showboat Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Jesus teaches about the proper way to give, to pray, and to fast. He condemns public displays of religious acts where the intent is to garner praise from people who are watching.

SHOWBOAT RELIGION MATTHEW 6:1-8, 16-18 A "showboat" is someone who tries to draw all the attention to himself. They want all the glory, all the praise. You see it on the football field and other places where people compete. The touchdown or big play antics are performed to draw attention. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Dean Morgan on May 10, 2017

The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; maybe they had what they thought were more important things to do.

Tekoa: a town in Judah in the wilderness, fortified by Rehoboam. It was the home of the prophet Amos. They were part of the group helping Nehemiah rebuild the wall. The common people helped but not the Nobles. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them; maybe they didn’t want to dirty their hands; ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

True Religion

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 22, 2016

What was Jesus’ first and only stipulation for those He called? Follow Me!

True Religion Mark 2:13-17NLT Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this description of the game of baseball in their program: “You have two sides, one out in the field, and one in. Each man that's on the side that's in, goes out and when he's OUT he comes in and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem With Religion Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 15, 2020

Let’s live lives that honor God in every way.

THE PROBLEM WITH RELIGION Text: Rom. 2:17-24 Introduction 1. Illustration: When we Pastored in Yellville, AR there was a little restaurant that I used to like to hang out at called The Hill Top. One day a man from a nearby town called Zinc stopped in for lunch. The town of Zinc was famous for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Methodist

A Religion Of Convenience

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 8, 2013

We live in an age of convenience. There's nothing wrong with convenience per se. The danger is when we look for a Christianity of convenience rather than sacrifice and commitment. This sermon looks at "convenience Christianity" from several angles.

A Religion of Convenience Chuck Sligh April 7, 2013 TEXT: 2 Samuel 24:18-25 – “And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Authentic Religion"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 27, 2013

A sermon about love.

John 13:34-35 "Authentic Religion" A headline on the front page of the paper this past Tuesday caught my eye. It read: "Bomb Suspects Driven by Faith." It went on to say: "The two brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon appear to have been motivated by their religious ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Demands Of A Religion

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 6, 2013

The Invitation to this wedding banquet was an invitation extended by grace. It is a powerful picture showing that all who received the invite had it received it by grace. When grace is rejected, wrath will be given.

The Demands of Religion Text: Matt. 22:1-14 Dorn Ridge June 10, 2012 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Much is made of plurality in today’s society. 2.) The major concern about plurality for many seems to be its implied permission to participate in every kind of belief and practice. A.) The parable of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Religion And Politics

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 31, 2020

A look at the words of Jesus as it pertains to our election.

Religion and Politics November 1, 2020 I’m not sure if you know, but there’s an election coming up this Tuesday! There hasn’t been much talk about it. It’s been pretty hush, hush. So, I thought for my first Sunday back, I should talk about religion and politics. Some say it’s the most important ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Compromise Religion

Contributed by Grant Adams on Mar 11, 2023

In this portion of scripture is a brief sketch of the history of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan.

I. Pharaoh Tried to Intimidate Israel Away from the very Thought of God and Religion 1. Exodus 5:1-9 2. He said that Moses’ message of salvation was only “vain words.” Useless, nothing to it. 3. The Devil is using this same method with people today. He tries to frighten away because of what others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Religion Series

Contributed by Daniel Teberian on Mar 16, 2023

What does a true Christian look like? How do our actions reflect the faith that we have? How do our actions reflect the love of God?

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. [James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27, Matthew 12:34, 1 John 4:7-8

Talking Religion

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Many of us have a hard time talking with others about our faith. Jesus gives us a good example.

“1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat them. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, `Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' 3 Jesus answered them, `Have you never read what David did when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-5, Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28

Real Religion

Contributed by Robert Tallent on Oct 16, 2024

The bible describes what real worship really is

Real Religion Jas 1:27 religion= a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices Attitude= help ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Baptist