Sermons on Religion As Ritual:

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

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

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

A Withering Religion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2020

Judgment begins at the house of God.

A WITHERING RELIGION. Matthew 21:12-22. Today’s passage brings together two events which are not unrelated to each other: the cleansing of the Temple, and the withering of the fig tree. Both are figurative of the state and changing status of the old Jewish faith at the dawn of the gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dangers Of Religion

Contributed by Tim White on Feb 9, 2017

Paul addresses the dangers of hiding behind religion to avoid a relationship with God.

Last week, from Romans 1, we saw how people get so far from God, God gives them up to their vile choices and futile minds. That is the most tragic story in the Bible. We pointed out that all of us are susceptible to the same spiral stairway. Even believers, even Churches, can become cold towards ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Religion Of Hypocrites Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 10, 2025

He called them blind guides (Matthew 23:16), snakes and brood of vipers (23:33). We are called to practice true godliness, sincere love, and enduring faith.

Text: Matthew 23:23-32 Theme: Hypocrite Religion   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!   Introduction: Today, we would meditate and understand what doesn’t mean hypocrisy, and how Pharisees and scribes were hypocrites, and where we stand in our spiritual life. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-32

Denomination: Methodist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 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

I Have A Friend Who Thinks That All Religions Are The Same

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 4, 2003

In this message we try to arm ourselves with answers that will both show why all religions are not the same and how Christianity is far above them all.

I Have A Friend Who… Thinks All Religions Are The Same In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Questions About Salvation

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 8, 2014

We are going to be talking about things that happened in what is called “The Great Jerusalem Council.”

JUL 14 2013PM Two Questions About Salvation Acts 15:1-5 We have just gotten in from Paul’s first missionary journey. For the next three Sunday evenings, including tonight, we are going to be talking about things that happened in what is called “The Great Jerusalem Council.” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Have To Keep Being Extra Faithful? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Our religious ritual can make us feel like we are the extra faithful when we are really failing to give God what He wants.

- We had several night visions one after the other in the chapters up to this point in Zechariah. As we come into chapter 7, two years have passed. And there are signs of progress on the temple – the walls are rising! - So is everything great? Not exactly. - The people of Bethel come with a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ