Sermons on Religion Of The Heart:

Turning A Religion Into A Relationship Series

Contributed by Steve Hanchett on Apr 23, 2001

Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. Sincere seekers need to be born again.

“When a Religion Becomes a Relationship” John 3:1-15 Steve Hanchett, pastor Berry Road Baptist Church April 22, 2001 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, Psalm 37:1

Denomination: Baptist

Losing My Religion Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 2, 2013

God is head over heels in love with you!

LOSING MY RELIGION An Introduction to the Sermon Series, “The Misunderstood God**” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Big Idea: God is head over heels in love with you! INTRO: In a few minutes we will be reading from 1 Corinthians 13. But, may I ask you a few questions first? • How many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Religion Gone Bad

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 12, 2012

Religion goes bad when our lives are not marked by genuine humility and heartfelt generosity.

Title: Religion Gone Bad Text: Mark 12:38-44 Thesis: Religion goes bad when God is not the object of our devotion. Introduction (Disclaimer… this introduction may not be for the faint of heart.) I am fascinated by some of the reality programming on the Discovery Channel. One of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Battling Convenient Religion

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Jun 16, 2005

This message takes a look at the account of the Rich young Ruler in Mark 10 and how it is is a mirror of those that are seeking convenience through religion.

Battling Convenient Religion Mark 10:17-22 I. The Man’s Presumptions (v. 17) A. He presumed his inheritance could be earned “…what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” – v. 17 B. He presumed discipleship was about doing “..what must I do…” – v. 17 1. Discipleship is about ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Why Religion Stinks Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on Jan 6, 2009

Part 3 of our "Being the Church" series, this one focusing on the need for an authentic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how "religion" does not meet that need.

Stephen N. Collins Millville – 06/22/08 Being the Church Part 3: Why Religion Stinks Acts 4:1-22 Icebreaker: The kindergarten teacher asked the students in her class to bring something related to their families’ religions to class the next day. She asked for volunteers to show what they had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Church Of God

"Relationship Vs. Religion” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jul 1, 2019

Paul warns about threee subtles deceptions about living the Christian life that can cause us to get detoured from focusing on a growing love relationship with God.

Having discussed how our victory over the power of sin and the temptations to sin provided by the flesh, the world and the devil in our daily lives has been provided for through Christ death, burial and resurrection; Paul now addresses three subtle detours that can get the child of God. These ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Religion Series

Contributed by Wade Allen on Oct 3, 2007

A challenge to avoid being Pharisaical in the church.

The Apostle Paul had an interesting style of ministry. Paul would travel to a city, get to know a few people, plant a church, then stay around as long as it took (usually a couple years) until the church was self-sufficient. Then he would pack up and move to a new city and start the process all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Beyond Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 13, 2018

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey

God Beyond Religion Series: Conversations with Jesus March 11, 2018 – Brad Bailey Intro We are continuing our series… “Conversations with Jesus”… As described in previous weeks… many conversations are just polite exchanges. Some are practical exchanges. But there are some that can be life ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, John 4:39-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Vs Religion

Contributed by James H Boyd on Dec 21, 2023

Religion cannot save, only Jesus can!

A wealthy business man died.At his funeral, many people came to his widow and the rest of his family to express their sympathies. Suddenly, a young man approached the widow with an unusual request. He said “Ma’am, I know you don’t know me, but I was wondering if I could get in on your husband’s ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Religion's Favorite Sin

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Oct 2, 2005

the danger of hypocrisy

Intro: one of the classic, I Love Lucy shows was the show where Lucy and Ethel traded places with Ricky and Fred; one of the funniest parts of that show was when Ricky put a whole box of yeast into his dough and it overflowed the oven. Yeast is a powerful substance, just a little is needed to make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Second-Hand Religion

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

Faith in Jesus allows us to have a real personal relationship with God.

Focus Passage: Exodus 33:7-23 KEY VERSE 18 “Show me Your glory” Supplemental Passage: John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Introduction: References to second hand clothing or other items, or ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-23

Denomination: Baptist

Sunday Morning Religion

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Feb 15, 2012

There’s nothing wrong with Sunday-morning religion, but the problem is that so many people have only a Sunday-morning religion.

The curse of the 20th Century is Sunday-morning religion. Now, there’s nothing wrong with Sunday-morning religion, but the problem is that so many people have only a Sunday-morning religion. Somebody wrote these words: “They’re praising God on Sunday, but they’ll be all ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Old Time Religion Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 18, 2010

The old time religion is real--and not what you think

The Old Time Religion James 1:26-27 * (The Song – Old Time Religion) Singing this song evokes emotional memories of days past. Candidly, most of us affectionately remember ‘The Old Time Religion’ but we have difficulty authentically remembering ‘The Old Time Religion.’ The things we remember are ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27, James 1:23-27

Denomination: Baptist