Sermons on Religious Devotion:

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 15, 2013

Taking a look at the dynamics involved in Jesus' encounter with the religious leaders and with the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders set the trap, Jesus turned it back on them and in the end the woman was released from her trap.

The woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11 1) Setting the trap (Vs. 1-6a). Unlike today, the sin of adultery was a serious crime in biblical day-punishable by death. We don’t know how she was caught in the act. Perhaps it was a set-up. And the Pharisees could’ve brought her to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Disgusted Or Delighted? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

A stark contrast between religious hypocrites and a faithful woman. The religious show-offs were mostly interested in what they could GET out of life. And the poor widow as interested in all she could GIVE.

INTRODUCTION My younger brother, Dan, and I are a lot alike. He serves as a Minister of Education and Senior Adults at a church in Conway, Arkansas. One thing we have in common is that we both have a sense of humor leaning toward puns and groaners. You’ve endured plenty of my groaners through the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

From The Worst To The Best Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

Paul tells us in verses 13 and 14 that he was always a very religious man, and he was zealous in his commitment to Judaism. Paul becomes a great example of both the danger and value of being religious.

Mary Marrow had just arrived in China as a missionary when the Boxer Rebellion broke out in 1900. The leaders of China blamed the missionaries for the problems of the land, and mobs began to violently persecute the Christians. They were dragged from their homes and forced to stomp on a cross or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13

Long Live King Solomon! Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 26, 2022

Solomon had all the advantages life could offer. He had a God- fearing home with his father being a man after God’s own heart. He inherited wealth and he was privilege to the best education. Wholehearted devotion to God was required. Long live King Solomon!

There are some people who are born into a privileged situation. Their parents can afford to send them to Harvard. We call this being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Another way to put is what my friend said to me, you are one of God’s spoiled children. But if anyone was ever born with a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Giving To Caesar, Giving To God Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Aug 5, 2003

We owe our nation our support, but we owe God our wholehearted devotion.

As you all know, our nation is at war. We’ve been expecting it to come for several weeks, but this week it finally came. And whenever war comes, it comes as a tragedy for all involved. And the dilemma for me as a pastor is what to preach about today. I’m sure many pastors will be interrupting ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding Imposters Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Aug 20, 2007

How can we spot a religious impostor? What does God think of shallow religion?

Avoiding Imposters II Timothy 3:5-9 Purpose: To describe what false teachers look like. Aim: I want the listener to be alert to false teaching and turn away from it. INTRODUCTION: Sunflowers are fascinating. These large flowers actually follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. I remember seeing a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:5-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Jesus Occasionally Used Unconventional Methods

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus knew that the conventional religious methods of His day were failing to accomplish God's purposes.

1. Jesus knew that the conventional religious methods of His day were failing to accomplish God's purposes. He identified both personal and organizational Pharisaical tendency to view people through the law rather than through grace. Jesus knew that the Pharisees' values were rooted in their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scout Meeting

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 23, 2005

How BP’s words equate with the Christian faith

Scouts’ St George’s Day 2005 1 Cor 9:24-27 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Anglican

Contesting The Christ Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 2, 2026

As Jesus enters the temple, He enters into a series of contests or conflicts with the religious leaders.

Introduction Worship wars - conflicts within churches and schools battling over styles of worship music. Hymns, tradition, theological richness Choruses, emotive, passionate Relevance vs. reverence New vs. old contests and grand conflicts can happen in religious circles in a variety of ways. the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed!

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Mar 15, 2002

What makes Jesus stand out from other great religious leaders?

Swanton Novers 31-03-02 Stiffkey 20-04-03 He is risen. He is risen indeed. (Acts 10:34-43) One of the things that has really struck me is the number of churches here in the countryside - especially in Norfolk (England), where there are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Anglican

Taking Christ Out Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 30, 2002

What would happen if we took all of the Religious elements out of Christmas?

Have you noticed that every year people seem more intent on secularizing Christmas? They wish you a “Happy Holiday” or “Seasons Greetings” then have presentations at school that make no mention of the Manger or the Wise Men let alone the Christ Child. Now I may be a little overly sensitive but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

And You Call Yourself A Christian? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 6, 2007

The danger that confronts religious people is that they rely on their performance to gain right standing with God.

Scripture Several years ago I was pulled over by a police officer for running a red light. “Why did you do it?” he asked. “Well, Officer,” I explained. “I am a pastor. One of the members of our church is about to have open heart surgery at Harrisburg General Hospital. I got off to a late start ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Two Men And God

Contributed by Chris Layton on Jun 7, 2005

We, as Christians, need to stop being "religious" and humbly start living for Christ.

Two Men and God Luke 18:9-14 Are you as good as other men or as good as God? It seems that every time you talk to a “Christian” about something that is wrong in their life, the very first thing to come out of their mouth is “Well I am doing better than ole so-and-so”. Paul wrote, “There is no one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

A New Beginning

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 20, 2007

A challenge contrasting the new life in Christ with the religious life that satisfy the most of mankind.

JOHN 3:1-16 A NEW BEGINNING “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist