Sermons on Religious Vocations:

Understanding Religious Fundamentalism

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Mar 12, 2015

The United States has a very long history of unsuccessful conflicts with Islamic fundamentalists. The reason is that the only person who can really understand the dedication of a religious fundamentalist is another religious fundamentalist.

UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM ILLUSTRATION THE GATHERS There was a very wise man who one day decided to journey to a neighboring city with three of his followers. They were not long into their journey when they came upon a man picking berries. In his quest to get the largest and best ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

Are You Religious Or Not?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2024

Jesus, in the Gospel, enumerates the evil we must avoid, or repent of if we haven’t avoided it. It’s like a to-do list from a modern person’s daily schedule, isn’t it?

Twenty-Second Sunday in Course 2024 Those who have known me as a preacher for any length of time also know that I am not a big fan of the clerics who put our Lectionary together. They tend to omit verses and paragraphs to shorten the readings at Mass. And that itself is a kind of insult to the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Psalm 15:2-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Religious Play-Acting

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 9, 2025

Jesus frees us from religion’s stage—calling us from performance to presence, from spotlight to sunlight, to live unmasked before the Father.

Religious Play-Acting The Sermon on the Mount opens with blessing and ends with a choice: sand or rock, appearance or obedience. Between those two poles, Matthew 6 sits like a quiet heart—Jesus’ exposition of motive. Here the Lord shifts from what disciples do to why they do it. He moves from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18, Luke 18:9-14, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27, John 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

God Encounters: Ezekiel (Religious Experience Vs. Religious Action) Series

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jul 24, 2004

This is about Ezekiel’s God encounter. It explores the difference between religious experience and religious action. Religious EXPERIENCE means nothing without ACTION.

Read Ezekiel 1:4-3:15. This is a bizarre vision. Not all God encounters are alike. We see here two things: Religious Experience (ch. 1) and Religious Action (chs. 2 & 3). What is the difference between the two? * Religious Experience is… In chapter 1, we see Ezekiel’s strange religious ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The True Summit Of Our Vocation As Human Beings Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 7, 2011

Music must be in harmony with Logos, not an offbeat and disordered hymn to individualism.

Monday of 3rd Week of Easter Spirit of the Liturgy The Spirit that inflamed deacon Stephen is always at work in the Church. This spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, fills those who respond to the gift of faith, and makes us hungry for the Word of God, the Sacrament of the altar, and service to those ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Catholic

Abraham, Isaac, And Our Vocation As Other Christs

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 8, 2015

We are called to be children of the promise, not children of slavery to sin.

Fourth Sunday in Lent 2015 Extraordinary Form Our Lord Jesus Christ was no politician. If some charismatic leader today advertised himself as a wonder-worker, and down at our convention center or stadium took five loaves of bread and two fish and fed five or ten thousand people, and then promised ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:22-31

Denomination: Catholic

Don't Just Be Religious Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 30, 2016

The Fourth Commandment is given because God gives us a Sabbath so that we can enjoy him.

Message Colossians 2:13-19 “Don’t Just Be Religious” In Israel they have “Sabbath elevators”. This elevator is designed to automatically stop at every floor – even if no one is going in or out. That is because pushing the button for the elevator is work, and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 4, 2019

Jesus dealt with wrong ideas about tradition

The Tyranny of Tradition - Mark 2-13-28 1. The Problem of religious exclusivity v. 13-17 2. The Problem of religious exercise v. 18-22 3. The Problem of religious enlightenment v. 23-28 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-28

Denomination: Baptist

"reformation: Finding Peace With God"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 25, 2019

The Reformation explosive, hard hitting, controversial, grace saturated, salvation clarifying Christ moment in history, based on Luther’s understanding of God’s grace as he lectured on Romans. The Reformation changed culture and our view or vocation.

In Jesus Holy Name October 27, 2019 Text: Romans 3:21-24 Redeemer “Reformation: Finding Peace with God” What a great event last night. Good food. Great music. Fun fellowship. Great beer. I always tell my Calvinist friends I’m so glad I’m a Lutheran. Why? Because I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Wearing Religious Masks? #2

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 12, 2002

Shalom can never be a goal where bitterness thrives.

Part #2 of two part leson. Wearing Religious Masks? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com As we continue pondering, Wearing religious masks and going to hell, while I sit on a pew --- let me share my heart. SHALOM. PONDER: Why do people wear masks? Several years ago, I had a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:23, Hebrews 12:12-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Living Up To Religious Expectations.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Dec 16, 2001

Year A Third Sunday in Advent December 16th, 2001 Matthew 11: 1-11 Heavenly Father empower us to accept Jesus on his terms and not expect him to change to fit our preconceptions of God. Amen.

Year A Third Sunday in Advent December 16th, 2001 Matthew 11: 1-11 Heavenly Father empower us to accept Jesus on his terms and not expect him to change to fit our preconceptions of God. Amen. Title: “Living up to religious expectations.” The Baptist, in prison, sends his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

But I'm So Religious Series

Contributed by Timothy Mills on Sep 18, 2006

Because this starts with “Jews” you may think this isn’t about you; think instead, “religious,” you’re a good Baptist, Catholic, or even a Jew; this passage is for people confident in their faith.

Romans 2:17-29 Because this starts with “Jews” you may think this isn’t about you. Think instead, “religious.” You’re a good Baptist, Catholic, or even a Jew. This passage is for people confident in their faith. 1) The reason for your confidence is are good. vv. 17-20. • You have the Law, you have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Religious Intolerance In Our Time

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 13, 2007

We live in a restless, violent, ever changing world that moves in unknown directions every day. We were witness to this sad reality this past week when those victims at Virginia Tech lost their lives.

Religious Intolerance in our Time. Acts Chapter 5:17,41 The Apostles Persecuted 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Breaking Out Of Religious Identity Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 22, 2012

Without realizing it, we can try to contain the eternal God of the universe within the boundaries of our comfort and control.

Breaking Out of Religious Identity Series: BREAKOUT – God on the Move through the Book of Acts Brad Bailey – April 22, 2012 Intro Today we are going to engage a problem that can quietly be at work in every life: the unconscious tendency to become attached to forms of religious ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Religious Babylon: A False Religion Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jun 28, 2012

Jesus Christ is coming back to earth. He is coming to bring righteousness to this earth. But before He can come and establish righteousness in the earth, a few things have to be done.

Jesus Christ is coming back to earth. He is coming to bring righteousness to this earth. But before He can come and establish righteousness in the earth, a few things have to be done. 1. All the evil armies of this earth have to be destroyed. We just saw that in chapter 16. 2. All the religion ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-18

Denomination: Baptist