Sermons on Religious Vocations:

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

What Is A Religious Sinner? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 13, 2022

Here, the Gentiles are the individuals who sin, are separated from the law, while the Jews are the people who sin while under the law.

Romans 2:17-29 depicts two groups of individuals, with an accentuation on the way in which their transgression connects with their insight into God's composed Law for the country of Israel. Here, the Gentiles are the individuals who sin, are separated from the law, while the Jews are the people ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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 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

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

"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

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

Lacking Love (Religious Leaders) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#1 in series, about religious leaders who followed the Law but did it without love.

Matthew 27:32-43 – Were You There? #1 – Lacking Love (Religious Leaders) This morning, as a build-up to Resurrection Day on April 24, I am beginning a series called Were You There? These messages will cause us to look at the witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, and hopefully see ourselves in their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Religious Rebels (Joseph And Nicodemus) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#2 in series, about 2 guys who broke free from religion’s rules and traditions, to serve Jesus.

John 19:38-42 – Were You There? #2 – Religious Rebels (Joe and Nick) As we continue through our pre-Resurrection series, or our Passion series, we come to 2 unlikely heroes in the mix. Last week, we examined the lives of the religious leaders, and how their adherence to the rules combined with ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Confronts A Religious Man

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Dec 11, 2009

Paul had all the passion and righteous anger for God, and it was all wrong. Jesus had to correct Paul’s path and destiny to make him the man he was supposed to be. Paul’s religion got in the way of what was more important; a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus Confronts a Religious Man Prairie Baptist Church – 12/13/09 A.M. Service Text: Acts 9:1-9 Key verse: Acts 9:5 - And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Premise: Paul had all the passion ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist