Sermons on Toxic Religion:

What Makes A Church Ugly? Ephesus Pt 5 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

The problem with Ephesus is they were doing so much inside the walls they never went out. They were a “come-and-get-it” church and not a “go-and-get-them” church. This church saw their culture as something you stay away from.

“What Makes a Church Ugly?” Ephesus. Revelation 2:1-7 The world tries to get it right, but in all of its wisdom it can never measure up to the truth of God—it is all foolishness. LOVE is not a feeling to be lost—but it can be forsaken. LOVE causes us some great and full ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Question Of Fasting

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 18, 2020

A warning against mixing things that differ.

THE QUESTION OF FASTING. Matthew 9:14-17. It is a strange thing that the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus to ask, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14). It is unfortunately typical of religious people to be performing some ritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News For Everyone! Series

Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Nov 10, 2014

Religion cannot save you no matter how zealous you are, only a relationship with God!

God Set Israel Aside Because: 1) They did not Listen to Him. Vs. 2 Truth: For a Jew, your whole life revolves around your religion. Philippians 3:4-6 Key: Religion cannot save you no matter how zealous you are, only a relationship with God! 2) They tried to save themselves by good ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Christians Responsibilities In Politics

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Mar 23, 2015

What is the Christians responsibility in politics?

Introduction: "Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right." William E. Gladstone William E. Gladstone British Liberal Prime Minister, Statesman (1809-1888) I. Christians must be engaged - When the righteous increase, - We must be part of the process A) Lies Christians are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

Building My Life On Jesus Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 3, 2019

The more I focus on what I am doing for God the more likely I am to miss what God is doing in me.

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 25, 2012

I want you all to know that the importance to all of this relates very closely to the subject of “Authority in Religion” . . . It is impossible to maintain unity unless we can agree upon a ‘standard’ of authority. Funny thing is . . .

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 5: “Determining Our Standard of Authority” Now that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s can be put behind us, maybe we can start putting more emphasis on those things we should be working on through out the year . . . starting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 25, 2012

Consider this . . . some of the ‘objective’ standards of authority could be the sources outside of ourselves that we look to direct us . . .

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 6: ‘What Many Accept as Authority in Religion’ Within the last message, I endeavored to show you three things . . . (1) That it is through the writing of the apostles, the “apostles’ doctrine” that the LORD speaks and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 25, 2012

There were a lot of questions that came in from the last message, so hopefully in this message; I will be able to answer some of them . . .

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 7: ‘Further Thoughts Related to Authority in Religion’ I never would have thought I would have gotten so many responses to the last message, but I thank GOD that so many of you have taken such an active interest to this Email Ministry, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 25, 2012

I am by no means a perfect man . . . and I know I make mistakes . . . but I do everything I can possibly do to make sure that when I am preaching to you on any given topic, that I have the Word of GOD to back me up . . . With that in mind, I want to s

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 8: “Maintaining Unity in the Local Community” You know you have to admit the fact that when a preacher gets on a topic such as this, he has to be most careful to word himself just as the LORD would have him do . . . I know a lot of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 26, 2012

But is it possible for people today to simply be Christians, without being a member of any man – made denomination?

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 2: ‘The Way Out of Religious Division’ Let me first start off by saying THANK YOU to all of you that made such wonderful replies to the first message of this series. I was well impressed with some of the knowledge you guys ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 26, 2012

This was to let us be sure that we have answered the call of the gospel, by which HE adds us to HIS church and not some sort of denomination begun by a man.

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 3: ‘Accepting the Call of the Gospel’ Three messages in, and the series is just now starting to really heat up; and getting really good if I should say so myself, as the LORD has actually been teaching me a thing or two here as ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Talent For The Ridiculous! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Apr 30, 2012

We’ve reached a familiar story in the book of Matthew – the parable of the talents.

It’s a parable I’ve known since my youth - one I am quite familiar with – and having been in this parish almost 21 years now, it’s one that I am reaching for the 7th time even since I’ve been here, which is why it is all the more astounding that I’ve never ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

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

Faith Of Our Fathers

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Feb 26, 2012

God's chosen people must recount His mighty acts among themselves.

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you” (Dt. 4:1,2). Keeping the law was to be Israel’s fame among the nations. Israel was not to be known for its wealth (although Solomon’s riches were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

Why I’m Not A Hospital Chaplain

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 9, 2012

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying.

My colleague, Father Elias, began his sermon on the Sunday I was in hospital by saying, “I think if it had appeared in the paper that a priest had threatened to beat up a fellow patient in a Sydney Hospital, the most common response would have been, ‘I didn’t know Dave was in hospital!’” I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican