Sermons on World Religions:

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 Vs. Relationship

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Apr 9, 2002

Religion has been replacing a solid relationship with God ever since Satan has been in business and too many Christians are not aware of it.

Scripture: Luke 11:37-12 Title: “Religion vs. Relationship” Introduction: It has been said, “The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” (Christianity Today, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Jun 29, 2001

This message compares the lifelessness of religion to the power of being in a relationship with God.

Scripture: Luke 11:37-12 Title: “Religion vs. Relationship” Introduction: It has been said, “The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” (Christianity Today, ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Replacing My Religion Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Apr 24, 2007

Religion which is man-made brings insecurity, but a Relationship with Jesus brings confidence.

> When I was a young man, I would frequently hear, “I’m gonna lose my religion!” Normally, this was said at a time of stress and frustration. > Gallup took a poll on “Religion” in January of 2007, the results of which seems to me to be a little contradictory in nature. When asked “do you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Religion Versus Faith

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 4, 2024

Is one more important than the other? Can one have faith without religion

Religion versus faith Luke 5:12 – 16 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 12 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 And He stretched ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Childishness And Small Religion

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 27, 2025

Jesus calls us to lay down childish stubbornness and take His hand in trusting, growing childlikeness that welcomes the Kingdom.

Have you noticed that Jesus holds two ideas in tension? He tells us to be childlike …and also warns us not to be childish. Only Jesus can say, “Become as little children” and “Grow up”…in the very same breath. He sees what we cannot. He can tell the difference. Our passage today is Luke 7:31-35. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, Mark 10:15, Psalm 131:1-2, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

31 Flavors Of Religion

Contributed by Chris Mason on Nov 2, 2001

God has laid out a clear plan on what to do in order to be saved. However you have to follow the plan in order to make it work. You see the truth is the truth whether you believe it or not.

INTRODUCTION I want to tell you a secret! You have to promise not to tell anyone, O.K.? The secret is: I LOVE ICE CREAM! Not just any ice cream, not Hy Vee or Walmart or even Albertsons, but rather the greatest ice cream of all time: Baskin Robins Ice Cream. When I go to Baskin Robins, I have ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41, Acts 16:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 3, 2021

Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44.

Prelude Our churches will always be faulty, but God still works within His church? Purpose: How would Jesus judge today’s church? Plan: Let’s discuss two opposite ways that people operate within the church in Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

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

From Religion To Relationship Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 16, 2023

From Religion to Relationship Series: Holy Conversations: Talking about God in Everyday Life Brad Bailey - October 15, 2023

From Religion to Relationship Series: Holy Conversations: Talking about God in Everyday Life Brad Bailey - October 15, 2023 Note: These notes represent more than what could be fully spoken or covered due to time. In particular, the many points about how people dismiss “religion” that are a part of ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Struggle With Religion Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

God cares about how his name is used, both in words and in what we do and what we fail to do.

By Rev Bill Stewart Back in the late 1990s everyone was talking about Y2K and wondering if their computer would still work on the 01/01/ 2000. The new millennium was all over the media. The Australian magazine even ran an article called "10 Commandments for the next Millennium" (7-8 March 1999). No ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:4-10

Denomination: Anglican

Second Hand Religion

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 10, 2001

The need for a personal Savior

Second-Hand Religion If you grew up in a large family, you know exactly what hand-me-downs or second hand items are. If you grew up in the Depression Era, and you were the third son or daughter, your clothes might have been a bit threadbare after going through the wear and tear of two siblings. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-6, John 7:17, Revelation 6:15-17, Psalm 118:8, Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:23-26, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 15:1-9, John 7:17-18, Titus 3:9, John 3:3, John 16:13, James 5:14, James 1:5, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 4:10, Acts 17:10-12, Luke 10:38-42, Romans 1:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of False Religion

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Apr 8, 2003

How to identify the apostate church

The Dangers of False Religion 1st John 2:18 - 27 Jeff Hughes I. Introduction a. Tonight, we are going to look at 1st John, Chapter 2, verses 18 through 27. Here we see another warning for the church from John the Apostle. Last time, in verses 15-17 John warns that a love of the world can be a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Saw The Downfall Of Apostate Religion Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 15, 2021

Jesus finished His final day of public ministry. He taught the crowds in the Temple, confronted difficult questions, and then left for good. The Temple and its religious system was corrupt, useless, and irredeemable, and would be judged by God.

Mark 12:28-44 gives us details about the final day of Jesus' public ministry and HIs departure from the Temple. He will go to the Mount of Olives and present to His astonished disciples the reality of what is to come in the future, and it does not involve a new Israel free from Rome, nor the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46, Mark 12:28-44, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 20:41-47, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 23:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist