Sermons on Ancient Traditions:

Good & Bad Traditions (John 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 23, 2025

How do we discern between good and bad traditions? Let's look at John 2.

Do believers always choose the right way? Are mandatory teetotaling and selling items at church, good or bad ideas? Which traditions, built upon Jesus, are gold or stubble? Let’s begin in John 2. Should Christians make up rules not found in the Bible, like forbidding even moderate alcohol use? Did ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Old And The New

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jul 28, 2015

Those who would serve the interests of God can do so by giving expression to joy in their lives. Those who feel God’s love have much to offer the hurting and disconnected in our world.

We all have certain core traditions and beliefs that are important to us. They make us who we are, they define our own behaviours and the way we think other people should behave. That is what lies behind the Gospel passage from Mark that we heard a few minutes ago. As usual, the Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

The Golden Calf (Exodus 32)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 11, 2024

What golden calves have we erected in today's churches? Let's look at Exodus 32)

How quickly do our churches fall away from the truths taught by Jesus and the apostles, and build golden calves of alternate traditions? How quickly can apostasy occur? Let’s look at Exodus 32. How quickly and easily was it for Israel and its spiritual leaders to slide down into idolatry? When ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The New Testament

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 24, 2025

You can't put new wine in old wineskins, in so doing the wineskin bursts. Likewise, you cannot fit the Old Testament laws and rules into the New Testament grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Welcome, beloved friends and family of faith, as we gather in this sacred space, a sanctuary of solace and strength, to seek the wisdom of the Word of God. We are here, united in our hunger for understanding, our thirst for truth, and our shared desire to draw closer to our Creator. In the words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:16-17, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are The Ancient Creeds And The Historical Faith Still Relevant Today?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 27, 2022

Why were the Creeds (Apostolic Creed and Nicene Creed) brought before the Christian Church? Are these Ancient Creeds and the Historical Faith still relevant today?

For Anglicans, ... As for all genuine Christians, ...authentic Christianity ... is Apostolic ... Christianity. And Apostolic Christianity ... rests on the historic, ...eyewitness testimony ... of Jesus's followers, ... the apostles, ... and to the facts of Jesus life, ... death, ... ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4, Philippians 2:6-11, John 20:24-29, John 20:31, John 20:21-22, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Peter 2:1-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Am I A Religious Or A Christian Person

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Aug 28, 2006

A sermon for the 13th Sunday after pentecost Proper 17

13th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 "Am I a Religious or a Christian Person?" 7:1* ¶ Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2* they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Religion Is Not Enough

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Feb 9, 2012

A major problem in our world today is religion. In fact, lots of people are turned off to God because of religion. Many people will not consider the claims of Christ because of religion. Religion is a problem.

Religion Is Not Enough Romans 2:17-29 17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Man's Importunity Or God's Importunity

Contributed by Darren Sirmans on Dec 11, 2011

When the traditions of Jerusalem became more important than what Jesus had to say, it's time for them to take a closer look at what is important.

JEREMIAH 35: 12-17 When you know who a person is, you’ll listen to them. If you listen to a person, you might believe what they are saying, so Jesus represented what he was saying with signs and wonders. Listen, Jesus wants us to listen- to do this is what he wants Jerusalem to do. They ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 35:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Message To Sardis: The Church With Reputation But Dying Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 11, 2012

Sardis had the reputation of being a highly respected church, but it was dead and lifeless.

Have you ever been in a church that was dead or dying? How does that happen? Usually it happens when a church gets satisfied with itself, with keeping things the way they have always been. This is usually a church that rests on its laurels and its past history, that revels in what used to be? ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 18, 2017

This Christmas carol lists many things that make it the most wonderful time of the year. And while kids jingle-belling and parties and caroling are all fun and wonderful, the song fails to mention the one thing that truly makes Christmas wonderful-Jesus.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR The title of the sermon is taken from the popular Christmas song of the same name. The songwriter declares it's the most wonderful time of the year and then goes on to say why. The kids jingle-belling along with holiday greetings and gay happy meetings ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:5-8, Colossians 2:6-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope Set Before Us

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 15, 2022

We need tradition to guide us, but often our traditions lie in the past fifty to seventy years. Our tradition should reach back further; like 2000 years ago! The anchor for our traditions should be in Jesus, not the inventions of men.

This evening we’re going to discuss the topic of “tradition.” If you have ever seen the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” then you probably recall a rather large Jewish man singing about tradition throughout the entire performance. You may recall that tradition was a dreaded word to the young ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Rebuild Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 15, 2015

The people of Israel return from exile and rebuild the temple.

Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13 “Rebuilding” INTRODUCTION The self-improvement industry is a billion dollar business in the United States. Zig Ziegler is still selling thousands of books even though he has been dead for several years. Tony Robbins and a list of big hitters in the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Practical, Not Legalistic Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

Jesus taught the Pharisees how He desires sincere love for people over meaningless ritual, and how He desires grace over legalism. Those who adhere to ritual and tradition are often unable to love others or worship God.

In our message today, we will see how Jesus taught the Pharisees that forgiveness and grace toward others is a necessity before worship. The capacity to extend love and mercy is something that must be present in a person’s heart before he or she is able to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Proof Of Gospel Conversion Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 25, 2018

Paul shows how certain events before he was saved, when he was saved, and after he was saved all prove his message was received from God and how we can testify to God’s radically changing grace.

This week we celebrated the life of our own: Babi: Maria Polomska. Through the tributes, one theme ran throughout: The life of a woman lived for the glory of God. Her love, and hope were expressed in her confidence and readiness to go home to the Lord. Even through she couldn’t always directly ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-24

Denomination: Other