Sermons on Ancient Traditions:

Wedding Ceremony Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 27, 2006

This is the wedding ceremony I have used for many years. It is very traditional and Biblically based.

Message Dearly beloved, we are here in the presence of God to unite ----- and ----- in marriage. Marriage involves mutual commitment and responsibility. You as a couple will share together in the responsibilities and commitments of building a home. You will share also in the joys and sorrows of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Gracious Master / The Meaning Behind The Parable Of The Unjust Manager

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 22, 2013

This parable is deeply embedded in Middle Eastern tradition and culture, and it is to that culture that interpreters should turn.

By the fourth century the parable of the unjust manager ..... which we read today ...... and the parable of the prodigal son were separated by ..... a chapter division. If the monks who established those divisions ...... had kept the two parables in the same chapter, ....... The entire history of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:13-19, Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

The Covenant Of Baptism

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jul 23, 2021

The sacrament of Baptism not only as a command of Jesus, but as a covenant with God as understood from the Wesleyan tradition.

BAPTISM IS KNOWN TO US AS “THE OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD GRACE.” BAPTISM IS A SACRAMENT OF THE CHURCH AND IS A COMMAND GIVEN TO US BY JESUS CHRIST. BAPTISM, ACCORDING TO THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH IS A “MEANS OF GRACE THROUGH FAITH, [A] TOKEN OF OUR PROFESSION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH, AND SIGNS OF GOD’S ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41, Ephesians 2:19

Denomination: Free Methodist

Absolute Essentials Of Christianity - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 20, 2023

The Bible - The Foundation of the Church - The Sufficiency and Authority of Scripture Vs Traditions of Man and Experiential Revelation

The Bible The foundation of Christianity is the Bible. It is the only dependable source for humankind to know God's voice. It has the answers to all eternal questions. The focus of all Scripture is ultimately on Jesus. It is the blueprint of Heaven and the only reliable source of truth for all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 3:15, Hebrews 1:1-3, 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15, John 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Twelve Stones (Joshua 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 5, 2025

Are traditions and memorials in violation of scriptural principles? Let's begin in Joshua 4.

Is it good to create memorials of important events? May the church create traditions that remember important Christian events or are we restricted to the scriptures alone? Let’s begin in Joshua 4. Did Israel set up a pile of stones, a cairn as a memorial? After Israel had crossed the Jordan, the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Walk In Victory Series

Contributed by Keith Walker on May 18, 2004

Walk carefully with Christ watching out for false philosophies, trivial traditions and worldly ways and you will win with Christ.

INTRODUCTION Have you ever known someone whose life had been changed by God and who began living a life of zeal to the Lord that later, maybe because of higher education, was filled with doubt to the point of forsaking their call? Perhaps you have known of someone who became a Christian and was ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Queen's Gambit

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 18, 2025

Chess is a two-player, ancient board game of challenge and strategy played on an 8x8 checkered board with 64 squares.

José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera, a Cuban chess player once remarked: "In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Proverbs 16:8-9, Colossians 3:23-24

The Heart Matters Most - Lessons From Matthew 15 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 12, 2025

GOD cares more about the condition of your heart than the traditions you keep. GOD desires genuine inner purity and authentic faith, not religious performance. True righteousness comes from a transformed heart, not outward tradition.

2025.06.15.Sermon Notes. The Heart Matters Most – Lessons from Matthew 15 When Religion Misses the Point William Akehurst, HSWC Reminder: It’s Father’s Day Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalms 51:10, Psalms 139:23-24 INTRODUCTION: JESUS confronts the religious leaders for honoring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph And The Power Of The Spirit Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 21, 2013

This Advent, take St. Joseph as your model and follow God's will without reserve.

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2013 Jesus, Mary & Joseph “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, be with me now and at the hour of my death.” Here in this first scene from the Gospel of Matthew, traditionally the oldest of the four Gospels, we hear a story that must have been passed down for at least forty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

Who's Second In Your Life?

Contributed by Dennis Lawrence on Mar 31, 2003

Ancient Obadiah teaches us modern lessons that help us express love toward our neighbors.

Who is Second? Jesus declared that, after our devotion to God, as involved in the first and great commandment, that there is a second that is “like to it.” So, there’s a second commandment that is, also, of incredible importance and position in God’s scheme of things. We call it the second great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:39, Obadiah 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Road Less Traveled Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 27, 2009

Although evangelism can be a group event, sharing the Gospel with one person at a time is as ancient as the early church.

The Road Less Traveled (Acts 8:26-40) The History of Judaism in Ethiopia is fascinating, but uncertain. Ethiopia is different from every other country in Africa. Ethiopian Jews, Beta Israel, aka Falasha Jews, lived in Ethiopia for centuries. Where did they come from? Nearly 85% of the Ethiopian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Revelation 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2020

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches.

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches. Ephesus Revelation 2:1-3 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On An Odyssey Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 26, 2024

“The Odyssey” is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer, a Greek poet.

Bettany Mary Hughes, a British-born historian, author and broadcaster once remarked: “To me that is what the Odyssey is all about, it's about being in the world and unexpected challenges and dangers are thrown at you.” Matthew 5:17 reminds us: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 2:13, John 14:6, Luke 16:17

Conquest Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Aug 27, 2022

What was the secret to the successful conquest of ancient Canaan? God's Promises - Strength - Courage - Obedience

August 27, 2022 The book of Joshua begins where Deuteronomy left off – with the death of Moses: “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, just as I promised Moses. 4 Your ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:2-8, Genesis 15:18-21, Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Behind The Scenes Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 18, 2025

Esther tells the story of God working behind the scenes to raise a Jewish girl to be queen in ancient Persia.

INTRODUCTION OPENING SLIDE • Today we begin a new four-week series from the book of Esther. • This four-week series explores the story of Esther. Through understanding the book’s backstory and context, we can see that Esther is not a fairy tale but an understanding of how God can work behind the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-3, Esther 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ