Sermons on Handwashing:

Becoming The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 10, 2021

Watch out for fakes! Whether we're talking about counterfeit products from the internet or people, the results are similar. We're disappointed, angered, distrustful. Fake stuff doesn't live up to our expectations. Become the "real deal."

Authentic: Becoming The Real Deal   • Fake Rolex in NYC for $50. (real deal is anywhere from $10-$15K USED) That street corner Rolex will eventually turn your wrist green and quit right after that. • If you shop online at all, chances are good you’ve bought counterfeit or fake ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:11-24, Matthew 23:3-7, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Ephesians 4:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cross-Contamination (Part One)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 1, 2020

When you hear cross-contamination, it's not referring to something good. But today I'd like to turn that around. Normally we would do our best to avoid cross-contamination, but when it pertains to the cross of Christ, it's best to encourage cross-contamination.

CROSS-CONTAMINATION (part one) By definition, cross-contamination is the process by which bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one substance or object to another, with harmful effect. You might typically hear this in reference to transferring bacteria between raw ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:7, Philippians 3:17-19, 1 Corinthians 1:11-21, Romans 1:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heart Of The Matter: When Tradition Makes A Trespasser

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 4, 2025

This sermon delivers Jesus' powerful warning that religious traditions can become a dangerous substitute for God's commands, leading to a worthless worship from a heart that is far from Him.

Introduction: The Danger of Good Habits Traditions can be wonderful things. They give us a sense of identity and rhythm. They connect us to our heritage and to our families. In the life of faith, traditions and habits—like coming to church, praying before a meal, or reading our Bibles—can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

It's About Your Heart

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 22, 2009

Ordinary Proper 16: Christ came to set us free from blind traditionalism. His liberating Spirit frees our hearts to serve Him and the neighbor out of a spirit of love and forgiveness.

There’s a story about how in 1903 the Russian Czar noticed a sentry posted on the Kremlin grounds for no apparent reason. When he inquired, he discovered that in 1776 Catherine the Great found on that very spot the first flower of spring. She ordered that a sentry be posted there so that no one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

What Church Doctrine Should I Be Following?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Sep 23, 2025

Church leadership, at the top, has created numerous doctrines, rules and regulations. Which should I follow?

What Church Doctrine Should I Be Following? Luke 11:37–54 Rabbi Dr. Rev. Michael H. Koplitz 37 Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in and reclined at the table. 38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was surprised that Jesus had not first ceremonially washed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: United Methodist

Critically Important Contrasts Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 17, 2023

In this section of the Gospel of Mark, Mark presents some critically important contrasts between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees as Jesus clarifies the difference between truth and tradition, and between inward and outward righteousness.

Introduction: A. Many years ago, the Washington Post carried a story about a man who was working on his farm in Wisconsin, when suddenly something dropped out of the sky into a field near him. 1. The object was blue, frozen, and mysterious. 2. Excitedly, the man chopped off a huge chunk, put it in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Dec 4, 2005

The focus is on the Shepherds who first received the message of the Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The lamb-keepers were the first to see the Lamb of God and experience His hope to the world.

Play video clip - Charlie Brown Christmas Scene 6 How fascinating – a cartoon classic in its simplicity brings us back to the basics. Just as, every Christmas, we intend with all our hearts to bring the message of Christ to our broader community, we often work as hard trying not to lose focus in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Pursuing Purity - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Elmer on Nov 10, 2006

We Have A Desperate Need For Purity Before God -- And This Can Only Be Obtained Through A Relationship With The Pure & Spotless Lamb Of God!

Part 1 Introduction: 1. Review What The People Of Judah Forgot: (Acc. To 1:1-17) - They Forgot About Their Faithful Father! - They Forgot About Their Wicked Nature! - They Forgot About Their Merciful & Undeserved Deliverance! - They Forgot About Their True Purpose! - They Forgot About Their ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy-Filled Shepherds (Pastor Glenys) Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Dec 14, 2008

In a ‘slow motion moment’, black and white turns to living color! The boring brilliant! The mundane becomes magnificent!

O – ordinary R – routine D – dull I – inferior N – normal A – average R – repetitive Y – yawn These words, along with a few others of like kind, could be used to describe an evening with the shepherds. Nothing ‘too much’ happened out in the fields while the shepherds kept watch. There may ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Denomination: Salvation Army

Morbid Anatomy: The Root Of Sin - Mark 7:14-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Why did God make some food unclean, and now we can eat them? This message goes into the important and often misunderstood concept of uncleanness

Mark 7:14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” 17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23, Matthew 15:10-20

#30 The Problem Is The Heart Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Oct 12, 2020

The Pharisees and scribes were all wrapped up in rules and externals.

#30 The Problem Is the Heart Series: Mark Chuck Sligh October 13, 2020 The Pharisees and scribes were all wrapped up in rules and externals. In Mark 7:1-23, Jesus taught that what pleases Him most is worship from the HEART. NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

What's Inside?

Contributed by Keith Manry on Sep 5, 2003

In a culture obsessed with diets it seems that everyone’s obsessed with what goes inside because it effects how we look on the outside. The Pharisees weren’t much different. But Jesus said it’s what’s on the inside that counts!

What’s Inside? Mark 7:1-8; 14-23 Move 1 – Swallowed Penny Story - I’ll never forget it. I might have been eight years old when one day my parents told us to sit still while they ran into the store to grab something. The same guidelines always applied when we were told to remain in the van: we were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Methodist

Recognizing Jesus On The Road

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Mar 25, 2008

We Believe in the risen Christ, how can we recognize his presence?

Recognizing Jesus in the Road to Emmaus Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 Luke 24:13-33 33 year olds? – tell the story of my first funeral at Humber – people would not leave the grave Jesus was 33 – not just a young mother, but “we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” Tell ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-33

Denomination: *other

Joy To The World

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

OUR SOULS ARE STIRRED BY A DIVINE JOY THAT CANNOT BE SILENCED BY TIME, TRADITIONS, OR TROUBLES….AND AS THAT FIRST Christmas unwrapped this great joy, so we discover how to unwrap our own.

This morning, before we finish our gathering together and head into this final week before Christmas, we will have an opportunity to declare in song that marvelous refrain…“Joy to the World, the Lord has come let earth receive her King.” For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy To The World

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our souls…and seeks to break forth at this time of year. So often this great joy can find itself clouded by the complexity of all our activity.

This morning, before we finish our gathering together and head into this final week before Christmas, we will have an opportunity to declare in song that marvelous refrain…“Joy to the World, the Lord has come let earth receive her King.” For there is a joy, a deep, divine joy that beckons our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational