Sermons on No Traditions:

Are We Serious About Hell? Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Sep 1, 2011

This talk examines two common alternatives to the traditional idea of hell: universalism and annihilationism.

The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It�s Not About The Gifts

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 14, 2009

Gifts, even good gifts such as family and Christmas traditions, are only a shadow of the Giver.

Christmas � It�s Not About the Gifts TCF Sermon December 13, 2009 When we think of Christmas, it brings to mind many different things perhaps different things for each of us. Of course, the good, Christian answer to the question, what do you think of when you think of Christmas, is that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Is A Rapture In Reverse

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 21, 2018

The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Mass During the Night (Traditional Christmas Biblical reading).

The third grade was staging their annual Christmas pageant. Finally it came time for the birth. Mary was hidden from the crowd by bales of hay. A boy appeared on stage, in a bathrobe with sandals, a stethoscope around his neck. He disappeared behind the hay bales, and reemerged with a bundle. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Catholic

The Church Is Not A Social Club, But A Sacred Community Of Believers. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 26, 2024

The Christian faith, once rooted in Scripture and tradition, is facing a crisis in modern churches

As I stepped into the church, I couldn't help but feel like I was entering a clubhouse rather than a sacred space. The atmosphere was lively, but it lacked the reverence and awe that comes with being in God's presence. This experience got me thinking – have we lost sight of the true purpose ...read more

Scripture: John 5:39

It' Not About Us

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

We love our church traditions and are proud of the good things we do. But our calling is to honor Jesus above ourselves and change any tradition to better point people to Jesus, like John the Baptist.

One of the fun parts of the Christmas season is getting letters from old friends and learning how their kids are turning out. Erik, whom I confirmed years ago, is in the Air Force now. Annie is a commercial artist. Allen, who used to get bullied, is a police officer now. Tim is married, with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-17

Clean Hands Or Clean Heart? Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Jun 10, 2012

In this passage, Jesus is dealing with very religious people who allowed their traditions replace the authority of God’s Word. Jesus is not impressed with religious ritual or tradition, rather He is concerned with the condition of our hearts.

The Gospel of Mark #18 – “Clean Hands or Clean Heart?” Mark 7:1-23 Intro – 1. ILL – A man was watching the news one night when it was reported that a car was going the wrong direction on the freeway. The man knew his wife was on that freeway and became very concerned ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Stale Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 30, 2013

If you want to keep your relationship with Christ fresh and vital, don't focus on tradition and clean hands; instead, focus on scripture and a clean heart.

Alan Kraft, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder, shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system. The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but had never thought much about their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Tall Trees And Tumbleweeds Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 10, 2001

Honoring parents gives us and society the stability we need to flourish.

I started reading science fiction when I was 11 or 12, I think. My father brought home a couple of Heinlein juveniles from the library, Red Planet and Space Cadet. I don’t remember which one I read first, they’re both still favorites. All the Heinlein juvies are good reading. The plots were all ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 4:9-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Finding Balance

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 22, 2012

Are you sure what you believe and practice is balanced on God's scale?

In my years since becoming a Christian, I have found that people in general tend to be like pendulums that are normally broken to either stay on the Left or Right side of the swing without ever seeing the middle or they are stuck in the middle and never move at all. Indeed the ones that are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Get On The Bus: State Of The Church

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 2, 2010

This is a "State of the Church" address given to encourage a congregation toward forward-thinking.

INTRO * If we're not careful we can spend a lot of time looking backwards at What was * And /or a lot of time looking at What will be... * Religious people do this  The good old days  God bring revival on the verge of revival * Parents do this  Longing for the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruitless Religion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 27, 2010

If we want to bear fruit for the glory of God and lead people to Him on a regular basis, then we must let Christ clean out the fruitless religion, and we must pray with hearts full of faith and forgiveness

A clergyman dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter says to this guy, “Who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you into the Kingdom of Heaven?” The guy replies, “I’m Joe Cohen, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Lent Is Not In The Bible

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Mar 31, 2009

Four reasons why the church of Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with Lent.

1. LENT PROMOTES A SALVATION OF WORKS Lent is ultimately a list of dos and don’ts. The focus is on the individual not Christ. Scripture teaches that forgiveness of sins cannot be obtained by our efforts. Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Are All Sins Equal? Series

Contributed by Dennis King on Nov 9, 2019

Many of us have heard (and accepted) that all sins are equal. But is that statement Biblically correct?

What Are Sins and What does the Bible say about sin? Genesis 4: 7. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember this and never forget how you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Exodus 20:2-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21, Romans 14:21, Proverbs 23:20, Ezekiel 16:1-59  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas - The Wise Men (2)

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 1, 2019

Over the years a lot of stories have arisen about the Wise Men. Most of them are folklore with no evidence to prove that they are factual. So, this morning lets concentrate on what we do know about them, rather than on what we don't know..

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED 2018) THE WISE MEN (#2) TEXT: Matthew 2:1-12; Numbers 24:17 The story of the Wise Men in the Bible is a story of mystery, for it presents ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Numbers 24:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nehushtan

Contributed by Timothy Carignan on May 21, 2019

Jesus said, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15). What parallels are there between Christ and the brass serpent?

Introduction: I. The children of Israel were complaining – again. II. They were being fed, but they were tired of the kind of food they were getting. III. And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 12:32-33, John 3:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ