Sermons on Religious Tradition:

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

Fourfold Not Fivefold Ministry

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 18, 2020

Sometimes we need to take a fresh look at long held or cherished traditions and teachings.

Having been raised somewhat in the Methodist church and my wife in a Lutheran background being saved was not in our vernacular as neither one of us ever heard that concept. Both of us thought being baptized as a child was all we needed. That is sad since I learned about both Wesley and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Timothy 3:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

False Teachers Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 30, 2014

Paul warns against, and exposes the Colossian heresy; he say's don't be cheated by philosophies and traditions.

#5~ Col.2: 8 -12 FALSE TEACHERS 12-22-13 * LET'S REMEMBER THAT VERSES 4-7 ARE--WARNING ABOUT "Enticing words" by the so called wise men of the day. ------------------------------------------------ * Verses 8--13 are mostly warning about ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Presentation Of The Lord And The Consecrated Day: Timeless Insights Into The Universal Human Quest For Meaning And Significance

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 1, 2024

The Presentation of the Lord and the Consecrated Day: Timeless insights into the universal human quest for meaning and significance

The Presentation of the Lord and the Consecrated Day: Timeless insights into the universal human quest for meaning and significance Scripture: Luke 2:22-40 Reflection In Christian tradition, Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of the Lord, is extremely important. This feast honors the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Other

"trapped In Freedom"

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jun 1, 2002

How to recognize and escape the traps that Satan sets for us everyday.

“Trapped in Freedom” A couple of years ago, I told a children’s story about a certain fox that one day, found himself caught in a trap. But today I want to use that same illustration for us adults.. Now the type of trap that caught him is known as a “steel-jaw” trap, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Mark 9:43-47

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 17, 2014

The parable confronts us with the demand to make a decision concerning the command just give by Jesus. Are we, or are we not, going to love our neighbor as our self.

LUKE 10: [25-] 29-37 [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE GOOD SAMARITAN [1 John 3:18] Few people really understand US Internal Revenue Service income tax regulations and for good reason. According to Forbes magazine, in 2013 tax codes surpassed four million word mark. In fact, the tax codes have become ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Can Stop Jesus Now!

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 2, 2015

We who are called to follow in Jesus' footsteps are faced with a challenge. How we respond to it will determine our eternal destiny.

A certain woman came to the pastor of a church out in West Texas. She asked if she could be a part of the Bible Study he was teaching. He gladly agreed, which eventually resulted in the woman's salvation. Curious, the preacher asked the woman what prompted her to come in and study the Bible. She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Anglican

Jesus Is Watching You

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 15, 2015

The less fortunate in our society need both our natural gifts and the dignity that comes with being acknowledged. They need the gift of our friendship, and we need them as well.

When I was preparing my sermon for this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the Christmas song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. Now before you start thinking that I’ve been working too hard and need a vacation let me explain. There is a verse in that song that ties in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: Anglican

The Harm In Same Sex Marriage Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 16, 2015

What's the harm in same sex marriage? (Material adapted from various sources and Marriage: What is it, why it matters, and the consequences of redefining it by Ryan T. Anderson)

HoHum: Henry Rollins- “Don't hide behind the Constitution or the Bible. If you're against gay marriage, just be honest, put a scarlet 'H' on your shirt, and say, 'I am a homophobe!” WBTU: Many are saying that we are losing the fight over marriage in this country. A majority of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holy, Whole, And Free! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 13, 2018

If you want to take care of the sin problem in your life, don’t depend on religion. Instead, enter into a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and let Him make you holy, whole, and free.

Pastor and author John Ortberg talks about a time early in his marriage when he and his wife sold their Volkswagen Beetle to buy their first really nice piece of furniture. It was a sofa. It was a pink sofa, but for that kind of money, Ortberg says, “It was called a mauve sofa.” The man at the sofa ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Won't Complain Any More!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 26, 2020

The whining of the people of Israel following God's deliverance from slavery is too often echoed among the churches of this day. Grumbling is a serious sin against God, inviting His divine judgement.

“The people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Futility Of Arguing With The Unspiritual People. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 24, 2024

As believers, we are often eager to share the Gospel with others and defend our faith against criticism.

As believers, we are often eager to share the Gospel with others and defend our faith against criticism. However, the Bible warns us that arguing with non-spiritual people can be a futile endeavor. The Unspiritual Mind In 1 Corinthians 2:14, the apostle Paul writes, "The natural person does ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:23-25