Sermons on religious tradition:

Confrontation

Contributed by Carla Powell on Oct 2, 2002

Uses Matthew 18 to address the best way to approach interpersonal church conflicts.

An amusing news story from Wales told of a feud in a church looking for a new pastor. It read: “Yesterday the two opposition groups both sent ministers to the pulpit. Both spoke simultaneously, each trying to shout above the other. Both called for hymns, and the congregation sang two -- each side ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

He Still Came, Part 1

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 1, 2012

The coming of Jesus Christ began not in Matthew, but Genesis. This is part one of a four part series leading up to Christ’s coming into the world.

The story of the coming of Jesus Christ into this world begins not in Matthew, but in Genesis. Our Bibles have one overarching theme: God’s relationship with man. The first book of the Old Testament tells us how God made man in His own image and likeness. The first book of the New Testament ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon: Preserving The Best Of Both Worlds Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 17, 2023

Jesus in this discourse helps us to realize the importance preserving the best of both worlds and the danger of putting new wine in old wineskins. New wineskins are flexible and easy to stretch, while old wineskins are difficult to stretch. How can we preserve the best of both worlds?

Sermon: Preserving the Best of Both Worlds Scripture: Matt 9:10-17 “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-17, Luke 10:18

Denomination: Methodist

Righteousness Begins In The Heart Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Mar 13, 2013

Making clear His attitude toward the Old Law, Jesus challenged the religious leaders teaching and raised the bar when it came to righteous living.

Righteousness Begins in the Heart Matthew 5:17-20 To some who were confident of their own righteousness (don’t miss that statement) and looked down on every¬one else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Phari¬see ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory Is A Shout Away Series

Contributed by Michael West on Oct 2, 2008

When you declare war on your sin and unbelief that will be the time when you will see powerful revelation from the Lord.

May 25th, 2008 River of Life Ministries Pastor Michael West Series: His Majesty, His Name Part 7— Jehovah Tsebaioth; Lord of Hosts Sermon: Victory is a shout away Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17 “Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord!” Let me ask you something; "What can the Devil do to a Christian ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Romans, Part 6 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 24, 2011

Paul continues to address the church by dismissing the very traditional of circumcision; stating the importance coming from Deut 30:6 that declares it is our hearts that must be changed, not just our physical bodies!

Romans, Part 6 Romans 2:17-29 Introduction - This letter is given to the believer who is interested in growing in Christ - It is not a rebuke, but an education from Paul who is living in Christ - He is encouraging the church to grow; to seek; and to obey God’s will - Religion is not about ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ezra Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 9, 2022

Jewish tradition has long attributed authorship of this historical book to the scribe and scholar Ezra, who led the second group of Jews returning from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11–26).

Ezra Ezra was a Jewish scribe and priest. In the Book of Ezra, he is called "Ezra the Scribe" (sofer) and "Ezra the Priest" (kohen) and was a Jewish lawyer and teacher who was very wealthy. Ezra was an individual with his own ideas on many issues; he strongly disagreed with ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:17-44

Denomination: Baptist

Enough With Jesus Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 15, 2016

We have all we need with Jesus for our walk with God. We don't need works or traditions along with him, just Jesus.

1. Orange You Glad! ...the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit. Colossians 1:5-6 As a young man, Anthony Rossi emigrated from Italy. He sailed into New York harbor, but his plans were to move to the South and become a farmer. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following The Example Of Shepherds

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 9, 2024

Let’s move beyond the surface of festive traditions and embrace the deeper meaning of the season. Like the shepherds, let’s seek and encounter the living Christ.

Introduction Christmas is a season of joy, light, and celebration, but it’s also a time of profound reflection. As we revisit the familiar story of the shepherds who encountered the newborn Christ, we find not just a historical account, but a pattern for how we too can respond to the reality of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Thank God For Families Series

Contributed by James Sanders on May 15, 2002

In a time when many threats arise to undermine and destroy the concept of the traditional family, the scripture chimes clearly to defend the fact that the family is an institution created by God.

I. Introduction · I was amazed and amused a couple of weeks ago to learn that President Bush has started a new initiative as a part of his welfare reform: he wants to promote the good qualities of a thing called marriage. · Imagine that! The idea of marriage might even be good for people! As ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Original Christmas—part 1—what We've Been Missing

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Dec 13, 2008

Did you know that parts of the traditional Christmas story we tell and sing about in our churches are from a 3rd century novel and not the Scriptures?

The Original Christmas—Part 1 What We’ve Been Missing Matthew 2; Luke 2 Every year as Christmas draws near, pastors and churches around the world begin preparing sermons, pageants, cantatas, and a variety of other spectacles to retell the oft-told story of that very first Christmas long, long ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paradigm Shift

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Mar 8, 2009

The Pharisees had added their own interpretations to the law. Tradition was also becoming law. Jesus teaches the original intended meaning of 7 major laws of the time.

1. Jesus Fulfillment of the Law v.17-20 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law…but to fulfill…” - The Pharisees thought that Jesus was trying to abolish the law because He freely disregarded the Pharisaic traditions. - Although they thought that Jesus was destroying the law, they were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Denomination: Baptist

What About The Women? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 30, 2010

Too many times, even modern believers allow the male-dominated nature of our traditions to overshadow the fact that God calls female leaders, too.

The Bible is certainly a male-dominated book that reflects a male-dominated culture. Even if we separate the history in the Bible from World History, we see that human history is full of tales of testosterone-driven leaders using the force of military might, personal strength, and personal charisma ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-24

Denomination: *other

Heaven – It Is Not What Most People Think

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Nov 15, 2011

Probably one of the most messed up Christian concepts is that of heaven, our final destination, which is nothing like the pictures created by our church traditions!

Heaven – it is not what most people think Illustration The two professors stood nose to nose as they shouted at one another. “The craters on the moon are the result of volcanism,” cried one. “You are an idiot,” screamed the other, “the craters on the moon are ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

Denomination: Christian Church

Preserving The Best Of Both In The Church World

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 12, 2023

When anything new comes along, we struggle to know what should be preserved and what should be discarded. This struggle may seem new, but it is an age-old problem. Jesus in this discourse helps us to preserve the best of both worlds and the danger of putting new wine in old wineskins.

Sermon: Preserving the Best of Both in the Church World Scripture: Matt 9:10-17 “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew (Levi) sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-17, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Methodist