Sermons on San Mateo 15:2:

Second Hand Religion

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 11, 2020

You are either in a first hand relationship with Christ or you are not in one at all.

Proposition: You must personally seek the Lord! I. Because it is the only path to wisdom! A. Only He can give it to you! James 1:5,6 B. He gives it only to the willing! John 7:17 II. Because it is the way to honor Him! A. You show your faith in Him! Matthew 8:5-10 (Centurion) B. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:26-29, James 5:14, 2 Chronicles 16:12, 1 Kings 13:18, Matthew 7:28-29, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 118:8-9, Matthew 15:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 8:5-10, John 7:17, 1 Corinthians 14:33, James 1:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 9 - Commandments Over Traditions Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 20, 2024

Often the traditions of men have overtaken the commandments of God and thereby, many have missed the true intentions of God’s commandments. May we heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and truly honor and please God in all that we do.

We read in Matthew 15:3, He answered them, "Why do you break the commandment of God because of your traditions? (GW) As we continue to study the questions that Jesus asked, we realize that all of them were deep and thought provoking. In the above mentioned question there are two important ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-3, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Matthew 15:4-6, Exodus 20:3-5, Matthew 15:7, Matthew 15:9, Matthew 15:14, Revelation 3:20, Psalm 51:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Why Is There An Elephant In My Living Room?

Contributed by Edward Boyce on Jan 26, 2002

Most folks have areas in their lives that they ignore. In this sermon, Jesus calls us to put first things first.

WHY IS THERE AN ELEPHANT IN MY LIVING ROOM? This morning I would like to tell you a story. It begins as does many stories with a very familiar phrase. Once upon a time on a fine spring day, a young mother sat through a very boring contract negotiation, while her son sat through a boring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

French Horns Or Paper Dolls?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 30, 2002

Which would you rather be - a Christian who puts on Christ’s character like a costume, or an instrument playing beautiful music in God’s hands?

I admit it – I played with paper dolls as a young boy. I guess I got them from my sisters – we may have even played them together. But I remember thinking it was pretty cool that you could take this people, cut out different clothes and hair and stuff for them and make them into anything you wanted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Second Hand Religion

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 10, 2001

The need for a personal Savior

Second-Hand Religion If you grew up in a large family, you know exactly what hand-me-downs or second hand items are. If you grew up in the Depression Era, and you were the third son or daughter, your clothes might have been a bit threadbare after going through the wear and tear of two siblings. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-6, John 7:17, Revelation 6:15-17, Psalm 118:8, Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:23-26, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 15:1-9, John 7:17-18, Titus 3:9, John 3:3, John 16:13, James 5:14, James 1:5, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 4:10, Acts 17:10-12, Luke 10:38-42, Romans 1:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Dead End Decisions

Contributed by Randy Wood on Sep 27, 2002

Our text this morningwill show us the cause and effect of good and bad decisions.

DEAD END DECISIONS TEXT: JOSHUA 24:15 INTRODUCTION: Every day all of us face many decisions that range from trivial to very important ones. When you get up out of the bed in the morning it is a ¡§new¡¨ day that god Himself has given to you that could possibly have an outcome that can effect ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15, Matthew 15:1-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Dead End Decisions

Contributed by Randy Wood on Sep 27, 2002

Our text this morningwill show us the cause and effect of good and bad decisions.

DEAD END DECISIONS TEXT: JOSHUA 24:15 INTRODUCTION: Every day all of us face many decisions that range from trivial to very important ones. When you get up out of the bed in the morning it is a ¡§new¡¨ day that god Himself has given to you that could possibly have an outcome that can effect ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-29, Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Proper Place Of Tradition

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Mar 31, 2025

Jesus teaches that traditional rules and Laws can't provide salvation and can be dangerous because they can lead to hypocrisy.

We all know the comfort that tradition can bring us. Family traditions over the holidays, birthdays Church traditions - singing hymns, Candlelight Christmas eve services, The way we have always done it. For years after Pat and I were first married - Bowed and/or genuflect - before sitting in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

When You Can’t Draw Near - Mark 7:1-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Legalism is an insidious problem because it allows your heart to drift far from God while making you think you’re doing great spiritually.

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 15:1-9

Show A Little Respect

Contributed by Joe Harding on Nov 19, 2002

HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER, AS THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG AND THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU IN THE LAND THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU (DEUTERONOMY 5: 16/ EXODUS 20: 12).

SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT MATTHEW 15: 1-20 NOVEMBER 10, 2002 INTRODUCTION: A LITTLE GIRL ONCE SAID TO HER MOTHER, “Mommy, if Santa Claus brings our presents, and God gives us our daily bread, and Uncle Sam gives us Social Security, why do we keep daddy around?” On his sixteenth birthday a son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Tradition Verses Truth Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 8, 2001

exposition on Matt ch 15

TRADITION VERSES TRUTH Matthew 15 v. 1 - 20 in this portion we have :- 1. The confrontation with Jesus v. 1 & 2 "then came the scribes and Pharisees." (a) The grounds of this confrontation v. 2 The Tradition of the elders, the oral law or Mishna (b) The guile of this confrontation v. 1 - of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Holiness

The Problem Of Cultural Christianity

Contributed by Steve Johnson on Nov 22, 2001

Cultural Christianity, or "Hollow Christianity" is characterized by worthless worship, worthless words and worthless wisdom....

"The Problem of Cultural Christianity" Matt. 15: 1-20 Introduction: 1. What is Cultural Christianity? There are many possible answers. 2. As we go through the sermon this morning, You might arrive at your own answer. 3. I believe it is best summed up as "A religion of symbolic devotion". 4. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist