Sermons on Traditional Barriers:

Clean Heart Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 9, 2009

If we want to find life and joy in our relationship with Christ, we must focus on Scripture not tradition, and focus on a clean heart not clean hands.

Clean Hearts (Mark 7:1-23) 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 was unable ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

His Name Is John!

Contributed by John Butler on Jul 14, 2009

What was so important about the name of John the Baptist? Could it be the fact that it broke the back of tradition?

His Name Is John How many came to have church this morning? I’m not talking about just going through the motions today! I’m not talking about coming in here and playing church! You can play church on your on time. Amen? How many came to really have some church in the house of God this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-63, Luke 1:13-63

A Purpose Filled Love - Purpose Driven Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 7, 2004

Many people down thru the ages have been "purpose driven"... but have failed to understand the most important part of what makes us a Christian. Do you know what might have been missing in their lives?

OPEN: A mother looked out a window and saw Johnny playing church with their three kittens. He had them lined up and was preaching to them. The mother turned around to do some work. A while later she heard meowing and scratching on the door. The cats were obviously upset and frightened. She ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Kill A Church

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 3, 2011

This message deals with how the members of a church can kill the church without recognizing it.

How To Kill A Church Calvary 10/9/2011 Ephesians 4:1-6 Psalm 133 3 John 1:5-13 We have a started a new series for the next four weeks and the topic is “Moving Things To The Next Level.” There are times in our lives, when we want to get one result, but we actually ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:5-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Begining To Feel A Lot Like Christmas! Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 22, 2012

This month, as we think about the Holy Spirit in Advent, Christmas and Healing,as we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, allow the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow in your life.

It’s December. Is it beginning to feel a lot like Christmas? Do you like this time of year? December, possibly one of the most wonderful months of the year! and possibly one of the most stressful months of the year! December, what more could you want this month than the opportunity to go ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The True Vine Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 23, 2013

Jesus is the True Vine, not traditions, rituals, or sacrifices.

Two hunters were out hunting and come upon what appeared at first as an abandoned farm. The barn was sagging, the house was in disrepair, and there were junk cars and car parts lying around. The only thing that made it a working farm was a few chickens pecking away and a goat wandering around. As ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Foursquare

The Parable Of The New Cloth And New Wine Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Nov 17, 2019

Traditions and the word of God. Can traditions justify us before God.

The parable of the new cloth and new wine Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39 A tradition is a long-established custom or belief passed on from one generation to another (Oxford). Because of that, many traditions are good and necessary. Paul speaks several times of some traditions in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christmas Around The World

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 9, 2020

Here's a look at 10 colorful Christmas traditions in far-flung countries on different continents. Then we focus on the real meaning of Christmas as described in John 3:16 followed by an illustration that captures the sense of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD John 3:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Arjun: What do you call a snowman with a six pack? Alexander: I haven’t the foggiest. Arjun: An abdominal snowman. 2. John: What did the gingerbread man put on his bed? Zack: What? John: A cookie sheet. 3. Zoey: What do you get ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

My Christmas Dilemma

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 4, 2022

Some pros and cons of Christmas.

I am not a big fan of Christmas, mainly because it is not in the Bible. Family and friends outnumber me, so I go along with Christmas festivities but not wholeheartedly. I have difficulty celebrating it as the birthday of Jesus. For one reason, Christians did not celebrate Christmas for at least ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Truth About Easter

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Apr 23, 2019

There's a whole lot about Easter that has nothing to do with the Resurrection and some things that do, aren't accurate. BUT, Jesus really did die, was buried, and rose again!

The Truth about Easter April 21, 2019 Morning Service Resurrection Sunday Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: Jesus really did die, was buried, and rose again. Focus Passage: John 20:1-18 Supplemental Passage: For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Meaningless Worship = Sins Unforgiven

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 25, 2018

Sermon based on false Jewish traditions which they designed to "earn" God's blessings. Jesus challenges their theology of how to receive forgiveness. Includes a story about "team work in the ministry".

In Jesus Holy Name August 26, 2018 Text: Mark 7:5,7,21,23 Pentecost XIV “Meaningless Worship=Sins Unforgiven” Mark records for us today another encounter with the Pharisees. Jesus was constantly being challenged by the Pharisees. They challenged His authority to heal on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Gaining A Worldwide Vision

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 7, 2014

What happened in this passage is of critical importance to church history. The events in this passage need to be studied by every church and every body of believers.

MAR 17 2013PM Gaining a Worldwide Vision Acts 11: 1-18 Usually as we begin each study, I lead in to the message with the ending of the previous week’s message. I don’t have to do that tonight because our passage comes from Acts 11: 1-18 and in it, Peter recaps the whole episode. So ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

What Mean Ye By This Service?

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Dec 25, 2018

One way Christians remember Christ during Christmas time is by way of the Christmas tree. But, what does the Christmas tree mean in your house? Do you know? Do your children know? Today, we will discover how we can answer those questions in reference to a simple Christmas tree.

“And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?” (Exodus 12:26). What mean ye by this service? There are many opinions about Christmas: whether Christian should celebrate it or not, if so, how Christians should celebrate Christmas. However, we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:26, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Peter 3:10, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15, Exodus 12:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Was The Blood Of Jesus Necessary?

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 30, 2022

The Blood of Jesus is seldom spoken of in many churches of today. But for 2000 years the Gospel of Jesus Christ has never changed. We are saved by faith and that faith should be in His redemption work on Calvary and the Blood that He shed.

Why Was The Blood of Jesus Necessary? Sunday Morning - Feb. 17, 2008 1) FOR 2000 YEARS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST HAS NEVER CHANGED. a) It's still true that Jesus was God, manifested in the Flesh, born of a virgin, suffered and died on Calvary for the redemption of man, rose again and now ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:5, Isaiah 1:18, Hebrews 9:12, Ephesians 1:11, Leviticus 17:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic