Sermons on Traditions:

The Season The Reason The Gift

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Dec 26, 2023

Contrary to the cliche and tradition Jesus is not the reason for the season. Jesus is the ultimate gift.

The Season, The Reason, The Gift By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - This is truly a wonderful time of the year. One of my favorite Christmas songs is “At Christmas Time” by Luther Vandross, I love this song because it is true in so many ways, some of the words are “Ooh, every year at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, Genesis 3:6, Psalm 58:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic

Advent Invites Us To Journey Together Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Nov 28, 2025

The Jubilee Year tradition adds another layer of meaning to this Advent season.

Title: Advent Invites Us to Journey Together Intro: The Jubilee Year tradition adds another layer of meaning to this Advent season. Scripture: Revelation 22:1-5 Reflection Dear Friends, There is something quietly revolutionary about waiting together. In a world that prizes individual ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-5

Denomination: Other

Hope Floats In The Compassionate Life Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Mar 25, 2008

This morning we are going to examine the compassionate life. For it is in the compassionate life that hope is often lifted up. It is in this stream or tradition that hope floats and rises to the top of our live. This compassionate life is the tradition al

Streams of Living Water Hope Floats in the Compassionate Life Amos 5:21-24 November 7, 2004 Mark Eberly This morning we are going to examine the compassionate life. For it is in the compassionate life that hope is often lifted up. It is in this stream or tradition that hope floats and rises to the ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Denomination: Church Of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

Words Flowing With Life Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Mar 25, 2008

Our last stream or tradition that we will address is the word-centered life or the evangelical tradition. The natural balance to the compassionate life is the word-centered life. In fact, the word-centered life is also a very valuable to offsetting weakne

Streams of Living Water Words Flowing With Life John 6:61-69 November 14, 2004 Mark Eberly Our last stream or tradition that we will address is the word-centered life or the evangelical tradition. If you remember from last week, one of the great weaknesses of the compassionate life is doing good ...read more

Scripture: John 6:61-69

Denomination: Church Of God

Christmas Beyond The Manger - Why The Birth Of Jesus Was A Divine Invasion, Not A Holiday Tradition

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 14, 2025

Christmas is far more than a tradition. It is the declaration that God has not abandoned humanity. It is the announcement that darkness does not have the final word. It is the proof that love is stronger than sin and life is stronger than death.

CHRISTMAS BEYOND THE MANGER Why the Birth of Jesus Was a Divine Invasion, Not a Holiday Tradition Introduction For many people, Christmas has become a familiar scene. A manger, soft music, decorations, gifts, and warm family moments. While these are not wrong, they can easily reduce one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Lent Is Not In The Bible

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Mar 30, 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

The Worship Wars

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Apr 21, 2013

A sermon developed around the diviersity of thought concerning what constitutes true worship.

“The Worship Wars” John 4:1-42 John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Some ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist