Sermons on Unhelpful 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

Changing Church

Contributed by Charles Jones on Nov 27, 2010

This message deals with the fear of stepping out of our traditions and moving freely with the Holy Spirit.

"Changing Church" - Luke 5:35-39 by Bishop Charles Jones In his book entitled changing church author c peter wagner states that there is a whole generation of believers in this second apostolic age who are not nearly as interested in the fine points and details of theology as past generations ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:35-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

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

Demonstrated By Paul’s Conversion (Series: Lessons On Galatians) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 17, 2018

Paul was well known even before his conversion; but it was not for any good thing he had done. He was known to be zealous for the Jewish faith, for which he persecuted Christians, but a meeting with Jesus changed his life.

August 31, 2013 The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians Tom Lowe Lesson: Demonstrated by Paul’s Conversion and Early Years as a Christian (1:13-17) Galatians 1.13-17 (KJV) 13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Iva1 Beware Of Being Cheated By Philosophy And Empty Deceit Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 19, 2018

" For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18-20)."

10/4/18 Tom Lowe IVA1 Beware of Being Cheated by Philosophy and Empty Deceit (Col 2:8) • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” are shown as end notes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Colossians 2:8 (NIV) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

Grow Or Close The Doors

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 8, 2019

Stop making excuses and clinging to the past.

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  The Fellowship of the Believers 42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47, Revelation 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Seek The Old Paths

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Aug 16, 2022

Often there is the desire in the church today to move forward to something so-called better. Some churches even now have giant screens light the auditorium with the message #Jesusisthebomb and you could win a set of ear pods after service.

Seek the Old Paths By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. SCRIPTURE:- Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein”. MY ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16, Isaiah 55:8, Psalm 119:130-135, Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic

A Failed Leader Who Trashed A Dynasty Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 21, 2022

Fearfully grasping for control can drive us to act sinfully and foolishly.

A Failed Leader Who Trashed A Dynasty (I Kings 11:26-40, 12:12-16, 25-33; 14:1-20) 1. Comedy, jokes, humor – those are involved subjects. Professionals write comedy shows or scripts for comedians. Anything that is a livelihood eventually becomes a science. “In many comedies, the lead character is ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Words Of Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 13, 2021

Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69.

Prelude Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. Purpose: How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Plan: Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69. Eat My Flesh John 6:56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Baptist

Saving The Church From Falling

Contributed by Richard Papafio on Aug 5, 2018

Laws, traditions and customs have no place in the New Covenant church which is governed and operated by Grace and Grace alone

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Topic: SAVING THE CHURCH FROM FALLING Acts 15:4-5 King James Version (KJV) 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:4-5

Denomination: Charismatic

A Perfect Wedding Sermon

Contributed by Luke Vasicek on Feb 26, 2024

I've written several wedding sermons--this one is the best. I received too many compliments on it to remember.

Marriage is a sacred relationship of mutual submission–the wife serves the husband and the husband serves the wife. Men and women are both made in God’s image and loved equally by Him, but they are also sometimes very different. Just as men are physically stronger and produce within themselves the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-32

Denomination: Bible Church