Sermons on Unhelpful Tradition:

The Ordinance Of Holy Communion

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Mar 1, 2008

Communion is more than a religious tradition. It is a gateway into the presence of God. It holds the promise of cleansing, healing, intimacy and fellowship.

The Ordinance of Holy Communion Intro.: Why do we celebrate communion? Is it just to remember the Lord? Does this ancient tradition have any real significance in today’s church? First shadow of communion: Gen. 14:18, And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16

Denomination: Charismatic

Do You Know He Can Do It?

Contributed by Rodney Burton on Jan 27, 2009

Jesus brought healing at the pool which wasn’t popular. Do we allow tradition to trump life?

Background: Jesus arrives in Jerusalem at the time of one of the feasts. Most commentators believe it was the Feast of Passover, but we can’t know with 100% certainty. Nonetheless, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem at the time of the feast, and as you would expect the crowds are large. If it were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Creativity--The Opposite Of Liturgy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2011

Our profession of faith in Christ is guided not only by Scripture, but by the Fathers of the Church, the historic creeds, and our liturgical tradition.

Monday of the 5th Week of Easter Spirit of the Liturgy Mistaken identity. It’s an embarrassment, and occasionally a lethal inconvenience. Consider poor Jude here. No wonder he appears to have preferred the name “Thaddeus,” and became patron saint of hopeless causes. Even the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:5-18

Denomination: Catholic

I Am Longius

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on May 19, 2011

An Easter Monologue from the eye of "Longius" the traditional name for the centurion who thrust his spear into Jesus side.

Hey, do buddy, yeah you in the front row, you don’t see and Pharisees around do you? Ok, Hi, I am Longius and I am a Roman Centurion. These are strand days indeed. I’ve traveled the world in the service of Rome and Tiberius our Emperor and General. I’ve lived a life of great ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:39

Denomination: Baptist

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Satanic Success Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

The Christian must forget tradition and art, and build his concept of Satan on the only reliable source of information, and that is the Bible.

William Congreve said, “If I were a painter I would draw the devil like an idiot, a driveller with a bib and bells.” All I can say to that is that I am glad he is not a painter, for he would only serve the devil’s cause by painting him as a driveling idiot. I agree with Thomas Lodge who said, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

What's An Advent?

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Dec 4, 2007

We celebrate Christmas and Advent every year but do we really know why we celebrate these traditions? Most people don’t know the why behind colors, candles, wreaths and when you understand the why behind a tradition we will find that it will become truly

What’s an Advent? Pastor Ryan Akers IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME! Have you gone nuts yet? The world throws too much confusion on us during holidays. (presents, TV shows, decorations, Christmas trees, black shopping days) (why do people shop on days they know it will be crazy?, happy holidays or merry ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Get Right Church And Lets Go H.o.m.e

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Sep 10, 2003

We must get out of a Traditional Obligation and develop a Realistic Commitment. Get right church and lets go home.

Get Right Church and Let’s Go Home Mark 7:3-9 → Traditional Obligation Luke 9:23-26 → Realistic Commitment What do I mean when I say Get Right Church and Let’s Go Home, We must get out of a Traditional Obligation and develop a Realistic Commitment We find in these scriptures ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26, Mark 7:3-9

Denomination: Apostolic

Pharisaical Values Contrasted With Christ's Love - Part 1

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Pharisaical Behavior and Attitudes to Avoid Contrasted With Christ Like Love Pharisaical Values That Were Rooted in Their Traditions and Rigidity: 1.

Pharisaical Behavior and Attitudes to Avoid Contrasted With Christ Like Love Pharisaical Values That Were Rooted in Their Traditions and Rigidity: 1. Pharisaical insistence on following every small aspect of their own laws for the approval of men. 2. Pharisaical emphasis on pleasing God through ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Name Is John Series

Contributed by Darrin Koone on Sep 20, 2001

A sermon in a series on Luke delaing with our difficulty of breking with tradition when faced with God’s challenge to do so.

(Luke 1:57-63) When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. {58} Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. {59} On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

“his Presence—our Only Hope” Part 2 Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Feb 13, 2015

Pencil Principles are traditions/methods that help in our understanding/response to the Lord at a given moment in time. (Not doctrine . . . but a principle.)

Manifest Presence Series “His Presence—Our Only Hope” Part 2 (Inspired by Don Nori Sr.’s Manifest Presence: You Can Live Within The Veil) January 18, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker E Pencil Principles are traditions/methods that help in our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

New Year's Food

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 3, 2016

Just as we eat traditional foods at New Year, we partake of the Bread and Cup in the most significant meal of all.

I was twenty-four years old ... when I first became aware ... of what it meant to be ... under the scalpel of God's word. It was then ... that I heard and understood clearly ... that I was a sinner .... and as such .... had no right to eternity ... in heaven. I remember being cut through ... ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Congregational

Religious Rebels (Joseph And Nicodemus) Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 19, 2011

#2 in series, about 2 guys who broke free from religion’s rules and traditions, to serve Jesus.

John 19:38-42 – Were You There? #2 – Religious Rebels (Joe and Nick) As we continue through our pre-Resurrection series, or our Passion series, we come to 2 unlikely heroes in the mix. Last week, we examined the lives of the religious leaders, and how their adherence to the rules combined with ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Honoring Marriage

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 15, 2011

A message that challenges the church to make a commitment to honorably stand up with courage, and defend traditional marriage as God first ordained.

INTRO What is sixty years worth? The last sixty years have paid tribute to the election of ten U.S. Presidents. Yuri Gagarin, sixty years ago, rocketed into history as the first human to travel beyond the clouds, and to orbit around the earth for nearly two hours. Sixty years is the span of my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Is Going To Follow God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2022

King Ahaz provides a surprising contrast to the kingdom of Israel as we see a dramatic example of the limits of our traditional morality.

IT'S OBVIOUS, RIGHT? “Good people” are more likely to follow God. - We have a traditional morality with “good people.” The respectable citizens are more likely to follow God. TWO EXAMPLES: 1. KING AHAZ HAD A GOOD HERITAGE BUT TERRIBLE BEHAVIOR. - 2 Chronicles 28:1-4, 16-25. - Came from a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:1-27

Denomination: Baptist