Sermons on Vain Traditions:

The Ripple Effect

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 13, 2023

Conflict between the old and the new can lay the foundation for growth, even if the self-examination and change can be painful.

One afternoon when I was 14 or 15, my father and I down in a bottom of a large hole in the side yard digging a septic tank. We were digging with a trowel and a pair of pruning shears, because the ground was so laced with tough, springy ivy roots that you couldn’t use a shovel, you had to scrape ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

At His Feet

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 4, 2024

At His Feet is where we want to be rather you are there listening to every word, submitting and casting all your cares upon Him, or there in total worship it is at His feet where I want to be.

“At His Feet” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - I wrote this poem many years ago I believe it was in 2012 and on this week while searing the internet when studying for this message I came across this poem again and as I was reading some of the comments one stood out and they said my kid ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, John 12:1-8, John 11:32

Denomination: Apostolic

The Whole Truth

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 8, 2024

As the old movie clip say, "You can't handle the truth!" If truth trumps tradition many will choose tradition.

John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Devoted To Communion Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Communion is a practice of remembrance, focusing on Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It's a time for reconciliation, unity, and anticipation of Christ's return.

Today, we're diving into a super cool part of our faith - communion. You know, that time when we eat bread and drink juice at church. But it's way more than just a snack. It's all about remembering our ultimate hero, Jesus, and what He did for us. So, communion is like our superhero reminder. It's ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Genesis 12:8

Topics: Sacraments, Eucharist, Spiritual Rituals, Church Traditions

The Jewish Wedding Explained - Matthew 25.1-13_the 10 Virgins (Background) Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 28, 2025

A Jewish wedding is a beautiful, symbolic ceremony filled with tradition. It reflects God’s covenant with His people and points prophetically to Christ and His bride, the Church.

2025.09.28.sermon notes.THE JEWISH WEDDING EXPLAINED - MATTHEW 25.1-13 William Akehurst, HSWC Scriptures: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Luke 22:20, John 14:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 19:7-9 BIG IDEA: A Jewish wedding is a beautiful, symbolic ceremony filled with tradition. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Luke 22:20, John 14:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 19:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are You Here?

Contributed by Lindeal Greer on Feb 19, 2001

Worship God To be here for any other reason is in vain!

Why are you here? You are not here today to be seen and heard. We have not come here to show off a new dress or anything like that. We are not here to visit friends and family. You did not come here to hear an elite speaker or be entertained. Worship God To be here for any other reason is in ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24, John 17:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Home Building

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Leslie Verghese on Sep 10, 2018

Except the Lord Builds the House, the Laborers Labor in Vain

1) A house must be built by someone - Many people claim to be builders, few are craftsman. God makes it very clear that for our homes there is Only one true craftsman "the Lord”. Try as we might (and we do) our labor is in vain unless we make the Lord our general contractor. He provides the plans. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pure Religion

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 4, 2012

A sermon about the contradiction between vain and pure religion.

“Pure Religion” James 1:22-27 Scripture Reading James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

What's In A Name? Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Feb 7, 2003

Is there more to taking the Lord’s name in vain than with our speech?

INTRODUCTION • What’s in a name? How many of you when you were kids were told about how important it was for you not to tarnish the family name by doing something really stupid? • A Chinese friend of ours who we met in Macomb told us that in China when young people would get out of line with ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Healing And Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 30, 2020

Matthew 15:9. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

HEALING AND HYPOCRISY. Matthew 14:34-36; Matthew 15:1-9. It was noised abroad that, of all that ever came to Jesus, He turned none away, ‘and He healed them all’ (cf. Matthew 12:15). It is no wonder that, arriving on the other side of the Lake, Jesus found that His fame had travelled before ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:34-36, Matthew 15:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Searching For True Freedom

Contributed by Steve Steve on Jul 6, 2002

Paul’s message to the church to not be stuck in the slavery of human tradition’s. Really impacted me as to how I personally worship God.

Colossians 2: 6-8 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him...” How? How are we as Christians supposed to continue to live in him? Let’s read on and see. In verse seven we read this... 1. rooted and built up in him.--See tree root systems-- We in our lives ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13, Colossians 2:6-8

Denomination: Church Of God

Deep Pools Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Mar 17, 2008

The fourth tradition of the church is the contemplative tradition or the prayer-filled life. Here we explore what this means and how we can integrate this tradition into our lives.

Streams of Living Water Deep Pools of Prayer Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; 1 John 4:16-21 October 31, 2004 Mark Eberly Our fourth stream or tradition in the flow of the Holy Spirit’s river is the prayer-filled life or the contemplative tradition. It is out of this tradition that all the other traditions have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Church Of God

The Gift

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Aug 21, 2023

• Do the holidays break you out of your routine? • Do you go into a holiday traditional? • Lisa often says our tradition is that we have no tradition!

Recently I read a social media post about The Virgin Mary, and how her traditional sense of family was changed forever. She didn’t ask for this disruption in her life, but when she got the news from the angel, about the gift she was to receive, she responds by singing a song. Oftentimes, isn’t that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11, Luke 2:8-17

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