Sermons on vain traditions: showing 706-720 of 30,468

What Christmas Is All About--From An Authority Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 26, 2018

Though not one of the traditional Christmas stories we refer to when we consider Christmas, the prologue of John's Gospel perhaps offers the most complete explanation found anywhere about what Christmas is really about--the God-man came to earth to rescue us from this present darkness.

Christmas: What It's All About—From an Authority John 1:1-14 Christmas Eve, 2018 I know most of you this evening came expecting to hear another repetition of the Christmas story, focusing on the angels visit to Joseph or Mary, the virgin birth in Bethlehem, or even the Magi's visit. And ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14, John 1:18, John 3:3, John 3:16

Denomination: Bible Church

Breath Prayer

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 9, 2021

Breath prayer is a form of prayer that is invading the progressive church. Is it Biblical? Is it what God desires? Where did it come from? Should we make it a part of our devotional practices? May the Lord give us discernment.

Breath Prayer Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:9-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 6:6, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Samuel 1:9-14, Luke 18:10-14, Ephesians 1:15-16, Psalm 17:6, Ezra 8:23, 2 Samuel 24:25, Genesis 25:21, Malachi 1:11, Genesis 3:15, Matthew 6:7, Matthew 6:5-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

How Do I Live As A Christian In This World: 10 Areas We Might Not Normally Think About

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 27, 2024

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before.

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before. Group Dynamics / Social Climbing - In our friend group, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Malachi 3:10

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Imperfect Bride Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 23, 2020

Some folks treat the Bride of Christ like she were the whore of Babylon. That's not really a good idea. Find out why in this sermon.

OPEN: At the 1st church I served, there was a man named Frank who was … difficult. He was a hardworking man with a wife and 4 kids, but he could be a hard man to get to know. His wife and kids came to church… but he didn’t. I’d go over to his house to visit once in a while trying to talk to him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Most Expensive Meal In History Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 22, 2012

Adam and Eve ate one of the most expensive meals in history. Why did they do it? And was there a more expensive meal than that one?

OPEN: A few years back George Beane of Palmdale, California, stopped at a local Burger King and ordered 4 sandwiches at the drive-through window. Total cost of his bill: $4.33. However, when he handed the girl at the drive up window his debit card she absent mindedly punched in the numbers ... and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can A Genuine Believer Lose Their Salvation?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 27, 2023

This is the concept of remaining in faith. Abiding in Christ. We must hold fast to our faith, not drifting away, while also knowing that Christ holds us firm, and we do not need to fear the Father losing his hold on us. This sacred balance is a difficult one.

Once an unbeliever has given their life to Christ, been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, reborn of Christ, and placed into the kingdom of God, can such a person fall away, and lose their salvation? This question is so incredibly important. It goes to the very core of the gospel: How does it ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Romans 11:19-22, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, John 15:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Build-A-Bear Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 18, 2019

We were created in the image of God. Now many are trying to create God into an image that is comfortable for us.

Build-A-Bear Jesus Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Luke 19:10, Genesis 1:26-27, John 2:15, Matthew 23:16-36, Matthew 11:20-24, John 3:16, Matthew 25:41, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Parable Of The Soils.

Contributed by David Goering on Mar 31, 2019

There are three types of impenitent bad soil hearers of the gospel and those who receive the word of God in good soil (a contrite heart) are the only ones who are converted to Christ.

Definition of impenitent - IMPEN'ITENT, a. Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; obdurate; of a hard heart. They died Impenitent. IMPEN'ITENT, n. One who does not repent; a hardened sinner. *Noah Webster 1828 dictionary SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:3-9 "And he spake many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

How Can We Know The Way? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 29, 2020

In a troubled and uncertain world, how can Jesus being "the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" make a dffierence for us?

OPEN: Back in 1950s & 60s, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra played for NY Yankees and became close friends. One day, Yogi Berra invited Mickey Mantle to his apartment, but Mantle… got lost. He stopped at a pay phone and called Yogi and said, “I'm trying to find your apartment, where is it?” ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knowin' Where You're Goin' Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 8, 2016

Peter, James and John catch the biggest haul of fish they'd ever known... and then they just left their nets and boat to follow Jesus. Why would they do that?

OPEN: Albert Einstein was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the scientist – preoccupied with his work, explained that he couldn't find his ticket. He couldn’t find it in his coat pockets, in his briefcase, anywhere!! The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Boredom On The Job Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 13, 2015

Boredom is a constant complaint of many workers, but Solomon points to the one thing that can turn the emptiness of the workplace into a powerful tool for our faith. What is this "one thing" that can makes such a big difference for us?

Back in 2009, a 16-year-old British girl was fired from her office job because her manager saw - on Facebook - that she had said her job was “boring”. She was called into her manager's office and given the following letter: “Following your comments made on Facebook... we feel it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fruitful Life On The Vine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2020

Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing?" But that doesn't make any sense... or does it?

OPEN: About a 35-minute drive SW of London is a tourist attraction that was once a royal palace. It’s called Hampton Court. It was built over 500 years ago and was a favorite residence of Henry VIII. A couple hundred years later, during George III's reign (the King who had problems with the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10, John 15:12-13, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing Without God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 23, 2017

God tells us that those who are outside of Christ are "without God". What does that mean to those outside of Christ and what does that mean for us INside of Christ?

OPEN: Back in 1959, Charleston Heston starred in a movie that is still considered one of the greatest movies of all time --- Ben Hur. It was a Biblical epic that is still known for its climatic chariot race where Heston (the hero of the film) was intent on destroying his hated enemy. Just ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Vacation In Paradise Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2014

We are strangers in this world, on vacation in a foreign land, with advantages the natives of this world don't even begin to understand. But do we realize what those advantages are, and what difference those blessings can mean to our lives?

OPEN: (Video of MercyMe’s “Shake”) How many of you have ever been on a vacation? Me too. Going on Vacation can be a very pleasurable experience…as long as you know where you’re going and what to expect when you get there. But not everybody does. Travel agents have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-12, 1 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ