Truth vs. Tradition

Sermon preached by Matthew DelValle on February 1, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Baptist Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is an evangelical church in Delphi, Indiana helping people find and follow Jesus. Our mission is to declare God's truth, disciple God's people, delight in God's Son, and display God's glory. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:30am. Sunday School begins at 9:30am. We gather at 103 S. Indiana Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923.

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Introduction

BigIdea: Religious 'traditions' can easily become sinful 'transgressions'—especially when they cause us to set aside the clear commands of God's word, and they become a substitute for a true relationship with God by faith.

1. The Pharisees’ Confront Jesus for Breaking Their Tradition [Mt. 15:1–2]

A. The Development of Their Religious Traditions [Mt. 15:1–2]

B. The Demands of Their Religious Traditions [Mk. 7:3–4]

C. The Distinction Between Divine and Human Traditions

2. Jesus Confronts the Pharisees for Breaking God’s Commands [Mt. 15:3–6]

A. The Recrimination [Mt. 15:3]

B. The Illustration [Mt. 15:4–6a]

C. The Evaluation [Mt. 15:6b]

3. Jesus Condemns the Pharisees for Acting Hypocritically [Mt. 15:7–9]

A. They Honor God Verbally but Have Distant Hearts [Mt. 15:7–8]

B. They Worship God Vainly by Teaching Human Commands [Mt. 15:9]

Conclusion