“Sacred Isn’t Always Spiritual”: A Sunday with Cedar Falls Christian Church
This past Sunday, I had the privilege of spending time with Cedar Falls Christian Church in Cedar Falls, where I shared a message titled “Sacred Isn’t Always Spiritual.” From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth, openness, and a genuine sense of community. It was clear this is a church that deeply values both people and purpose.
The heart of the message centered on a challenging but necessary truth for churches and individuals alike: not everything we treat as sacred is actually spiritual—and if we’re not careful, tradition can quietly replace obedience to the Holy Spirit.
When Familiar Isn’t Always Faithful
I opened the sermon with a story from my own life—coaching my son’s baseball team. At the beginning of each season, every kid had a vision for where they wanted to play. Pitcher. First base. Shortstop. Everyone had a preference. But as the coach, I had to make decisions that weren’t always popular, because building a winning team meant thinking about the whole field, not individual comfort.
Church leadership often works the same way.
Over time, many churches begin to confuse spiritual faithfulness with keeping everyone happy. We hold tightly to familiar practices—not always because they’re life-giving, but because they’re comfortable. Change feels risky, and disappointing people feels wrong, even when the Spirit may be nudging us forward.
Jesus addressed this tension directly in Mark 7:6–8 when He confronted religious leaders for honoring God with their words while allowing tradition to take precedence over obedience. His correction wasn’t harsh—it was loving. A reminder that tradition should never replace truth.
Re-Evaluating “The Way We’ve Always Done It”
One phrase has quietly stalled spiritual momentum in many churches:
“But we’ve always done it this way.”
Traditions themselves are not the problem. Biblical traditions—like baptism, communion, and gathering for worship—are foundational. The danger arises when man-made traditions become untouchable simply because they’re familiar.
Jesus challenged the Pharisees not because they were evil, but because they were sincere people who lost sight of why they were doing what they were doing. Their customs began to matter more than God’s commands.
As a church, the question isn’t whether a practice is old or new—it’s whether it’s bearing fruit. Are we defending something because it honors God, or because it keeps us comfortable? Are our methods drawing people toward Christ, or simply preserving familiarity for insiders?
Faithfulness sometimes requires letting go of what feels safe in order to follow where God is leading next.
Rediscovering the Heart of Worship
This conversation isn’t just about leadership structures—it’s deeply personal.
Many of us know how to “do church.” We know the order of service. We know when to stand, when to sit, when to sing. But worship was never meant to be a routine—it was meant to be a response.
In Luke 7, a woman breaks every social and religious expectation by pouring out extravagant worship at Jesus’ feet. Her offering was messy, emotional, and costly. The religious leaders were uncomfortable—but Jesus was moved.
That story reminds us that God is far less interested in polished performances than surrendered hearts. Worship isn’t about maintaining a structure; it’s about encountering a Savior.
A healthy church makes room for worship that spans generations, expressions, and styles—not to satisfy preferences, but to invite the whole body into authentic engagement with God.
Realigning with the Spirit’s Leading
In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision that directly confronts his religious upbringing. God calls him to let go of long-held traditions so he can participate in a greater mission. The lesson is clear: when we cling to tradition more tightly than the Spirit, we risk missing what God is doing.
Romans 8:14 tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The early church didn’t grow because it was safe—it grew because it was Spirit-led.
Following the Holy Spirit often feels risky. It may require change. It may disappoint people. It may challenge what we’ve always known. But obedience has always carried a cost—and it has always been worth it.
Sacred Isn’t Always Spiritual
As the message came to a close, the central challenge became clear:
Are we protecting old ways to preserve peace—or to pursue truth?
Are we worshiping with engaged hearts—or with habits on autopilot?
Are we following the Spirit—or simply maintaining a schedule?
Jesus didn’t die for tradition. He died for transformation.
Traditions can be beautiful, but they must always bow to Christ. If the church becomes a place where everyone is comfortable but the Spirit is absent, we’ve missed the point—and worse, we risk missing God.
Grateful for a Faithful Church
I’m thankful for the opportunity to share this message with Cedar Falls Christian Church and for the gracious feedback and thoughtful conversations that followed. It’s encouraging to see a church willing to engage with challenging questions and remain open to the Spirit’s leading.
My prayer—for this church and for all of us—is that we would have the courage to reevaluate, rediscover our first love, and realign our lives with God’s voice, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Because sacred traditions aren’t always spiritual—but a surrendered heart always is.
Watch the sermon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/3sGQ1yJDxMY?si=wBabQxu3M3042DsC&t=1588
