Generational Drift: How Did We Get Here?

Title: Generational Drift: How Did We Get Here?
Speaker: Pastor Bailey

Tradition can be a blessing when it helps preserve identity, structure, and continuity. But what happens when tradition drifts away from truth? In this message, Pastor Bailey explores the danger of elevating human customs above the Word of God. Over time, practices that may have begun with good intentions can harden into rules, even overshadowing God’s commands.

To illustrate, Pastor Bailey shares a humorous yet striking story of a family’s Thanksgiving turkey tradition. For generations, the family cut off part of the turkey before cooking, without knowing why. Only when the great-grandmother was asked did the truth come out: she had done it simply because her pan was too small. In the same way, we often follow traditions without questioning whether they reflect God’s will—or merely human habit.

The Bible consistently warns against this drift:

Old Testament Warnings (Deuteronomy 12:32; Jeremiah 7:23–24) — God called His people to obey His voice fully, not adding or taking away. Yet, traditions often grew from their own imaginations instead of God’s commands.

Jesus’ Rebuke (Matthew 15:3–6; Mark 7:7–9) — Jesus confronted the Pharisees for allowing tradition to override God’s law, exposing how rituals had replaced obedience.

The Early Church Struggle (Galatians 1:13–14; Colossians 2:8) — Paul admitted he once clung zealously to traditions that led him to persecute the church. He later warned believers not to be spoiled by the philosophies and traditions of men.

Future Warnings (2 Peter 2:1; 1 Timothy 4:1) — The apostles foresaw heresies and false teachings that would creep into the church, fueled by tradition and deception.

The call is urgent: Are we willing to examine the practices we’ve inherited and measure them against Scripture? Have we placed more weight on human customs than on God’s plain Word?

Pastor Bailey reminds us that the Bible both begins and ends with a clear warning—do not add to or take away from God’s commands (Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18–19). The danger of generational drift is real, but so is the hope of realignment. By clinging to the Word of God, we safeguard our faith from being reshaped by man-made traditions.

Tradition should serve truth, not replace it. Listen closely to this timely message and consider: Have we drifted, and if so, how do we return?