Sermons on 21st Century Context:

Only In Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 12, 2022

Progress became a secular god, a new form of hope for secular man in the 19th century, a progress that would lead to freedom. It was not to be.

Monday of 2nd Week in Lent The call of Jesus in Matthew, which we heard at Mass on Saturday, was to “be perfect, as the heavenly Father.” In Luke’s redaction we heard today, the call is to “be merciful, as the heavenly Father.” If we understand that the root meaning of perfection is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:36-38, Daniel 9:4-10

Denomination: Catholic

Disciple: Why Me?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

The Christian experience of the believers in the first-century church may seem radical to many in the church today, but to those early believers, it was normal Christianity.

Opening illustration: Video on Discipleship Introduction: While every disciple is a believer, not every believer is necessarily a disciple. Many may think that the term disciple refers only to the early followers of Christ. We know that they were a praying, worshipping, loving, giving, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What About Divorce And Remarriage? Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Oct 27, 2008

Looks at the cultural and historical context of Jewish divorces and how Christians may have misunderstood Jesus and Paul’s intentions. Acknowledgment: Divorce and Re-marriage in the Church by David Instone-Brewer (book)

What about divorce and remarriage? Home Improvement Series A man in Dubai divorced his wife in 2001 by a totally new method – he sent her a text message on her cell phone. She failed show up on time to make his tea, so he texted her” “Your late, I divorce you.” This was the third warning that he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Turning The Other Cheek, Are You Sure?

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at the historical context of Jesus commands to turn the other cheek, give away your cloak and go the extra mile to see what they really mean.

Introduction The passage we read is at least on the surface one of the most difficult passages in the Bible, if we are to live by it. Every time you here the passage preached or talked about there is always a but, or a bit that says it doesn’t mean this. Or sometimes but it can’t mean this, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Holiness

Work To Rest Series

Contributed by Dan Neary on Jan 8, 2007

Hebrews 4 calls us to work to rest. We do well when we do our work within the context of God’s rest.

We gather together on Sunday mornings in church for worship… so really we shouldn’t start by thinking of us and what we want or need from church. We start all this with the goal of worshiping God… of expressing our thanks and devotion to Him. But with that said, I do want people to receive ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's Your Immigration Status?

Contributed by Paul Johnson on Mar 4, 2010

This sermon draws a comparison between the civil rights movement and the call for immigration reform for full citizen in the context that the citizen that matters the most is our citizenship in heaven.

Sermon Title – What’s your immigration status? Sermon Text - Philippians 3:17- 4:1 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Joined At The Hip Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 14, 2015

Life — including the Christian life — is best lived in a context of reasonable discipline and solid instruction. Balanced discipline and love are not adversarial, they are joined at the hip.

Note: I preach 30 to 35 minutes, but only made it through the first point. Joined At the Hip (Proverbs 23:13-17) 1. Andrew Chan illustrates how many (not all) moms are so perfectionistic, doting, and idealistic with their first child and lower standard drastically with their others. 1). Your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Praying For Rain

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Dec 17, 2015

A sermon on three distinct experiences of rain mentioned in the Bible, with the context related to experiences in God, and the purpose of the rain in our lives which bring us into completion.

PRAYING FOR RAIN (HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTING) Deuteronomy 11:13-15 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, ‘then I will give you the rain for your land in its ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shedding Abroad Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 2, 2017

Acts 2 verses 33-35 are strangely, and sadly, not found anywhere in the weekly lectionary. I have sought to address them here, in their immediate context.

THE "SHEDDING ABROAD" OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Acts 2:32-36. This is a compact set of verses, brim-full of theological gems: i. The crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:36); ii. His resurrection (Acts 2:32); and iii. His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). The passage is also ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:32-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Restoration Of Israel Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 20, 2023

Amos speaks within the context of Yahweh’s covenant relationship with Israel, and that restoration is necessary to accomplish God’s long-range purpose for His people.

AMOS 9:11-15 [IN THAT DAY SERIES] THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL [2 Samuel 7:11–16, 25–29; Psalm 80; Romans 11:25-33] Amos ends His book with a restoration [or salvation] oracle. He follows the pattern of the prophets [Hosea, Joel, Micah, etc.] who end their prophecies with Messiah, whose advent ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Broken Given - Given Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of being "given" in the context of our lives as bread that Jesus blesses, breaks, and gives for the world, addressing feelings of inadequacy and lack of purpose.

This series is about seeing our lives as bread that Jesus takes in His hands, blesses, breaks, and gives for the life of the world. Over the past few weeks we talked about how difficult it is to imagine our ordinary, common lives actually being blessed and sacred and holy. And we explored how our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:30-32, John 21:15-18

Topics: Blessings, Brokenness, Purpose

Sermon Series: Blessed Broken Given

Why New Testament Christians Reject The Use Of Mechanical Instruments

Contributed by David Hersey on Mar 28, 2015

The 1st century Christians rejected the use of manmade instruments of music in their worship to God. The reason they did so was the same reason why they rejected animal sacrifices and other elements of the old law. This sermon examines this in detail.

Why New Testament Christians Reject the Use of Mechanical Instruments of Music There’s a general attitude building among the Lord’s church about mechanical instruments of music that tends to be a bit fuzzy. We are seeing a number of large congregations that are making a switch to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:25, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:15, 2 Chronicles 29:25-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Covenant Community Communicates Clearly Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 30, 2024

As James closes his letter to exiles, he concludes with instructions on three different topics - communication (oaths), prayer, and care. This sermon looks at the first of those in the context of a covenant community.

In the run up to the 1988 Presidential Election, Vice President George H.W. Bush famously said “Read my lips: no new taxes.” He was running on a platform of consistency. He sought to take the policies and success of the Reagan years into a new term. He, in essence, swore an oath, made a promise ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12, Romans 12:5, Ephesians 4:25, Matthew 5:34-37, Matthew 23:16-22, Matthew 19:22, Zechariah 8:14-17, Psalm 32:3-4, 1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Realized Christianity Series

Contributed by Tim Bond on May 27, 2004

With a great sense of urgency, and a deep and abiding faith, the first century church grew and developed quickly. The same resources must be utilized by the contemporary church.

A friend of mine, Brett Kays, some time back noticed some things that are true of scenes in almost every movie or TV show. If you determined reality according to the way Hollywood defined it, you could be very confused. According to Hollywood: • All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-47, Colossians 1:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shouldn't We Stay Away From Them?

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

Trying to avoid contact with those who don't share our faith in Christ is a mistake that Christians have often made throughout the centuries

(Jim and Sue are sitting in the living room after dinner. Jim is reading the paper; Sue is knitting -- or something.) JIM: (Starts to put down the paper.) Well, Sue, I'd better go to bed. I want to get to the office early tomorrow morning. SUE: Oh, Jim, I'm so glad you like your new job. Isn't it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

Denomination: Baptist