Sermons on Confronting Culture:

Influencers Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Oct 10, 2023

The word "influencer" is a big word in our culture. Moses was a big influencer in Judaism; but where did Jesus fit in? Who influenced the most? Moses or Jesus. Who influences your life the most? Jesus or someone with a platform? What difference does Jesus make? How does He influence us?

Today, almost anyone can be a celebrity. With the expansion of social media there are people who with an iPhone and camera can become what is called “an influencer.” The title “influencer” is a huge word in our culture. Influencers are everywhere. The title “influencer” means: “to power to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 17 - David's Plea For Refuge From Enemies Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Sep 3, 2019

David, claiming he has not sinned, calls for vindication and for God to defeat his enemies.

For Sermon Central researchers: Over the next few days I will be posting a series of sermons on Psalms as time permits. In my personal studies I have found psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had ever realized. Too often I have swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:1-15, Psalm 18:1-24, Psalm 18:19-24, Romans 3:23, 2 Samuel 24:1-2, 2 Samuel 24:10-14, Psalm 25:1-3, Psalm 25:7, Psalm 25:11, Psalm 51:2, Psalm 51:7, Psalm 32:1-5, Psalm 18:2-6, Psalm 18:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ancient Paths Are Ripped Up And Crooked Ways Prevail Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 13, 2024

Our nations have bulldozed out the ancient paths that were set for us by more decent legislators and leaders in the past; indeed, by God Himself. Every moral statute of God has now been trashed – marriage, creation, birth, sexuality. Judah did that and met God’s judgement.

ANCIENT PATHS ARE RIPPED UP AND CROOKED WAYS PREVAIL {{Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see, AND ASK FOR THE ANCIENT PATHS WHERE THE GOOD WAY IS, AND WALK IN IT, and you shall find rest for your souls, but they said, ‘We will not walk in it. Jeremiah 6:17 “I set watchmen ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:20-21, Jeremiah 6:16-19, Matthew 11:29-30, Revelation 6:15, Psalm 125:5, Proverbs 22:28, Deuteronomy 19:14, Hosea 5:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Love Me? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 10, 2016

Why would Jesus have breakfast with Peter on the seashore? And why would He ask Peter 3 times if he loved Him?

OPEN: About 25 years ago I went my parents up to have a vacation in Canada at a place called Rice Lake. It was a great place. Beautiful lake, rustic cabin, and there was the fishing. (I showed a picture of myself baiting my hook with a very unexcited look on my face) This is me fishing. Do I ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A "Come To Jesus" Moment Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 5, 2017

A grieving father comes to Jesus to ask him to heal his dying son, and yet Jesus rebukes him. Why? What possible reason could Jesus have to be so harsh with this man?

OPEN: An instructor was conducting a seminar for executives and focusing on the topic of decision making. So he started out telling the story of 5 frogs sitting on a log. “Four of the frogs decide to jump into the water. How many frogs are there left on the log?” The class almost unanimously ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sorry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 13, 2023

To be sorry means "I am filled with sorrow." What can the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teach us about the value of being "filled with sorrow" before our God?

A woman told about a conversation that she’d had with her 4-year-old son after they’d gotten out of their Bible Studies one night. She said: “My son and I were WALKING to our car, and he said to me, ‘Mom, I’m not going to sin anymore.’” I got to wondering this, so I asked him why he said that, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Game Of Mutually Assured Destruction Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 11, 2015

It's one game board, but two games. Checkers and Chess are not only played differently, but they illustrate for me the difference between how the world deals with conflict and how God would have us do so. Do you know the difference?

OPEN: (We showed a picture of a checker board on the overhead) What is this game? That’s right, it’s a checkers game. How many of you have ever played checkers? (almost everyone held up their hands) You know, I did not realize it until I began my research for this morning’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prime Number

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 7, 2023

On Friend Day we looked at many of the numbers that are important to God. But there is ONE number that I believe is more important than all the others. Do you know what that number is, and why it is a "prime" number for Him?

Today is May 7th, 2023 – or 5-7-23. Those are all PRIME numbers, which means you can’t divide them by 2, 3, 4, or anything else. Primes are numbers that can only be divided by themselves and 1. Now, I’ve never given much thought to “prime” numbers, but there is an entire discipline of mathematics ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Liberal Theology In The Churches – Address Number 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2022

We take 22 aspects of Liberal Theology and look at why each is wrong. Some Liberals may hold to only one of these; others, many of them, but their adherence system will incorporate most of them. It is difficult to generalise because liberal thinking expands and changes.

This small series continues with the 4th address in Liberal Theology LIBERAL THEOLOGY IN THE CHURCHES – ADDRESS NUMBER 4 OPENING UP SOME ELEMENTS OF LIBERAL THEOLOGY - MY UNDERSTANDING OF SOME COMPONENTS OF LIBERAL THEOLOGY: EXPLANATION In 2015 I had the request to address a group in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6, Acts 4:12, Hebrews 1:1-2, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 8:21-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prophetic Body Builder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 6, 2015

Some scholars call the gifts in Rom 12 "motivational" gifts. What do they mean by that and how does that help us understand the value and purpose of the gift of prophecy?

Have you ever heard of a TV personality from years ago named Merv Griffin? Back in his heyday Mr. Griffin hosted a TV talk show called "The Merv Griffin Show" where he would have guests who would sit down with him and talk about their lives and the passions in their lives. One of those guests ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016

His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?

OPEN: There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day her preacher noticed how proud she seemed to be of her pretty cross, and said to her, “Honey, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am The Light Of The World – Light In The Darkness – John 9 - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 2, 2022

Greater sin leads to greater darkness. A man in darkness can not find his way. The Lord would work in the light of the day with man’s darkness, so that the night of his darkness would become like the light of the day. Jesus is the Light of the World.

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS – JOHN 9 - PART 1 THE INTRODUCTION: The very first mention for “I am the light of the world” is this one – {{John 8 v 12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 9:3-4, John 9:5, Genesis 1:2-3, Jeremiah 4:23, Genesis 1:4, Job 24:13-16, John 3:19-21, John 1:1-10, Job 12:22, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 42:16, Matthew 4:16, John 12:35-36, John 12:46, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 5:8-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Neighborhater - Pt. 3 - Skin Deep Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 17, 2019

Neighbors. There are good ones and then those we wished would move. Have we become Neighborhaters? Can’t we get along?

Mr. Rogers Sound Track plays in dark - Lights Come on Pastor Enters from Stage Door and lip syncs to track Skin Deep I. Introduction He put on colorful sweaters. Changed his shoes. Sang a goofy song (Did you know he wrote most of the songs on the show - He was an accomplished pianist and had a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:8, Acts 10:9-16, Galatians 2:11-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Cracks

Contributed by Matt Williams on Feb 8, 2012

In 1 Kings, we see the story of a decline of a nation. They go from being a wealthy favored nation to losing it all and becoming slaves. There is much we can learn from this historic book of the Bible.

Introduction: 1 Kings is written about events that happened about 1000 BC. Life was very different then which makes some of what we read in 1 Kings hard to understand and relate to. Even so, there is much that we can learn from this historical book of the Bible. In it we see the story of decline of ...read more

Denomination: *other

Den Of Iniquity Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 19, 2016

Iniquity is sin at its worst. It is the a state where a person is so depraved that evil is normal. How do people get into that way of living and thinking? And how can they escape it?

Open: Our sermon series over the next few weeks is called “Christianeze” – Christian words that the world around us may not understand. And today’s sermon is on Biblical word: “INIQUITY”. As I was preparing this sermon, one of the questions that came to mind ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ