Sermons on Contextualization:

Exaltation Series

Contributed by Brian Stevenson on Jun 5, 2008

Those who humble themselves will be exalted.

INTRODUCTION: There is a summer tradition at our church called the Vineyard Family Reunion. For one weekend we shamelessly throw a big party. Out of that tradition emerged something we’ve done over the past few years called the “Not So Amazing Race”. It’s this city-wide scavenger hunt that has ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Vineyard

Conversion – What It Is And What It Looks Like

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 10, 2017

Are people who profess to having “prayed to receive Christ,” or who claim to be born again, but whose lives are no different than they were before, truly converted? What Christ said in Matthew 7:21 holds the answer. First John tells us what conversion is.

Conversion – What It is and What It Looks Like Are people who profess to having “prayed to receive Christ,” or who claim to be born again, but whose lives are no different than they were before, truly converted? I believe that when we look at what Christ had to say in Matthew 7:21we find the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"What Shall We Do? Restoring Joy In Advent”

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 18, 2024

As we reflect on this theme of joy, particularly for those among us who may feel devoid of hope and light

ntroduction: My beloved in Christ, as we gather in this sacred space during this Advent season, I want to address a question that resonates through the ages—not only in the Gospel of Luke but also in our lives today: “What shall we do?” This is a question posed by the crowds who came to John the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Real St. Patrick "from Captive To Courageous"

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Mar 3, 2026

Patrick’s story gives us snapshots — moments of pain, calling, forgiveness, obedience — and with each moment, we’re going to anchor it in God’s Word. Because the power is not in Patrick. The power is in the truth of Scripture that shaped him.

When most people hear “Saint Patrick,” they think: Shamrocks. Parades. Corned beef. Green everything. But Patrick was not about parties. He was about purpose. He was not Irish by birth. He was not lucky. He was not chasing comfort. He was a kidnapped teenager who became a missionary to the very ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Denomination: Other

Using The Book Of Hebrews For Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

USING THE BOOK OF HEBREWS FOR EFFECTIVE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

USING THE BOOK OF HEBREWS FOR EFFECTIVE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION Introduction - The problem of any communicator lies in one’s ability to make his message speak to the heart felt needs of his audience. Fifteen years ago, I talked with one of my Jewish friends after an Old Testament survey ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Using Old Testament Analogies In Cross-Cultural Evangelism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

USING OLD TESTAMENT ANALOGIES IN CROSS-CULTURAL EVANGELISM

USING OLD TESTAMENT ANALOGIES IN CROSS-CULTURAL EVANGELISMIntroduction - Everyone tends to learn best when they are taught in ways that they are accustomed to. After ten years of teaching in an African seminary, this truth is becoming more evident daily. When I first brought out the book of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Pretending

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 27, 2003

Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are looking for masks that can make them into the cultural image of someone great. Still others are looking for identities that will make themselves acceptable

Stop Pretending ``We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’’ (2 Cor. 10:5) Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Removing The Masks Of People, Culture, And Personality

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2001

REMOVING THE MASKS OF PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND PERSONALITY

REMOVING THE MASKS OF PEOPLE, CULTURE, AND PERSONALITY ``We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’’ (2 Cor. 10:5) Case Study - One afternoon, one of my seminary students took me to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comparing The Dominant Doctrines Of Calvinism, Arminianism, Provisionism, Open Theism, Molinism And Biblicism

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 11, 2023

Certain aspects of various Church doctrines have divided the church and created multiple denominations and divisions requiring great debate and careful thought to biblical interpretation.

Today, I will present a short summation of the dominant schools of theological thought in the Church to help provide a cursory understanding of them. "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Danger Of A Dollar Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 19, 2023

Message 10 in a series through James that helps us explore the relationship between faith and works in our lives. James was the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

Three little girls are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first girl says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.” The second girl says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6, Luke 12:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Principles Of Identification In Cross-Cultural

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

Principles of Identification in Cross-Cultural Church Planting and Evangelism

Principles of Identification in Cross-Cultural Church Planting and Evangelism Learning Objectives 1. The students will explain how one identifies with someone from another culture in evangelism. 2. The students will write a short paper discussing some of the limits of identifying with a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 27, 2002

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11 Paul wrote, "Since then we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." We need to be more effective persuaders in a day when many are skeptical about the truth of Jesus Christ

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11 Introduction: People are more likely to change their opinions if you state your beliefs than if you let the audience draw their own conclusions. * Pleasant forms of distraction can increase the effectiveness of a persuasive appeal. * Information, by itself, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Varieties Of The Way Paul Used Shame, Guilt, Anxiety In Persuading People F

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 21, 2001

VARIETIES OF THE WAY PAUL USED SHAME, GUILT, ANXIETY IN PERSUADING PEOPLE FOR CHRIST

VARIETIES OF THE WAY PAUL USED SHAME, GUILT, ANXIETY IN PERSUADING PEOPLE FOR CHRIST 1. Innocent Shame Guilt, Anxiety - Tension felt when one’s character is slandered without justification. Someone may be guileless, harmless, and lacking any responsibility for a wrong doing, but be wrongly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Mccosker on Sep 20, 2007

We will answer the question "Who Is Jesus."

Text Matthew 16:13-20 Focus we will focus on who people claim Jesus is, and what the Bible claims concerning him. Introduction This morning we are going to begin a series in which I have entitled “Foundational Studies”. In this series we will look at some of the basic tenants of the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Balancing Our Emphasis Between Task And Relationship Orientation

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2006

Balancing Life is Dependent on the Holy Spirit’s Enabling

Balancing Our Emphasis Between Task and Relationship Orientation 1 John 4:20-4:21 - If anyone says I love God but hates his brother. He is a liar and the truth is not in him. For how can you say you love God whom you do not see when you do not love your brother whom you see? 1. The Holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational