Sermons on countercultural living:

A Living Funeral – A Living Sacrifice

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2025

There’s a new kind of funeral that is beginning to be used by those facing death. It’s called a “living funeral” or a “pre-funeral.” This sermon was requested by a man given a few months to live on the topic of being a "living sacrifice."

Synopsis: There’s a new kind of funeral that is beginning to be used by those facing death. It’s called a “living funeral” or a “pre-funeral.” In this kind of funeral the “dearly departed” is still alive and is present at the ceremony. This kind of service become very popular in Japan and is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do No Harm (Be Better Than That)

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 2, 2014

To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christ-like thing to do.

Title: Do No Harm (Be Better Than That!) Text: Matthew 5:38-48 Thesis: To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christian thing to do… and makes things better. Introduction The ethical mandate to do no harm probably originated in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Narrow Door

Contributed by David Nichols on May 28, 2009

Jesus calls us to walk the narrow way; that’s positively countercultural.

THE NARROW DOOR Luke 13:22-30 David E. Nichols Nobody likes to be thought of as narrow. It’s a great insult when spoken about educated people. We are here because we have been educated out of our narrowness or we hope to be educated out of our narrowness. One of the worst things ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: United Methodist

Living The Life We Were Meant To Live Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jan 8, 2008

An introductory sermon to a series exploring "The Sermon on the Mount." This message lays out the importance of this passage, and provides a challenge to go deeper in God’s Word.

www.sermoncentral.com. The largest, best, and most popular preaching research and resource site in the world…if they do say so themselves. Or I should say, ourselves? Because there are more than 80,000 totally free sermons, illustrations, and dramas, including more than 100 from yours truly. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Feb 1, 2007

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

God Helps Those Who Help Themselves Mark 5:24-34 From the Sermon Series: “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” We are in the final stages of our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America.” It is taken from the first six chapters of Mark. We discovered that Jesus’ worldview goes ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Nazarene

Image Is Everything! Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 27, 2006

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

Image is Everything! Gospel of Mark 1:32-39 Sermon #2 of “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” This is our second sermon in our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” from the first six chapters of Mark. Last week we looked at “Might Makes Right” from Mark 1:1-13. We discovered ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:32-39

Denomination: Nazarene

Rules Are Made To Be Broken Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 27, 2006

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN Mark 2:18 – 3:6 Sermon #4 of “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” This is the fourth sermon in our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” from the first six chapters of Mark. Last week we looked at “Shop ‘Til You Drop” from Mark 2:13-17. We discovered ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Familiarity Breeds Contempt Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Feb 12, 2007

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt Mark 5:17; 6:1-6 From the Sermon Series: “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” Sermon point: From a human perspective the adage “Familiarity breeds contempt” has some truth to it. However, from a divine perspective, God is fully familiar with us and loves us with an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

Four Words That Could Change Your Christmas: Rebel Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

Your Christmas can be counter-cultural; not by turning away from something but by turning to someone.

ADVENT CONSPIRACY* FOUR WORDS THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR CHRISTMAS: REBEL Matthew 2:1-15 Big Idea: Your Christmas can be counter-cultural; not by turning away from something but by turning to someone. Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 55:2, Mark 12:29-31; Acts 4:12; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15 SERMON ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Shop 'til You Drop Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 27, 2006

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP Mark 2:13-17 Sermon #3 of “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” This is the third sermon in our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” from the first six chapters of Mark. Last week we looked at “Image is Everything” from Mark 1:32-39. We discovered the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Nazarene

If It Feels Good, Do It Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jan 22, 2007

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

IF IT FEELS GOOD DO IT! Mark 5:1-20 From the Sermon Series: “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” Sermon Objective: To offer a solution to the “feel good” philosophy and quest for sensual gratification that drives our culture. We are in the final stages of our sermon series, “Ten Cultural Myths ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1

Denomination: Nazarene

Living In Thanksgiving: Gratitude Series

Contributed by Charles Whitmire on Nov 16, 2008

This is the final message in the Living in Thanksgiving series and it focuses on gratitude - that outward expression of our thanks.

This morning, we are continuing our series on living in thanksgiving - and lets begin again by reading this text - (read Psalm 100:1-5) Over the last couple weeks we’ve been talking about how to become people who live with a thankful heart. We’ve talked about learning to delight ourselves in God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Might Makes Right Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 27, 2006

Discover the counter-cultural ethic that Jesus utilized as he ministered and saved the human race.

Might Makes Right Gospel of Mark 1:1-13 Sermon #1 of “Ten Cultural Myths that Drive America” We are beginning a new and lengthy study of the Gospel of Mark this morning. Our walk through this Gospel is not designed to be a sprint from start to finish, or even a marathon that has a final ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Leading, Learning, And Living

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Aug 10, 2024

God charges Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. Leading, Learning, and Living breaks out each of these times and what the Lord says to Joshua.

LEADING, LEARNING, AND LIVING Joshua 1 gives a strong example of God’s charge to be strong and courageous in life. He repeats this charge to Joshua three different times, each one followed by a different area for Joshua to be strong and courageous in. These are areas that I am describing as ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8, Matthew 16:24, Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 7:24, James 1:22-25, 2 Timothy 3:5, 1 Corinthians 4:20  (view more)  (view less)

A Living Sacrifice To God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the themes of holiness, transformation, and sacrificial living as outlined in Romans 12:1-8, reminding us that God is not in a hurry and we should strive to live according to His will and grace.

Good morning, family! Today, we are diving deep into the heart of Paul's letter to the Romans. We'll be focusing on Romans 12:1-8 where we are called to holiness, the power of transformation, and living a life of sacrifice. It's a tall order, isn't it? But as Harry Ironside once said, "No sacrifice ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Topics: Personal Responsibility