Sermons on Cultural Adaptation:

The Mystery Of (Un)answered Prayer

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 23, 2021

Two stories from Mark 7 illustrate the mystery of answered prayer: God adapts his glorious plan to the requests of ordinary people, even when granting the requests is greater than people can imagine.

THE MYSTERY OF (UN)ANSWERED PRAYER—Mark 7:24-37 Many people have had the experience of praying—passionately, even desperately—and not receiving the answer they were seeking. That can be confusing, even troubling, and we naturally ask, “Why?” Was God not listening? Is he not able to do what we ask? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37, Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 35:5-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living As If God Were In Control Series

Contributed by John Oscar on May 5, 2019

*This sermon and series is based from the package marketed by Outreach Ministries and was adapted for my personal use* A sermon showing us how to live with the assurance that no matter what is happening in our lives, God is in control.

“Living As If God Is In Control” Key Scripture: Philippians 1 I’m very excited about this new series we begin today. We will look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians and discover a joyful community living together in times of testing. In these next four weeks, we will look at each one of the ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Revelation #1 Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 29, 2016

A Bible study on Revelation Let's talk about God's world, God's Word and God's workers (Material adapted from Alger Fitch's book, Revelation, Chapter 1 The Perspective of Preaching, pg. 25-37)

Introduction: Many get caught up in the details of Revelation and ask questions like: Who are the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation 2:6, 14-15?
 Who are the four living creatures in Revelation?
 What is the sea of glass mentioned in Revelation 4:6 and 15:2?
 Who are the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Conflict And Community Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 14, 2016

Seven steps for resolving conflict (Material adapted from John Ortberg's book, Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, Chapter 7 Community is Worth Fighting For, pgs. 125-145)

HoHum: One Sunday a minister was finishing up a series on marriage. At the end of the service he was giving out small wooden crosses to each married couple. He said, "Place this cross in the room in which you fight the most and you will be reminded of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hospice Patients Are Real People Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 15, 2022

Identify 5 authenticities of hospice patients (Adapted from Percy McCray at: https://www.healthhopeandinspiration.com/2022/06/16/cancer-reveals-who-one-really-is-episode-319/)

Hohum: A relative asked me why I liked ministering to hospice patients (those with 6 months or less to live according to the medical profession), and I said that I liked ministering to hospice patients because they are real people, more real than other people. WBTU: Chaplain Percy McCray ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 4:25-28, James 5:16, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, James 4:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Finished

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Jun 28, 2025

God does not start anything He does not finished. This in an adaption of a sermon I preached years ago entitled "Finished" (It's can also be located in Sermon Central".

It’s Finished Romans 9:25-28 Intro. Romans 9:28 “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” - God finishes what he starts - He never starts anything that He does not finish. - I do, I start projects ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:28, Genesis 2:1, Psalm 119:89, John 19:30

Denomination: Baptist

The Sinless Substitute Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 31, 2023

The more personally we read this passage, the more the death of Christ will mean to us (Title, outline and material adapted from Ray Pritchard at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/the-suffering-substitute/)

HoHum: Why did Jesus die? This has been pondered for 2,000 years. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said,“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Acts 2:22, NIV. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, Acts 10:38, Luke 23:35, 1 Peter 2:24-25, Romans 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pray Purposefully Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 19, 2024

3 more ways to view "Deliver us from evil" (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book, Red Letter Prayer Life; chapter 13 of the same title)

HoHum: Story from Bob Hostetler in Red Letter Prayer Life: Two of my dearest friends in the world, Dave and Becky, told me the amazing story of their mission trip some years ago to the mountain town of San Luis, Honduras. They traveled as part of a combined medical and evangelistic team that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Romans 7:15-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, Ephesians 6:18-19, 1 Corinthians 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are Called! Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Jan 9, 2020

Beginning of Year Sermon reminding people they were created for a purpose and mission in God's Kingdom. Heavily Adapted from a series offered by Sermon Central *note*- parts of this sermon refer to the death of our associate pastor the day before

We are all Called! Made for Mission: Week 1 CCCAG January 5, 2020 Scripture- Matthew 9 Today we are going to start a 6 week series that will help focus us in the new year. It’s called “Made for Mission” and we will be focusing on how God has made each one of us to fit within His Kingdom as part ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Our Childhood Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

To persevere during trying times we need to remember our childhood (sonship) in Christ (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 14 Radically Perseverant pgs 358-363)

HoHum: Fred Craddock, while lecturing at Yale University told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal - just the two of them. While they were waiting for ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage Belongs To God Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 18, 2015

In this sermon, we explore the fact that God created marriage, therefore, marriage belongs to God. God's higher purpose for marriage is to proclaim the gospel. Much from this sermon comes from chapter 6 in David Platt’s book, Counter Culture.

Introduction: A. Our sermon for today continues our series called Marriage Matters. 1. Last week, we discussed the fact that marriage ain’t easy. 2. We talked about some myths about marriage that can set us up for marriage failure. 3. Today, we want to explore the fact that marriage ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hannah's Story Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 18, 2017

Extraordinary woman of faith exert more influence on their children than any other person or organization associated with their children’s upbringing. Believe it or not this includes media, culture, peers and school influence. We need learn to be like Han

Happy Mother's Day! Happy Mother’s Day to every mom, grandma, great grandma – We honor all you woman of faith whether, you are spiritual mom, a step mom, or a foster mom! We celebrate all of you and want to honor how you make a difference in the lives of others. It has been stated that moms have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Naked Man And A Bunch Of Crazy Pigs

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Jesus encounters a man with so many demons the man says his name is "Legion." Yet, the community is not afraid of this man. Like our culture, the biblical community had grown comfortable with evil.

by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Jr. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami Florida Pittendreigh@aol.com When I was in high school, there was a local legend about the Blue Ghost of Maddox Bridge Road. Some 10 or 20 years earlier, two high school students had been out on a date. They were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:27-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Worldviews

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 20, 2006

A look at the religious groups of Jesus day and how they were affected by their culture (as might be): 1. Zealots 2.Phariasees 3. Saduccees 4. Scribes 5. Herodians 6. Essenes

How would you like it if someone spit on you? In our cultural setting it would be a sign of disrespect, an attempt to shame and humiliate a person. But for some cultures, it has an entirely different meaning. I am reading a wonderful book entitled Christianity Rediscovered. It is written by a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-34

Denomination: Methodist

Gathering & Scattering

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

The church has many purposes or functions. These purposes hang on a two-fold mission: the Gathering of the Community for Worship, Instruction, Fellowship and Evangelism Training and the Scattering of the Community in order to fulfill both our cultural a

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I read the story of the little girl who was asked to describe the parts of a man. She said, "Man has three parts: the brainium, the chester, and the abominable cavity. The brainium holds the brain, the chester holds the heart, and the abominable cavity holds the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47