Sermons on Cultural Adaptation:

Spiritual Mourning Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Dec 26, 2004

As much as being "poor in spirit" is diametrically opposed to the conventional wisdom of today’s culture, so to with the thought that happiness could be connected with mourning. If there is one thing that the world tries to avoid it is mourning. Everyth

Spiritual Mourning Matthew 5:4 #2 of 8 in series INTRODUCTION Last week we started a series of sermons on the Beatitudes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We considered poorness of spirit and the role it plays in salvation. One must first realize that he is in sin before He can come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Happiness In Mourning...say What? Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 26, 2008

The Beatitudes paint a counter-culture picture of the character of a Christian. Blessing is found in poverty of spirit, and in mourning. Doesn’t seem possible, but it’s a truth that Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount.

Here we go. The Sermon on the Mount covers three chapters in the book of Matthew. Chapters five through seven. In chapter five Jesus teaches us about the? Law of God. Chapter six is about living in the? Presence of God. And Chapter seven will walk us through the? Judgment of God. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

How Do Believers Deal With Homosexuality? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 8, 2013

The Supreme Court of our nation offered a controversial decision regarding marriage this past month, and it is setting up our culture to acknowledge a lifestyle that is contrary to God's Word. How do we respond?

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 05, 2013 Date Preached: July 07, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Biblical Truths for Societal Pressures Sermon Title: How Do Believers deal with Homosexuality? Sermon Text: 1 Tim 1:3-6 [HCSB] Introduction: I want you all to know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Martyr’s Cry Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 22, 2010

Anything old is seen as negative, traditions that once served as a backbone of stability are discarded as hindrances, leadership positions are going to innovators and rebels and the voice of time tested truth is exchanged for the noise of cultural demand.

Dakota Community Church Church History Sunday - 1 August 22, 2010 The Martyrs Cry Introduction Today we will start the first of a series of messages that will be spaced out, Lord willing, over the next few years approximately once every three to four months. My goal in creating “Church History ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:8-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Blood Relations Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 9, 2011

Blood is thicker than water. But the blood that matters is not ours - not our common ancestors, not our genetic heritage, not even a shared cultural or legal identity. The blood that makes the church a family is Jesus’ blood.

One of the things I have always like about being here in Clayton is the small town, family atmosphere. I moved around so much when I was young that I don’t know anyone I went to kindergarten with; I hardly even know most of my relatives. But here... We have multiple generations sitting right here ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ten Seconds That Changed The World Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 10, 2012

Like the widow in the Gospel, little actions of doing good can attract the attention of the Lord, whose Word and grace can work miracles of healing, and can even heal our culture of death.

32nd Sunday in Course 2012 Verbum Domini Ten Seconds Can Change the Course of the World On August 3, 1943, General George S. Patton entered a tent in a military hospital in Sicily to visit wounded soldiers. He had just been briefed by one of his commanders that malingering was thinning out the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Catholic

Let's Tell The World About Our Messiah! Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Oct 20, 2010

Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman in John 4, who has a John 3 experience. Are we telling those around us about our Messiah, despite cultural boundaries or personal prejudices?

Main Text: John 4:7-26, also 27-29, 39-42 --- Brief Outline I. The Real Encounter (4:7-26) -----A. The Samaritan Woman's Impressions of Jesus ----------1. First Impression: I don't really understand who You are… (11) ----------2. You are a Prophet! (19) ----------3. You are the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sacred Cow

Contributed by John A. Peck on Nov 3, 2009

We don’t have high regard for cows in our culture. Even the term, sacred cow, is funny to us. However, God has given cows a special place in the Holy Scriptures.

One of my favorite Far Side cartoons shows a herd of cattle standing at a fence, facing a leader. In the background is a large urban city in flames. In the caption, the leader cow is saying, “Evidently, Agent (some number) has accomplished her mission.” Cows. Even the word is funny. We don’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:11

Denomination: Orthodox

In Search Of The North Pole

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 13, 2015

In the Book "Winnie the Pooh and the North Pole"; Christopher Robin has organized a band of animals on a journey to the North Pole. It seems to me, that this expedition to the North Pole is symbolic of our culture's quest for the spiritual.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service, there are four Scriptures readings before the Message. Today's assigned Lessons are: 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 ; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 ; and Mark 9:2-9 .; Children's stories .... Can often bring insight... to greater Spiritual Truths. In the Book ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Anglican

Living For God In A Secular World

Contributed by Buddy Cook on Jul 16, 2015

Daniel and his three Hebrew friends were thrust into the pagan environment of Babylon. How they served God in this pagan land is an example of how we can serve God in our secular culture.

LIVING FOR GOD IN A SECULAR WORLD Daniel 1:1-21 Introduction: Recent Supreme Court Rulings • List of Supreme Court Rulings • We live in a world driven by public opinion and public opinion does not always line up with what God’s word to us. Question: How do we hold biblical ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Stand Your Ground! Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 21, 2021

Message teaches the practical application of the metaphor of armor in Eph. 6:10-17. Christians are in a spiritual battle simply because they are Christians. In an increasingly antichristian culture this teaching becomes even more essential.

The title of this message is: Stand Your Ground! There are times and season when the devil’s assaults against believers are more intense than at other times. Scripture not only tells us to be prepared for such times, but also tells us how to be prepared. That’s our subject today. I am an optimist. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Hebrews 11:32-35, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Proverbs 6:27-28, Ephesians 4:25, 1 Timothy 4:13, Mark 16:15, Luke 22:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Luke 4:3-13, 1 Peter 3:15, Joshua 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Upper Class Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

It is hard for modern American Christians to get their minds open to the mind of Christ on this issue because it goes against the grain of our culture. The New Testament, however, is loaded with teachings about being servants.

When soldiers for the 6th Massachusetts Militia were attacked, and many were wounded at the start of the Civil War, they were brought to Washington, D. C. Clara Barton had been a teacher in Massachusetts, and she recognized some of the wounded soldiers as her former students. She went to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

Daily Bread Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

All over the world, humans eat bread. In nearly every culture on earth, bread is a basic part of life. This morning, we have come to the part of the Lord’s Prayer that focuses on bread.

Daily Bread Matthew 6:11 Pastor Jefferson Williams First Baptist Church of Chenoa 3-17-19 Roti In America, we like bread. We use it in sandwiches and dinner rolls. We flock to Panera Bread Company and gobble up breadsticks at Pizza Ranch. And there is nothing as wonderful as the smell of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11

Denomination: Baptist