Sermons on Cultural Adaptation:

The Present Heaven Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

How and where do believes exist between their deaths and Jesus' Second Coming? (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Has to Say About the Church: Rediscovering Community; chapter 15 Eternally Worshiping, pgs. 386- 390)

HoHum: Begin by reading Luke 16:19-31 From Rick Kallstrom- A few years ago I preached a message on hell. After the service I walked to the back of the church to shake hands with members of the congregation as they left the church. One individual said to me, “Preacher, I never knew what hell ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:2-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beyond The Upper Room: The Proclamation Of The Church

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 8, 2023

This message gives a survey of the events leading up to Pentecost and the command from the Lord Jesus to preach the Gospel to everyone. This is an adaptation of a message from the 1995 edition of the Zondervan's Pastor's Annual. It needed no update, for the Word of God is eternal.

The disciples were made up of men who had been called from their chosen professions to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Having left all, it must have seemed to them that at the crucifixion of Jesus they had lost all. Following the admonition of their Lord, whom they saw disappear into the clouds, they ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29, John 16:5-15, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:24-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

3 Tests

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 8, 2016

3 tests: 1) Doctrinal 2) Moral 3) Social (Bible study on 1 John; adapted from Ivan E Mesa on Academia.edu; he gathered much of this from Robert Law and Christopher D. Bass in their books on 1 John)

HoHum: Next time you’re in an airport notice the difference between passengers who have confirmed tickets and those on standby. Those who have confirmed tickets are relaxed and confident. Those on standby hang around the ticket counter, they pace and pace and pace…all because of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus' Answer To Prejudice And Discrimination

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

In this my adaption of a sermon by Eric Carey-Holt, I have focused on what I believe to have been the Lord’s original intent in His parable of the “Good Samaritan”, addressing the problem of racial discrimination, and socio-economic, gender, and religious prejudice.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, we invite you to visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) One researcher found in a survey that 49% of the people interviewed said they would be able to tell the story of the Good Samaritan if asked to do so, 45% said they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: United Methodist

Faithfulness Vs. Fruitfulness

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2015

Examinations for times of unfruitfulness (Material adapted from MATT PERMAN at: http://whatsbestnext.com/2011/08/does-god-require-faithfulness-or-fruitfulness/; and Jimmy Larche at: http://www.jimmylarche.com/fruitfulness-abiding-in-christ/)

HoHum: Struggling church- “God has not called us to be successful. He has just called us to be faithful.” This one is in the same vein: “God wants faithfulness, not fruitfulness.” WBTU: These statements are half true. There is a Yiddish proverb that says: “A ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Truth Will Set You Free

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 11, 2020

Preached for Independence Day Sunday (Outline and material adapted from Stephen Trail on Sermon Central: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/independance-day-stephen-e-trail-sermon-on-freedom-in-christ-202845?ref=SermonSerps)

HoHum: 244 years and one day ago, Declaration of Independence was signed IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wait, Watch And Work

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2024

Since the Lord's Return is imminent, what should we do? (Material adapted from Rick Breidenbaugh at: https://www.gospel-defender.org/post/what-are-we-to-do-in-the-new-year)

HoHum: The famous reformer Martin Luther was asked what he would do if he knew for certain the world was going to end tomorrow. Without hesitation he replied, “I would plant an apple tree this afternoon.” What? Luther was not given to speculation about the ending of the world. He focused rather ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:12, Matthew 24:36-44, Ezekiel 18:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Chose... Poorly

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2024

We chose poorly when we do not tell, when we do not share (Preached for Faith Promise Rally promoting missions) (Adapted from a book called, "See, Here is Water" by Oneta Gentry, pg. 76 and following)

HoHum: In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when they finally get to the old knight guarding the Holy Grail, Donavon, with the help of Elsa, choses a cup from which to drink. Elsa chooses the cup -- a solid gold, emerald encrusted goblet. Donovan instantly takes it from her. Donovan looks at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-16, Isaiah 55:1-2, Genesis 12:2-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Universality Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 11, 2003

Thanks to Constantine’s move, the church gradually began to think of its universality as power rather than as an evangelical mandate. Christ is to be lord of our political life, our cultural life, our everyday life -- every aspect.

Christ is lord of all! What a bold statement! Maybe even an arrogant statement! Lord of all? Do we believe that? It was said of one preacher that “for tender minds he served up half a Christ.” Behind that lie two realities – first, that many of us don’t want the full gospel, we’d rather just ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13, Colossians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Can The Lord Help Us Maintain A High Standard Of Ethics In A Compromisi

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 19, 2005

It is so easy to compromise with culture for the sake of convenience, but at what price? People who break God’s mandates will experience grievous consequences just as if we jump off of a building we will experience the full force of the laws of gravity.

How Can The Lord Help Us Maintain a High Standard of Ethics in a Compromising Culture? It is so easy to compromise with culture for the sake of convenience, but at what price? People who break God’s mandates will experience grievous consequences just as if we jump off of a building we will ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharing The Divine Plan Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 31, 2008

Part of our Christian Stewardship of God’s word is learning to share our faith as commanded in Acts 1, in a permissive, pluralistic culture where people beleive in "God" but may not have the same understanding of "God" as do Christians.

In Jesus Holy Name February 3, 2008 Transfiguration Redeemer “Stewardship: Managing the Things of God” 4th in the series: “Sharing the Divine Plan” There are those who leave their mark on the world by doing great deeds. They lead victorious armies, write classic novels. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Glut2ony Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 22, 2008

We continue the seven deadly sins by looking at gluttony. This is a serious issue with God and in our culture. It is not limited to food either. We’ll also look at the remedy and get some tools to help us overcome this character defect.

Se7en Glut2ony Galatians 5:19-21 April 20, 2008 How much is too much? How much is enough? Gluttony says, “Enough is never enough.” What is gluttony? How would you define? Gluttony is over-indulgence or excessiveness. What can you over-indulge in? Just about anything. Could be alcohol? Drugs ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21

Denomination: Church Of God

The World Needs A Savior

Contributed by David Freels on Nov 19, 2006

The world needs a real Savior. Jesus warns that there will be those coming who claim to be the Christ. This is a God and the Movies look at one of the cultures’ fictional saviors, James Bond, using the current interest in Casino Royale. The real World nee

Wow, the readings today speak to end times prophecy. There are many theories about when the end of this phase of life will happen and what to look for. The Prophet Daniel had prohecied that the Temple would be desecrated, and in 168 BC it was. Jesus speaks of the Temple being destroyed, of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:14-23

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Dreams Of A Community Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on Feb 13, 2007

This is part 1 of my 5 week series on what the church needs to look like in the emerging culture. This looks specifically at what the early church looked like, and what those practices can look like in our world.

If you have your bibles, you can open them to Acts 2. We are starting a 5 week series today called an elemental church. This is an exciting series for me, because I hope at the end of the 5 weeks, you will have a better idea about how I think about church. Some of my hopes and dreams for us as a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Challenging The Counterfeit Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Jan 4, 2008

Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were not crippled by the foreign culture they had been forced to live in. On the contrary they thrived and were gifted with prominent positions of great influence. Maybe their greatest cha

Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were not crippled by the foreign culture they had been forced to live in. On the contrary they thrived and were gifted with prominent positions of great influence. Maybe their greatest challenge was the religious and spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-45

Denomination: Pentecostal