Sermons on Cultural Adaptation:

Holding Our Ground In The Faith,

Contributed by William Yates on Mar 24, 2004

We in America and in the church are in the midst of a great cultural war. How do we respond when we hear of gay marriages and gay pastors being ordained? We can learn from 1 Chronicles 11 that we need to not retreat, but rather hold the high ground.

Holding Our Ground in the Faith Note: I am a United Methodist pastor who wrote this sermon in response to a recent ruling to allow a gay pastor to retain her ministry in the church. Though this message exhorts United Methodists to take a stand against a few radical elements within our fold, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 11:12-14

Who Needs Revival?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 30, 2006

If our church is to grow numerically and spiritually, if our church is to have any impact on the culture around us, if our church is to please God – we must have revival within the church! What does God see as He looks at our church? Who needs revival?

Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Please feel free to use this message as God’s Holy Spirit directs your heart. WHO IS IN NEED OF REVIVAL? Psalms 85:6 Will You not revive us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

Denomination: Baptist

Fear No One Bearing Gifts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 6, 2003

Solomon built the Temple using foreign gifts and foreign artists. Each of us brings to today’s church the limitations of his own culture, and must learn to ask for and trust the gifts others can give. Working together we learn to savor God’s greatness.

The Latin poet Virgil, in his epic poem, The Aeneid, has one of the Trojan warriors murmur, when a giant wooden horse was offered as a gift by the Greek armies outside the city walls, “I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts.” “I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts.” That is a statement of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Saved From Hell

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 6, 2009

Many pastors do not want to preach on HELL fearing they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. Apparently we have begun to deny hell. There’s an assumption that everybody’s going to make it to heaven somehow

Opening illustration: Video of ‘HELL’ from center of the earth. Introduction: Many pastors do shy away from the topic of everlasting damnation. "It’s out of fear they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. I believe we’ve begun to deny hell. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes A Church Ugly? Ephesus Pt 5 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

The problem with Ephesus is they were doing so much inside the walls they never went out. They were a “come-and-get-it” church and not a “go-and-get-them” church. This church saw their culture as something you stay away from.

“What Makes a Church Ugly?” Ephesus. Revelation 2:1-7 The world tries to get it right, but in all of its wisdom it can never measure up to the truth of God—it is all foolishness. LOVE is not a feeling to be lost—but it can be forsaken. LOVE causes us some great and full ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

How Will God Find You?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 18, 2011

Many times we as Christians live our lives in the dark. We think we are reasonably good people trying our best. But our past, our associations, the flesh, and the culture around us, conspire to blind us to many things that are not like the Lord going on i

The church today is in trouble. Two recent surveys show that church attendance, even among professing Christians, is way down. Many people today also feel that while they acknowledge faith in Jesus, also want a Burger King style religion—the “have it your way” mentality of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Guidelines For Christianity: God's Gift Of Sex Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 26, 2015

Most people in our culture today don’t often associate the word "God" with the word "sex". We’re going to try to answer these questions. What does the seventh commandment actually address? Why is adultery wrong? What leads people to adultery?

Today we’re gonna talk about sex. Now that I have your attention. . . God does not have a Commandment about worshipping Him in a temple or sanctuary. He planned to live in the body of His people. He wants to be glorified in your body and carry out His ministry through you. Here’s a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For Perseverance

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 29, 2019

In the midst of a rapidly changing culture, with struggles unlike we've faced in the past, how do we overcome and remain vibrant in ministry? Paul answers these vital questions within the text. Those who overcome and remain passionate for the Lord must make necessary preparations.

Preparing for Perseverance 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 As we close out another year and stand on the verge of the New Year, no doubt this has been a memorable year for each of us. We have all faced difficulties and adversity, heartache and pain; and yet these struggles were tempered with grace and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Core 52 Week 11 - The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 19, 2020

How we handle threats? People tend toward two very different responses to a threat. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire. What is the Christian response to this current event?

You can hear the sermon on my podcast https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • How we handle threats - rather like my paternal grandfather contrasted to my mother during thunderstorms. o Growing up in SW Oklahoma - “tornado alley” in the 60’s. No early warning, no radar on phones. Sirens went ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

United In Christ Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 7, 2024

Unity is not based on cultural, social, or political similarities but rather on our shared identity in Jesus—sinners saved by grace. We are called to elevate Jesus above our differences and work together as one body, reflecting God's love and bringing hope to a divided world.

### **Introduction** Video Ill.: May We Be One — Floodgate Productions David wrote in Psalm 133: 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, Ephesians 2:11-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Hope: The Heart Of Christmas” Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 29, 2022

Wrapping up the book of Acts. Paul has "hope" that he will reach Rome. In our culture many people have lost "hope". Scottish Proverb: “Were it not for hope, the heart would break”. Our "hope" is secured by the resurrection.

In Jesus Holy Name November 27, 2022 Text: Acts 27,28 Redeemer Lutheran Advent I “Hope: The Heart of Christmas” The season of Advent begins today. It is the beginning of a new church year. It is a season of anticipation. A time ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Omnipotence Of God Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 12, 2013

A sermon on Psalm 139:13-24 on God's omnipotence (Material adapted from Dr. Jack Cottrell's book, God Most High, pg. 102- 106; Also from Sermon Central's Matthew Kratz at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=124757)

HoHum: I have a very good friend who recently shared with me that on one occasion she, out of sincere concern over sin and desire to be what God wanted her to be, she prayed, "God, show me the sin in my life. Show me what I really am." She said that in a couple of weeks she began to pray, "Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepare To Meet Thy God

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 24, 2012

A gospel sermon on Amos 4:12 (Outline and material adapted from Ed Wood of Sermon Central: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/prepare-to-meet-thy-god-ed-wood-sermon-on-evangelism-urgency-123934.asp. Closing illustration taken from Frederick Baker II o

HoHum: There are many important events that take place in a person’s life: Birth, first word, first step, first date, marriage, first job, first promotion, etc. Not all of these happen in every life. Regardless of the person, or the event, no experience can outmeasure the experience of ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:10-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Cup Overflows

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 18, 2016

Let us think of some cups which never run over. If ours runs over, why it does so? And then, thirdly, what then if our cup runs over? (Outline and material adapted from Charles Spurgeon at: http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols19-21/chs1222.pdf)

HoHum: Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist, is about an orphan who at the age of 9 goes to a workhouse. Oliver, who toils with very little food, remains in the workhouse for six months. One day, the desperately hungry boys decide to draw lots; the loser must ask for another portion of gruel. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ