Sermons on Cultural Adaptation:

Who's In Charge?

Contributed by James Wilson on Oct 18, 2000

God is in Charge, even if the culture doesn't admit it.

Who's in Charge? Jeremiah 10:10 NASB "But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, And the nations cannot endure His indignation. Jason Niemeyer was allowed to join 190 classmates on the football field at Oroville High School June ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:10

Denomination: Baptist

Leave Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Jul 22, 2015

For some, following Jesus means to go into cross-cultural missions

September 22 Leave Acts 8:26-40 Going is a part of following. If we say we love Jesus, then we must have on our hearts what God has on His heart, and God has the world on His heart. Follow Influence Connect Go What is God’s word for us today? 1. Remember that going is a part ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Lightly Salted

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Nov 1, 2016

We must engage our culture as a witness for Jesus Christ.

Lightly Salted October 30, 2016 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must engage our culture as a witness for Jesus Christ. Focus Passage: Matthew 5:13-16 Introduction: To borrow upon the theme of these verses, too many American Christians prefer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Distinguishing Character Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 9, 2017

The world needs Christians to be excellent in spirit and distinguished from the culture.

1. Tendency of Inwardness When Wendall Woodall was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he began recording his journey in a book called Shuffle. His faith in Christ fueled his sense of humor and gave him a basis for daily living. Among his strategies was the habit of volunteering. “A big part of my ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of A Shadow

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Jan 5, 2023

None of escape from he shadow of our upbringing and culture

The Power Of A Shadow ? THE POWER OF A SHADOW   PASTOR TIMOTHY PORTER   TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:20 / PHILIPPIANS 4:4     🟩INTRODUCTION:🟩   🟨 Figure of speech🟨- when we say we live someone’s shadow? Yet it is true ??noun 1. 1. ???a dark ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In The Land Of Uz

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Oct 16, 2015

A message of what to expect living a godly life in an ungodly culture.

Living in the land of Uz Introduction: Spurgeon once said “that church which the world loves best is sure to be that which God abhors.” One must decide 'Do I wish to please God or please man?' Even outside of church we must make daily decisions where we ask ourselves 'Do I wish to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Danger Of Diminishing Discernment

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Apr 21, 2024

A warning to believers about the loss of discernment in the modern church culture.

“The Danger of Diminishing Discernment” Hosea 7:8-10 8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. 10 And the pride of Israel ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Reality Ever After

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jan 29, 2007

A message focusing on a few of the realities we tend to overlook in our quest for cultural relevance and seeker sensitivity.

Dakota Community Church January 28, 2007 Reality Ever After We sometimes portray the Christian faith like a fairy tale from childhood, all the action takes place before we “get saved” and then live happily ever after. Salvation is not the end of the story. It is not the end of the action or the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Mennonite

Complications: The Need For A Meandering Church Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 6, 2008

The church must hold true to the fundamentals of the faith, but she needs to constantly adapt, meander, and reinvent herself.

Complications: The Need for A Meandering Church (Acts 5:12-18) 1. Bernard Goldstein tells this story: One of my pet peeves as a musician in a symphony orchestra is trying to follow the unpredictable beat of famous guest conductors. I didn’t realize how strongly the rest of the musicians felt until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kingdom Values

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Sep 9, 2010

The values of the kingdom of Heaven are really different from the values of the world. And the greatest value of God's kingdom is really counter-culture, even though the culture gives lip service to it.

Passage: Matthew 18:1-9 Intro: Growing up in the 1960’s, we learned the meaning of “counter-culture” 1. whole group of people called hippies who marched to a new set of values. 2. they called it “the new morality”, which Christians said was just “the old ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Remember To Rest

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 27, 2008

In a world filled with what seems like never ending activity we as a culture maybe need to take time and slow down and rest more so than previous cultures.

Remember to Rest I realize that I am surrounded by a church full of busy people. Not just busy for busyness sake but productive, highly active people who like to accomplish a lot and often. In fact every time I drive down the road to church I am confronted by your hard work since the fields all ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sheep, Wolves, Sheepdogs

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 15, 2018

We are not called to apply the superficial wisdom of American culture to reshape our Catholic identity. We are called to alert Americans to the wisdom of Catholic culture that is given to us by Our Lord.

Fourth Sunday of Easter 2018 The Good Shepherd In a popular movie from a few years back, the main character, a gung-ho SEAL from Odessa, tells his listeners that there are three kinds of people: wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. The wolves prey on the sheep, the sheep cower in fear, and the sheepdogs ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:1-2

Denomination: Catholic

Walk In Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 3, 2025

We live in the midst of a rapidly changing culture, one that has no desire for that which is righteous and holy. The church is being pressured to abandon the truths of Scripture in order to conform to the dictates of the culture.

Walk in Righteousness Ephesians 5: 3-7 In our last study, Paul admonished believers to follow the Lord, literally being imitators of God. In order to accomplish such an enormous task, we must walk in the love of Christ the Lord. Those who are purposefully following the Lord and walking in the love ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Barriers To Planting And Growing Churches

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

Barriers to planting and Growing Churches in cross-cultural communities with 38 case studies

BARRIERS AND BRIDGES FOR PLANTING AND GROWING CHURCHES Barriers 1. Tribal, Religious, Ethnic Prejudices 2. Other Political, Religious, or Ancestral Allegiances 3. Differences in world view a. (Experiences, Realities, and Nature of God and His creation. b. Truth (Its nature, origin, and its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Focus And Generosity Series

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Aug 2, 2003

This sermon is an adaptation from John Maxwell’s book "The 21 Indespensible Qualities of a Leader."

Focus And Generosity Phil 3:10-14, Mat 20:25-28 May 19, 2003 I. I have been talking about the things that we need to develop to be the leaders that we should be in our families, in our profession, and in our service for God. II. Something that we have to develop as leaders is Focus. A. Tony ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14, Matthew 20:25-28

Denomination: Baptist