Sermons on Cultural Assumptions:

Fearlessly Proclaiming God's Word

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jan 2, 2016

Like Paul we need to pray that we as His ambassadors do not water down the word of God in our lives to appease our culture but instead fearlessly proclaim the truth to all we meet.

FEARLESS PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE (Ephesians 6:18-20) • Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, the one called to proclaim the Gospel message to the Gentile people asked the church of Ephesus for prayer that he might fearlessly proclaim the Gospel message. • In the sermon I am going ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Choose - Suffering Over Sin Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 5, 2025

How should we live in a world that is hostile to Christianity? Not by adopting the culture around us uncritically, nor by rejecting the world completely, but by engaging with the world while guarding against sin.

This morning, we continue with our study of First Peter. As a reminder, 1 Peter is a general epistle, meaning that it was a letter written to Christians in general, rather than to a specific church body. The first verse of the letter tells us that it was written: “To God’s elect, exiles scattered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Rule Breaker

Contributed by Chris Beam on Mar 4, 2015

If you want God to do a new thing in your life, you can’t keep doing the same old thing in your life. If you want to experience the miraculous, you need to unlearn every assumption you’ve ever made except for one…God is able.

Series: The Grave Robber The Rule Breaker
Text: John 5:1-10

So far, throughout this series, we’ve looked at Jesus as the Wine Maker, the Choreographer, and today we will see Jesus as the Rule Breaker. Now before you start to scratch your head, wondering why in the world I ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 12, 2013

The analogy of the child being the greatest in God’s Kingdom was completely contrary to the prevailing culture then and now. Imagine how His disciples must have reacted to Jesus then and how indifferent it is even today.

Opening illustration: If God was taking resumes, what would you put on yours? In other words, what makes a good Christian? What would really impress them when you arrive in heaven? Experience, qualifications, references, character traits … The reason I asked is because followers of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humility Or Humiliation Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Jan 29, 2015

Though God is never mentioned in this book, his fingerprints are all over the story of the heroic Esther and Mordecai. Study along as we discuss the ins and outs of living for God in a godless culture.

LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS CULTURE HUMILITY OR HUMILIATION - Esther 6:1-13 (ESTHER 6:1-4) -Hook: Ever have a week you aren’t too proud of? -A week where you weren’t patient enough with your kids? -Or you weren’t kind enough to your wife? -Ever had a week where you just ...read more

Scripture: Esther 6:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm A Good Person Myth Series

Contributed by Rick Thiessen on Nov 5, 2007

Our culture indoctrinates us so that we wind up believing some things about God, the Bible or Christianity that just aren’t true. This week we look at a popular idea, all good people go to heaven.

SE102807 MYTH BUSTERS 4. I’m a Good Person INTRO Andy Stanley tells the story of a church kids teacher who was trying to explain heaven to his class. So he asked the class a series of questions to see what they already thot about the subject: - if I had a garage sale and sold all my stuff and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Encouraged Diversity In Ministry Approaches 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that God’s creation and purposes works best through a diversity of perspectives, cultures and approaches to ministry. One day the disciples came to Jesus complaining about men who were doing the ministry differently then they were accustomed

1. Jesus knew that God’s creation and purposes works best through a  diversity of perspectives, cultures and approaches to ministry. One  day the disciples came to Jesus complaining about men who were doing the ministry differently then they were accustomed to. Jesus said, "Do not hinder them, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A "Sign"? : A New View Of The Nativity Scene

Contributed by Bryan Douglas on Dec 8, 2012

God has revealed in the Christmas story a powerful "sign" of the swaddling clothes and manger which has great spiritual significance, but it has been concealed by our cultural depictions of the Nativity Scene.

A “Sign”? : A New View of the Nativity Scene Luke 2: 1-19 As we read the Christmas story in Luke 2: 1-19, it is such a familiar passage that it is easy to just blow through it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Engaging Today's "New Spirituality" Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

What initially appeared as simply a temporary "New Age Movement" trend has become a more dominant cultural shift that I would refer to as simply the ‘new spirituality.’

Introduction Over the past few weeks we’ve been considering how to engage in Holy Conversation… that is.. how to talk about God in everyday life. One aspect that deserves some consideration…is that of engaging some of the increasingly popular ideas regarding spirituality. Several years ago… these ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Message Behind The Tower Of Babel Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Jan 6, 2001

The Tower of Babel is not merely an explanation of language changes, but there are four key areas we learn from this account that applies to our Christian culture today.

Tower of Babel Genesis 11: 1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, John 12:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Inside Society Without Letting Society Get Inside Of You Series

Contributed by Art Campbell on Nov 12, 2007

How can we infiltrate our culture without letting it’s values infiltrate us? Daniel and his friends faced this issue...

One of the questions thoughtful Christians often ask when we’re trying to live incarnationally – putting flesh on the gospel – is how far should we go in accommodating ourselves to our culture? What’s OK for a Christian to do and what’s not when we’re trying to reach people where we are? For ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Finding A Mate– God's Way! Series

Contributed by Mark Magee on Aug 16, 2004

I’d like to encourage God’s people to find the answer on ’how to find a mate’ from the Bible rather than our culture.

A. Bad date when... Hey guys, you know you are on a bad date when.... 1. She whispers to the waiter, “Please kill me!” 2. You catch her giving her phone number to the guy cleaning your windshield. 3. She keeps calling you, “Bachelor number two”. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Napkin Is Still Folded - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The significance of the folded napkin in the Jewish culture makes some powerful points in considering the resurrection. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

THE NAPKIN IS STILL FOLDED JOHN 20:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NapkinFolded.html [Please see link above for more info. on this matter. Concept for this sermon originally preached by Dr. Clyde Box. I receive many questions as to the historicity of the "Napkin Legend"...Dr. Box reportedly ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Grace That Won't Let Go

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Nov 12, 2005

Any study of the life of the apostle Paul requires a serious look at the subject of pain. Suffering is not a pleasant subject to explore, especially in our western culture.

A GRACE THAT WON’T LET GO 2 Corinthians 1-9 Any study of the life of the apostle Paul requires a serious look at the subject of pain. Suffering is not a pleasant subject to explore, especially in our western culture. Perhaps you have heard, as I did growing up, that pain and suffering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

What's All The Fuss About?

Contributed by William Mouser on Jul 14, 2005

In a culture that acts as if marriage were of no consequence, there exists a fascination with marriage. Paul’s statement that it is a Great Mystery explains why there is such a fuss about marriage.

I know that all of you stand in line at grocery stores, and though I have not done any grocery shopping here in Orange City, I’d bet a bundle that the experience here is pretty much like my experience in a small town in North Texas. When I go through a checkout line, I am treated to a large ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:31-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican