Sermons on Cultural Barriers:

A Broken Man Before The Boundless Gospel

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Locked doors and crowded rooms can stop most people, but real faith finds a way. In Mark 2:1–12 four friends tear through a roof to place a paralytic before Jesus—He forgives first, then heals—showing His authority and calling us to carry others to Him.

A little while ago I was installing a keypad lock on the door to my upstairs studio—just trying to add an extra layer of security for my equipment, cameras, computers, all that production stuff. So I set the keypad lock up, got the old handle out of the door, got the batteries in, set the code, all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Unleashing The Power Of Encouragement

Contributed by Daniel Harman on Aug 28, 2006

An inspiration to both individuals & congregations to cultivate a CULTURE of ENCOURAGEMENT – enabling it to become part of your DNA, woven into your values & day to day lifestyle. This sermon will encourage you to be generous, lavish, extravagant with

Title: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT Pastor Dan Harman (Victory Church Portsmouth, ENGLAND) Definition: Encouragement = the act of giving hope or support that inspires confidence & a will to keep on keeping on. Aim: to INSPIRE you as individuals & as a congregation to cultivate a CULTURE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gathering & Scattering

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

The church has many purposes or functions. These purposes hang on a two-fold mission: the Gathering of the Community for Worship, Instruction, Fellowship and Evangelism Training and the Scattering of the Community in order to fulfill both our cultural a

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I read the story of the little girl who was asked to describe the parts of a man. She said, "Man has three parts: the brainium, the chester, and the abominable cavity. The brainium holds the brain, the chester holds the heart, and the abominable cavity holds the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

A Naked Man And A Bunch Of Crazy Pigs

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Jesus encounters a man with so many demons the man says his name is "Legion." Yet, the community is not afraid of this man. Like our culture, the biblical community had grown comfortable with evil.

by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Jr. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami Florida Pittendreigh@aol.com When I was in high school, there was a local legend about the Blue Ghost of Maddox Bridge Road. Some 10 or 20 years earlier, two high school students had been out on a date. They were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:27-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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

Proclaiming The Unknown God Series

Contributed by Mark Olson on Jul 17, 2007

Just as Paul had to proclaim who the true God is, because the Athenians were ignorant of Him, so we too must proclaim who the true God is to our world and culture.

Proclaiming the Unknown God Acts 17:16-34 Pastor Mark Olson The kind of God we worship, determines the kind of person we become - we become what we worship... Sad truth - great ignorance of the true, living God Athenians worshipped the “unknown god” because they did not want to leave any god out ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Holiness

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

How To See Jesus

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 25, 2009

How do you see Jesus? Our popular culture certainly sees Him in a warped way, but what about you? Let’s look into the Word of God to see the real Jesus.

How to See Jesus Matthew 17:1-9 Sermon by: Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - June 21, 2009 *How do you see Jesus? Our popular culture certainly sees Him in a warped way. Their Jesus once made an appearance on "The Simpsons". He has often appeared on the raunchy cartoon "South Park" doing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

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 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

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

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