Sermons on Cultural Decline:

Jesus Among Secular Gods, Part 5 - When Pleasure Becomes Perilous Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 14, 2019

This is part 5 of Jesus Among Secular Gods, based on the book by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale. This week the dangers of hedonism in our lives, churches, and cultures are discussed.

Hedonism is all about happiness or pleasure. Happiness and pleasure are good things, but when we make happiness and pleasure the highest forms of good, we miss out on the best God has for us. In the movie, The Matrix, it is discovered that machines have taken over the world and are channeling ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-9, Galatians 5:19-20, Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Luke 8:14, Proverbs 21:17, Philippians 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Eternity Is Now In Session - Illumanation. Woke! Series

Contributed by Brian Harrell on Dec 19, 2019

Getting "woke" is big in our culture. Peter got woke to Jesus. Knowing Jesus gave him an entirely new mental map for life.

These last four weeks we’ve been on a journey together. It’s been a personal journey. We’ve been following a roadmap. A roadmap of discovering Jesus, and allowing him to purge and remove sinful habits, attitudes, thinking and living from our lives. Not because he’s mean that because he knows what’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19, James 2:14-17

Denomination: Church Of God

Hanukkah: A New Testament Christian Perspective Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 7, 2023

While not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, Hanukkah holds cultural and historical relevance that can deepen our understanding of God's faithfulness and the light of Christ.

Hanukkah: A New Testament Christian Perspective Dear friends, as we approach the festive season of Hanukkah, it's an opportune time to explore this significant celebration from a New Testament Christian perspective. While not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, Hanukkah holds cultural ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Romans 12:1, 2 Timothy 2:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Obligations Drawn From The Widow’s Mite

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 11, 2022

A NEW message from the Widow's Mite narrative in Mark's Gospel. Understanding the culture of widows gives a new view of an old story.

Obligations drawn from the Widow’s Mite Mark 12:38-41 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-41

Denomination: United Methodist

Gleaning In The Right Field Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

As impoverished women in that ancient culture, Naomi and Ruth had few options for earning a living. Naomi desires for her to glean in the relative, Boaz's field.

I. The Cousin of Naomi 1. Ruth 2:1 2. Naomi has a kinsman of the family of Elimelech whose name was Boaz. 3. He was a mighty man of wealth. 4. Boaz was mighty in fortune, fame and in fight. 5. Boaz was not a weakling. II. The Consent for Gleaning 1. Ruth 2:2 2. The first change is seen in the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Life And Death Struggles Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 11, 2021

Today we are in a struggle like that between Moses and Balak, or between Jesus and the religious authorities, a battle to the death between God’s people and a pagan secular culture.

Homily for Monday in 3rd Week of Advent Balaam was a prophet for hire. He was a wealthy and respected prophet of Yahweh, but he was not an Israelite. Balak, a king who was in the way of Israel as they moved toward the Promised Land, was nervous about all these people moving across his territory. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:2-7, Numbers 24:15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

A Plea From The Pit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2024

God is merciful whenever the sinner seeks Him and His mercy. God will show mercy to the nation, the culture, the society that turns from wickedness to seek His grace.

It distresses me to preach messages that expose sin within the society in which we live. I could wish that I were permitted to speak only pleasant things, to declare a message that was always positive, to affirm our culture as righteous. However, I am compelled to give an answer to the One Who ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:31-66

Denomination: Baptist

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Judgement? Or Fraternal Correction

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 4, 2022

You know what happens whenever you point out some evil in the culture. The next words somebody will say are, “Jesus taught you not to judge.”

Friday of the 22nd Week in Course Today’s Gospel is so straightforward and goes to the heart of Christ’s teaching that we can be forgiven for ignoring all the other Scriptures we have heard. It’s kind of a slap at the Pharisees, who try to keep all the six-hundred plus rules of Torah involving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39, Matthew 18:15-18, Matthew 7:1-3, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Kingdom Leadership And Influence Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 3, 2025

Kingdom leadership is about influence, not position. As believers, we are called to lead with integrity, serve with humility, transform our culture, operate in wisdom, and rely on the Holy Spirit.

KINGDOM LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 5:13-16, Proverbs 29:2 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway To Divine Encounter" Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Apr 3, 2024

In our text, Jesus imparts several profound lessons that are referred to as the "Ask, Seek, Knock" passage, encapsulate fundamental principles that transcend time and culture.

Title: “Ask, Seek, Knock: The Pathway to Divine Encounter" Text: (Matthew 7:7-12) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Do We Take Pleasure In The Death Of The Wicked? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2024

A look at the ways we have allowed the culture war to make us hate those God called us to love as well as put secondary things first.

- [Maybe put this made-up passage up on the screen or in the sermon outline.] - Imagine that there is a Romans 17. (I’m not going heretical here - this is just a thought experiment with a point.) Imagine that at the end of Paul’s letter he shared some additional advice. - Let’s say that Romans 17 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:23

Denomination: Baptist

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision Of Divine Encounter In A Transformative Century Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 23, 2025

In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment.

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision of Divine Encounter in a Transformative Century Intro: In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual enrichment. Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Good News In A Bad News World Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Sep 26, 2024

The news bombards us with stories of moral decline and societal turmoil. Yet, amid the chaos, Psalm 36 invites us to shift our focus from the troubling realities to the unwavering truths found in God’s character. Join us as we explore the blessings that come from keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord.

Good News in A Bad News World! Psalm 36 Introduction: Cf. we live in a world in which we are constantly being bombarded with bad news: Christians = can become consumed with 24-hour news cycle 365 days a year that is inundated with bad news. Natural disaster, war, crime out of control, drug ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Status Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 25, 2019

Our status as unique children of God – in contrast to unbelievers – carries with it a host of implications.

Status (I John 2:28-3:3) 1. A not-so-bright woman noticed that her coworker has a thermos, so she asks her what it's for. She responds, "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold." The not-so-bright woman immediately buys one for herself. The next day, she goes to work and proudly ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible