Sermons on Cultural Engagement:

Costs Of The Journey Series

Contributed by E Philip Davis on Mar 6, 2008

Jesus makes it clear in Luke 9:23 that the path of discipleship is a costly one; what challenges do we face in "bearing our cross daily" in today’s culture?

COSTS OF THE JOURNEY In this series from Luke we are seeing how following Jesus – what we call discipleship – is like a journey with him. This is what the disciples did in Luke’s Gospel, where Chapters 9-19 are in the form of a journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In the first week Wayne introduced ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For The Common Church, Pt. 2

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Apr 5, 2008

These are critical days for Christianity and how we respond and react to this sweeping sea of change within our culture, will tell a lot about how Christianity survives in the next 25 years!

Last week I said, “As a body of believers, this statement is what will drive us, motivate us and focus us for the work of the ministry that God has placed before us. All of us are to be equipped as maturing and growing believers so that together we can execute the cure for the common ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

If Jesus Had Not Come To This World : Imagine A World Without Christ

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Dec 25, 2007

IF JESUS HAD NOT COME TO THIS WORLD : IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT CHRIST 1.SPIRITUALLY 2.SOCIALLY 3.POLITICALLY 4.CULTURALLY 5.EDUCATIONALLY 6.HISTORICALLY 7.UNIVERSALLY

IF JESUS HAD NOT COME TO THIS WORLD : IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT CHRIST **************************************************************************** OUTLINE 1.SPIRITUALLY 2.SOCIALLY 3.POLITICALLY 4.CULTURALLY 5.EDUCATIONALLY 6.HISTORICALLY 7.UNIVERSALLY THE MESSAGE IF JESUS HAD NOT COME TO ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Does The Church Do? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Oct 21, 2003

The world today sees the church as powerless and irrelevant in our culture and the reason is due in great part because of our failure to live life differently than the world around us.

In the play, My Fair Lady, Eliza is being courted by Freddy, who writes to her daily of his love for her. Eliza’s response to his notes is to cry out in frustration: Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!... Don’t talk of stars Burning above, If you’re in love, Show me! Don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-5, Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Land Of The Midnight Sun Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 1, 2009

Our culture has lived in sheer optimism, but that time is fading. We must seize the opportunity to minister while it is here; and if we do so, we will see bountiful rewards.

My besetting sin, if you must know, is procrastination. Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow, for somehow tomorrow always seems to be even more than only a day away. It seems to be an eternity away, and so what if I do not do today what my To-Do list says I am to do? Who will know ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

An Accurate "I" Exam Series

Contributed by Rob Jansons on Sep 14, 2010

This is a New Year's sermon when our culture preaches "believe in yourself" and Scripture teaches us what happens when we do. It is a prelude sermon to a covert series on Calvinism.

It is the first Sunday of the new year. In our culture this is a time of getting psyched up for a new year of doing our best, setting some ambitious goals, trying harder, putting our best foot forward. Maybe you expect a little encouragement from your church; give us some spiritual justification ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Old Faithless Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 1, 2011

Eternal life is for those who live faithfully before God, believing in his promises and living by his standards, even when the pressures to conform to our culture are nearly overwhelming.

Has it ever occurred to you that the Bible probably ought to be rated “R”? It’s definitely not G, and parental guidance is certainly needed. I don’t think it rates an X, even though there’s an awful lot of violence, especially in the OT, and even some sexually ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Performance Trap

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 12, 2011

A sermon on grace and how we distort God's grace in our culture, USA. (Material adapted from David Seamands' book, "Healing Grace" chapter 2 "Barriers to Grace")

HoHum: A treadmill is one of the most effective tools for burning calories, despite the fact that the person exercising stays in the same place. Similarly, so it is with people who try to work their way to righteousness. We understand that grace is what saved us but believe they must pay God back ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If You Really Knew Me Student Guide

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 7, 2011

I took the cultural phenomenon from the MTV show "If you really knew me" and used it as a tool to encourage teens to open up, support and pray for one another.

“If You Really Knew Me!” John 14:7-10 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 1. All of us carry within our ___________ emotional hurts, wounds and even scars. 2. God's gave us a remedy/prescription to heal all of of ...read more

Scripture: John 14:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Is Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 19, 2020

In a day where we are riddled with division and a "cancel culture" where does forgiveness fit in and how does forgiveness in the church differ from what the world offers?

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA www.gracecommunity.com Watch this message at https://youtu.be/oSQkupXCiXk Introduction What image comes to mind when you think of the word “Bounty Hunter.” Maybe we think of a scene from Star Wars as Darth Vader is enlisting their help to fuel his obsession ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Brethren

The Truth About Treasure Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 9, 2022

We live in a culture that is consumed with possessions and wealth. In fact, most are judged more by what they have accumulated than the character they possess. It seems as if most can never get enough.

The Truth about Treasure Matthew 6: 19-24 In our text, Jesus addresses an issue that was prevalent in His day. He was surrounded by many who sought worldly gain. They were often preoccupied with acquiring material wealth and possessions. We too live in a culture that is consumed with possessions ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

All In For Our Lord Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 21, 2020

Almost certainly in our lifetime we will also have to follow Christ to our own cross. Probably not a bloody martyrdom, but the culture hates the Church and all who follow Christ.

Monday of the 24th and Last Week in Course 2020 Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro Today, in the glaring light of our proclamation on Sunday that Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe, we are invited to consider the virtues of those who will be found worthy to live forever in that marvelous, unimaginably ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 9:4, Luke 21:1-4, Revelation 14:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Gets Me : A Christmas Reminder

Contributed by Sean Dees on Dec 22, 2020

Christmas messages usually come with a lot of expectations. There are certain scriptures people expect to hear, certain narratives, mixed with a little pop culture references to help keep things relative.

(10) And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. (11) And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. (12) And he dreamed, and behold ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-12

Administration And Spirituality Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

The newly accepted believers made a complaint in the early Church, and they expected Apostles would visit them and care for them. There was a cultural clash based on ethnicity, and language, and background of their previous identity.

Acts 6:1-7 Administration and Spirituality 6:1 Complaints of Believers 6:2-4 Concentrations of Apostles 6:5-6 Contributions of Deacons 6:7 Contours of the Church Acts 6:1 Complaints of Believers The newly accepted believers made a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Four Last Things And Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 16, 2019

Many today, seeing Western culture disintegrate as it abandons Christian living and teaching, tell us that serious Christians need to flee the cities and establish new Christian communities of virtue.

Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Course 2019 Saints Severinus, Exuperius, & Felician The sources tell us that Marcus Aurelius “was Roman emperor from [AD] 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 24:16

Denomination: Catholic