Sermons on Cultural Influences:

Are You Worshiping Nature Or The Creator?

Contributed by John Hickman on Oct 22, 2013

Is our culture today worshiping "Mother Nature" instead of the Creator? Jesus went out into God's Creation to hear from God, to pray, to be refreshed and recharged for ministry. Shouldn't we be doing the same?

One hundred years before the birth of Jesus a Roman Philosopher, Cicero, wrote, “Nature herself makes the wise man rich.” The poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “Nature never hurries. Atom by atom, little by little she achieves her work.” Antoinette Brown Blackwell wrote ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-38

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Provision & Presence Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2013

Our age and our culture teach us that we can never be satisfied, but must continually strive towards satisfaction by the things we amass. The Psalms have a different approach. In them we l

Psalm 67 is a little short psalm of just 7 verses, but they burst forth with praise just as we should knowing what God has done for us! 1 – 2 Notice that the psalmist wants the favor of God, not so he can be blessed primarily, but so that others will know God’s way of salvation. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Is Not A God Of Confusion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 7, 2023

We must not imagine that the confusion roiling western culture is because of God. Having rejected the Lord, civilization is confused, and without hope of being set right without God's merciful intervention.

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” [1] We live in a world that is increasingly confused—confused about society, confused about the role of government, confused about the sexes, confused about God. And I could undoubtedly go on about the confusion that reigns in our world. Confusion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:33

Denomination: Baptist

Failure Not Final Sermon Vi: Why Would Anyone Go From Persecutor To Persecuted Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Since many folks in our culture appear to be consumed by hatred - much of it aimed at, but some of it by, Christians - we would be wise to review our Lord's confrontation with and transformation of Paul.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO FROM PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED? You knew that any focus on the theme Failure Is Not Final with the Father had to get around to the persecutor who became the persecuted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-20

The Hope Laid Up For You Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Introduction A. There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 10:17

Walk Worthy Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. This is another of Paul’s “prison epistles,” written from the barracks in Rome (as he did with his letter to the Philippians) and in the company of Timothy B. Points out Epaphras (not Epaphroditus, a messenger for the Philippians), likely founder and pastor C. He expressed ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, Romans 11:33, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:14-17, 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 3:16-20, James 1:2-4, Matthew 5:12, Revelation 2:10, Romans 8:17, Psalm 103:12  (view more)  (view less)

Hope For A New Year Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. There is a poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, where Jesus is carrying His cross down the Via Dolorosa. Upon seeing Mary, His mother, Jesus says, “Look, mother, I am doing a new thing.” B. For us, every day is a new thing, but some days have more importance than ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6, John 1:14, John 8:58, John 10:30, Romans 8:29, John 1:1-3, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 22:13, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:19, John 5:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Chronos - 1 Corinthians 9-11 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 19, 2022

If we reject cultural stereotypes, classism and our own spiritual pride, in favor of unity, love and admiration for God and one another, we will accomplish the mission we have been placed on earth for.

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 11:11-16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sardis: Socially Active But Spiritually Dead

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 3, 2020

Sardis was the fifth church Jesus addressed in the Revelation. While the letter was shorter than the others, this one was the most severe. Apparently, Sardis has assimilated into the culture - with little difference known between the church and the world.

Sardis: Socially Active but Spiritually Dead Revelation 3: 1-6 As we continue to examine the churches to whom John sent letters, we come to the fifth – the church at Sardis. Of the seven, the message to Sardis was the most severe. They were content to rely on prior works and a reputation from the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Individualism Series

Contributed by Scott Berry on Aug 27, 2020

Have you ever thought about why you think the way you do? What are the cultural lenses that you are looking through? Let us think about the water we are swimming in.

Rom 12: 9 – 21 Looking at our lenses: Individualism (Have you spotted consumeristic thinking in yourself this week?) Individualism is the social outlook that stresses independence and self-reliance. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires, while opposing external ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing God's Design For Husbands And Wives Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 1, 2015

In this sermon, we focus primarily on God's commands in Ephesians 5. I have leaned heavily on material from David Platt's book Counter Culture, chapter 6, and also three sermons from John Piper on marital roles.

Introduction: A. One day a little girl and a little boy were playing in the yard. 1. The girl asked the boy, “Hey Billy, do you want to play house?” 2. Little Billy said, “Sure! What role do you want me to play? Do you want me to be the husband, the son, or the brother?” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living In Babylon: The Right Mindset Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jun 1, 2022

Pretty much everything in our culture is designed and is conspiring to distract you, impact you, and draw you away from God. You need to be ready. You need to prepare your children. You need to prepare your grandchildren. Prepare by having the right mindset.

FAITH FOR EXILES: LIVING IN BABYLON RIGHT MINDSET DANIEL 3:17-18, ESTHER 4:12-14 INTRODUCTION… Right Mindset (p) There are certain activities and events and things that we do that you absolutely need a particular mindset to do. I happen to think that a fighter pilot needs a certain mindset. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:17-18, Esther 4:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tremble Before His Holiness Series

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Jun 12, 2003

This sermon takes a look at the holiness of God and how we should respond to that holiness.

I’m not real big on the whole idea of talk-shows. But one show I saw a number of years ago was dealing with the issue of school violence. This was after the string of high school shootings that terrified parents and teachers alike. The question that was asked is why are these kids doing this? ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Glory Of God In Community Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 24, 2009

The great thing about God is that He is communal. Even before time began He existed in three persons. God is not just a creator to us, He is a Father who seeks a relationships with us.

Glory of God SERIES May 11, 2008 The Glory of God in Relationships The Roman orator Cicero once said: “We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race.” Community is a part of who we are. There is a base need in the human condition for a certain degree ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:9

Denomination: *other