Sermons on Cultural Influences:

How To Approach Worship Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

How are you supposed to worship? Perhaps no question sparks more controversy across American than that question. And what we find is that the answer is often based on your previous experience and your culture and generation. Regardless, we find that there

How to Approach Worship? Psalm 95:1-7 There’s the story of a young rabbi who found a serious problem in his new congregation. During the service, half the congregation stood for the prayers and half remained seated. Each side shouted at the other, insisting theirs was the true tradition. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

A Woman, A Well, And A Water-Pot

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 2, 2018

As we examine this event is Jesus' life and ministry [John 4:1-42] we will learn that he comes to break down social barriers (cultural, racial, traditional) and to turn our focus from the temporary to the eternal.

We’re in the middle of our Summer Series entitled: “LIVE-LIKE-THAT” and through this series of messages we’re challenging each of us to begin living as Jesus lived and loving as Jesus loved. Jesus demonstrated the importance of loving God with all of His being and here at Gateway that’s our ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Road Few Want To Travel”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 10, 2022

Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem. He knew what awaited. (Luke 9:30) The sermon is also a reflection on the Ten Commandments. God's Values. Includes a quote from the WSJ regarding "sin" and culture.

In Jesus Holy Name March 11, 2022 Luke 13:34 Lent II Redeemer “The Road Few Want to Travel” The season of Lent has arrived along with day light savings time. The Church Calendar encourages Christians to focus on the reality that Jesus “gave up” His life so that we might have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:30, Luke 13:34

Denomination: Lutheran

Angels On Duty

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 4, 2024

With all the books, TV shows and movies featuring angels, and how they’re depicted in art, you’d think we knew a lot about them. Actually, we have a lot to unlearn from popular culture.

Billy Graham relayed an incident at New Hebrides, an island group in the South Pacific: One night, the headquarters of missionary John Paton was surrounded by a hostile indigenous tribe intent on violence. Paton and his wife prayed for deliverance. When daylight came, the would-be attackers were ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Loving Through A Pandemic - The High Cost Of Real Love

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 4, 2021

Jesus' emphasis was that His followers were to love God with all their heart, soul and mind and then to love their neighbor as he loves himself regardless of the culture. Let's learn to Love God's way!

I am always amazed to see those in Scripture and in life, who are willing to question Jesus and his word without any intention of learning and submitting to his word. There is a lawyer in the lesson who wished to make trial of the skill of Jesus in solving the intricate and difficult question as to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:23-37, 1 John 4:20

Denomination: Methodist

"reformation: Finding Peace With God"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 25, 2019

The Reformation explosive, hard hitting, controversial, grace saturated, salvation clarifying Christ moment in history, based on Luther’s understanding of God’s grace as he lectured on Romans. The Reformation changed culture and our view or vocation.

In Jesus Holy Name October 27, 2019 Text: Romans 3:21-24 Redeemer “Reformation: Finding Peace with God” What a great event last night. Good food. Great music. Fun fellowship. Great beer. I always tell my Calvinist friends I’m so glad I’m a Lutheran. Why? Because I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

True Love Reigns Sermon Ii: Where Love Reigns, Encouragement Abounds Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 25, 2020

To truly love others is to encourage friends in the faith to accept each other in Christ regardless of cultural differences, and to help one another grow toward maturity for the sake of Christ who loved us all and gave Himself for us.

WHEN LOVE REIGNS, ENCOURAGEMENT ABOUNDS An elderly widow, restricted in her activities and confined to her home, was nonetheless eager to serve Christ. After praying about it, she wondered if she could bring blessing to others by doing one ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-28

The Paradoxical Saying Of Jesus: To Be Great, Be The Least Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 27, 2018

Jesus said many counter-intuitive, counter-cultural and against-common sense statements which emphasize the difference between worldly values and Kingdom priorities. This series examines how these very challenging statements applies to our lives

The Paradoxical Sayings of Jesus To Be Great, Be the Least Selected Passages To be truly great in life, seek to be the least! This has to be one of the most incredible, unbelievable, counter-intuitive, counter-cultural statements of all time. Essentially it is a statement that the way up in life ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5, Luke 22:24-27, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48

Denomination: Bible Church

"To Be A Friend Of God”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on May 3, 2018

The sermon seeks to understand the words of Jesus who calls us "His friends". There is a difference between being an acquaintance of Jesus and being His Friend. some thoughts from "Cigna Insurance on loneliness in our culture, & "seasons of refreshing.

In Jesus Holy Name May 6, 2018 Text: John 15:12-14 Easter VI “To Be A Friend of God” Begin with a prayer this week. (read the text) One of the most popular TV shows from 1994 to 2004 was called “Friends”. It was about 3 young ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Strait And Narrow Sermon V: Christians Rejoice At Their Choice Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jun 10, 2020

As culture drifts further away from biblical truth, Christians enjoy life to the fullest as we consider our lives since we chose Christ as Lord and Savior to be the best years of our lives - a marriage made in heaven!

CHRISTIANS REJOICE AT THEIR CHOICE OF A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN Christians who enjoy life to the fullest love to socialize. If Jesus ever turned down an invitation to a banquet, the Bible does not say so. He showed up at the homes of the rich and famous, at every Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Revelation 19:7

Drought, Pestilence, Famine, And Repentance Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 25, 2020

Our culture, which has especially violated the commandment to love God by turning the Lord’s day into a market day, and has violated the commandment to love our neighbor by murdering millions of preborn infants, is clearly under judgement.

Tuesday of 17th Week in Course 2020 The Plague Year Homilies The Church providently provides for us a series of fitting readings this year, currently from the prophecy of Jeremiah. Today we pick up in chapter 14 with what is called a series of prophecies during a great drought. Earlier in the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-13, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Catholic

Being A Barnabas In A World Where Everyone Wants To Be Paul Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 12, 2023

It can be overwhelming to think about the changes that need to be made as we look ahead to a post-covid world. Be a hero maker, be a Barnabas in a world where everyone wants to be Paul. I encouraged you to use your influence, skills, and gifts to encourage others and let them have center stage.

Sermon – Being a Barnabas in a World Where Everyone Wants to be Paul Scripture - Acts 11:20-24 “However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:20-24, Acts 4:36, Acts 13:1

Denomination: Methodist

God Made Me This Way Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 7, 2021

This is not a message about homosexuality. This message is much broader than that. It’s about a false doctrine or belief in the Body of Christ that is a lie. Part of the message is personal and you can also personalize it from your life experiences.

Is God your co-pilot? – Part 3 Several years ago I watched an episode of ESPN’s 30-30, a program that looks at the history of collegiate and professional athletics. This particular episode looked at college football in the 1980s. If you are not a college football fan, then the name Marcus DuPree ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:38, Genesis 5:1-3, Job 42:3, Job 1:21, 1 Samuel 13:14, Genesis 4:1, Genesis 2:17, John 3:5-6, Luke 3:23, Genesis 1:26-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Veil Is Lifted

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on May 19, 2025

Moses was overwhelmed by the immorality and religious practices from Egypt brought from Egypt. He had met God who gave him the Ten Commandments to implement within the new culture. He had a Shekinah Glory experience--God on earth. The Light of God radiated in his face.

This past Sunday our pastor was recovering from the flu. When I asked him how he was doing, he said he was about 70% recovered. He then shared this with the church. As he began to preach there appeared to be a sincere heartfelt message flowing from deep within. A middle-aged man always makes a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Washing Feet

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Aug 7, 2024

Toward the end of last year I mentioned that for 2024 there would be a heavy emphasis on discipleship.

Washing Feet Today we continue our quest for excellence in discipleship, and our key passage is John 13:1-17 and we will get there shortly. I’d like us to take a quick look at the The Gospel of John: Although it is one of the 4 gospels, it does not fit into the synoptic Gospels for a few reasons, ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-6