Sermons on Cultural Influences:

Staying Steady In Unsteady Times

Contributed by James Hickman on Jan 9, 2016

God gives us the resources to face the uncertain times we may face. Paul's brief word to Timothy gives us insight into how we can face challenges from our health, our financial situation, or our culture. The three key terms in the text provide the key.

Staying Steady in Unsteady Times 2 Timothy 2:7 For years now, I’ve met almost every Thursday for lunch with a couple other pastors. We usually talk about all kinds of important things. We discuss Biblical and theological issues. We discuss the state of the church in America. We discuss ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:7

Denomination: Baptist

We Must Pay The Price Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 4, 2019

we must discern as families how to respond to the attacks of secular culture, and use our assets, out time, talent and treasure, to restore beauty to our worship, teach religious and moral truths to our communities, and do everything we can to show goodness to the world–to become saints.

Epiphany 2018 The Cost of Discipleship When we compare the stories we have been reading in St. Luke’s Gospel with the reading today from St. Matthew, we are tempted to wonder if this is a story about two different families. On Christmas day we see Mary and Joseph being turned away from every inn ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Survival Guide For Life In Days Leading To The Apocalypse

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2022

We are in the last days. Though we don't know the timing of Christ's return, we are assured that we are living in the last days. How, then, shall we live in this last days?

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Treasure That Can't Be Stolen"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 22, 2010

One of the powerful myths on which our society is based is that “we are what we own.” And it’s a cruel and oppressive myth! Deep down, we know it’s a lie, yet what a powerful influence it has all the same! Jesus has a word that counters this powerfu

Luke 12:22-34 “Treasure that can’t be Stolen” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN I was speaking with someone a week or so ago. They were telling me about a lawyer, who left a high paying firm in order to provide legal help for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 9: God On Trial Before The Governor Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 3, 2023

Here God shows us... 1. The silence of our Savior (vs. 11-14). 2. The innocence of our Savior (vs. 15-18, 20-23). 3. The influence over the governor (vs. 18-24). 4. The indifference of the unbelievers (vs. 24-25). 5. The deliverance of our Savior (vs. 26).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 9: God on Trial before the Governor The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 27:11-26 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 3, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Matthew 27:1-2 tells us that "When morning came (the day of the cross), all the chief priests and elders of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Willing To Stand In The Gap? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 12, 2021

Paul "stood in the gap." Heresy was threatening the churches in Galatia that was so powerful that even Peter and Barnabas were swayed by its influence. What Paul did can tell us a lot about the importance of standing firm against false teachings and standing up to protect God's people

OPEN: About 500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a famous battle took place in mountain pass called Thermopylae in Greece. The Persians invaded Greece with approximately 150,000 soldiers, and King Leonidas of Sparta led a small force of soldiers to oppose them. The Spartan strategy was to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of The Word

Contributed by Willem Slomp on Aug 2, 2022

The Power of the Tongue It has the power: 1. to direct the course of life; 2. to destroy the circle of life; 3. to heal the source of life.

James 3: 1-12 (NIV84) “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Proverbs 18:2-21, Proverbs 26:20-28

Smyrna: Unto Death Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 17, 2021

Whatever the Christians were going through in Smyrna … whatever we are going through in our lives right now … Jesus not only knows what we are going through, He’s experienced it Himself.

Imagine having to hide to do what we’re doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly … or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna is located 35 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Extreme Makeover – Faith Edition

Contributed by Tim Vamosi on Jan 7, 2011

If you say you’ve encountered Jesus and there hasn’t been some kind of major redirection in your life – something that makes you stand in contrast to the world and culture in which we live – you haven’t really met him yet.

"Extreme Makeover -- Faith Edition" James 1:19-27 - start message wearing two different kinds of shoes. OPEN: How many people are familiar with the show Extreme Makeover? The most popular version of this show was actually a spin-off of the original version. The version most familiar is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Able Men

Contributed by Paul Hammons on Mar 13, 2007

God called able men to serve Him, and that still holds true today. God is calling able men to serve Him. The problem is it’s getting harder and harder to find men who will take a stand against the cultural norm and say, “As for me and my house, we will se

Able Men; 1 Chronicles 9:13 Statistics from churchformen.com * The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories. Young adult, middle aged, and seniors…. * On any given Sunday there are 13 million more adult women than ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:13

Developing Physical Intimacy Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 7, 2016

While our culture has taken sex too far, the church hasn’t taken it far enough. We need to take sex back and reclaim it for the intended purposes of God. The problem is that we have not thought deeply enough about it, that is from God’s perspective.

Physical Intimacy Song of Solomon A young pastor was once asked to preach a sermon on sex. Being somewhat reserved, he found himself embarrassed when he came to write the word “sex” while writing his sermon. To remove this discomfort, he decided to simply put the letter “S” ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:1-16

Denomination: Methodist

The Fog - Hide And Seek Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 19, 2023

The fog has rolled into western culture and choked out intimacy with God. The fog hinders and blocks us from being in an intimate relationship with God. The fog drives us to choose to hide from God rather than seek out His presence! But Jesus is seeking us out even in the fog!

The Fog Chapter 4 - “Hide and Seek?” Illustration: Have you ever played Hide and Seek – I have with my grandkids – Deklan is the funniest because where he hides is usually in the same place and if you listen you can hear him singing – he loves to sing – at our summer blast I put him on the ponies, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13, Psalm 139:1-12, Proverbs 15:3, Genesis 3:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Do Bad Things Happen? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 30, 2003

It’s easy to think that bad things happen because God is out to get us. That’s not true. The Bible establishes some reasons why things don’t turn out they way we’d like – personal sin, corporate sin, and evil influences. While we can’t insulate ourselv

Why Do Bad Things Happen? Brian Bill 4/22/01 I like puns. Here are two are my favorites. Two boll weevils grew up in South Carolina. One went to Hollywood and became a famous actor. The other stayed behind in the cotton fields and never amounted to much. The second one, naturally, became ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:33

Denomination: Baptist

Exodus 5,6 - Keep Your Focus! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 25, 2009

How do you feel when you really believe God has called you to have a positive Godly influence on people and all you end up with is rejection? What do you do when things go from bad to worse? Pack up and leave? I love what Moses does...

Exodus 5,6 - Keep Your Focus! Exodus 5 is where Moses confronts Pharaoh and says "Let my people go!" He is rejected by Pharaoh and instead of freeing Israel, Pharaoh increases the oppression of their slavery. As a result of Moses efforts, Israel also rejects Moses leadership. How would you feel ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Your Heart Stubborn Or Soft? How To Guard Your Heart Diligently Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 19, 2023

It depends on your heart. The seat of who you are, and your decision making. The heart. It’s about what is in your heart. And what influences your heart has taken in, what is your desire, what is your life pointed at? Where have you taken your heart in your choices?

I was over at cone zone ice cream on Saturday. And I was pulling through the drive through. On the front of my vehicle I have a license plate that says “Jesus Christ is the answer.” I saw a lady with her son look at the license plate and scowl and I could read her lips she said, “no it isn’t.” And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-3, Matthew 6:21, Psalm 119:11

Denomination: Salvation Army