Sermons on Cultural Mandate:

Philistines Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 13, 2022

The ancient Philistines were in the land of Canaan before Moses, and the Israelites claimed it as their Promised Land from God. The conflict over Canaan territory and religious and cultural differences between Israelites and Philistines led to many battles between the two nations.

Philistines Who Were the Philistines? The ancient Philistines were in the land of Canaan before Moses, and the Israelites claimed it as their Promised Land from God. The conflict over Canaan territory and religious and cultural differences between Israelites and Philistines led to many battles ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 15:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Theology Of "the Name"

Contributed by Michael Mays on Aug 27, 2021

Have you heard the expression, “What’s in a name”? This sermon discusses what the Israelite culture thought of names, how that explained their theology, and what it means to the New Testament church. Taken from an article in the FaithLife Bible app.

I. Intro A. Have you heard the expression, “What’s in a name”? Historically, names were given based more on what parents hoped for their children, or as reminders or memorials to some event pertinent to the child’s family. Tonight we’re going to discuss what the Israelite culture thought ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 60:9

Appointed Once To Die

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 3, 2025

There’s an alternative explanation of death being taught in the US culture, very subtly. It has been adopted by 43% of Americans and even one-quarter (25%) of U.S. Christians. Hebrews 9:27 is the antidote for this serious sickness!

APPOINTED ONCE TO DIE Heb. 9:27 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: 4 actual tombstones 1. When voiceover artist Mel Blanc, who was the voice behind Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Pie, Sylvester, and many other popular cartoon characters, died in 1989, his family put the Looney ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Church Built On Christ Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 16, 2024

Just what is it that makes a church authentic? The greatest challenge that we find as we try to follow Jesus is dedicating ourselves to the truth of the Scripture in a culture that tends to base their lives on their own opinions instead of on the truth of God's word.

I don't think I need to tell any of you that our church is going through a new phase. We are about to enter into a new stage of growth for this church beginning in January. I have asked God what words can I bring to the church that would make this transition a lot easier so that we can remain ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:24-25, 1 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

It's Our Fault

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Sep 18, 2024

How many Churches… How many Christians have let the culture normalize sin and they have just adapted themselves to it. This sermon will help us deal with the consequences of condoning sin and what we should do to avoid it.

God hates sin, shouldn’t we? Jesus died to offer us forgiveness for our sins, not so we would have a free pass to keep on sinning, He didn’t die on that cross so we could receive a “Get out of Hell Free” card… But here we are a couple of thousand years later watching sin become glorified, watching ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 3:23-24, 1 Peter 2:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building Godly Character

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 1, 2025

Our culture often tells us to avoid suffering at any cost, to seek pleasure and ease above all else. Paul declares with the authority of heavenly insight that suffering is not without purpose. In God's kingdom, character is currency.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: There is a story told among the Cherokee Indians… One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 wolves. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Directed His People Toward Excellence

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that excellence could only be measured in terms of the heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus did not make the mistake of letting His standards be measured relative to his cultural context. Instead, Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly

1. Jesus knew that excellence could only be measured in terms of the heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus did not make the mistake of letting His standards be measured relative to his cultural context. Instead, Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nine Ways The Holy Spirit Helps Correct Leadership Mistakes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2004

The Holy Spirit exposes how some leadership models only succeed temporarily as they meet some contextual need. Some leaders apply certain traditional leadership models because they are merely looking at the immediate cultural, financial and social needs o

Nine Ways the Holy Spirit Helps Correct Leadership Mistakes (1 Peter 5:2-5:3) Illustration: Shepherd the flock of God . . . [by] being examples. --1 Peter 5:2-3 A mother cheetah brought a live gazelle fawn to her 5-month-old cubs and released it. After the cubs made several unsuccessful attacks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love That Connects I Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 8, 2004

Most Americans cannot fathom a group of unrelated people of different age groups, classes, and cultures with differing talents and interests who have been glued together by a common faith in Jesus Christ. But this kind of bond -- the kind God wants a chu

Love that Connects, (I) (Romans 12:9-12) 1. This past week, Hannah had a little trouble with her car…..it would grind when she turned…..thought to check the power steering fluid….. 2. One of our friends in the Chicago area is terrible about maintaining things…..older car…out of oil….burned out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jump The Shark

Contributed by Troy Brewer on Dec 16, 2002

The term "Jump the shark" is a pop culture term that means to do something that causes the eventual ruin of that same something. Like the point when a good Tv series goes bad. this is about how to avoid "jumping the shark" in our walks with God.

JUMP THE SHARK Sometimes new terms come into modern pop culture that catch us guard. I remember the first time I hear “You da bomb”. Party animal for somebody that lives for getting drunk. You da bomb for somebody you actually like. Back before bad meant tough or dangerous it actually ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Deadly Sins? Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 14, 2005

We’re to be counter-cultural in the way we fight against the social pressures of our world where the norm is to respond to hurt with anger and revenge, where lust is seen as normal, faithfulness as an option. Rather we’re to respond with the servant love

According to the Age this week, the seven deadly sins have been knocked for six. No longer do we worry about sloth, gluttony or lust. In fact most respondents to a recent survey carried out by the BBC said they rather enjoyed those particular vices. The trouble is, according to a professor of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-32

Denomination: Anglican

The Irreducible Cross

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Mar 23, 2005

As much as our culture, or we, might try, to remove it as a barrier...as much as the world might like to make it into only a symbol, and rob it of its eternal meaning, the cross is irreducible. It’s irreducible in time. It’s irreducible in eternity.

The Irreducible Cross TCF Good Friday sermon March 25, 2005 I found this quote a few weeks ago in an article on a very popular TV preacher. This guy sells tickets to his national tour, and fills 15-20,000-seat arenas with his positive message. In this quote, he describes his own church, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Touching The Tassels Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 20, 2008

Our reaching out and touching Christ can profoundly change our lives and the lives of those around us. Would we care to step out of our circumstances, cultural and societal pressures, relying on God in faith to do the impossible for us?

Opening illustration: Healing of a Hindu gentleman [in the Middle-East] who opened his house for prayer and became a Christian at his time of deepest need and crisis. Introduction: The story of this woman has always fascinated me for nowhere else in the scripture can we find a healing literally ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's The Big Deal About Alcohol Anyways? Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jul 2, 2008

Alcohol is a major problem in our culture and a political hot topic within the American Church. But what does God really think about it? Is it sin? Is it evil? Or is it okay in moderation? Pastor Ryan attempts to answer these and more in part 2 of his for

Forbidden Part 2- What’s The Bid Deal About Alcohol Anyways? Pastor Ryan Akers Hymn #365- A pastor was preaching on alcohol one Sunday and to finish up his sermon with some passion he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I would throw it into the river!” Then with a little more passion and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:10-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

"Salvation Has An Object" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 7, 2009

This sermon pulls together the "bronze serpent" event in Numbers with John 3:14-21. Jesus is the object that is tangable. Other world religions offered in our pluralistic culture Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism offer ladders to God... Jesus is the lad

In Jesus Holy Name March 8, 2009 Lent II John 3:14,15,17 Redeemer “Salvation Has an Object” This morning we have before us one of the most famous bible verses in the bible. It is well known. I would guess that every Christian has even memorized ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran