Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Why The Church Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jun 12, 2014

In our culture where the influence of the church is diminishing, why should we BE the church? The answer is found in the identity of Jesus and the promises he makes about the Kingdom he is establishing (the church).

Why the Church I want to share some staggering statistics about church. Since the year 2000, more than 4000 churches in America have closed the doors to their buildings each year. That's more than 40,000 churches. At the turn of the 1900’s there were 27 churches to every 10,000 people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-19

Denomination: Christian Church

Provisions For The Powerless Series

Contributed by Mark Adams on Oct 23, 2015

Second in a series on Elisha. In a world that believes in the survival of the fittest, God's people have resources available to us that go beyond what the world thinks is possible. Church is to be a culture of life, not of scarcity.

======================================================================== VIDEO CLIP BEGINS THE SERMON…BE SURE AUDIO IS UP ======================================================================== => INTRO: Bill Collector Video. Taken from YouTube, a former bill collector talks about making ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On A Communion In Diversity

Contributed by William Meakin on May 9, 2025

A communion in diversity is said to represent an identity of different persons, groups, or even perspectives coming together from an assortment of cultural ideas or opinions while retaining individual character and personal contribution.

Benedictine Abbot Donato Ogliari, an Italian Catholic prelate once remarked: "The communion that the Holy Spirit builds in the community of believers is not the result of a flat and rigid uniformity. On the contrary, as the Apostle Paul describes using the metaphor of the body, the unity and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 3:28, 1 John 4:12, 1 Peter 3:8

The Cry Of Victory To God Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Jun 21, 2023

The cry of victory to God represents the acknowledgment of divine intervention and the recognition of God's power and grace. In many cultures, this cry is also seen to express gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings received

The cry of victory to God Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, June 21, 2023 Psalm 3:1–8 (NKJV) “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are They who rise up against me2 Many are They who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O Lord, are a shield ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Losing To Live: The Paradox At The Heart Of Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 12, 2026

In a culture that prizes comfort, Jesus calls us to the cross. In a society addicted to convenience, Jesus calls us to costly obedience. In an age of self-expression, Jesus calls us to self-denial.

Losing to Live: The Paradox at the Heart of Following Jesus – Mark 8:35 (NLT) Introduction: The Great Reversal We live in a world obsessed with self-preservation. Protect your brand. Build your platform. Secure your future. Save your life at all costs. From social media profiles to pension ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-36, Mark 8:35, Proverbs 14:12, Galatians 5:24, Philippians 3:8, John 10:10, Romans 6:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 15:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is War Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 9, 2024

As we continue to pursue the "true religion" that James encourages us to embody, we come face to face with a war that we face. Sure, there are battles with culture, but this war is within.

One of my favorite bands is the group “Switchfoot.” While I like their sound (it is unique and often very easily identifiable), what I like most is their lyrics. Switchfoot is a band that is made up of Christians. Their lyrics and songs have made their way onto both Christian and secular charts ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12, Luke 16:13, Matthew 7:7-8, Exodus 34:14, Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 37:4, Matthew 5:3-4, 1 John 1:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Giddy Up Gideon

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 27, 2008

Do you feel comfortable sitting on the sidelines not taking a stand not stating an opinion? Have you given in to the pressure of todays society and found yourself like Gideon fallen away from God? Have you decided its better to hide than fight for what

Giddy Up Gideon In todays scripture passages we see two very different reactions by two different men who decide to follow God. Let us look at the Old Testament account of Gideon. The name Gideon means Destroyer, Mighty warrior or Feller (of trees). Well as the story opens we see that Gideon ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Godly Life In Ungodly Times Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 1, 2012

As our culture and society moves in a direction that does not follow godly principles as communicated to us through the Word of God, how are believers in Jesus Christ to go about living a godly life? As opposition grows to a godly way of living, we have

A Godly Life in Ungodly times A godly life should expect opposition A godly life should expect hard choices Living a godly Life in ungodly times requires that we know Who we believe in Living a godly life brings blessing and peace Slide Intro Good morning. It is hard to believe that the year is ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Warnings & Consequences Of A Plumb Line”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 16, 2024

The O.T. Lesson is about God's "plumb line" and His judgments when His commandments are not followed. Herod had a "moral" problem, yet like listening to John the Baptist but would not change his behavior. the pressures of life can challenge our own "core" values.

In Jesus Holy Name July 14, 2024 Text: Mark 6:14 & Amos 7:8b Pentecost VIII Redeemer “Warnings & Consequences of A Plumb Line” I imagine the Old Testament prophet Amos would agree with the title of this message. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29, Amos 7:7-15

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Handle Stress?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 19, 2003

Stress is a reality of life in our hustle and bustle life styles. We find pressures pressing in on every side. We find ourselves pressed to the wall because of these anxiety producing phenomena’s. So how do we handle stress? Jesus demonstrated to us throu

How to handle Stress? Thesis: Stress is a reality of life in our hustle and bustle life styles. We find pressures pressing in on every side. We find ourselves pressed to the wall because of these anxiety producing phenomena’s. So how do we handle stress? Jesus demonstrated to us through his life ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-53

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joshua's Victory At Jericho Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 18, 2009

Every Christian is going to run into a Jericho and he can either collapse under the pressure or he can charge strait ahead and I believe, if we do what God wants us to do then we’ll experience the kind of life He wants us to experience.

Joshua’s victory at Jericho Joshua 6:1-21 A young man, who had worked on the railroad for years said he wanted a job as a signalman and so for his interview, he was told to meet the inspector at the signal box. The inspector asked him, “What would you do if you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Woe Is Me

Contributed by Ron Kelly on Dec 10, 2011

In this life, we will all experience our share of ups and downs, heartaches and pain. When we go through this pressure cooker called, "life" - we must understand that God promised us that He would never leave us, nor would He forsake us!

(New King James Version) 1 Kings 19:10-13 10) So he said ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’ 11) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:10-13

Denomination: Christian Church

Be Still And See The Salvation Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 5, 2020

Almost all of us are going through tough situations, hopelessness despite the resources and people around us. Our ordinary life is disturbed and more pressure mounted upon all of us. All sectors of life challenge us to cope up. Hope amidst despair is with God.

Text: Exodus 14:13-31 Theme: Be Still and See the Salvation Introduction: The Lord is good; His love endures forever. God willing, we will meditate on the theme, HOPE AMIDST DESPAIR, throughout August. Almost all of us are going through tough situations, hopelessness despite resources and people ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:13-31

Denomination: Methodist

Psalm 56 Title: Put My Tears In Thy Bottle Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 23, 2021

This psalm was written when David found himself in the Philistine city of Gath, fleeing from King Saul, and up to his neck in very hot water. Achish, the king of Gath, had put David under arrest and was being pressured by his advisers to put him to death.

November 4, 2015 Tom Lowe PSALM 56 Title: PUT MY TEARS IN THY BOTTLE (To the chief Musician on Jonath-elem-rechokim[1], Michtam, a Psalm of David.) Theme: David’s Fear and Trust Psalm 56 (KJV) 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Naked Man And A Bunch Of Crazy Pigs

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Jesus encounters a man with so many demons the man says his name is "Legion." Yet, the community is not afraid of this man. Like our culture, the biblical community had grown comfortable with evil.

by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Jr. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami Florida Pittendreigh@aol.com When I was in high school, there was a local legend about the Blue Ghost of Maddox Bridge Road. Some 10 or 20 years earlier, two high school students had been out on a date. They were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:27-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed