Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Overcoming The World

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Dec 5, 2021

If you have faith in Christ, you already have every resource to be an overcomer. God doesn’t allow us to surrender to worldly pressure or to hide ourselves away. But He says that in Christ we can conquer and gain the victory. Who is it that will overcome and persevere? Only the one who believes!

What we do today isn’t very exciting. For we’re just a small church in a big world. We’re reading an old book, and we’re talking about an old story. Yet a Christian has been given different eyes, and we look at things in a different way. Beneath the surface, God helps us to see things as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joyful Confidence In The Midst Of Trouble - Psalm 119:143 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 15, 2024

Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 offers a profound answer: God's Word. This verse teaches us that even in the heaviest of times, joy and strength are found in God's commands.

Joyful Confidence in the Midst of Trouble” Key Verse: “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.” (Psalm 119:143, NLT) Introduction: Transformed by Truth Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:143, John 16:33, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is Your Willoughby?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jan 5, 2018

One of my favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone is "A Stop At Willoughby". It's about a man who is so unhappy with his life that he dreams of little town where life is easy. There are many Christians who are like the story's main character.

When I was growing up one of my favorite programs was The Twilight Zone. I have been accused of, from time to time, still living in the Twilight Zone! That’s okay. One of my favorite episodes is “A Stop at Willoughby”. The story is about a guy named Gart Williams. Now in my best Rod Sterling ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 10:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Core 52 Week 11 - The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 19, 2020

How we handle threats? People tend toward two very different responses to a threat. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire. What is the Christian response to this current event?

You can hear the sermon on my podcast https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • How we handle threats - rather like my paternal grandfather contrasted to my mother during thunderstorms. o Growing up in SW Oklahoma - “tornado alley” in the 60’s. No early warning, no radar on phones. Sirens went ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Homosexuality Series

Contributed by Chris Edmondson on May 28, 2007

A Biblical and logical look at arguments against Hmosexulaity and how the Christian should respond to those who choose this sinful lifestyle.

Homosexuality Hot Potatoes that Make People HOT!!, Part 2 It goes without saying that this is not the easiest topic to talk about. For most people, just hearing the word homosexual makes them very uncomfortable. Not only is this an uncomfortable issue, but is also highly emotionally charged. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 22, 2001

In a culture that said women had no power, Abigail successfully leads a peace delegation and stops a war between the two most powerful men in the region. We, too, must use our power to make peace.

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker 1 Samuel 25:2-44 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence October 21, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant We displayed a transparency that said: USE YOUR POWER TO MAKE PEACE 1. Beware of anger. 2. Act with holy boldness. 3. Humble yourself. 4. Be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, 1 Samuel 25:2-44

Denomination: Methodist

Abuse Of Power - That Ain't Right Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 31, 2005

Halloween is a fun time that permeates our culture.... and it also has its dark and sinister side. Yet even Halloween’s dark side pales compared to an even worse threat of the occult in our nation.

OPEN: Tomorrow is October 31st. It is best known as the day of Halloween, but it also the day on which other significant events have taken place. · In 1938 Orson Welles broadcast his famous “War of the Worlds” that caused much of the United States to become panicked by the possibility that Mars ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop Pretending

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 27, 2003

Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are looking for masks that can make them into the cultural image of someone great. Still others are looking for identities that will make themselves acceptable

Stop Pretending ``We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’’ (2 Cor. 10:5) Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bowing To The Great Idol Of Self

Contributed by Mark Adams on Jan 13, 2007

The OT has a lot of interesting stories about idolatry, but is that really just a problem of the past? This sermon addresses the very real problem that our culture has in worshiping our own desires above all else.

To the reader: What inspired this sermon was a quote I read in R.C. Ortlund’s book, When God Comes To Church, p. 194. "Self is the great idol standing at the center of our conceptual world, to which all bow low. We even have a duty-to-self ethic, as if self-denial were harmful, immoral, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Family Pleasing To God Series

Contributed by Phillip Day on Jan 31, 2007

To have a spiritually healthy church, Paul recognizes the need to address family issues. Even in today’s culture that gives a warped family view, these are the principles that will guide your family into a relationship with God that will strengthen not o

The Family Pleasing to God Colossians 3:18-21 I. Wives (v. 18; Titus 2:3-5) a. Love the husband and children b. Homemakers c. Submissive to the husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22, 24; 1 Peter 3:1-6) II. Husbands (v. 19; Ephesians 5:23, 25-33) a. Love the wife (1 Peter 3:7) b. Lead ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

"Why The World Hates Christianity"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 25, 2003

"We face a secular culture that is becoming increasingly strident and militant in its anti-Christian, anti-truth, anti-God mentality and I fear the danger of facing this spirit with a lackadaisacal heart." Dr. James Merrit

"WHY THE WORLD HATES CHRISTIANITY" By. Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com JOHN 15:18-27 Dayna Curry, 30, and Heather Mercer, 24, both graduates of Baylor University and members of the Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, were among eight westernerns arrested by the Taliban in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Guardians At The Gate Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 13, 2007

I began with a true story of a young girl rescued and brought to know Jesus. Father’s are to be guardians at the gate of their home, protecting their children from the sin and immorality of the culture, teaching the word of God and demonstrating love and

In Jesus Holy Name June 17, 2007 Text: Deuteronomy 11:1, 4:9 Father’s Day “Guardians at the Gate ” Story: “Father of the Year Essay” Merced County by Halley I think my step-dad is “father of the Year” because of our unique story. Let me explain. Long before I was born, my mother ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Denomination: Lutheran

The Clarity Of The Gospel

Contributed by Greg Addison on Apr 14, 2011

In today's culture, the media, academics, liberal theologians all work to confuse an understanding fo the gospel. The Bible on the other hand is extremely clear as to the terms of the gospel - salvation through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Chri

MAKING THE GOSPEL CLEAR This Sunday we are observing what is often called “Palm Sunday.” This name comes from the fact that on the Sunday of the “passion week” Jesus entered into Jerusalem under a cacophony of cheers and praise. In Luke 19, the Bible recounts the story ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

God Loves Families!

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Oct 1, 2009

Ordinary Proper 22: Our individualistic orientation as a culture has brought many ills upon us. Among those is the deterioration of the family. This message looks at Jesus’ teaching on the intention of God for men and women and children.

Leonard Sweet, professor of theology at Drew University was the keynote speaker at a theological convocation that I attended last fall. Part of Dr. Sweet’s message focused on the rampant individualism that has become so much a part of our culture. Here is a paraphrase of part of what he said: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Lutheran

How Is Christianity Different From World Religions? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 20, 2009

We live in a world where there is a mixture of cultures, nations, races and religions on an unprecedented scale. In 24 hours it is possible to reach almost anywhere in the world and the advances in modern broadcasting allows us to experience ‘live’ event

How is Christianity different from world religions? We live in a world where there is a mixture of cultures, nations, races and religions on an unprecedented scale. In 24 hours it is possible to reach almost anywhere in the world and the advances in modern broadcasting allows us to experience ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal