Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

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

Together Forever

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 19, 2015

Baptism of Christ - Epiphany 1 (B). The act of baptism was already part of Jewish worship and culture, but it brought only ritual purification. By His baptism Christ united Himself to baptism, so that in and through baptism we would be united with Him.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Together Forever” In Advent we heard of John the Baptist. How he was in the Judean wilderness outside of Jerusalem, and that he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11, Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Problem And Solution Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Our Christian faith and values are always being flavored by the culture. It is so subtle that we do not even realize it, and that is why the Bible often has to be so radical to jar us awake to the fact that we are to be different from the world.

William Stidger, the great preacher, was in France during World War I, and he visited the city of Marseilles where he saw the aqueduct that all visitors are guided to see. The story of this source of water to the city goes back to the old man who became known as the miser of Marseilles. He walked ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

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

A Secret Weapon For Getting People To Want Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 19, 2018

In this passage Paul speaks of throwing his "heart wide open" to the Corinthians. Could it be that the deep relationships that will come from doing that might be the church's secret weapon for attracting people to Jesus in a culture overwhelmed by loneliness?

DANGER SIGNS ON CHURCH FRIENDSHIPS: Shallow conversation, safe prayer requests, and busy pastors. - Sometimes church members can be mean to each other, but even in good times many church friendships are characterized by their lack of depth. What are some of the signs? a. Shallow conversation. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Cultivate Revival

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 12, 2015

Revival is awakening, float-ation, renewed vision, passion, emancipation, & Holy Spirit prompting. Most Christians are suffering the 7 symptoms of dehydration -- deficient in the Holy Spirit. Our culture deprives us of spiritual oxygen. We must breathe!

CULTIVATE REVIVAL Ps. 85:1-7 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: ANIMAL HUMOR 1. What happens to a frog's car when it breaks down? It gets toad away. 2. Q: What did the lady duck say when he bought lipstick? A: "Put it on my bill." 3. Q: Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Empire State Building? A: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Is Truth?

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 18, 2023

Times have changed. We see that society and culture is changing. What was once Evil is now called Good, what was Good, is now called Evil. There is much deception in our world today, and in the midst, there is a resounding cry...“WHAT IS TRUTH?”

2023.08.20.SERMON NOTES. WHAT IS TRUTH? William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Times have changed. We see that society and culture is changing. What was once evil is not called good, what was called good, is not called evil. There is much deception in our world today, and yet many cry out, searching for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, John 18:33-38, Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:10-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 25:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12, Romans 1:24-25, Isaiah 5:20, Proverbs 3:5-7, Luke 6:43-49, Proverbs 17:15, John 8:42-47, John 14:6, John 1:1, 1 John 2:18-27, 1 John 5:20, Hebrews 10:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

Kingdom Keys - Acts Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 6, 2023

We are the church. Our Goal is to share the good news of Jesus as King, create diverse communities that live counter culturally utilizing the egalitarian view of Jesus to govern through the trusting the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to move us forward.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-30, Proverbs 13:20

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

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

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