Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Kingdom And Chaos - God Chooses David

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 21, 2019

The first time, Samuel anointed a king, he found Saul, who was the most handsome, strongest man in the nation. This time, God sends Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, who has eight sons.

Kingdom and Chaos 1st Samuel 16 – God Chooses David February 24, 2019 The first time, Samuel anointed a king, he found Saul, who was the most handsome, strongest man in the nation. This time, God sends Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, who has eight sons. 1 Samuel 16:10-13 NIV Jesse ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:10-13, Isaiah 50:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:34-37, 1 Corinthians 1:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are The Salt Of The Earth, Whether You Believe It Or Not.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Feb 5, 2023

To let your light shine, you need to understand the preceding verse of what it means to be the salt of the earth.

This sermon was delivered to Holy Trinity in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland on the 5th February 2023; a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Today’s readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12. Main Reading: Matthew 5:13-20, Titus 2:9-10 Prayer: My I speak in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, Isaiah 58:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal

Daniel 3: Conquering Insecurity Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

1) Play to the right audience (God), 2) Trust God for lasting security, 3) Commit to what is right. Neb is insecure, while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are secure in God!

CONQUERING INSECURITY—Daniel 3 I wonder how many of us here this morning struggle with insecurity. Maybe you don’t feel good enough—attractive, competent, successful enough. Maybe you don’t feel that your opinions are valued—you are not respected, or you don’t have a lot of influence. Maybe you ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30, 1 Peter 3:14-15, Luke 12:11-12, Hebrews 13:6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Okay To Say No

Contributed by Christopher Lund on Dec 8, 2020

It can be hard to tell people "no", and sometimes we say "yes" when we don't actually mean it. But Jesus shows us how important "no" can be. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEWRnuMvKY4

I think a lot of us can have a hard time saying "no" to people. We can be afraid that other people will be disappointed, or let down, or maybe not even like us as much anymore. Or we might feel guilty, guilty that someone else might have to help them instead of us, or that nobody will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-44, Matthew 5:37, Colossians 3:23-24

Living Life Upside Down Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 2, 2009

One of the hardest things we as Christians have to deal with is people who don’t like us and who do bad things to us. We think we know how to react but Paul turns life upside down as he gives us the real way to overcome our enemies.

Here are a set of principles that many of us live by without knowing it. • Each negative action towards us should be met with an overwhelming opposite reaction so that those that oppose us will be crushed and humiliated. • Be happy when others are happy. Be absent when others are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Fitting In

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 13, 2011

comedian Lenny Bruce gives our Christian psychology a metaphorical cattle prod shock when he said, “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.’” I suspect it has a lot to do with fitting in.

“Fitting In” John 17:11-19 I read the prologue to a story called Girl in the Middle. The girl is Kim Satinsky who is in eighth grade. She says, “You would think that being in a clique is fun but take my word for it: It’s not. They make me wear expensive things when I’m not really rich and tell me ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Salvation Army

Deficiencies That Need Healing By The Gospel Of Joy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 21, 2015

Both Christian and secular cultures will benefit by understanding the Joy of the Gospel, but the Church must approach different cultures with respect.

Thursday of the First Week in Lent Joy of the Gospel Today we hear from Jesus a restatement of the Golden Rule: “whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” And this is Torah, this is the prophetic message. We want people to treat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Catholic

Connecting With The World Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 10, 2016

Understanding your audience is important! But while it is EASY to see this in MISSIONS, we fail to apply this to evangelism!

Let me share a fictitious story about two missionaries and their approach to missions. These two missionary couples are not real. Their stories however are very real and reflect a variety of common missionary situations. To add simplicity (and a small degree of good-heartedness) to our story, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Evangelism With Spirit Led Ceremonies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Evangelism With the Use of Spirit Led Ceremonies

ENHANCING CROSS-CULTURAL EVANGELISM WITH CEREMONIES Introduction - In a cross-cultural evangelism class one of the students shared an interesting case study of how a deficient understanding of the importance of ceremonies hindered the spread of the gospel in Kaduna State, Nigeria. In Dumi ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Gay Neighbor Series

Contributed by John Sears on Nov 6, 2013

There are few issues more polarizing than homosexuality. How should the church respond to criticism lobbied by the LGBT community. How do we approach our gay neighbor?

My Gay Neighbor Introduction Today’s topic is a difficult one. In fact, there are few topics that can be more divisive in our culture than the subject of homosexuality. People on both sides of the subject are passionate about their opinions. The debate has reached fever pitch recently as ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Content And Container Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 26, 2022

This message looks at the cup (container) and the wine (content). The wine is still wine, no matter what container it’s in. Today's culture has a new cup; yet the content (gospel message) in the container can still be the same.

How many of you have a favorite glass that you prefer to drink out of? I do. For example, when I drink coffee I like to have a really big cup. My wife, on the other hand, likes to have a little dainty china cup, with a handle just big enough to fit her finger through. Ask either one of us to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

What Not To Do In A Time Of Crisis Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Mar 7, 2011

God often leads His people into situations that do not make sense to us. His ways are not always logical. Our perspective usually includes the shortest distance between two points, while God plans for the best route from an eternal perspective. After G

God often leads His people into situations that do not make sense to us. His ways are not always logical. Our perspective usually includes the shortest distance between two points, while God plans for the best route from an eternal perspective. After God had delivered Israel from Egypt, He led ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Seek Wisdom Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 17, 2009

The wisdom of the world is fleeting; seek godly wisdom!

Seek Wisdom, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Introduction Those who study bees tell us when a honeybee drives its barbed stinger into flesh, it becomes so firmly imbedded that the only way the bee can escape is to leave the stinger behind. This, however, is sure to cause the death of the bee. It receives ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Peer Pressure - Understanding It Is Key To Combating It, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 17, 2007

Teaching young people that understanding peer pressure and how it affects us, is key to not coming under its enslaving effects.

Peer pressure- Understanding it is key to combating it Part 2 TEXT: 1. "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ’Come along with us..; do not set foot on their paths…" Proverbs 1:10, 15 2. "Be not deceived, (lead astray, set adrift), bad associations will ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

A Man Who Would Not Bow To Peer Pressure, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 17, 2007

Daniel purposed deep within his heart, that regardless what others would do, he would respectfully not bow to the king’s request.

Peer pressure- A man who would not yield to peer pressure Part 3 Text: Romans 14:23, …for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Daniel 1 A. Daniel purposed in his heart 1. Purposed a. Heb. #7760- The basic root idea of this verb is to put, place something somewhere. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Mennonite