Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Countercultural Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 8, 2023

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26.

Did Jesus seek to be culturally relevant or bring new faith to an old culture? Were there people who criticized and ridiculed Him? Let’s find out in Matthew 9:9-26. How did Jesus call some of His disciples? Is that a picture for anyone who chooses to follow Him? As Jesus passed on from there, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Baptist

An Antidote For Anxiety

Contributed by Gordan Runyan on Mar 23, 2003

On the radio: "Anyone who doesn’t have high blood pressure these days simply isn’t paying attention." Oh, really?

AN ANTIDOTE FOR ANXIETY Psalm 131 I heard a man suggest on the radio that, “Anyone who doesn’t have high blood pressure these days simply isn’t paying attention.” There is plenty to be anxious about in our world today. Nations nobody cared about five years ago are suddenly steering the world ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Handling Life's Struggles Series

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 29, 2002

Life has tremendous pressures and trials, yet Peter had learned how to respond to release God’s power in his trials.

1 Peter 1:10-25 VCC August 9, 1998 Handling Life’s Struggles Introduction Peter is written to those who were going through all kinds of trials (1:6) Many go through life’s struggles relying on their own power, their own resources, their own strength, but God has not designed us to go through ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-25, John 16:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Heard The Voice Of The Lad

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Nov 9, 2002

In a world where youth are crying everyday because of parental abandonment and life’s pressures, it is good to know that God hears the voice of the lad.

Introduction: In our text, Abraham is torn between two families. He loved both Ishmael and Isaac. But as often is the case, he had to choose. Thus, he choose Sarah and Isaac. Reluctantly he sent Hager and Ishmael away. In great pain and depression, Hager ended up in the wilderness of Beersheba with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Alone

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jul 5, 2003

There are many divisive pressures that have always sought to keep us apart, but the cause and Cross of Jesus draws us together into one family.

Standing Alone Galatians 2:11-14 She was fourteen. You all know the rocky terrain of being fourteen. It is mountainous and wooded and hard to find your way. It’s the place between childhood and adulthood. Not old enough to drive a car, but too old to look cool riding a bicycle. Too young to be out ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeking Clear Hearts

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 30, 2004

Relationships are very difficult with the pressure of today’s incredible pace of life. Jesus’ command is that we keep our relationships honest and loving.

Seeking Clear Hearts December 26, 2004 would like to invite you to look at the chart which was handed out. It is rather simple, but helps us all understand how God would have us treat each other when disagreements arise. Please note, I did not say “if” disagreements arise, but “when”. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Timely Advice For Marital Success Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 13, 2005

at some advice for beginning, and maintaining a strong marriage ¡V especially in light of the pressures marriages face today in general, and Christian marriages specifically.

TIMELY ADVICE FOR MARITAL SUCCESS 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-40 INTRODUCTION: In this third message concerning marriage, do¡¦s, don¡¦ts, and advice. So far we have looked at marriage and its responsibilities, and those who ¡§seek¡¨ to be unmarried, and the gift of singleness. Today, we want to look at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Complex, Stressful Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 19, 2009

Jacob lived a stressful life, and so do many of us. Yet we can escape some of the pressures of stress by following the Lord.

Living The Complex, Stressful Life (Genesis 29:31-31:16) 1. One of the stranger creatures in our world is a Tarsier. 2. You can see how weird it looks (Show photo, retrieve from the internet). “The Tarsier is one of the smallest primates and lives in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra and the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guarding Our Huddle Time Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Jan 24, 2013

When a married couple has this regular huddle time, they can handle the day’s pressures with calm and confidence. Why is this?

Peacemakers of the Heart Guarding our Huddle Time Introduction: 1. We are commanded to pursue peace (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:10-11). God intended for His children to live a peaceful and sane lifestyle. 1 Timothy 2:2 • Read Psalm 23 2. But if this is to become a reality, we must put in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Bible Church

Persecution - What's A Christian To Do?

Contributed by David Simpson on Aug 18, 2014

Persecution of Christians is occurring all around the world. Even in America, some Christians are being pressured and criticized. What is the Christian response to persecution?

Sermon Lanier Christian Church August 17, 2014 David Simpson Persecution - What's a Christian to do? Matthew 5:38-45/1 Peter 4:12-19 Christians have made the news this past week...not for recognizing their noble service...but for suffering...for persecution. Christians in northern ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian Church

Instant Christian

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 10, 2011

We have adapted the Christian life to the culture. We want it hot, easy, quick and effortless.

The American people expect everything fast, easy and cheap. And we often treat the Christian life like that. We want it to be like a McDonald’s drive through — drive up to the window, get what you want and drive off. Have you noticed all the ads that tell us about the products ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Week 1: Why Bad Things Happen To Good People Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 23, 2021

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure...

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure. We face peer ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The Beatitudes In Isaiah 57 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2014

God wants us to be godly even within an ungodly culture, as defined by Isaiah and generalized into principles by Jesus.

The Beatitudes in Isaiah 57 (Isaiah 57:1-2, 13-21) 1. An interesting story broke from UPI this week: “PORT ST. LUCIE , Fla., May 16 (UPI) --Florida police officers who were attempting to catch a suspected car thief got a little help when an alligator decided to cross the road. Port St. Lucie ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

O Lord, Just Kill Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2019

God's mercy and our anger can often be in conflict. Such conflict can lead to discouragement that in turn can lead to despair. The child of God must guard his/her heart to avoid falling into deep gloom leading to thoughts of suicide.

“[God’s mercy toward Nineveh] displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The High Price Of Low Practice

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 17, 2011

This message describes the devaluation of the Christian life in modern culture and how we can be restored from a place of backsliding.

"The High Price of Low Practice" 1 John 1:5-10, Psalms 32: Scripture Reading 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The question for us in the light of the context of our key verse is, can a Christian ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Baptist