Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Live To Honor God Series

Contributed by Edward Walker on Nov 6, 2006

It is easy to compromise—to live as the world lives. But, God has called us to courage—to honor Him, regardless of the pressure or persecution this world affords.

Live to Honor God Daniel 1:1-21 Introduction 1. This evening I will begin an intense journey through the Book of Daniel. 2. The Book of Daniel demonstrates that God is in Control—the control of our destinies, of governments, and nations. 3. The nation of Israel and their sin led them into ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Single And Blessed Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 17, 2022

Singlehood can be an option for some who are gifted by God to remain unmarried. Paul highlights the reasons for staying single - the present distress, the passing world and the pressures of life.

Paul has been addressing issues regarding marriage and divorce. Today he ends the chapter with the last question about marriage – what about singlehood? • Is it good to remain unmarried? Is staying single alright? 1 Cor 7:25-40 ESV 25Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Presumption And Partial Obedience Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

One of the greatest dangers in leadership is stepping ahead of God—acting out of pressure rather than patience, and making decisions out of fear rather than faith.

PRESUMPTION AND PARTIAL OBEDIENCE – WHEN KINGS WALK AHEAD OF GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 14 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:5–7, Ecclesiastes 8:6, 1 Samuel 15:22–23, Isaiah 30:1, Hebrews 10:36 INTRODUCTION: One of the greatest dangers in leadership is stepping ahead ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Songs For The Road: Music For Tired Feet

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 30, 2025

What if the pressure you feel isn’t because you’re failing—but because you’re trying to prove something you already are?

Introduction I want to begin this morning with words that many of us recognize—not because they are complicated, but because they are honest. They weren’t written to impress anyone. They weren’t written to explain theology. They were written to be carried. I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 131:1-3, Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 8:15-17, 2 Timothy 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Courageous Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 7, 2025

Following Jesus means trusting God’s timing, standing firm amid misunderstanding and opposition, and finding courage to remain faithful despite pressure from others.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of skepticism, the squeeze of expectations, or the chill of criticism, you’ll feel the temperature of John 7. Picture the scene: the streets of Jerusalem hum with the Feast of Booths. Families build shelters, memories mingle with meals, and whispers chase rumors ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-30

Topics: Unbelief, Hostility, Preaching

Having Is Losing

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 6, 2009

In times of financial stress, God knows the pressures on us. Our problem is that we want both material and spiritual security at the same time. The answer is faithfulness to the core values of ministry and witness.

A little snatch of dialogue from a television show caught my attention. Could it be true, or was it just so much pretentious hype? Could it be right, or was it just another exercise in excuse-making? The character who spoke, I noticed, was dressed tres chic and lived in a lavish house with a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph's Jesus Story

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 16, 2022

The birth of Jesus Christ is multi-layered and filled with mystery. The details are scandalous and messy. The focus of Matthew’s account is on Joseph’s Jesus story.

Joseph’s Jesus Story Matthew 1:18-25 Introduction What is your picture of the perfect Christmas? Beautiful decorations, lovely family, delicious food, well-selected gifts, and children that know how to behave! How many of us really have a Christmas like that? In reality, Christmas - is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Greet One Another Series

Contributed by Dan Raymond on May 25, 2016

Surprisingly, greet one another with a holy kiss is the second most repeated one another command. This culturally out of place command is far more relevant to our culture than we might first realize. We need to focus on the "greet" and not the "kiss."

Greet One Another With a Holy Kiss Romans 16:16 I want to start this morning with a little quiz. Now I've already told you that the command to love one another is the most frequently repeated one another principle. It appears no less than nine times in the New Testament. Here's your one question ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Foolishness Of The Message Of The Cross

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jul 23, 2021

Was Paul saying that the message of the cross was foolish? Paul was a Jew brought up in a Roman town and was greatly influenced by Greek culture. When he preached Christ, Paul found that each of these cultures had its own particular challenges when the gospel was concerned.

1 Corinthians 1:21-25 - For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, John 10:18, Acts 4:27-28, Romans 11:33-36, Romans 1:16, Acts 26:24, Matthew 16:4, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

Real Christian Don't Bow Down Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Feb 3, 2012

It's amazing how fickle our loyalties are, isn't it? Dependent upon/external pressures, we get swayed so easily/circumstances/who we want to influence.

Real Christians don’t bow down! Date: Feb 5, 2012 Scripture: Daniel 3 Introduction Prior/Super Bowl game years ago, When Ronald Reagan was running for president  He was leaving/press conference/New Hampshire and someone fired a question at him: "Who do you like in the Super Bowl?" ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why Was Jesus Jewish? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 24, 2007

To really be able to understand and immitate Jesus we have to understand His Jewishness and the Jewish time and culture into which He was born.

Introduction: A. As you know, most religious groups have identifying characteristics. 1. A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment of bringing something to represent their religion. 2. The first boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sanctification PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 29, 2024

This sermon encourages Christians to live as beacons of God's holiness, resisting worldly conformity and embodying God's character in their thoughts, words, and actions.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a joyous day, a day filled with the promise of God’s unending love and mercy, a day that the Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in. As we gather here, let us open our hearts and minds to the wisdom and guidance that comes from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Ephesians 5:27, Romans 12:2

Topics: Holiness

American Idol

Contributed by Eric Bain on Oct 27, 2007

This is a very interactive sermon that looks at what an idol really is in our contemporary culture. It’s different than you might think!

American Idol Exodus 20:4-6 © 2007 Eric Bain NOTE: This sermon is available in audio format at www.sanctuary-church.com NOTE II: For this message I passed out tiny containers of Play-doh to everyone in the congregation. I had them make sculptures representing their "idols." At the end of the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Died In Weakness Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 12, 2012

Weakness is not something valued by our culture or this age. But the death of Jesus shows us the strength we can all find in the weakest of moments.

As we look at the events following the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah let’s get one fact straight: Jesus really died on the cross. The Roman Centurion who oversaw the execution testified to it in Mark 15:39. We know from John 19:31-34 that the soldiers made double sure by piercing His side. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:42-47

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Sights And Sounds Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 27, 2003

A look at the original sights and sounds of Christmas to remind us that our cultural conceptions of Christmas tend to be faulty.

SPECIAL DAY: CHRISTMAS TEXT: LUKE 2:1-20 (Don’t read yet) TITLE: “THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS” INTRODUCTION: A. Steve Malone relates a parody of Luke’s account of the birth of Christ, that really underscores just how far our world has let the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ