Sermons on Cultural Pressure:

Shame In Shechem Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 24, 2021

Don’t compromise in your commitment to the Lord nor with the godless culture that surrounds you, lest you be consumed by it.

There is an old Russian parable about a hunter who came to a clearing and encountered a bear. The hunter raised his rifle to shoot when the bear said, “Wait, what do you want?” The hunter replied, “A fur coat.” “That’s reasonable,” answered the bear. “I want a full stomach. Let’s sit down and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 33:18-20, Genesis 34:1-31, 1 John 2:15-17, Genesis 35:1

Denomination: Evangelical Free

True Leadership Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 4, 2021

As the culture of power and death sees it today, leaders have to be tyrants without hearts or they can’t get anything done.

2nd Sunday of Advent Cycle C “Lead, or follow, or get out of the way.” This bulldozer philosophy of leadership sat prominently on the desk of sports-and-media maven Ted Turner. Almost a century earlier, another notorious anti-Catholic, Havelock Ellis, wrote a sneering thought about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6, Philippians 1:4-11, Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Serving Jesus' Way Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 29, 2022

When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he broke cultural conventions but also provided an example for his followers to emulate.

Surprised by Underwhelming Expectations I rarely introduce myself as Pastor. It’s not that I don’t want people to know the role I play, but I don’t want my title to become a barrier. Sure, it may open some conversations, but it may also hinder others as people might think I’m some holy man - ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Separation Of Church And Hate: Living By The Spirit Series

Contributed by Lane Hastie on Aug 5, 2024

How…in a culture bent on hate / division / incivility / outrage…do you and I find the power to respond differently?

We’ve all got a RED BUCKET and a BLUE BUCKET. THE RED BUCKET - It’s red because it’s filled with gasoline. When you pour gasoline on a fire: Things escalate quickly. People end up getting hurt. THE BLUE BUCKET - It’s blue because it’s filled with water. When you pour water on the fire…the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Marriage Supper Of The Lamb Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Jun 30, 2024

Sermon 4 of this series discusses the Marriage Supper of the Lamb by understanding it within the cultural context of a 1st Century Marriage

Marriage Supper of the Lamb 7 Blessings of Revelation Series CCCAG 06-23-24 -Scripture- Rev 19:6-10 We are over halfway done with June already! Isn’t that amazing? Friday, we had the summer solstice, which is the day of the year where we have the most sunlight. It’s all downhill from here, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:6-10, 1 Timothy 5:8, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What's All The Fuss About?

Contributed by William Mouser on Jul 14, 2005

In a culture that acts as if marriage were of no consequence, there exists a fascination with marriage. Paul’s statement that it is a Great Mystery explains why there is such a fuss about marriage.

I know that all of you stand in line at grocery stores, and though I have not done any grocery shopping here in Orange City, I’d bet a bundle that the experience here is pretty much like my experience in a small town in North Texas. When I go through a checkout line, I am treated to a large ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:31-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

God Is In Control Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Jan 4, 2008

Though in captivity Daniel’s story is a clarion call to us to THRIVE in the challenges of our cultural setting, and in so doing draw attention to our sovereign God.

Daniel is an inspiring book that brings both a challenge and hope to all those who recognize that we are living in an environment that is alien to the lives we have been called to. This was Daniel’s experience. The book records the experiences of 4 Hebrew men taken into captivity by an evil ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Manage Conflicts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why Try to Manage Conflicts? - Some conflicts are beyond our ability to resolve so learn to do what is within our area of responsibility and leave the rest of pressures to the Lord’s control

1. Why Try to Manage Conflicts? - Some conflicts are beyond our ability to resolve so learn to do what is within our area of responsibility and leave the rest of pressures to the Lord’s control. (I Pet. 5:7,8) 2. Every conflict situation has thc potential for making us bitter or better (Heb. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Persevere Under Hardship Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 30, 2005

Are you going through tough times? It could be that God is making you into a wonderul tool - to use in furthering His kingdom. Find out how Paul encouraged Timothy to stay with it under pressure.

Paul has just gotten finished telling Timothy that despite the fact that he was abandoned in Rome – that there were a few – like Onesiphorus, who were a great comfort during hard times. Now he takes it one step further – be strong yourself, and look for people you can trust – then pass on good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Missionary Mandate To Love One Another!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 9, 2005

God used Peter to write these words to a church under pressure, persecuted by the local community. Whatever our circumstances, Jesus has issued us with a missionary mandate to love one another deeply ...

This piece of scripture was written by the apostle Peter to a church which was under pressure. Opposition from the local community was high. Violence and persecution towards the church was quite normal. It is a long way from my experience, but the call of God for the church to be Good News is as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Anglican

Why? Understanding Life Events (Iii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2009

As the Potter molds the clay, God prepares His people for eternity. He uses events and pressures in our life toward that end. This is the last in a series examining 3 things that God is always doing.

Why? Understanding Life Events III Jerm. 18:1-6 6-14-09 Intro 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” This morning I want to talk about your ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Denomination: Charismatic

The Kind Of Priest We Have

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Nov 17, 2011

Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and they already professed publicly that they did believe. A lot of pressure and persecution was on some of the believers. They need

The Kind of Priest We Have Hebrews 7:11-28 Related Readings: Genesis 14:17-24; Psalm 110; Psalm 27:7-14; Luke 22:24-34; Romans 8:31-39 A Little Review of Where We Are Hebrews is a book about Christ. The writer wants the people to know and believe in Him, but they already knew a lot, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:11-28

Denomination: Apostolic

I'm Stressed--Give Me Chips!

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on May 30, 2018

This messsage talked about what happens when we get stressed over the pressure of an overload of workand lack of sleep and we choose the ways of the world for a solution rather than the ways of Jesus.

I’m Stressed—Give Me Chips “Do not conform to the pattern of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:12 What does it feel like to be stressed? It could feel you are under pressure from an overload of work and lack of sleep. You are feeling a little bit irritable and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Quest For Tranquility Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 28, 2014

The tension between our quest for tranquility and the pressures of responsibility and loving others is an inexact science, but we must do our best to seek the balance, which may be different for each one of us.

The Quest for Tranquility (Mark 6:45-55) 1. We had a great time in Virginia — suburban Washington DC — at Hannah’s wedding. 2. We love our new son-in-law and got to live next door to Luke and Sarah at hotel. 3. Family came from Chicago, and friends came from Kokomo. It was odd ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-55

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Serving God In The Days Of Your Youth

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 10, 2021

It is possible for any young man or woman who chooses to serve God faithfully and victoriously in our generation to do so, despite the pressures on the youth to live outside the way of God and His righteousness.

Serving God In The Days of Your Youth Study Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13 - 14 Introduction: - God has made provisions for the youth to serve Him faithfully in their youthful years, provided they will be ready to make use of His provisions. - The youthful years is characterized with the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal