Sermons on Cultural Relevance:

Is There Not A Cause?

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 27, 2016

As David stood in bewilderment of the lack of courage among the men of Israel, he asked the question: Is there not a cause? This question remains relevant today. Surely you will agree there is a cause, and we must be willing to stand.

Is There Not a Cause? I Samuel 17: 17-29 Often this chapter is preached in light of David’s miraculous defeat of the mighty giant, Goliath. That is a wonderful testimony to the presence and power of the God we serve; but today I want to look at the events that led up to David’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:17-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Reason And Result Of Witnessing Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 26, 2024

What of the church was willing to take the same, simple, stance of witnessing as the Disciples did and just be faithful? What would the results might show us about how the Gospel is still relevant today?

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 4 The Reason and Result of Witnessing Acts 3:1-26 Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7) Food train still avail for Will Skelton and Donna Stewart (FB page) No Wednesday night for adults this week – couple weeks off Introduction ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-26, Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

A "Sign"? : A New View Of The Nativity Scene

Contributed by Bryan Douglas on Dec 8, 2012

God has revealed in the Christmas story a powerful "sign" of the swaddling clothes and manger which has great spiritual significance, but it has been concealed by our cultural depictions of the Nativity Scene.

A “Sign”? : A New View of the Nativity Scene Luke 2: 1-19 As we read the Christmas story in Luke 2: 1-19, it is such a familiar passage that it is easy to just blow through it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Week 6: Relax Under The Umbrella Of God’s Wisdom Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 23, 2021

If you've ever travelled to a place where the culture was different than yours, you know how clueless you can feel. Job's "culture" was different than God's. It's no wonder he felt lost in the midst of his suffering...

How many of you have travelled to a place where the culture was noticeably different than yours? At times, didn’t you feel totally clueless? I’ve seen the bewildered look on American businessmen’s faces who came to Japan where I grew up. When meeting with a Japanese client for the first time, the ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6, Job 41:1-5, Job 40:15-19, Job 40:2, Job 31:34-35, Job 31:21-22, Job 38:1-11, Job 41:7-11, Job 31:35-37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Seven Words One Friday - 2 "The Word Of Salvation" Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Apr 4, 2012

❶ We See a Representative Sinner ❷ We See A Resourceless Sinner ❸ We See A Repentant Sinner ❹ We See A Receptive Sinner ❺ We See Relevancy For The Sinner

Seven Words One Friday "The Word of Salvation" Luke 23:40-43 Finding Paradise 6 times WV has places like 6 US 100s of places Lancaster county PA has towns like Bird-In-Hand, Intercourse, Mount Joy, Paradise They visit these small towns because they like the name Finding Paradise In the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:40-43

Denomination: Baptist

Psalms 27, 37, And 84 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Mar 7, 2020

Passages in different locations are often interconnected in such a way that one avenue of thought springs from another. Although these psalms were not written with the intent that they be interconnected by us today, they collectively express a message relevant today.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14, Judges 6:26-27, Deuteronomy 27:1-7, Joshua 8:30-32, Exodus 24:4, Exodus 17:15, 1 Samuel 7:17, Genesis 35:1-3, 2 Samuel 24:21-25, Genesis 33:20, Psalm 37:25, Philippians 3:20, Acts 7:1-49, 2 Samuel 12:10-13, Psalm 84:1-4, Psalm 37:1-40, Psalm 27:13, Genesis 26:25, Psalm 84:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revolutionary Resolutions Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and suggested some vital areas for spiritual progress that are as relevant today as they were then. In fact, if we resolved to carry them out, they would revolutionize our Christian witness in the world.

No one doubts that man has made a great deal of progress in the physical realm. In 1903 when the Wright Brothers flew their heavier than air machine, the whole distance of their first flight was less than the wing spread of a modern B 36. Progress has been obvious. The progress in medicine has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Father’s Day 2022

Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 21, 2023

I don't know about you, but I often struggle with messages relevant to specific days, so here is a Father's Day message i preached from 2022

FATHER’S DAY 2022 BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH INTRODUCTION: AS WE GET STARTED THIS MORNING, I HAVE TWO SMALL REMINDERS FOR OUR DADS WHO ARE HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. ONE IS A PEN WITH THE INSCRIPTION, “GODLY FATHERS ARE A BLESSING TO THEIR CHILDREN”. THE OTHER ITEM IS A COMPASS KEYCHAIN WITH THE ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Pure In An Impure World

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 18, 2000

We live in a culture that attempts to pull us contrary to our life in Christ. This sermon examines some helps to maintain a holy focus.

Living Pure in an Impure World Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-11, 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

To Reclaim Our Heritage

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 11, 2001

Are you aware that America is in a cultural civil war? This message suggests 5 things that we can do to reclaim the heritage that is ours as Christians.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) A. Are you aware that America is in a cultural civil war? William Bennett, former head of the U.S. Dept. of Education, wrote, "America is engaged in an on going & intensifying cultural war. Over ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Lamentations 5:21-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fidelity Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

Our culture is destroying itself, particularly with matters of sex. The Church must wake up and speak up before it is eternally too late!

Character Counts! Fidelity Matters (Proverbs 6:32-33) Theme: The Church is God?s prophetic voice. It must speak God?s message to the culture. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:32-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Principles Of Evangelism From Acts 17

Contributed by Danny Ferguson on May 27, 2003

A look at Paul’s evangelism methods in Athens and what we can learn from him to better reach the culture around us.

Principles of Evangelisms from Acts 17 I was driving a group of teenagers to a concert last weekend and while we were all talking one of them turned to me and said, “Did you know that there is an actual atheist in the class below me? Can you believe that?” It sounded like she was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Walk On Holy Ground Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Aug 30, 2005

The Christian who confesses is to be the Christian who professes; whose passion in life is bringing Christ to the world and thus saving souls and our culture.

TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES YOU WALK ON HOLY GROUND by Charles Scott Jude 23 “save others by snatching them out of the fire” May 4 2005 A nurse, a para-medical, an LPN, an intern or physician who understands that the flesh he or she touches, cleans, nurtures, medicates or binds up is sacred approaches ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Anglican