Sermons on Cultural Relevance:

A Big Fish Tale / All Lives Matter

Contributed by Darian Catron on Jul 21, 2016

The story of Jonah is not just a Big Fish Tale. It's a true story with an incredible message relevant to our time. It's a message about a God who cares for all lives, even those of our enemies and those who hate us.

INTRODUCTION: Today I want to tell you a BIG FISH TALE. How many fishermen do we have here today? Now our fish tales are always the truth, right? I caught a fish this big! But there's a story in the Bible about a Big Fish and about a man who lived to tell the tale. BODY: Let's Turn in your ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 3:1-4, Psalm 139:7-10, Matthew 5:43-45, Jonah 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 11, 2018

Two men think about life as they face the end of their journey on earth. Has life been meaningless or relevant? Do they look forward to a joyless process of degradation, a painful descent towards the valley of death, or to something more glorious beyond the horizon?

[Sermon preached on 11 November 2018, 25th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] A man of about my age—sixty, give or take a few years—sits down, takes up pen and parchment, and starts to write. Or perhaps he calls his secretary and starts to dictate. He senses that his life is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Was Born To Declare War

Contributed by C. Scott Ghan on Nov 25, 2013

In Revelation 12 John cryptically describes his vision of what was really happening when Jesus was being born. It was a declaration of war. The devil’s forces were in an uproar. This war is very significant and relevant to us in our everyday lives.

TITLE: Christmas Is A Declaration of War 11-25-2013 Text: Revelation 12:1–12 Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Of All The Options For A Sign, Why Did God Choose Circumcision?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 23, 2013

God could have had Abraham put a tattoo on his arm or any one of a thousand other signs, but instead He chose the sign of circumcision? Why in the world? And, beyond that, what relevance does that have for Christians today?

OF ALL THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR A SIGN TO THE ISRAELITES, WHY DID GOD CHOOSE CIRCUMCISION? The promise was a miraculous physical child that would be the father to a physical people, so the sign had to do with sex. - Genesis 17:4-13. - Notice in these verses all the physical signs: - v. 4 – ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Pentecost: Signs And Wonders Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 7, 2024

Today, we embark on a journey into the powerful theme of Pentecost and the signs and wonders that accompany the outpouring of God's Spirit. We will draw insights from the prophetic words of the book of Joel, exploring how these truths are relevant and impactful for us today.

The Power of Pentecost: Signs and Wonders Introduction: Today, we embark on a journey into the powerful theme of Pentecost and the signs and wonders that accompany the outpouring of God's Spirit. We will draw insights from the prophetic words of the book of Joel, exploring how these truths are ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-18, Acts 2:21, Acts 2:43

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Samson's Fury & Infatuation" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 25, 2002

Samson is a tragic hero of Scripture, especially gifted but ensnared by the pagan culture, which captured him morally and then literally. He was a man of great physical strength but ethical weakness.

“Samson’s Fury & Infatuation”, Judges chapters 13-15 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Introduction Samson is a tragic hero of the Bible. He was especially gifted but he became ensnared by the pagan culture, which captured him morally and then literally. ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

What Does 9.11 Make Of Us?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 6, 2002

In spite of the tragedy, what “man meant for evil, God used for good”, thus how will Christians and American citizens be a part of the reshaping of culture since 9.11.01?

(Power Point available--email author) SLIDE 1 “WHAT DOES 9.11 MAKE OF US?” 8:30 with Video presentation (adapted from Leonard Sweet’s message on 9.11) Slide 2 “Night fell on a different world.” These are some of the first words President George Bush used to reflect on September 11, 2001. Slide ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Methodist

Lamb: The Image Of The Human

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Jan 17, 2003

Today we are accustomed to a weaponsculture. Man develops inner psychological weapons as well as external physical weapons. But we need to develop a culture that tries to make the weak stronger.

Some years ago, there was a very famous film star, MG Ramachandran by name, in Tamil Nadu in India. In his films he always acted as a fighter of injustice and a saviour of the poor, the helpless and the oppressed. He was the saviour who wiped the tears of misery and showed the helpless the way to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Catholic

The Precious Gift Of Freedom

Contributed by Don Carpenter on Nov 5, 2000

If you study the character of mankind over the centuries, you will find that there is one passion that transcends all languages, cultures, and barriers. Man has an in born desire and drive to be free

The Precious Gift Of Freedom John 8:31-36 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Baptist

Making God'y Choices Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Dec 28, 2005

We need to try our best to make Godly decisions because what God wants for us isn’t always the same thing that the culture wants for us.

***Start off with Choose Your Own Adventure*** Throughout our lives we are going to have to make a lot of decisions. Most often when we are thinking about what direction to go or what decision to make we try to make the decision that is best for us. In our culture we are told that picking the job ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Voice Of Hope Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on Mar 10, 2007

What is the hope that lies within all Christians, the hope people are looking for? Grace. This message looks at how to live out grace and create a grace filled culture.

Today is the last week of our series an elemental church. Hopefully, you are starting to see more of what God is calling us to and what he wants to do among us and through us as we move forward as a church. The past two weeks, we have been using 1 Corinthians 13:13 as our launching point. This ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disciples With Discipline Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 9, 2006

Self-denial and spiritual discipline are not popular topics in today’s culture. But a Christianity without a cross is not Christianity at all. This sermon launches a fifty day focus on spiritual disciplines.

Disciples with Discipline (Fifty Days of Consecration #1) 1 Corinthians 9:24-27[1] 3-20-05 Introduction This morning we want to prepare for the Fifty Days of Consecration that begins next Sunday. The fifty days begins on Easter (March 27th) and will conclude on the Day of Pentecost (May 15th). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Charismatic

Carrying The Cross Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 8, 2010

Jesus calls his followers to deny themselves and carry the cross. What does this look like? What does it mean to deny ourselves in a culture and society based on consumerism?

Luke 14:25-33 “Carrying the Cross” INTRODUCTION Have you noticed that we appear to be buried under an avalanche of forms? When Faye had her shoulder surgery done this spring she sign enough forms to have killed two or perhaps three large trees. The paper work involved in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

The All Sufficient Grace Of God

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 29, 2009

Grace is the theme for this Reformation Sermon. Illustrations are from recent "cultural" views or comments like "who is that guy hanging on the cross" "good people go to heaven when they die."

In Jesus Holy Name November 1, 2009 Text: Romans 3:21-24 Reformation “The All Sufficient Grace of God” Twenty years after the demonstrations that brought down the Berlin Wall many say that East Germany is spiritually near death. The Nazi and Soviet regimes that ruled East Germany tried ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Three Women And A Basket

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 23, 2009

Leaving no child behind means that we parents set aside our own pleasures, that we learn to advocate for our children, and that we cross cultures with our resources.

It was every parent’s worst nightmare. My son, my own flesh and blood, standing in front of me, and announcing that he was taking lessons in ... skydiving! Skydiving! That’s where people walk out of airplanes and float downward to earth, supported by a thin sheet of cloth and a few little ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist