Sermons on Cultural Research Center:

The Reward Motive

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

The evil man out of God's will, and the righteous in center of God's will may both be motivated by the love of reward. It is obviously a subject then that needs to be seen from both the vicious and the virtuous side.

A 16th century German monk discovered the power of religious bribery. The children showed great reluctance in learning their prayers. Scolding and punishing them did not improve things, and so he tried offering them a reward. Tradition has it that he took thin strips of dough and twisted them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Gathering & Scattering

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

The church has many purposes or functions. These purposes hang on a two-fold mission: the Gathering of the Community for Worship, Instruction, Fellowship and Evangelism Training and the Scattering of the Community in order to fulfill both our cultural a

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I read the story of the little girl who was asked to describe the parts of a man. She said, "Man has three parts: the brainium, the chester, and the abominable cavity. The brainium holds the brain, the chester holds the heart, and the abominable cavity holds the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

The Major Dynamics Of Church Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 15, 2021

Our personal histories, church history, our culture and experiences all color our view as to what church is about. We need to recalibrate and correct our assumptions by returning to the Scriptures.

The Major Dynamics of Church Life (Romans 15:1-13) NOTE: If I could do it over again, I would make three sermons from this text. All three points could have used more elaboration than I gave them. In the first point, I could have demonstrated further that the New Testament purpose for church ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where He Went, We Cannot Yet Follow Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on May 30, 2025

The Ascension thus becomes liberation rather than loss. No longer confined to one location, speaking one language, addressing one culture, Christ multiplies through countless vessels.

Title: Where He Went, We Cannot Yet Follow Intro: The Ascension thus becomes liberation rather than loss. No longer confined to one location, speaking one language, addressing one culture, Christ multiplies through countless vessels. Scripture: Luke 24:51 Reflection Dear Friends, The morning ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:51

Denomination: Other

Easter Makes A Difference

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Apr 18, 2009

Easter 2: Easter makes a difference. It changes cold, hard, self-centered people into a community that cares for one another. It gives boldness to weak hearts. It gives hope to suffering spirits. It provides a perspective.

Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed – Alleluia! Life in the time of Jesus was hard – maybe even mean. There are plenty of examples of this. Justice was often quick and oftentimes harsh. Look at what happened to Jesus! He was celebrating Passover with his disciples on Thursday night, and by ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Lutheran

An Accurate "I" Exam Series

Contributed by Rob Jansons on Sep 14, 2010

This is a New Year's sermon when our culture preaches "believe in yourself" and Scripture teaches us what happens when we do. It is a prelude sermon to a covert series on Calvinism.

It is the first Sunday of the new year. In our culture this is a time of getting psyched up for a new year of doing our best, setting some ambitious goals, trying harder, putting our best foot forward. Maybe you expect a little encouragement from your church; give us some spiritual justification ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Witnessing To The Religious Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 8, 2012

There a vast number of "religious" people who don't go to church. How do we witness to them like Peter and Paul might have?

OPEN: A grocer put up a sign that read "Eggplants, 25¢ ea. or three for a dollar." All day long, customers came in complaining, "Are you serious! I should get four for a dollar!" Confronted by their outrage, the grocer shrugged and packaged four eggplants. The tailor whose shop was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage Is Valuable, Divorce Is Dangerous

Contributed by Scott Turansky on May 24, 2009

When asked about divorce, Jesus first speaks about the value of marriage. Then he limits divorce. Unlike our culture which does just the opposite.

Matthew 19 – The Value of Marriage, the Dangers of Divorce Matthew 19:1-3: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3Some Pharisees came to him to test him. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On Being Tempted: Is It Satan Or My Habits?

Contributed by John Sattler on Feb 18, 2013

Research has shown that lots of our daily activities are done by habit, like walking, driving, going down stairs, even responding in stressful situations. Are some of our sinful behaviors more from our habits than from satan himself? We like to blame sata

Luke 4:1-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13 1 Lent - Lutheran Lectionary Series C On Being Tempted: Is It Satan or My Habits? Rev. John Sattler Holy Cross Lutheran Church Indianapolis, Indiana (Research has shown that lots of our daily activities are done by habit, like walking, driving, going ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Napkin Is Still Folded - Easter

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2006

The significance of the folded napkin in the Jewish culture makes some powerful points in considering the resurrection. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

THE NAPKIN IS STILL FOLDED JOHN 20:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NapkinFolded.html [Please see link above for more info. on this matter. Concept for this sermon originally preached by Dr. Clyde Box. I receive many questions as to the historicity of the "Napkin Legend"...Dr. Box reportedly ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Grace That Won't Let Go

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Nov 12, 2005

Any study of the life of the apostle Paul requires a serious look at the subject of pain. Suffering is not a pleasant subject to explore, especially in our western culture.

A GRACE THAT WON’T LET GO 2 Corinthians 1-9 Any study of the life of the apostle Paul requires a serious look at the subject of pain. Suffering is not a pleasant subject to explore, especially in our western culture. Perhaps you have heard, as I did growing up, that pain and suffering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Finding A Mate– God's Way! Series

Contributed by Mark Magee on Aug 16, 2004

I’d like to encourage God’s people to find the answer on ’how to find a mate’ from the Bible rather than our culture.

A. Bad date when... Hey guys, you know you are on a bad date when.... 1. She whispers to the waiter, “Please kill me!” 2. You catch her giving her phone number to the guy cleaning your windshield. 3. She keeps calling you, “Bachelor number two”. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Beat Up Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 8, 2011

The Church at Smyrna is a church which received no criticism from the Lord but much abuse from both the culture and the "congregation" (those who ’say’ they are Jews)

The Unveiling The “Beat Up” or “Bloodied” Church Revelation 2:8-11 * From my observation we live in an increasingly violent culture. Hardly a day passes when we don’t hear of someone being killed or attacked. An honest look at our entertainment would indicate that America has bought into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist