Sermons on Cultural Research Center:

Hanukkah: A New Testament Christian Perspective Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 7, 2023

While not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, Hanukkah holds cultural and historical relevance that can deepen our understanding of God's faithfulness and the light of Christ.

Hanukkah: A New Testament Christian Perspective Dear friends, as we approach the festive season of Hanukkah, it's an opportune time to explore this significant celebration from a New Testament Christian perspective. While not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, Hanukkah holds cultural ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Romans 12:1, 2 Timothy 2:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Do We Take Pleasure In The Death Of The Wicked? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2024

A look at the ways we have allowed the culture war to make us hate those God called us to love as well as put secondary things first.

- [Maybe put this made-up passage up on the screen or in the sermon outline.] - Imagine that there is a Romans 17. (I’m not going heretical here - this is just a thought experiment with a point.) Imagine that at the end of Paul’s letter he shared some additional advice. - Let’s say that Romans 17 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:23

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Is For Thanks-Giving

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Dec 1, 2024

We find ourselves in the middle of two of our country’s most iconic holidays, where the giving of thanks is front and center. The giving of thanks is an essential part of life, and it is the one seasoning that kicks our prayer life into high gear.

The Giving of Christmas “Christmas is for Thanks-Giving” Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKu4TMMlNgs With Thanksgiving over and Christmas right around the corner, we find ourselves in the middle of two of our country’s most iconic holidays, where the giving of thanks is ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 2:6-8, Isaiah 57:15, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Shameless Self-Promotion Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Jan 29, 2015

Though God is never mentioned in this book, his fingerprints are all over the story of the heroic Esther and Mordecai. Study along as we discuss the ins and outs of living for God in a godless culture.

LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS CULTURE SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION - ESTHER 5:1-14 Preached tag team style with Layperson Larry INTRODUCTION (ERIK: 5 minutes) -There is a new television show called “Preachers of L.A.” on Oxygen network -Show depicts 6 Los Angeles Pastors at Mega ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pull Of The Cross

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Oct 14, 2009

In life there are so many different forces pulling on us. We are pulled one way by fear, and another by self-righteousness. But thank God that the Cross is always at the center, and nothing is more powerful than the pull of God’s mercy and grace.

Mark 10:17-22; Mark 10:23-31 This week we are going to be looking at our Gospel lesson. I wanted to preach on the Gospel last week (maybe you wished I did too), but I held off, because this week and last week’s reading need to go together. So really, we are going to be looking at both lessons ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Lutheran

God’s Christmas Tree

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 16, 2025

In 1659 Christmas was banned. More recently, genuine Christmas has been supplanted by a commercial Christmas with the Christmas tree as its center. Yet strange to tell, long ago, God picked out a Christmas tree for His Son.

GOD’S CHRISTMAS TREE 1 Pet. 2:24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. In one Dennis the Menace cartoon, Dennis rushes into the living room. His mother is standing there with her mouth open and Dennis is holding a large box. 2. He announces with a loud voice, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Satisfaction

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Oct 1, 2017

The Rolling Stones sang a song titled, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” Mick Jagger’s song perfectly describes the theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. Life without God at its center is vain, meaningless and unfulfilling.

Satisfaction Chuck Sligh October 1, 2017 BIBLE READING: Psalm 63:1-8 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Ecclesiastes 1. INTRODUCTION Illus. – I remember one time as a teenager waiting in the car while my mother was talking with someone. I turned the key and flipped on the radio and heard a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Worldviews

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 20, 2006

A look at the religious groups of Jesus day and how they were affected by their culture (as might be): 1. Zealots 2.Phariasees 3. Saduccees 4. Scribes 5. Herodians 6. Essenes

How would you like it if someone spit on you? In our cultural setting it would be a sign of disrespect, an attempt to shame and humiliate a person. But for some cultures, it has an entirely different meaning. I am reading a wonderful book entitled Christianity Rediscovered. It is written by a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-34

Denomination: Methodist

Dying To Self Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 16, 2004

Life is to be lived for the glory of God. When a person lives out of a motive of self interest he is operating just as the world operates and experiences life accordingly. But for those who will deny the self-centered desires of their fallen nature and pu

Dying to Self Fortifying the Foundations # 28 John 12:12-36[1] 2-15-04 Intro Video Clip “The Greatest Story Ever Told” [Ch. 22 (2:07: 47) to Ch. 23 (2:10: 36)] Does Christianity really work? Is there something to be experienced in a walk with God that is not experienced by the average human ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-36, Philippians 2:5-7

Denomination: Charismatic

Scripture And Suicide Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

Suicide is almost always folly in our culture, for it is basically just a means of escape. It is usually based on ignorance of the future. People think their present situation is permanent, and they cannot stand to think of living with their present burden for the rest of their lives.

The book of Jonah gives a very favorable account of the attitude and character of the pagans involved. In fact, they are at points pictured on a higher level than Jonah himself. At last, however, we see a change in Jonah, and some of his good character breaks through. The sailors had all ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:11-12

Up Against The World Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 12, 2005

The cosmos opposes God and is condemned by God. This “world system” is society organized without God and against God. At best, He gets a back seat. The cosmos puts people at the center of all things instead of God. Belonging to Christ involves a radic

“Up Against The World” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts “I have given them Your word, and the world hates them because they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but to protect them ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-16

Denomination: Congregational

When A Church Makes God Sick Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2018

Tepid Faith is condemned by Holy God. The Risen Saviour calls us to hot faith that impels us to glorify His Name.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem And Solution Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

Our Christian faith and values are always being flavored by the culture. It is so subtle that we do not even realize it, and that is why the Bible often has to be so radical to jar us awake to the fact that we are to be different from the world.

William Stidger, the great preacher, was in France during World War I, and he visited the city of Marseilles where he saw the aqueduct that all visitors are guided to see. The story of this source of water to the city goes back to the old man who became known as the miser of Marseilles. He walked ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Foundational Guidance (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

How do we get guidance from the Lord? Begin with direction God has already given in His word. This message centers on the command to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

Micah 6:8 3-6-16 What does God want you to do? Have you ever found yourself asking that question? At one level it is a daily question. Someone gets upset with you at work; and you need God’s wisdom on how to deal with it. You’re at the department store trying to decide which coffee pot to buy. You ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8, Micah 1:10-20, 1 Samuel 15:22, Matthew 7:1-7, Luke 6:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Love Of Two Mothers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 10, 2025

Moses had two mothers - both of which loved him and gave him all the advantages in life they could give. But Jochebed gave him the best advantage he could have received. Do you know what she gave him?

THE LOVE OF TWO MOTHERS Ronald Reagan once said “From my mother I learned the value of prayer, how to have dreams and believe I could make them come true.” A man is not poor who has a mother that loves him. And that’s particularly true of one of the greatest men of the Old Testament - a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ