Sermons on Cultural Research Center:

How To Avoid The Peril Of Pretentiousness

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered how to avoid having any trace of pretense? To make an unsupported claim about one’s accomplishment is pretending to be something we are not.

Have you ever wondered how to avoid having any trace of pretense? To make an unsupported claim about one’s accomplishment is pretending to be something we are not. Paul spoke harshly against the pretentious Jewish teachers of his day because they preach too little to themselves. These ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:21-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Avoid The Peril Of Pretentiousness

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered how to avoid having any trace of pretense? To make an unsupported claim about one’s accomplishment is pretending to be something we are not.

Have you ever wondered how to avoid having any trace of pretense? To make an unsupported claim about one’s accomplishment is pretending to be something we are not. Paul spoke harshly against the pretentious Jewish teachers of his day because they preach too little to themselves. These ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:21-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reinventing The Church 1 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 4, 2007

We must no longer be a COME AND GET IT CHURCH, but a GO AND GET THEM CHURCH. Or, "Extreme Church Makeover: Should the church join the craze?"

REINVENTING THE CHURCH, Part 1 Extreme Church Makeover: Should the church join the craze? I recently watched an episode of “Extreme Home Makeover”. If you have seen the show, you know about the “professional makeover artists” … I must confess things have changed quite a bit in my life: from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Denomination: Methodist

Choices: A Teenage Dream Or A Greater Purpose Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

Many Americans are star struck, enamored with stardom. It is like we idolize celebrities, to include animated and fictional characters. Hollywood stars are put ahead of the heroes of faith, as mentioned in the book of Hebrews. Sport celebrities are stronger figures in our mind than people of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Galatians Part 6: "Watch Your Step!"

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 12, 2005

Watch your step and make sure that you are not deceived by the sinful nature. Remember to be careful not to burn yourself out doing the good for the Kingdom of God. Then we need to remember that being a new creation is what this life is all about.

Galatians Part 6 – “Watch your Step!” On the lighter side this morning: Opening Illustration: A Synagogue’s Custom A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small old community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat, a hot debate erupted as to whether one should or should not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Revival Comes Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Jan 2, 2010

Revival is the Sovereign hand of God responding to the expressed need and prayer of God’s people.

PREACHER: Ralph Juthman TEXT: Psalm 85:4-6; various THEME: Revival comes at the sovereign, gracious decision of God to send a fresh movement of His Spirit among his people TITLE: When Revival Comes INTRODUCTION “The single greatest need in our land today is heaven-sent revival! In his annual ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

From Fasting To Feasting Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 29, 2005

God sometimes does the absurd by turning "sure things" completely around.

From Fasting to Feasting (Esther 6:1-10:3) 1. The expression, "bad hair day" has become popular within the last 10 years. Dear Word Detective: I mentioned to a co-worker that another co-worker had been really grouchy and snapped at me over some little matter, and the first co-worker replied that ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Turning Hearts Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 1, 2015

The idea of the sermon is the see the contrast between our tendencies to be self-serving or self-promoting versus having the humble spirit that promotes God. The Pharisee and Tax Collector in the parable of Luke 18.9-14 are the examples we will consider.

1. Self Esteem and Funeral Director A mild mannered young man came into a counselor's office ready for a divorce. He complained that his wife was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. The counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Planted In The House Of The Lord” — A Sabbath Song Of Gratitude Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Oct 9, 2025

The Sabbath rhythm of gratitude reorients us from the world’s illusions toward lasting fruitfulness in God’s presence.

“Planted in the House of the Lord” — A Sabbath Song of Gratitude Text: Psalm 92 (CSB) Theme: The Sabbath rhythm of gratitude reorients us from the world’s illusions toward lasting fruitfulness in God’s presence. Introduction — A Song for the Sabbath Day Psalm 92 begins with a remarkable title: ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Light And Darkness

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 25, 2024

As followers of Christ, we must love like Christ, so we light up the world.

Light and Darkness Ephesians 5:1-14 Rev. Brian Bill March 23-24, 2024 According to a new book by Sarah McCammon called The Exvangelicals, younger generations of evangelicals are drifting away from the church and pushing it into a major identity crisis. She herself has turned her back on the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Hamnation Series

Contributed by Joel Smith on Aug 30, 2008

Knowing and applying God’s truth to sexuality brings freedom and blessing.

Those of you who are my age or older I want you to try to remember back to your high school days. As I read this news item from June 18th ask yourself this question, “How did we, as a nation, get here?” As summer vacation begins, 17 girls at Gloucester High School are expecting babies — more than ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Question That Mankind Has Ever Been Asked

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Sep 23, 2023

The Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros when he was playing in the Irish Open Golf Championship one of the evenings

after playing he turned up at the Club House not wearing a tie. • The doorman who was undoubtedly being a little too zealous stopped him, and pointed out that Club rules required the wearing of a tie, to which Ballesteros replied, “Do you know who I am.” “Yes, sir,” replied the doorman, but you ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

Tending To The Heart (The Tenth Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 23, 2001

Answers to three questions: What is coveting? Why is it bad? How can we be free from it?

There’s a new religious cult in our community, and most of us haven’t even noticed it. This cult is far larger than the ones you’ve heard about on the radio or read about in most books about cults. I’m talking about the cult of consumerism, the false religion of more (Buchanan 63-64). This cult ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Most Unusual Parable Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 13, 2026

Why does this parable sound more like a life hack than a parable?

- Some life hacks, according to people online (I haven’t tried these): - "For chores that I don't like to do (like washing a big pile of dishes), I set a timer for four minutes and tell myself I will do it for four minutes, and after the time goes off, I can stop if I want to. Just giving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Da Vinci Code: Separating Fact From Fiction Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 21, 2006

Separating fact from fiction is not easy but it is necessary when it comes to the DaVinci Code.

Cracking the DaVinci Code: Separating Fact from Fiction 1 John 4:1-7 Rev. Brian Bill 4/23/06 My mom is an avid reader and a member of a book club. A couple years ago she read the DaVinci Code by Dan Brown and was deeply disturbed. She asked me some questions and I couldn’t answer them because I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist