Sermons on Culture Impact:

Holding Our Ground In The Faith,

Contributed by William Yates on Mar 24, 2004

We in America and in the church are in the midst of a great cultural war. How do we respond when we hear of gay marriages and gay pastors being ordained? We can learn from 1 Chronicles 11 that we need to not retreat, but rather hold the high ground.

Holding Our Ground in the Faith Note: I am a United Methodist pastor who wrote this sermon in response to a recent ruling to allow a gay pastor to retain her ministry in the church. Though this message exhorts United Methodists to take a stand against a few radical elements within our fold, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 11:12-14

How Will God Find You?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 18, 2011

Many times we as Christians live our lives in the dark. We think we are reasonably good people trying our best. But our past, our associations, the flesh, and the culture around us, conspire to blind us to many things that are not like the Lord going on i

The church today is in trouble. Two recent surveys show that church attendance, even among professing Christians, is way down. Many people today also feel that while they acknowledge faith in Jesus, also want a Burger King style religion—the “have it your way” mentality of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Saved From Hell

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 6, 2009

Many pastors do not want to preach on HELL fearing they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. Apparently we have begun to deny hell. There’s an assumption that everybody’s going to make it to heaven somehow

Opening illustration: Video of ‘HELL’ from center of the earth. Introduction: Many pastors do shy away from the topic of everlasting damnation. "It’s out of fear they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. I believe we’ve begun to deny hell. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes A Church Ugly? Ephesus Pt 5 Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

The problem with Ephesus is they were doing so much inside the walls they never went out. They were a “come-and-get-it” church and not a “go-and-get-them” church. This church saw their culture as something you stay away from.

“What Makes a Church Ugly?” Ephesus. Revelation 2:1-7 The world tries to get it right, but in all of its wisdom it can never measure up to the truth of God—it is all foolishness. LOVE is not a feeling to be lost—but it can be forsaken. LOVE causes us some great and full ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Guidelines For Christianity: God's Gift Of Sex Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 26, 2015

Most people in our culture today don’t often associate the word "God" with the word "sex". We’re going to try to answer these questions. What does the seventh commandment actually address? Why is adultery wrong? What leads people to adultery?

Today we’re gonna talk about sex. Now that I have your attention. . . God does not have a Commandment about worshipping Him in a temple or sanctuary. He planned to live in the body of His people. He wants to be glorified in your body and carry out His ministry through you. Here’s a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Baptist

Series: Recovering Stolen Identity & Reclaiming Misplaced Destiny: Part 5: The Moses Story: "what Are You Doing In The Backside Of The Desert?"

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Moses is in a condition of waste - Example of Stolen Identity & Misplaced Destiny. He's gone from highest to lowest; from cultured prince to rustic shepherd. He appeared content, but is depressed. God will find you in the backside of the desert and put you back on destiny.

SERIES: RECOVERING STOLEN IDENTITY & RECLAIMING MISPLACED DESTINY: PART 5: THE MOSES STORY: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE BACKSIDE OF THE DESERT? 1. Exodus 2:11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25, Exodus 3:1-5

Denomination: Charismatic

Core 52 Week 11 - The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 19, 2020

How we handle threats? People tend toward two very different responses to a threat. Our current cultural focus is on the threat of COVID-19. Some want to completely downplay it and ignore it and others are running around with their hair on fire. What is the Christian response to this current event?

You can hear the sermon on my podcast https://pastorlanny.buzzsprout.com/ Intro: • How we handle threats - rather like my paternal grandfather contrasted to my mother during thunderstorms. o Growing up in SW Oklahoma - “tornado alley” in the 60’s. No early warning, no radar on phones. Sirens went ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3. The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Our modern culture is desperate to feel good about itself. But God has provided a true way to feel good about ourselves, to feel good because we are doing good, and to find God's forgiveness when our own efforts fall short.

We are continuing to look at what the Apostle Paul called the whole armor of God. In his letter to the Ephesian Church, chapter 6, he talked about our world as a battle field. And he wasn't picturing the kind of battle like that occurred when we began our attack on Iraq, where our forces ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Preparing For Perseverance

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 29, 2019

In the midst of a rapidly changing culture, with struggles unlike we've faced in the past, how do we overcome and remain vibrant in ministry? Paul answers these vital questions within the text. Those who overcome and remain passionate for the Lord must make necessary preparations.

Preparing for Perseverance 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 As we close out another year and stand on the verge of the New Year, no doubt this has been a memorable year for each of us. We have all faced difficulties and adversity, heartache and pain; and yet these struggles were tempered with grace and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

United In Christ Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 7, 2024

Unity is not based on cultural, social, or political similarities but rather on our shared identity in Jesus—sinners saved by grace. We are called to elevate Jesus above our differences and work together as one body, reflecting God's love and bringing hope to a divided world.

### **Introduction** Video Ill.: May We Be One — Floodgate Productions David wrote in Psalm 133: 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, Ephesians 2:11-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Hope: The Heart Of Christmas” Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 29, 2022

Wrapping up the book of Acts. Paul has "hope" that he will reach Rome. In our culture many people have lost "hope". Scottish Proverb: “Were it not for hope, the heart would break”. Our "hope" is secured by the resurrection.

In Jesus Holy Name November 27, 2022 Text: Acts 27,28 Redeemer Lutheran Advent I “Hope: The Heart of Christmas” The season of Advent begins today. It is the beginning of a new church year. It is a season of anticipation. A time ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Denomination: Lutheran

8 Days After Christmas

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 25, 2004

At Jesus’ circumcision we see that already He’s having an incredible impact...truly all things are made new. This New Year’s Message focuses on what Simeon did right in his response to the Messiah’s coming. Very helpful outline. Powerpoint at website.

8 Days After Christmas Luke 2:21-28 PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html Today is the 8th day after Christmas, as it was the 8th in the temple in our text. This is when circumcision would take place, and the naming of the child. Jesus’ name had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

God Made Friends!

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Feb 21, 2007

This sermon is dedicated to Rick, Sharon and JP who have impacted many lives including mine and my family as we have gone through good and bad times together. Thank you for sticking by our side and believing in us. You guys will always be a part of us and

God made friends (Dedicated to real friends Rick, Sharon and JP) A friend is someone who thinks you’re a good egg, even though you’re a little cracked. One who multiplies joys, divides grief. -One who understands our silence. -A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world is gone ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Renewed Spiritual Intensity For 2007

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Dec 30, 2006

Folks, our church is at a crossroads as we enter 2007 - many of us are standing at the juncture wondering what to do! A church can’t make impact on it’s community if some pick up their marbles and go home! If some never fellowship, if some never serve!

When you think of the word intensity, what comes to mind... Webster’s definition: earnest, fervent, showing strong emotion, firm purpose, great seriousness. Which is the result of something developing within one’s self. Once when Alabama was playing Auburn, Coach Bear Bryant sent in his 2nd ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Miracle At Beautiful Gate

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Mar 12, 2004

The 3rd chapter of Acts is a very special chapter; it is where we find the 1st miracle performed by the apostles after the ascension of Jesus Christ. We must look at the entire 3rd chapter to get the full impact of this miracle which took place at the ga

“The Miracle at Beautiful Gate” Acts 3 The 3rd chapter of Acts is a very special chapter; it is where we find the 1st miracle performed by the apostles after the ascension of Jesus Christ. We must look at the entire 3rd chapter to get the full impact of this miracle which took place at the ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic