Sermons on Culture Shifters:

Why The Church Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jun 12, 2014

In our culture where the influence of the church is diminishing, why should we BE the church? The answer is found in the identity of Jesus and the promises he makes about the Kingdom he is establishing (the church).

Why the Church I want to share some staggering statistics about church. Since the year 2000, more than 4000 churches in America have closed the doors to their buildings each year. That's more than 40,000 churches. At the turn of the 1900’s there were 27 churches to every 10,000 people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-19

Denomination: Christian Church

Strait And Narrow Sermon Ii: Christians Choose To Protect And Preserve Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jun 10, 2020

As culture drifts further away from biblical truth, Christians naturally grapple with the question of right versus wrong but come down on the side of protecting and preserving rather than devaluing and destroying.

CHRISTIANS CHOOSE TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE RATHER THAN DEVALUE AND DESTROY LIFE As Christians grapple with the question of right vs wrong as it pertains to shocking cultural changes, we would do well to remember whose we are, whom we serve and what our Lord taught His followers about ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Kingdom Integrity Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 11, 2019

How do you live in a culture that regards truth as relative? Jesus says, “Don’t swear. Just speak the truth.” But in order to do that, you must submit to Him!

On the first day of school in a Peanuts comic strip, the teacher asks her class to write an essay about returning to school after summer vacation. Linus writes, “No one can deny the joys of a summer vacation with its days of warmth and freedom. It must be admitted however that the true joy lies in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37, James 5:12, Galatians 2:20, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 5:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Whatever Happened To Repentance? Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Feb 28, 2022

Repentance, as a word, is mostly lost in today culture, along with the words holiness and sin. As a church word, it has lost its meaning over the years. All Scripture references are from the NASB.

Repentance, as a word, is mostly lost in today culture, along with the words holiness and sin. As a church word, it has lost its meaning over the years. We hear the word, “but what,” we may ask, “has it do with me?” Everything. We are called to be much more kind, and gentle, not wanting to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Cry Of Victory To God Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Jun 21, 2023

The cry of victory to God represents the acknowledgment of divine intervention and the recognition of God's power and grace. In many cultures, this cry is also seen to express gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings received

The cry of victory to God Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, June 21, 2023 Psalm 3:1–8 (NKJV) “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are They who rise up against me2 Many are They who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O Lord, are a shield ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

This Is War Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 9, 2024

As we continue to pursue the "true religion" that James encourages us to embody, we come face to face with a war that we face. Sure, there are battles with culture, but this war is within.

One of my favorite bands is the group “Switchfoot.” While I like their sound (it is unique and often very easily identifiable), what I like most is their lyrics. Switchfoot is a band that is made up of Christians. Their lyrics and songs have made their way onto both Christian and secular charts ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12, Luke 16:13, Matthew 7:7-8, Exodus 34:14, Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 37:4, Matthew 5:3-4, 1 John 1:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On A Communion In Diversity

Contributed by William Meakin on May 9, 2025

A communion in diversity is said to represent an identity of different persons, groups, or even perspectives coming together from an assortment of cultural ideas or opinions while retaining individual character and personal contribution.

Benedictine Abbot Donato Ogliari, an Italian Catholic prelate once remarked: "The communion that the Holy Spirit builds in the community of believers is not the result of a flat and rigid uniformity. On the contrary, as the Apostle Paul describes using the metaphor of the body, the unity and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 3:28, 1 John 4:12, 1 Peter 3:8

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

Unleashing The Power Of Encouragement

Contributed by Daniel Harman on Aug 28, 2006

An inspiration to both individuals & congregations to cultivate a CULTURE of ENCOURAGEMENT – enabling it to become part of your DNA, woven into your values & day to day lifestyle. This sermon will encourage you to be generous, lavish, extravagant with

Title: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT Pastor Dan Harman (Victory Church Portsmouth, ENGLAND) Definition: Encouragement = the act of giving hope or support that inspires confidence & a will to keep on keeping on. Aim: to INSPIRE you as individuals & as a congregation to cultivate a CULTURE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A Naked Man And A Bunch Of Crazy Pigs

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Jesus encounters a man with so many demons the man says his name is "Legion." Yet, the community is not afraid of this man. Like our culture, the biblical community had grown comfortable with evil.

by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Jr. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami Florida Pittendreigh@aol.com When I was in high school, there was a local legend about the Blue Ghost of Maddox Bridge Road. Some 10 or 20 years earlier, two high school students had been out on a date. They were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:27-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spiritual Mourning Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Dec 26, 2004

As much as being "poor in spirit" is diametrically opposed to the conventional wisdom of today’s culture, so to with the thought that happiness could be connected with mourning. If there is one thing that the world tries to avoid it is mourning. Everyth

Spiritual Mourning Matthew 5:4 #2 of 8 in series INTRODUCTION Last week we started a series of sermons on the Beatitudes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We considered poorness of spirit and the role it plays in salvation. One must first realize that he is in sin before He can come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Happiness In Mourning...say What? Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 26, 2008

The Beatitudes paint a counter-culture picture of the character of a Christian. Blessing is found in poverty of spirit, and in mourning. Doesn’t seem possible, but it’s a truth that Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount.

Here we go. The Sermon on the Mount covers three chapters in the book of Matthew. Chapters five through seven. In chapter five Jesus teaches us about the? Law of God. Chapter six is about living in the? Presence of God. And Chapter seven will walk us through the? Judgment of God. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Wesleyan

Proclaiming The Unknown God Series

Contributed by Mark Olson on Jul 17, 2007

Just as Paul had to proclaim who the true God is, because the Athenians were ignorant of Him, so we too must proclaim who the true God is to our world and culture.

Proclaiming the Unknown God Acts 17:16-34 Pastor Mark Olson The kind of God we worship, determines the kind of person we become - we become what we worship... Sad truth - great ignorance of the true, living God Athenians worshipped the “unknown god” because they did not want to leave any god out ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Holiness