Sermons on Culture:

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Taking Christ Out Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 2, 2023

If Christmas has become a "cultural" holiday, This message looks at what happens when we try and take out all of the religious elements.

Have you noticed that every year, people seem more intent on secularizing Christmas? They wish you a “Happy Holiday” or “Seasons Greetings” and then have presentations at school that make no mention of the Manger or the Wise Men, let alone the Christ Child. Now, I may be a little overly sensitive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

We Can Escape

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 23, 2022

Our culture is filled with so much moral depravity so how can we escape? Regarding temptation, Paul offers the Corinthians staunch support.

Paul said that bad desires and temptations can happen to anyone, so do not think that we are the only ones at risk. We can also resist temptation, as others have. We can resist any temptation because God will assist us in doing so. With God’s help, we can resist temptation if: We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Original Meaning Of Communion

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Sep 3, 2024

What did communion mean when Jesus’ performed it for the first time? It’s Aramaic cultural meaning will enhance today’s usage of the evennt.

The Original Meaning of Communion Luke 22:14-23 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 14 And when the hour had come He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-23

Denomination: United Methodist

What Does The Book Of James Say About Rich People?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 8, 2024

Why does James not like rich people? The culture tells us why. Wealth is not a problem today. It is how wealth is obtained and used that is the potential problem.

What does the book of James say about rich people? James 2:1-7 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

The Example Of Christ Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus loved everyone impartially and intentionally, breaking cultural barriers and societal norms. We are called to follow His example and love others in the same way.

Do you remember Jesus' greatest commandment? He told us to love each other just like He loved us. Today, we're going to see how Jesus walked the talk. Let's pray: God, help us to love like You do. Show us how to look past our differences and love everyone, no matter what. Teach us to love like ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-9, John 4:1-42

Topics: Unconditional Love, Purposeful Affection, Impartiality, Intentional Relationships

A Three-Fold Battle Plan To Redeem Western Civilization

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 28, 2021

Your looking out upon a smoking, ruined battlefield. The battle is a battle for the ideas of a society. You and your men, clad in green, clutching rifles in the trenches are viewing three approaches.

Your looking out upon a smoking, ruined battlefield. The battle is a battle for the ideas of a society. You and your men, clad in green, clutching rifles in the trenches are viewing three approaches. These three approaches lead to three strongholds. These strongholds are pouring out fire on your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Request For Refuge

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 19, 2015

When times are tough its time to fight for your faith, knowing that your times are in His hands.

A Request for Refuge Psalm 31 Rev. Brian Bill July 18-19, 2015 Beth and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary on Monday. When I posted a picture from our wedding day many people complimented Beth. Me, not so much. Here are just a few of the comments: • Look, you have hair • She looks ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Privileges Of God's People Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 1, 2014

When we know what have in Christ, we'll live what we love.

The Privileges of God’s People 1 Peter 2:4-12 Rev. Brian Bill November 1-2, 2014 An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which two seemingly contradictory words are used together for effect. Here are some examples. An Actual Reenactment Excruciatingly Joyful – that’s how I felt ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

Cross The Line

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Our world has drawn new lines in the sand in an effort to separate us from those who need what only Jesus can give. Our world says – keep your religion to yourself – we don’t want it here. Jesus says cross the line, I'm here for you.

Cross the Line John Chapter 11 Jesus crosses the line and goes back to Judea where his friend Lazarus has died. Sometimes God will call us and ask us to cross the line. To go from a place of relative safety to a place of danger. The last time Jesus was in Judea they tried to kill Him by ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Revelations Has To Say To The U.s. Church Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 14, 2020

Do we have anything in common with the first-century church of Ephesus? Unfortunately, yes we do. Too much have we abandoned the love of Christ we had at first.

Monday of 33rd Week in Course 2020 In this penultimate week of the Church year, the Church gives us snippets from the Book of Revelations, the last and in some ways most difficult book of the New Testament. You see today the style of the letters; the ones we have this week are written to churches ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-4, Revelation 2:1-5, Psalm 1:1-6, Luke 18:35-43

Denomination: Catholic

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Dennis Fox on Jul 28, 2022

The Good Shepherd protects the sheep from the wolves. Wolves are always circling the flock, just waiting for their chance. Are you willing to stand with the Shepard? Are you willing to be a sheepdog?

Good Shepherd 25 Apr 2021 Richardson I read an article about a band of killers and thieves roaming the Iraqi countryside. As if this country hasn’t had enough problems, now they have these gangs stealing sheep and attacking shepherds. These killers work in well trained teams with each member ...read more

Scripture: John 10:12-13, Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Other

Building A Church Of Thessalonica For The 21st Century | Part 6 | True Evangelism | Dr. Madana Kumar Series

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Apr 5, 2024

The success of Paul's short ministry at Thessalonica can teach us several lessons on how we can approach evangelism in the current context. In this final part of this series Dr. Madana Kumar brings out several lessons.

Building a Church of Thessalonica for the 21st century | Part 6 | True Evangelism We are in Part 6 of the series on 1& 2 Thessalonians. We have looked into the historical background of forming the church at Thessalonica. We have established that the church at Thessalonica became a model ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Acts 17:5-9, Acts 17:13, Acts 17:11-12, Acts 17:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Acts 17:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 17:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World System's Utopian Fantasies & The Resistance Awaiting A Better World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 5, 2021

One may browse through a hundred news articles a day or reflect on the situations facing humanity with great trembling. And one may reflect back upon history to consider how history repeats itself.

I'd like to arrange several elements which we'll reference during this reflection. We'll be referencing sources including Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, the novels 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, an obscure Walt Disney film from 1979 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:13

Denomination: Salvation Army

Speaking Up For Those In Need: Embracing Our Call On Safeguarding Sunday - Proverbs 31:8 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 14, 2024

Safeguarding Sunday, a day when we pause to focus on our responsibility to protect and care for those who are vulnerable. In the Bible, we find a clear and strong message about justice, compassion, and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Speaking Up for Those in Need: Embracing Our Call on Safeguarding Sunday - Proverbs 31:8 Introduction Today we are gathered on Safeguarding Sunday, a day when we pause to focus on our responsibility to protect and care for those who are vulnerable. In the Bible, we find a clear and strong message ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:8, Psalm 82:3-4, Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27, Ephesians 4:2-3, 1 Corinthians 12:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal