Sermons on Urban Culture:

The New Self: God’s Love On Display Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 19, 2014

Our new selves are characterized by love, and therefore we should value and live-out the nuances of love.

The New Self: God’s Love On Display (Colossians 3:12-14) 1. WOODSTOCK, Ill., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Customers at an Illinois Shell station received gas for just one cent per gallon due to a glitch in the system, an employee said. Rita Castillo, who has worked at the Shell station in Woodstock for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Christian’s Duty To Our Political Leaders Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 29, 2014

An examination of the call for us to pray for our political leaders as well as some of the reasons that we usually fail to fulfill that obligation.

THREE WAYS WE INTERACT WITH OUR POLITICAL LEADERS: 1. We complain about them. - Today this is our default position. Everyone is terrible, everything is terrible. This one’s a liar, that one’s a thief. This one is kicking puppies, that one hates babies. - And so we complain. 2. We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

No Compromise! Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 7, 2022

We must fight the temptation to compromise our faith to get along in our world, to be safe.

No Compromise! lanny smith Seven / Thyatira / Revelation 2:18–29   • Compromise meme. So we compromised and got a cat. • [Quote on screen] We don’t compromise because it’s right; we compromise because it is easy and because it saves face. We compromise in order to say that at least we got half ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-28, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 John 5:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let's Talk About #2 - Authority! Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Oct 19, 2006

We are living in a rebellious generation that has no respect for authority... No one will rule over me! I have my rights! I make my own decisions. No one likes to be under the authority of someone else.

LET’S TALK ABOUT #2: AUTHORITY LET’S TALK ABOUT! Last week we started a series called, “Let’s Talk About!” We’re going to consider different hot-topic questions and issues that you face in your life, including everything from sex and dating to life, the universe, and everything! KEY TEXT: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-17

Denomination: *other

Kingdom Keys - Mark Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 12, 2024

Fear and confusion are normal when first encountering the risen Jesus. It's why there are so many who hear the word, come in contact with the power of God and retreat. It doesn’t take brilliance to understand God’s message to humanity after hearing the facts. It takes courage.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:33, Mark 5:36, Mark 9:5-7, Mark 9:6, Mark 16:8, Mark 5:32-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Arguments For The Historical Jesus

Contributed by John Gaston on May 28, 2025

Gary Habermas in his book, The Historical Jesus, gives at least 10 evidences. As part of my Apologetics series, I have abbreviated and rewritten them to fit front & back on one piece of paper.

TEN ARGUMENTS FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS 1. MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT SOURCES. The existence of multiple independent sources – the four Gospels, Paul’s letters, and other early Christian writings – that attest to the historical existence of Jesus. There wasn’t just one witness to Jesus, but a large number ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, Philippians 2:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Answering God’s Call

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jul 8, 2025

What is the barrier that stops people from answering God's (or Jesus') call?

Answering God’s call Luke 11:5 – 8 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 11:5 And He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 because a friend of mine has come to me from a journey and I have nothing to serve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Go! And Live With Christ As Your Gain - Philippians 1:21 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 18, 2025

Imagine if your entire life, your faith, your mission, your hopes, and even your death could be summed up in a single sentence. That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul does in Philippians 1:21.

Go! And Live with Christ as Your Gain - Philippians 1:21 Philippians 1:21(NLT): “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” Introduction: Gripped by a Single Sentence Imagine if your entire life, your faith, your mission, your hopes, and even your death could be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Romans 14:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Colossians 3:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

True Religion James 1:26-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 31, 2021

James 1:26 speaks of "true religion." We know about caring for orphans and widows, but what about the other part?

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

How To Use Case Studies As Jesus Did

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 25, 2001

How to Use Case Studies as Jesus Did

How to Use Case Studies as Jesus 1. He allowed people to put themselves in many different difficult identities, roles, and responsibilities. This allowed the people to repeat this story imagining how the woman must have felt in such a desperate condition. Jesus highlighted the fact that the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Diversity In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2012

Leadership in the congregation is to reflect the Lord’s choice rather than seeking diversity as defined in the world.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Role Of Sexual Intimacy In Marriage Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Feb 16, 2018

The Role of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

The Role of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage Series: Making Relationships Work: Love, Sex & Marriage October 29, 2017 – Brad Bailey INTRO Today…we are continuing our Fall focus on relationships…enititled “Making Relationships Work: Love, Sex, and Marriage.” Making relationships work involves how we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sin Of Keeping Back

Contributed by Jack Warford on Dec 3, 2001

The first recorded sin in the Church was the sin of “keeping back”, and God dealt with it severely because this sin was a sin against Him, His Church and that it influenced another to sin.

The first recorded sin in the Church was the sin of “keeping back”, and God dealt with it severely because this sin was a sin against Him, His Church and that it influenced another to sin. Keeping back anything once you become a Christian is a partial commitment to Jesus, and a refusal to let go ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reconciliation To God

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Jul 8, 2003

Christ is the one who reconciles man to God

Reconciliation to God Ephesians 2:11-22 Purpose Statement: To encourage believer to understand that Christ is the one who reconciles us Christ isn’t partial to social status, race, nationality or culture. I. The former condition of the Gentiles (2:11,12) 1.) They had been treated with contempt ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Tips For Talking By Faith Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 1, 2007

More biblical steps to taking control of the communication in your life.

(Certainly not an exhaustive outline of what the Bible says about speech - but an offering of several key hot spots that require out attention.) 1. SPEAK SOFTLY AND DON’T CARRY A BIG EGO. "A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger." Proverbs 15:1 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Denomination: Baptist