Sermons on Urban Culture:

Strait And Narrow Sermon Ix: Christians Keep Getting It Right And Growing In Christ Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jun 10, 2020

As culture drifts further away from biblical truth, mature Christians keep on following the guidelines laid down by the Apostle Paul so that God's Will might be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.

TOGETHER WE KEEP ON GETTING IT RIGHT AND GROWING IN CHRIST Two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key stood watch on behalf of American captives being held beneath the deck of a British ship off the shore of Maryland, while British warships pounded a US Fort with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

The Hope Laid Up For You Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Introduction A. There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 10:17

Walk Worthy Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. This is another of Paul’s “prison epistles,” written from the barracks in Rome (as he did with his letter to the Philippians) and in the company of Timothy B. Points out Epaphras (not Epaphroditus, a messenger for the Philippians), likely founder and pastor C. He expressed ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, Romans 11:33, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:14-17, 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 3:16-20, James 1:2-4, Matthew 5:12, Revelation 2:10, Romans 8:17, Psalm 103:12  (view more)  (view less)

Hope For A New Year Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Intro A. There is a poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, where Jesus is carrying His cross down the Via Dolorosa. Upon seeing Mary, His mother, Jesus says, “Look, mother, I am doing a new thing.” B. For us, every day is a new thing, but some days have more importance than ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6, John 1:14, John 8:58, John 10:30, Romans 8:29, John 1:1-3, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 22:13, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:19, John 5:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Chronos - 1 Corinthians 9-11 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 19, 2022

If we reject cultural stereotypes, classism and our own spiritual pride, in favor of unity, love and admiration for God and one another, we will accomplish the mission we have been placed on earth for.

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 11:11-16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Adultery Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 11, 2022

Adultery is extramarital sex considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal consequences, the concept exists in many cultures.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:27-30 (Adultery) Jesus states, "Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery." Adultery Matthew 5:27–30 — The New International Version (NIV) 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Individualism Series

Contributed by Scott Berry on Aug 27, 2020

Have you ever thought about why you think the way you do? What are the cultural lenses that you are looking through? Let us think about the water we are swimming in.

Rom 12: 9 – 21 Looking at our lenses: Individualism (Have you spotted consumeristic thinking in yourself this week?) Individualism is the social outlook that stresses independence and self-reliance. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires, while opposing external ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

The War On Us

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Apr 26, 2021

The World has a focus on I. But as popular as the I culture is today it was not always so. It all begun with "US". It is "US" who created and sustained the world. Togetherness. But there is a war on this concept.

SCRIPTURE READING Ps. 139:1-24 The scripture says that in the beginning there was God. The bible says quite clearly, in Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God…. From the beginning there was the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- United and Supreme. Together they composed the entity we call- God. In the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24, John 17:21, John 1:14, Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 14:13-14, Genesis 3:6-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

God Is Not A God Of Confusion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 7, 2023

We must not imagine that the confusion roiling western culture is because of God. Having rejected the Lord, civilization is confused, and without hope of being set right without God's merciful intervention.

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” [1] We live in a world that is increasingly confused—confused about society, confused about the role of government, confused about the sexes, confused about God. And I could undoubtedly go on about the confusion that reigns in our world. Confusion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:33

Denomination: Baptist

Conviction - How Strong Is Yours?

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Sep 13, 2023

In the Bible, through his actions and prayers, Daniel gives us a powerful example of what it looks like to live unashamed in a culture that sees no need to live righteously and obediently for God's glory.

We live in a culture that's becoming more and more antagonistic toward anyone who follows Christ. In the Bible, through his actions and prayers, Daniel gives us a powerful example of what it looks like to live unashamed in a culture that sees no need to live righteously and obediently for ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:3-13, Daniel 1:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Pretending

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 27, 2003

Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are looking for masks that can make them into the cultural image of someone great. Still others are looking for identities that will make themselves acceptable

Stop Pretending ``We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’’ (2 Cor. 10:5) Some people are looking for masks to be able to hide their inner sense of inadequacies. Others are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Why The World Hates Christianity"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 25, 2003

"We face a secular culture that is becoming increasingly strident and militant in its anti-Christian, anti-truth, anti-God mentality and I fear the danger of facing this spirit with a lackadaisacal heart." Dr. James Merrit

"WHY THE WORLD HATES CHRISTIANITY" By. Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com JOHN 15:18-27 Dayna Curry, 30, and Heather Mercer, 24, both graduates of Baylor University and members of the Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, were among eight westernerns arrested by the Taliban in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker Series

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 22, 2001

In a culture that said women had no power, Abigail successfully leads a peace delegation and stops a war between the two most powerful men in the region. We, too, must use our power to make peace.

Restorative Justice #5: Abigail, The Peacemaker 1 Samuel 25:2-44 Trinity United Methodist Church, Providence October 21, 2001 Rev. Anne Grant We displayed a transparency that said: USE YOUR POWER TO MAKE PEACE 1. Beware of anger. 2. Act with holy boldness. 3. Humble yourself. 4. Be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, 1 Samuel 25:2-44

Denomination: Methodist

Abuse Of Power - That Ain't Right Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 31, 2005

Halloween is a fun time that permeates our culture.... and it also has its dark and sinister side. Yet even Halloween’s dark side pales compared to an even worse threat of the occult in our nation.

OPEN: Tomorrow is October 31st. It is best known as the day of Halloween, but it also the day on which other significant events have taken place. · In 1938 Orson Welles broadcast his famous “War of the Worlds” that caused much of the United States to become panicked by the possibility that Mars ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bowing To The Great Idol Of Self

Contributed by Mark Adams on Jan 13, 2007

The OT has a lot of interesting stories about idolatry, but is that really just a problem of the past? This sermon addresses the very real problem that our culture has in worshiping our own desires above all else.

To the reader: What inspired this sermon was a quote I read in R.C. Ortlund’s book, When God Comes To Church, p. 194. "Self is the great idol standing at the center of our conceptual world, to which all bow low. We even have a duty-to-self ethic, as if self-denial were harmful, immoral, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ