Sermons on Urban Culture:

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

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

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

"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

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

Opposing The Opposition

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 21, 2015

These are hard times for the churches across North America. We have the greatest message the world could ever hope to hear but people shut their ears and hearts to it. So what are we to do?

Opposing the opposition - Jeremiah 11:18-20 This week I was drawn to the book of Jeremiah. God called him to a difficult task at a difficult time. Jeremiah was calling out to the people of God but they wanted none of it. In fact they had enough of Jeremiah and planned to kill him because he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20, 1 Peter 4:16-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Survival Guide For Life In Days Leading To The Apocalypse

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2022

We are in the last days. Though we don't know the timing of Christ's return, we are assured that we are living in the last days. How, then, shall we live in this last days?

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Acquired Thru Faith-5(:2a)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 12, 2024

5 of 10. The apostle Peter informs those who are faithful in Christ, that they are amply supplied for godly living. God’s people are amply supplied for godly living thru their faith. But, ?What does Christian faith acquire for God’s people? A provision of God, acquired thru faith in Jesus, is...

ACQUIRED Thru FAITH-V—2Peter 1:2a(:1-4) Attention: The FAITH of God’s people taps into the vast resources that are only available to them by God’s hand. Personal SAVING faith, that is centered in Jesus Christ as Savior & Lord, gains/acquires everything that is essential for living ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Stand Firm In The Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3–4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 8, 2025

We are living in a time when truth is treated as flexible, as if it bends to the winds of personal preference. Social media influencers, self-help gurus, and even some pulpits echo the same empty promise: “Follow your heart. Create your own truth.”

Go! And Stand Firm in the Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3–4 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NLT): “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Isaiah 30:9-10, Romans 1:25, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:14, Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Rest Of The Story

Contributed by Mark Eberly on May 27, 2008

Often quoted and very familiar to even people who don’t follow Jesus’ "Come to me" passage. But do we really understand what Jesus means by it? This passage is full of cultural specific references that could easily be lost if we don’t understand the cultu

Memorial Day The Rest of the Story Matthew 11:25-30 May 25, 2008 Often quoted and very familiar to even people who don’t follow Jesus is His declaration, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” This is an amazing passage with a whole host of applications that can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Church Of God