Sermons on Western Culture:

Witnessing To The Culture Of Death Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 7, 2020

We must work and pray, as St. Benedict told us to do. Work for the spread of the kingdom in our families and communities, and vote as a Christian must, for godly men and women who will resist the culture of death and legislate for life, peace, and goodness.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Lent 2020 For our first reading today, I have chosen to begin earlier in the first chapter of Isaiah than the Lectionary suggests, and to add the verses the Lectionary omits. The Lenten readings take a great deal of the very long prophecies of Isaiah, but they omit ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Christ In A Crooked Culture

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Feb 7, 2021

Paul's letter to the believers at Philippi urging them to stand for Christ in a crooked culture.

Christ in a Crooked Culture Philippians 2:12-18 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

"The Culture Of The King”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 18, 2021

James and John request places of honor in the new "political kingdom". Kingdom culture is servanthood. We live in an ambitious world. Life is about winning and losing. They were dreaming of goblets filled with wine, not cups of suffering.

In Jesus Holy Name March 15, 2021 Text: Mark 10:45 (Matthew 20:20-25) “The Culture of the King” There is a question that Americans should be asking today, not just in the church, but the entire society. “Where are the leaders we need who are not selfish? Do they exist?” Isn’t ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35, Matthew 20:25-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Culture Conformed Christians Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Thank God everyday that the President and Congress cannot tell any American how they are to worship, and what they are to believe. This is one of the greatest freedoms of life, and most people in history have never enjoyed it.

An insurance adjuster tells of a life policy taken out in the name of Abraham Brown in a small southern town. For five years the insurance company received the premiums when they were due. Then all of a sudden they stopped without warning. The company sent several notices and then finally there ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:15-16

Countering A Divorce Culture

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 12, 2021

Today, we live in a divorce culture; a society without “commitment.” Consumerism causes people to always look for the next best model; and disposability and its take-and-toss attitude has translated into a mindset of divorce.

When asked on his fiftieth wedding anniversary about his rule for marital bliss and longevity, Henry Ford replied, “It’s just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model.”(1) When he made this statement, Henry Ford was talking about commitment. I want to share a definition of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-5, 1 Corinthians 7:12-15, Colossians 3:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Empty Philosophies Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 22, 2017

Paul states explicitly here that there are philosophies that sound logical and reasonable but are simply wrong, and take us away from the Good News of Jesus. Logic and philosophy are good, but they can only take us so far.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Paul considered how Jesus makes the Christian faith different from all others. I hinted at the ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Foolish Message

Contributed by Johnny Cox on Apr 11, 2018

A message given Easter Sunday in 2018 when it also fell on April Fools Day.

Welcome to Church today! Do you like dumb riddles? I do. While you are turning to John 3:16, let’s see if you are awake! Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken! What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny! What do you get if you pour boiling water down a rabbit hole? A hot ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Communicate Across Cultures

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 15, 2001

HOW TO COMMUNICATE ACROSS CULTURES

TIPS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS Illustration: When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. "And why do you wish to go as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Birth Pains

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 1, 2024

This message unpacks Jesus teaching about how to live as his coming approaches and the church is challenged and persecuted by the secular and pagan culture.

Title: “Birth Pains” Text: Matthew 24:1-14 (The Olivet Discourse) Subject: How do we live for Christ as the age moves toward his return? Complement: We live wisely, fearlessly, courageously, devotedly, missionally…with endurance inspired by his coming. Big Idea; Jesus calls us to faithfulness as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christians Under Pressure

Contributed by W F on Sep 29, 2004

How should Believers live in a world hostile to God? We find some answers in the closing verses of James.

James 5:7-20 “Christians Under Pressure” INTRODUCTION It wasn’t long after his birth that Jesus first experienced hostility (i.e. Herod in Matthew 2:13-23). In our generation we are seeing Christians experiencing hostility around the globe (e.g. Churches in Indonesia). There is an element to the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-20

Denomination: *other

Surrendered To The Savior Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 3, 2018

Jesus offered a convicting mandate - take up your cross and follow me! In that culture the cross was not westernized like it is in our culture as a fashion statement. It meant death.

Surrendered to the Savior Mark 8: 34-38 For the past few weeks we have discussed some intense conversation between Jesus and the disciples. He had questioned them regarding His deity and their acceptance of Him as the Christ. While others had a skewed perception of Christ, Peter boldly, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Screen Life: An Ancient Wall & A Call To Arms

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 28, 2021

The lights shine brightly. I can hardly see in fact. The window is in front of me, pouring light. But I can't see. My mind is infatuated, obsessed. A kind of dementia overcomes me. I can't help but look.

The lights shine brightly. I can hardly see in fact. The window is in front of me, pouring light. But I can't see. My mind is infatuated, obsessed. A kind of dementia overcomes me. I can't help but look. I try to look away, but it recaptures my attention. I know there is a real world out ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:3, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Power Of Love In A Culture Of Violence Series

Contributed by Bishop Talbert Swan on Jun 8, 2013

God's love has the power to reduce violence

INTRODUCTION There is a very well-known principle in western media circles: sex and violence sells. America’s blood-lust is reflected with the surge in ratings and the millions upon millions of dollars made by media outlets that feed images of human suffering to eager viewers, readers, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44-45

Denomination: *other

Creating An Irresistible Culture Of Compassion Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 24, 2020

To create an irresistible culture of compassion in the church, love one another and work with your own hands.

Early on a Sunday morning several years ago, a 7-year-old boy in Plain City, Utah, hopped in his parents’ car, pulled out of the driveway, and took off down the road. Not long after, local police began receiving complaints about an erratic driver in a white Dodge Intrepid. When deputies located ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Romans 5:7-8, 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Leadership Changes Across Culture

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

Leadership should adjust itself to the cultural context so as to be the best servant leadership following the example of Jesus Christ who humbled himself and became like a man. Leadership Changes Across Culture

LEADERSHIP CHANGES ACROSS CULTURES Quote: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. And they left everything and followed Him." (Matt 4:19,20) Introduction - Trying to work in another culture with your own cultural values of leadership can be frustrating, counter-productive, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational