Church | What the World Needs Now: We Are the Church - Part 5

Send us Fan MailWhat the World Needs NowWe Are the Church - Part 5Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith StewartSunday, June 5, 2022There are some Christians who see themselves in a battle for the soul of our nation and believe only one side will emerge victorious and it isn’t the side that refuses to fight. The problem with the culture-war thinking is not necessarily that these believers are wrong about the ills of society but it’s how they choose to respond to it. We forget this fundamental truth about the nature of the war we’re engaged in. Paul wrote… For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6.12Make no mistake about it, we are in a war but our battle is a spiritual one. The real question is, “Are we seeking to DESTROY or RESCUE our opponents?” SERIES: WE ARE THE CHURCHThe Church today is suffering from memory loss, not amnesia, more like Alzheimer’s. When a person has amnesia, they lose short-term memory but maintain a basic knowledge of their identity and are able to function. But Alzheimer’s slowly takes away the memory of how to function and identity. Unlike the amnesia victim, someone with Alzheimer’s may not even realize something is wrong. Without periodic reminders, we all too soon forget who we are called to be and what we are called to do as Christ-followers – members of His Church. This series is to remind us of those bedrock principles.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. As Pastor Keith said in the weekend message, there are some things that should make us angry. The greatest challenge you and I will face is being angry over the right thing, for the right reasons, and to the right degree. When we see things in the world that provoke our anger, we often direct our anger toward people instead of the real enemy – the Evil One. So may today get caught up in the Evil One’s traps. It is wrong to equate them with the enemy when they are victims of the enemy. How might this shift in thinking help you express your anger and direct it more appropriately?3. Paul, in his sermon on Mars Hill, quoted Greek poets who had made statements about God (but specifically in reference to Zeus). Paul acknowledged both statements as true facts about the One God of Heaven. This is a powerful example of Paul practicing truthful agreement – that is, finding statements of truth even within pagan belief systems in order to begin from a common ground or understanding. It further illustrates the truth that your ideological enemy is seldom 100% wrong about anything. It is rare for people to believe a total lie. Can you see and affirm truth when you hear it? Can you give any examples of this in your conversations with non-believers?  4. Times of tension and transition are also times of heightened receptivity to the gospel – marriage, moving, a career change, having children, going through a divorce, experiencing a prolonged illness, loneliness, etc. Oftentimes, it is times like these that will cause people to seek out a spiritual community for direction or help. Have you ever seen this before? Was it a part of your story or someone else you knew? Describe what that was like. 5. Tell your story of coming to Christ, in 3 movements…> Before Christ> How I came to Christ> After ChristTry sharing your story in under three minutes using those three movements as your framework.-----https://www.springcreekchurch.org/#realspringcreekchurch #wearethechurch #itsjesuschurch #reminder #backtobasics #church #fundamentals #churchisnotabuilding #culturalbaggage #baggage #traditionalism #areweworshippingworship #worship #outsiders #followers #whattheworldneedsnow #battle #war #struggle #spiritualwar