#TheStruggleIsReal, Week 5: The Tension Between Church & Culture

Tension: sense of conflict, or a pulling force The Tension Between CHURCH and CULTURE Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus doesn’t just offer eternal life… He offers eternal purpose. …upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18 (NLT) The local church is the hope of the world. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) When we get comfortable in our faith, we begin to see the great commission not as a rescue mission… but a correction mission. Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT) What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT)  For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT) Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT) Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT) This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity… Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV) Keep Jesus the Main Thing …Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NIV) We have to be willing to sacrifice preferences in the name of effectiveness. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV)     to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV) Fight the right battles A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) “There is no competition between lighthouses.” – Roy Stockstill When don’t win when we win arguments… we win when people see Jesus. Shine You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) Lost people were drawn to Jesus… they should be drawn to us. Influence comes from association.   “Instead of cursing the darkness; try lighting a candle.” – Rich Wilkerson Jr.