This Cultural Moment

Sunday September 14th, 2025       “This Cultural Moment”                Text: Jude 3–4, 17–19 (CSB)Introduction: Naming This MomentJude wrote in a cultural moment of deception and ungodliness to urge believers to contend for the faith and to remember what was foretold about scoffers and those driven by ungodly desires. Some scholars believe the letter is not the letter he intended to write, but one that was sparked by the death of Peter and the infiltration of false teachers as Peter had predicted (2 Peter)“December 7th, 1941. A Date Which Will Live In Infamy” FDR on Pearl Harbor“September 11th, 2001. Do You Remember Where You Were?” Americans on 9/11“September 10th, 2025. This Cultural Moment” Iryna Zarutska, Charlie Kirk, Evergreen High School We, too, live in a cultural moment marked by confusion, division, violence, and spiritual apathy.Our call: to evaluate, unify, and faithfully live out the gospel. 1. We Have Stopped Celebrating the Holy (Jude 3–4)Jude’s plea: “I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith” (v. 3).Instead of celebrating God’s holiness, many have grown numb.Illustration / Stat: In 2025 alone (as of Sept. 10), there have been 47 school shootings in the U.S., leaving 19 dead and 77 injured. We read it, shake our heads, and move on.We’ve become desensitized to the holy weight of life itself.Cross References:Psalm 29:2Isaiah 6:3Teaching Emphasis: The people of God must be those who rejoice in God’s holiness and declare it in the midst of a culture numb to life and death. 2. You Must Glorify God Where You Are (Jude 17–18)Jude reminds believers: “But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles…” (vv. 17–18).God has placed you here, in this generation, for this moment.Societal Lens: The rise in violence is staggering. Compare:1900–1999 (100 years): 439 incidents. (All of 80-90s saw 79+123 for 202 total)2008–2025 (17 years): 757 incidents → 172.4% increase in just 17 years. On pace for 4,451 incidents for the 2000-2099Why such an escalation? Widespread desensitization through media, particularly since the iPhone release on June 29, 2007.Cross References:Acts 17:26Esther 4:14Teaching Emphasis: Wherever you are — school, work, neighborhood — is where you glorify God. 3. We Must Equip The Saints For The Work Of Ministry (Jude 19)Jude identifies the false ones: “These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit” (v. 19).The church’s response is not withdrawal but equipping.Societal Insight: 89% of Americans now get their news online. Most of that media leans on negative, violent reporting (“if it bleeds, it leads”).This constant diet shapes people, unless they are rooted and equipped in truth.Cross References:Ephesians 4:11–12Hebrews 10:24–25Teaching Emphasis: Equipping one another is a guardrail against cultural deception and a fuel source for gospel witness. 4. Before You Can Change The World, You Must Change Your Daily Sphere (Jude 20–21)Jude continues: “But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith… keep yourselves in the love of God” (vv. 20–21).Change doesn’t begin at the global or national level. It begins in your heart, your home, your neighborhood.Societal Critique: Trauma images, endless scrolling, and saturation with negativity leave us numb. But discipleship reshapes us into those who bring Christ’s presence into ordinary life.Cross References:Luke 16:10Matthew 5:14–16 Teaching Emphasis: World transformation starts with daily faithfulness. Conclusion: Light vs. DarknessThis is not a left vs. right problem; it’s a light vs. darkness problem (John 1:5).Jude’s word is urgent: Contend for the faith, build yourselves up, glorify God where you are, and stay faithful.In a culture numb to holiness, violence, and truth, the people of God must shine with rejoicing, holiness, unity, and everyday obedience.