Hot Topics #6- Transforming the Culture Sermon 4-7-19 PM


Video

Transforming Our Culture 1 Cor. 3:6-7 It’s the word CHANGE. not a new program, a new building or a new emphasis. NO! To change our culture God is going to have to change our minds, our attitudes, our styles and preferences and even our behavior inside and outside of the church. Paul knew that his culture would never willingly come to him…so he made it his priority to go to them. The latest statistics show that America is now considered the 3rd largest mission field in the English speaking world. That means the American church isn’t reaching our own people, much less the people of the world! So let’s face it, WE NEED TO CHANGE! the key is found in 1 Cor. 3:6-7, “My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important, but God is important because he is the one. who makes the seed grow.” Listen close all the way to the end or my may not hear what I’m proposing… 1). We have to develop a “come as you are” attitude. GRACE God saves every one of us using the exact same formula – his grace applied to our messy lives = a new creation. Matt. 22:2,9-10, “God’s kingdom is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on— every place filled.” The good and the bad! Rom 8:1-2 (NLT) “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV) 2). We have to root out the “us versus them” attitude. There’s one other ingredient that’s necessary if we want to change our church culture. 3). We have to understand that spiritual life is a process. My question is – are we going to become that church or will God have to look for another?