Standing Firm in a Shifting Culture
Intro; talk about sermon title and how it came about.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1. Culture: Christian vs Worldly
a. Worldly culture refers to the secular or materialistic aspects of culture, focusing on earthly concerns, desires, and pleasures, as opposed to spiritual or religious values and practices.
b. Christian culture is rooted in the belief in God as a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the divinity and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the authority of the Bible as God’s inspired word.
Worldly
This understanding often emphasizes a tension between worldly and spiritual pursuits, suggesting that excessive focus on worldly matters can distract from or even hinder spiritual growth. How many of you could say (raise hand) that at some point in your life you were distracted by worldly pursuits and it hindered your walk.
“Worldliness” is also aligning with the values and behaviors of those outside the faith, including prioritizing material wealth, status, or sensual pleasures over spiritual matters. (elaborate on shifting/changing culture)
Christian
Involves practices like prayer, worship, sacraments (baptism, communion), and following Christian ethical principles (honesty, transparency, love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, justice, and the sanctity of human life). These values influence personal conduct, social interactions, and even political and legal systems. (elaborate)
2. The Why Behind the What (tell about being asked this question)
a. What do you believe?
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
John 11:25-26 (NLT)
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. . . “
Rich Mullins said it best in his song “Creed”.
I believe in God the Father
Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried
He descended into hell and on the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends
b. Why do you believe it?
Because the Bible says so?? Although it is a great answer, it is not going to help someone understand.
We tell them about forgiveness, healing, liberation from guilt or shame, and a newfound purpose and direction in life.
About Jesus filling a void in our heart, providing a sense of peace, joy, and satisfaction that transcends material possessions or worldly success.
- Hearing the stories of others whose lives have been transformed by faith in Jesus can be a powerful influence. Everyone has a story, TELL YOUR STORY!
3. Standing firm on the rock
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NLV)
13 Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. 14 So stand up and do not be moved. Wear a belt of truth around your body. Wear a piece of iron over your chest which is being right with God. 15 Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace. 16 Most important of all, you need a covering of faith in front of you. This is to put out the fire-arrows of the devil. 17 The covering for your head is that you have been saved from the punishment of sin. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
a. It’s about relationship with Jesus
Elaborate on relationship with marriage example.
b. Rooted in the Word
Spending time reading and studying the Bible helps you build a strong foundation in Jesus’ teachings.
c. Prayer and Connection with God
Maintaining a consistent prayer life fosters a close relationship with God and strengthens your spiritual foundation.
d. Trust and Obedience
Trusting in God’s plan and being obedient to His Will are essential aspects of standing firm.
In essence, “standing firm on the rock of Jesus” is about anchoring your life and faith in Jesus Christ, finding strength and stability in Him, and living out your Christian faith with conviction and perseverance.
The Bible says that the devil is like a lion roaming around seeking whom he may devour. He will use any tactic to pull you away from God even something seemingly innocent as a fiction novel. (tell story of romance novel)
The more we ignore the conviction of the holy spirit and put our relationship with Jesus on the back burner we will begin to forget the “why” behind the “what” and as the culture shifts so will we. We will begin to believe the lie that it’s ok to sin, and then we justify our sin through rationalization, moral disengagement, and self-justification, all while engaging in behavior that contradicts our moral standards and the Word of God.
Then before we know it, we have become a Christian Atheist. (elab)
Brennan Manning, a Christian author and speaker on Christian spirituality, described it best (dc talk)
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle”. “That is what an un-believing world simply finds unbelievable.”
We can’t be Christians in name only. It is imperative that we live our life in a way that others see Jesus in us. We must do what 1 Corinthians 16:13 says..
1 Corinthians 16:13 (AMP)
13 Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and women and be courageous; be strong.
Closing Statement:
Standing firm in a shifting culture means anchoring our faith in God’s truth and remaining steadfast despite societal changes. Grounding our identity in God’s Word, just as Daniel remained faithful in Babylon, we too can resist cultural pressures to compromise our beliefs and actively live out our faith. It’s about being a beacon of stability and truth, in an unstable world. In John 17:16. Jesus says, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”. Although we are physically present in the world, we are not to be characterized by the world’s values, desires, and ways. We are to be characterized by God’s values, desires and way, strengthening our relationship with Him, to be unmovable beacons of light to a dark world.
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