Adapting to Change: Building a Loving Church Community
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the rapid changes in our culture and how they parallel the challenges faced by a Major League Baseball umpire trying to call a 100-mile-per-hour fastball. Just as the umpire must adapt to the increasing speed of pitches, we as Christians must adapt to the fast-paced changes in our society. Despite the seeming decline of Christianity in the West, there are signs of revival, especially among young people and intellectuals who are rediscovering faith. This unexpected turn is a testament to Jesus' promise that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
We are reminded that Jesus has invited us to participate in His mission to build the church, despite our flaws and limitations. Our role is to go into the world and preach the gospel, trusting that Jesus will accomplish His work through us. This mission is not about judging outsiders but loving them and creating an environment where they feel welcomed and valued.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of creating a loving, truthful, beautiful, and familial atmosphere within the church. Love should be the hallmark of our interactions, both with insiders and outsiders. Truth must be spoken in love, and beauty should be a reflection of God's creation, pointing people to Him. Finally, the church should feel like a family, welcoming everyone with open arms and ensuring no one feels alone.
As we prepare for the upcoming series on Exodus, we are encouraged to invite others to join us and experience the transformative power of the gospel. The changes in our service times and seating arrangements are small steps towards creating a more inclusive and engaging environment for everyone.
### Key Takeaways
1. Adapting to Rapid Cultural Changes: Just as umpires must adapt to faster pitches, Christians must adapt to the rapid changes in culture. Despite the seeming decline of Christianity, there are signs of revival, especially among young people and intellectuals. This unexpected turn is a testament to Jesus' promise that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. [22:49]
2. Jesus' Promise and Our Role: Jesus promised to build His church, and He invites us to participate in this mission despite our flaws. Our role is to go into the world and preach the gospel, trusting that Jesus will accomplish His work through us. This mission is not about judging outsiders but loving them and creating an environment where they feel welcomed and valued. [26:36]
3. Creating a Loving Atmosphere: Love should be the hallmark of our interactions, both with insiders and outsiders. People should feel loved when they walk through the church doors and even more loved when they leave. This love is a powerful testimony to the world and a reflection of Jesus' command to love one another. [43:00]
4. Speaking Truth in Love: Truth must be spoken in love, especially about spiritual matters. It is unloving to withhold the truth, and it is equally unloving to speak the truth without love. When we balance truth and love, we grow in Christ and help others do the same. [47:03]
5. Creating a Beautiful and Familial Environment: Beauty in the church environment reflects God's creation and points people to Him. The church should also feel like a family, welcoming everyone with open arms and ensuring no one feels alone. This familial atmosphere helps outsiders feel like they belong and are valued. [53:59]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [20:06] - Derwood Merrill and Nolan Ryan
3. [21:57] - Rapid Cultural Changes
4. [22:49] - Signs of Revival
5. [23:41] - The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God
6. [24:46] - Jesus' Promise to Build His Church
7. [25:36] - Our Role in Jesus' Mission
8. [26:36] - Preaching the Gospel
9. [27:17] - Connecting with Outsiders
10. [29:00] - Biblical Terms: Insiders and Outsiders
11. [30:44] - Speaking in Tongues and Prophecy
12. [32:10] - Creating a Loving Atmosphere
13. [43:00] - Loving One Another
14. [47:03] - Speaking Truth in Love
15. [53:59] - Creating a Familial Environment
16. [56:34] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:18 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
2. John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
3. Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What analogy did the pastor use to describe the rapid changes in our culture? ([21:57])
2. According to the sermon, what unexpected trend is occurring among young people and intellectuals in the West? ([22:49])
3. What are the four key elements the pastor mentioned that should characterize the church environment? ([42:26])
4. How does the pastor describe the role of Christians in Jesus' mission to build the church? ([26:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of the umpire and the fastball help us understand the challenges Christians face in adapting to cultural changes? ([21:57])
2. What does Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18 imply about the future of the church, despite current cultural trends? ([24:46])
3. Why is it important to balance truth and love in our interactions, according to Ephesians 4:15 and the sermon? ([47:03])
4. How can creating a familial atmosphere in the church help in fulfilling Jesus' command to love one another as stated in John 13:34-35? ([53:59])
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor mentioned that our role is to go into the world and preach the gospel. How can you personally take steps to share the gospel in your daily life? ([26:36])
2. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How can this experience help you create a more welcoming environment for newcomers at church? ([29:00])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of speaking the truth in love. Can you think of a situation where you struggled to balance truth and love? How can you handle it better next time? ([47:03])
4. What practical steps can you take to contribute to a loving atmosphere in your church community? ([42:26])
5. The pastor talked about the importance of beauty in the church environment. How can you use your talents to enhance the beauty of your church, whether through art, music, or another form? ([49:06])
6. How can you help create a familial atmosphere in your church, ensuring that no one feels alone? Think of specific actions you can take this week. ([53:59])
7. The pastor mentioned changes in service times and seating arrangements to create a more inclusive environment. How do you feel about these changes, and how can you support them? ([45:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Adapting to Rapid Cultural Changes
In today's fast-paced world, Christians face the challenge of adapting to rapid cultural changes, much like a Major League Baseball umpire trying to call a 100-mile-per-hour fastball. Despite the seeming decline of Christianity in the West, there are signs of revival, especially among young people and intellectuals who are rediscovering faith. This unexpected turn is a testament to Jesus' promise that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. [22:49]
As Christians, we must remain vigilant and adaptable, understanding that the cultural landscape is constantly shifting. This means being open to new ways of engaging with the world while holding firmly to the timeless truths of the gospel. It is essential to recognize that revival can happen in the most unexpected places and among the most unlikely people. By staying rooted in our faith and being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, we can be part of the revival that Jesus promised.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: How can you adapt to the rapid cultural changes around you while staying true to your faith? What new ways can you engage with those who are rediscovering faith?
Day 2: Jesus' Promise and Our Role
Jesus promised to build His church, and He invites us to participate in this mission despite our flaws. Our role is to go into the world and preach the gospel, trusting that Jesus will accomplish His work through us. This mission is not about judging outsiders but loving them and creating an environment where they feel welcomed and valued. [26:36]
As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world. This means actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel and demonstrate God's love to those around us. It is important to remember that our mission is not to judge or condemn but to extend grace and compassion. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, we can help others experience the transformative power of the gospel.
Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in Jesus' mission to build His church? How can you create a welcoming environment for those who may feel like outsiders?
Day 3: Creating a Loving Atmosphere
Love should be the hallmark of our interactions, both with insiders and outsiders. People should feel loved when they walk through the church doors and even more loved when they leave. This love is a powerful testimony to the world and a reflection of Jesus' command to love one another. [43:00]
A loving atmosphere within the church is essential for fostering genuine relationships and spiritual growth. When people feel loved and accepted, they are more likely to open their hearts to the gospel and experience the transformative power of God's love. It is important to be intentional in our interactions, ensuring that everyone who enters our church feels valued and cared for. This love should extend beyond the church walls and into our daily lives, serving as a testament to the world of God's unconditional love.
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: How can you show love to both insiders and outsiders in your church community? What specific actions can you take to ensure that people feel loved and valued?
Day 4: Speaking Truth in Love
Truth must be spoken in love, especially about spiritual matters. It is unloving to withhold the truth, and it is equally unloving to speak the truth without love. When we balance truth and love, we grow in Christ and help others do the same. [47:03]
Speaking truth in love is a delicate balance that requires wisdom and discernment. It is important to address spiritual matters with honesty and integrity while ensuring that our words are motivated by love and compassion. Withholding the truth can lead to misunderstandings and spiritual stagnation, while speaking the truth without love can cause hurt and division. By striving to balance truth and love, we can foster an environment where individuals feel safe to grow and mature in their faith.
Ephesians 4:15 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: How can you balance speaking truth and love in your interactions with others? What steps can you take to ensure that your words are both honest and compassionate?
Day 5: Creating a Beautiful and Familial Environment
Beauty in the church environment reflects God's creation and points people to Him. The church should also feel like a family, welcoming everyone with open arms and ensuring no one feels alone. This familial atmosphere helps outsiders feel like they belong and are valued. [53:59]
A beautiful and familial environment within the church can have a profound impact on individuals' spiritual journeys. When the church reflects the beauty of God's creation, it can inspire awe and draw people closer to Him. Additionally, fostering a sense of family within the church helps individuals feel connected and supported. By creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued, we can help others experience the love and grace of God in a tangible way.
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a beautiful and familial environment in your church? What specific actions can you take to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and valued?
Quotes
1. "You see, for decades, people have been talking about like the end of Christianity as we know it in Western culture. Like in America, we watched what was happening in Europe and especially in the UK, and we just would always talk. We would talk about the fact that this is what is next. But then all of a sudden, over the last year, it's like the ball changed directions for me. It started with some of my friends in the UK describing what I can only describe as revival, where there were scores of young people in their churches that are showing up brand new, did not grow up in Christian homes, but they were searching for truth, and now they're finding it in Jesus." [22:49] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We should never forget, by the way, that we are not in the church building business. We don't build churches. That's Jesus's job. And he said he is going to do it. And notice one really important detail here. He says the gates of Hades or the gates of hell will not prevail against his church. Gates are not an offensive weapon. In other words, what Jesus is saying is Satan has territory. The devil has his territory. He has turf and I'm taking it, Jesus says. And he said, and no one is going to stop that from happening." [24:46] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus has given, been given by his father, father, God, all power and all authority. And what does he do? He gives us a role to play in this building of the church thing that he promised that he would do us. I'm not sure if you've met us. Like I almost fell over putting my pants on this morning. And you know how messed up you are, right? And yet this is what Jesus says to you and what Jesus says to me. He says, go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. This is how Jesus builds his church. He sends crazy people like us, right? With the good news of the gospel. And he sends us into all creation into, let's be honest, Satan's territory. Jesus trusts us with this message of hope and joy. And peace." [25:36] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And there are so many ways he could have done that. And yet he decided to use us. And it is the combination of these two thoughts. That Jesus is going to build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And that he has invited us to play a part. That's the thing that gives me hope and motivation right now. Because we do not need to be worried about whether Jesus will build the church. That is a. Done deal. He's got that part handled. That doesn't mean any particular local church. Yeah, we can shut our doors next week. But he's going to continue to build his church. And so now we can just do our part. We go into all creation, all of the world." [26:36] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reason so many people, by the way, on the outside of the church, feel like outsiders and they feel negatively toward the church is because we judge them instead of loving them. Now, the next passage is sort of crazy. I just want you to be prepared in advance. In 1 Corinthians 14, 23, it says, If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all." [29:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In other words, we as a church should be thinking about those who are coming from outside of the faith every single week in the things that we do. On the other hand, he says prophesying, the speaking out about sin in someone's life, is profitable. Why? Because it's not about being judgy. His other pastor had already told us not to do that. But it is about calling sin, sin. Just laying out truthfully that this is what sin is. It's not judging someone or casting stones at them. It's speaking a fact about what sin is. There's also a passage in 1 Thessalonians that says every follower of Christ should have a good reputation with outsiders." [32:10] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And the way we live our lives will either show people that what we believe and what we have found is real because it will change us and it will change us for the better, or that what we believe is a sham because we're just hypocrites. So as followers of Jesus, we go into all the world, preaching the gospel to all creation. So let's talk about what that is and what we're looking for. Well, the gospel is in one sense or another on every single page of this book. So let's just go to the first page. If you go to Genesis, it's the story of creation, the story of all things being created good and Adam and Eve, our first parents being created good, right?" [34:02] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Christianity is an invitation to the only fountain that can truly offer life. Jesus. Jesus who lived a sinless life that we can't live. Jesus who died on the cross and took with him the penalty for all of our sins. Jesus who was buried in the ground, dead as a doornail. Jesus who rose from the dead, conquering sin, Satan, and death. Jesus who ascended to the right hand of the Father where he advocates for us who cannot live the life that he lived. And Jesus who offers eternal life to all who believe in him. He offers us life, not just life eternally, but life right now." [40:16] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And that is also a cracked cistern. You know, as counterintuitive as it sounds, the key to life is not to get our crap together. The key to life is admitting we don't then point to the only one who can truly offer us life. Jesus said this. He said, A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that they would have life and have it. But in abundance. What Jesus does is he boils the whole problem in Jeremiah to one thing. We refuse to come to him. We refuse to come to Jesus, the fountain of life." [40:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "This is the crazy part. One of the things that should be so attractive to those outside is the love that we have for one another. The fact that the environment is just like, we just love one another. It doesn't matter who we are, the background that we come from, or anything. We are just loving with one another. It is the single greatest marker of a follower of Jesus is that you love one another. You love other followers of Jesus. I am all about correct doctrine. I'm all about good organizational structures. But I think 1 Corinthians 13 would tell us if you have those and you have not love, you are nothing but a clanging gong and a resounding cymbal." [43:00] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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