Every Christian: A Missionary in a Secular World

 

Summary

In today's exploration, we delved into the profound concept that every Christian is inherently a missionary. This idea is rooted in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts, where the early church was spread not just by apostles but by everyday believers who carried the gospel wherever they went. This challenges the modern distinction between professional missionaries and laypeople, urging us to recognize that all Christians are called to participate in Christ's mission.

As we consider our role as missionaries in our own culture, particularly in the United States, it's crucial to understand the cultural landscape we are engaging with. The American culture, while historically influenced by Christianity, is not predominantly Christian today. Instead, it is a secular society—a post-Christian environment where various worldviews coexist. This pluralistic nature requires us to be aware of the dominant philosophical systems influencing our culture, such as humanism, existentialism, positivism, pragmatism, hedonism, and pluralism.

The overarching philosophy that ties these systems together is secularism. Secularism posits that all of reality and human values should be understood and judged by the norms of the present time, dismissing the eternal perspective that Christianity upholds. This worldview is in direct conflict with the Christian belief in a transcendent, eternal God who calls us to live with eternity in mind. The secularist perspective, which denies the eternal, often leads to a philosophy of despair, as it offers no ultimate answers or hope beyond this life.

As Christians, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have consequences that extend beyond the present moment. This understanding should influence how we invest our lives, urging us to prioritize long-term, eternal gains over short-term, temporal benefits. In a culture that often promotes living for the now, we must hold fast to the biblical truth that right now counts forever, and our lives are meant to reflect the eternal significance of God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- Every Christian is a missionary, called to participate in Christ's mission, not just the clergy or professional missionaries. This challenges us to carry the gospel into our everyday environments, recognizing our role in God's mission. [00:09]

- Understanding the culture we live in is crucial for effective mission work. The American culture is a melting pot of various worldviews, requiring us to be aware of the dominant systems like humanism and existentialism. [05:14]

- Secularism, the overarching philosophy in our culture, focuses on the present time, dismissing the eternal perspective. This worldview is in direct conflict with Christianity, which emphasizes living with eternity in mind. [16:04]

- The Christian faith calls us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences. This challenges us to prioritize long-term, eternal gains over short-term, temporal benefits. [20:49]

- The secularist perspective often leads to a philosophy of despair, as it offers no ultimate answers or hope beyond this life. As Christians, we must hold fast to the truth that our lives have eternal significance in God's kingdom. [28:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Every Christian as a Missionary
- [00:47] - Distinction Between Missionaries and Laypeople
- [01:04] - Preparation for Mission Work
- [02:23] - Understanding American Culture
- [03:50] - Secularization of Society
- [05:14] - Pluralism in American Culture
- [05:54] - Dominant Philosophical Systems
- [08:07] - Overarching Philosophy: Secularism
- [09:10] - Understanding Secularism
- [11:26] - Secular vs. Sacred
- [13:29] - Latin Roots of Secularism
- [16:04] - Secularism's Focus on the Present
- [18:11] - Christian Perspective on Eternity
- [20:49] - Right Now Counts Forever
- [28:06] - Philosophy of Despair in Secularism
- [29:49] - Conclusion and Call to Awareness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 8:1-4
2. Genesis 1:1
3. Matthew 6:19-21

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Observation Questions:

1. In Acts 8:1-4, what role did the early Christians play in spreading the gospel, and how does this challenge the modern distinction between professional missionaries and laypeople? [00:21]

2. How does Genesis 1:1 establish the concept of a transcendent God, and why is this significant in the context of secularism? [17:26]

3. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus teach about the importance of an eternal perspective, and how does this contrast with secularism's focus on the present? [20:49]

4. What are some of the dominant philosophical systems mentioned in the sermon that influence American culture today? [05:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the scattering of Christians in Acts 8:1-4 illustrate the idea that every Christian is a missionary? What implications does this have for modern believers? [00:21]

2. In what ways does the belief in a transcendent, eternal God, as seen in Genesis 1:1, conflict with the secularist perspective that focuses solely on the present? [17:26]

3. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing treasures in heaven challenge the secularist view of living for the now? [20:49]

4. What are the potential consequences of living without an eternal perspective, as suggested by the secularist philosophy of despair? [28:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily life. In what ways do you see yourself acting as a missionary in your own environment? How can you be more intentional about this role? [00:09]

2. Consider the cultural influences around you. How can you better understand and engage with the dominant philosophical systems in your community to effectively share the gospel? [05:14]

3. How does the secularist focus on the present impact your personal decisions and priorities? What steps can you take to align your life more with an eternal perspective? [16:04]

4. Identify a specific area in your life where you are tempted to prioritize short-term gains over long-term, eternal benefits. What changes can you make to shift your focus? [20:49]

5. How can you hold fast to the truth of your life's eternal significance in God's kingdom, especially when faced with the secularist philosophy of despair? [28:06]

6. Think of a recent decision you made. Did it reflect a focus on the present or an eternal perspective? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [20:49]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to live with an eternal perspective, especially in a culture that often promotes living for the now? [20:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Every Christian is a Missionary
Every believer is called to be a missionary, not just those in formal ministry roles. This concept is rooted in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts, where the early church was spread by everyday believers who carried the gospel wherever they went. This challenges the modern distinction between professional missionaries and laypeople, urging us to recognize that all Christians are called to participate in Christ's mission. As you go about your daily life, consider how you can carry the gospel into your everyday environments, recognizing your role in God's mission. [00:09]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your daily life can you share the gospel with today, and how can you do it in a way that is natural and authentic to your relationship with them?


Day 2: Understanding the Cultural Landscape
To effectively engage in mission work, it's crucial to understand the cultural landscape we are engaging with. The American culture, while historically influenced by Christianity, is not predominantly Christian today. Instead, it is a secular society—a post-Christian environment where various worldviews coexist. This pluralistic nature requires us to be aware of the dominant philosophical systems influencing our culture, such as humanism, existentialism, positivism, pragmatism, hedonism, and pluralism. By understanding these worldviews, we can better communicate the gospel in a way that resonates with those around us. [05:14]

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." (1 Corinthians 9:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one dominant worldview in your community, and how can you tailor your approach to sharing the gospel to address it effectively?


Day 3: Secularism vs. Eternal Perspective
Secularism, the overarching philosophy in our culture, focuses on the present time, dismissing the eternal perspective. This worldview is in direct conflict with Christianity, which emphasizes living with eternity in mind. Secularism posits that all of reality and human values should be understood and judged by the norms of the present time, dismissing the eternal perspective that Christianity upholds. As Christians, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have consequences that extend beyond the present moment. [16:04]

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been influenced by secularism's focus on the present, and how can you shift your mindset to prioritize eternal values today?


Day 4: Right Now Counts Forever
The Christian faith calls us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have eternal consequences. This understanding should influence how we invest our lives, urging us to prioritize long-term, eternal gains over short-term, temporal benefits. In a culture that often promotes living for the now, we must hold fast to the biblical truth that right now counts forever, and our lives are meant to reflect the eternal significance of God's kingdom. [20:49]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are prioritizing short-term gains over eternal significance, and what steps can you take to realign your priorities?


Day 5: Hope Beyond Secular Despair
The secularist perspective often leads to a philosophy of despair, as it offers no ultimate answers or hope beyond this life. As Christians, we must hold fast to the truth that our lives have eternal significance in God's kingdom. This hope should be a source of strength and encouragement as we navigate a world that often seems devoid of meaning. By living with an eternal perspective, we can offer hope to those around us who are searching for answers and meaning in their lives. [28:06]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a beacon of hope to someone in your life who is struggling with despair, and what practical steps can you take to share the eternal hope found in Christ with them today?

Quotes


there's a real sense i think that every christian is a missionary if we go back to the new testament and we see in the book of acts that when persecution arose in jerusalem we read that all of the christians were scattered except the apostles and those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the gospel that was the way the christian church was born not simply with the ministry of the clergy of the apostles or even of the deacons but it was the rank-and-file christian that took the gospel wherever they went in the ancient world [00:00:02]

every christian in a sense is a missionary because every christian is called to participate in the mission that christ has given to the church well when i look at what we do with missionaries before we send them into a foreign country what do we have them do we don't just select a missionary put them on an airplane have them arrive in timbuktu or someplace like that and say okay do your thing before a missionary can go to the foreign field that the person has to undergo in-depth study of the culture [00:00:54]

it's not enough simply to know the gospel to know the content of scriptures the subject matter that you want to communicate and bear witness to your culture it is also very important that you understand the culture in which you are acting out your role as a missionary so that's the purpose of this series of lectures is to try to get a handle on the culture as it now presents itself to us as christians [00:01:13]

i think it would be a dreadful mistake to assume that the american culture is predominantly a christian culture certainly we live in a nation that has had an enormous influence from the church and from judeo-christian value systems it's not that our country is pagan our country has been strongly influenced by christianity some have said that we've been influenced to the degree that people are influenced when they receive a shot of inoculation to prevent a disease [00:02:23]

ours is what i call a secular environment a secular society and sec the secularization of the american culture is a post-christian phenomenon not a pre-christian pre-christian is pagan post-christian is secularized now i think it's also important for us to understand that our culture is and has been a melting pot we don't live in a culture that is monolithic [00:03:26]

the various schools of thought that are most dominant i believe in our culture today include the ones that i'm about to put up here on the blackboard and we're going to look at each one of those individually in the lectures to come first of all there is the influence of what we call humanism as i say we will have a separate lecture defining the content and the perspective of humanism [00:05:44]

the basic overarching theme of secularism is this that all of reality all of life every human value every human activity must be understood in light of and judged by the value or the norm of this present time where's the point of conflict between secularism and christianity can you see it coming the the new testament scriptures the biblical worldview is always concerned about long range considerations [00:16:04]

the bible teaches us that we were created for eternity that at the heart of the new testament message is that christ has come to give us life a life that wells up into what eternal life and that at the very beginning of our understanding of the world we read in genesis 1 1 in the beginning what god created the heavens and the earth so that we look at the earth and we see that it has a beginning in space and time [00:17:28]

jesus says that he comes from above he descends from the eternal realm and he calls the christian to live his life in light of eternity and that his values are to be measured by transcendent norms of eternal significance i have a column that you know of in in uh in table talk our magazine and what's the what's the byline what's the title of the column right now counts what forever [00:20:00]

right now counts forever what you do now has eternal significance and i did that consciously aware of the fact that we are being pressed upon by every side from the philosophy of the secularist who says bottom line right now counts for what right now there is no eternity there is no eternal perspective you've heard it said a jillion times there are no absolutes there are no abiding principles by which human life is to be judged [00:21:04]

the death of god in the terms of the loss of transcendence the loss of the eternal means for you the death of man because it means that history has no transcendent goal no eternal purpose that the meaning of your life is summed up in the words on the tombstone born 1925 died 1985 that's it you have eternal point a beginning and of ending with no ultimate significance [00:22:40]

all we can really do is minimize pain and suffering for a season we can never really offer ultimate answers to the human predicament because for the secularist there is no ultimate answer because there is no ultimate realm this side of eternity is the exclusive sphere of human activity it's not by accident as we will see that for the most part those who buy in to secularism who are thinking people ultimately embrace a philosophy of despair [00:28:06]

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Transcript
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