Faithful Living: Engaging Culture Without Compromise

In a world where Christian faith is no longer at the center of society, the challenge is to discern how to live faithfully and distinctively without withdrawing from the world or simply blending in. Using the analogy of technology—contrasting the extremes of Bob the Futurist and Betty the Traditionalist—we see that both total adoption and total rejection of culture have their pitfalls. Similarly, within the Christian tradition, some communities have chosen to separate almost entirely from society, like the Amish, while others have assimilated so much that their distinctiveness is lost, as seen in some Unitarian churches. Neither extreme is the path we are called to walk.

Instead, the call is to a “holy engagement”—to be different, but not distant. This means holding fast to our identity in Christ, rooted in the gospel story, and allowing that identity to shape how we live in the midst of a culture that often does not share our values. The foundation for this way of life is not external behavior or moral superiority, but a deep, internal transformation that comes from submitting to Jesus as Lord and King. Holiness, then, is not about withdrawing from the world, but about living out our distinctiveness within it, as exiles who maintain their identity and story.

Peter’s letter to the exiles in the Roman Empire reminds us that holiness in exile is about resisting both the temptation to conform and the urge to retreat. The early Christians were called to remain engaged in their communities, to bless those who opposed them, and to live in such a way that their lives bore witness to the truth of the gospel. This is not easy, especially given the pressures to conform, but it is the path to spiritual flourishing and faithful witness.

Imagine a church community so secure in its identity in Christ that it can hold to truth without judgmentalism, love one another across differences, and overflow with life into the neighborhoods and families around it. A place where people of all ages and backgrounds find their place, use their gifts, and walk together in wisdom. This is the vision of holy engagement: different, but not distant—rooted in Christ, present in the world, and bearing witness to the hope we have.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True holiness begins with identity, not just behavior. Our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus flows from knowing who we are in Christ—people who have been loved, redeemed, and called by Him. When we root ourselves in this gospel identity, our actions and attitudes are transformed from the inside out, rather than being mere external conformity or moralism. [20:54]
• 2. Navigating culture requires wisdom, not withdrawal or assimilation. The temptation to either separate completely from society or to blend in so thoroughly that our faith becomes invisible is strong. But the call is to a wise, discerning engagement—remaining present and involved, yet distinct in our values and way of life. This tension is where faithful witness is forged. [09:58]
• 3. Holiness in exile is about maintaining our story and identity amid pressure. Like immigrants preserving their language and culture in a new land, Christians are called to remember and live out the gospel story, even when it is not the dominant narrative. This requires intentionality and community support, lest we lose our distinctiveness through gradual assimilation. [24:27]
• 4. Engagement with the world is a witness, not a compromise. Peter urges believers not to retreat in the face of misunderstanding or opposition, but to continue blessing, serving, and giving a reason for their hope. Our presence and conduct in the world—marked by love, integrity, and hope—become a living testimony to the reality of Christ. [27:34]
• 5. The vision for the church is a community of deep relationships and shared mission. When we are secure in our identity and unified in Christ, we can love across differences, support one another, and overflow with life into our neighborhoods. Each person has a unique calling within this vision, and together we reflect the story of Jesus to the world. [35:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:12] - Technology and Culture: Bob and Betty
• [05:24] - Extremes in Engaging Culture
• [07:39] - Amish and Unitarian Examples
• [09:58] - The Challenge for Emerging Generations
• [13:36] - Holy Engagement: Different But Not Distant
• [16:43] - The Gospel Foundation in 1 Peter
• [20:54] - Holiness Rooted in Identity
• [21:57] - Holiness in Exile: Not Just Moralism
• [24:27] - Maintaining Identity in Exile
• [26:05] - Distinctiveness and Community
• [27:34] - Suffering, Engagement, and Witness
• [30:20] - Peer Pressure and Conformity
• [32:25] - How to Survive in Exile
• [34:20] - A Vision for Granville Chapel
• [35:24] - Overflowing Life into Community
• [37:23] - Intergenerational and Multicultural Church
• [38:39] - Personal Calling and Holy Engagement
• [39:55] - Prayer and Communion

Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:13–21 (ESV) —
> 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
> 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
> 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
> 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
> 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
> 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
> 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
> 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
> 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Peter 1:13–16, what does Peter say is the foundation for living a holy life? How does he connect our identity to our actions? ([20:54])
2. According to the sermon, what are the two extremes Christians can fall into when engaging with culture, and what are the pitfalls of each? ([07:39])
3. What does Peter mean by calling his readers “exiles,” and how does that shape the way they are to live? ([16:43])
4. What specific instructions does Peter give about how to relate to the world around us, especially when facing misunderstanding or opposition? ([27:34])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter emphasize that holiness starts with our identity in Christ rather than just our outward behavior? How might this change the way someone approaches spiritual growth? ([20:54])
2. The sermon compares Christians in exile to immigrants trying to maintain their language and culture in a new land. What are some practical ways Christians can “maintain their story and identity” in a culture that doesn’t share their values? ([24:27])
3. Peter instructs believers not to withdraw from society, even when they are misunderstood or mistreated. What might be the risks and rewards of staying engaged in the world rather than retreating? ([27:34])
4. The vision for the church is described as a community that is “different, but not distant.” What does this look like in practice, and why is it important for witness and spiritual flourishing? ([35:24])

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against both total withdrawal from culture and total assimilation. Which of these extremes do you personally find more tempting, and why? What would it look like for you to move toward “holy engagement” this week? ([07:39])
2. Peter says, “Do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14). Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to conform to the world’s values? How can you resist that pressure in a practical way? ([26:05])
3. The sermon describes holiness as “living out our distinctiveness within [the world], as exiles who maintain their identity and story.” What is one specific way you can express your identity in Christ in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this month? ([24:27])
4. When have you experienced misunderstanding or even opposition because of your faith? How did you respond, and what might it look like to “bless those who oppose you” in the future? ([27:34])
5. The vision for the church includes loving across differences and overflowing with life into the community. Is there someone in the church or your neighborhood who is different from you that you could reach out to this week? What might that look like? ([35:24])
6. The sermon asks, “What’s your calling within this community?” Take a moment to reflect: What gifts or passions has God given you that could help build up the church or serve your neighborhood? ([38:39])
7. The pastor described a church where people of all ages and backgrounds find their place and walk together in wisdom. What is one step you could take to build a deeper relationship with someone from a different generation or background in our church? ([37:23])