### Summary
Welcome, everyone! It's great to see you all here, especially if you're visiting for the first time. During the summer, we have what we call "Summer Sundays," where we get a bit more casual. We encourage you to enjoy God's creation but remind you to keep God at the center of it all. It's easy to get caught up in the blessings and forget the Blesser. So, come to church even if you're planning to head to the lake afterward. We love you no matter what, even if you come straight from the lake smelling like the outdoors. Just remember, community is important, and we need each other.
We are citizens of heaven, but we are also here on Earth. Being in the world is not inherently bad; it's being of the world that is problematic. God created this world for our enjoyment, but we must not let it rule our lives. The world was created good, but sin corrupted it. We need to focus on redeeming what has been corrupted. Music, for example, is neither good nor bad; it's a tool that can be used for either. The same goes for other aspects of life like dancing and even sex within the bounds of marriage. These are all things that the world has tried to corrupt, but we can redeem them for God's glory.
Jesus made it clear that we are to be in the world but not of it. He prayed for His disciples and for us, that we would be protected from the evil one and be made holy by God's truth. We are sent into the world to share our faith and live out the love of Jesus. Community nights are a great way to build relationships and bring others into the fold, even if they come just to play cornhole. It's about living out Jesus in everything we do.
Unity is crucial. Jesus prayed for us to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is a testimony to the world that Jesus is indeed God's Son. Division and disunity are harmful, especially to new believers. We must strive to be in unity with each other and with the Lord. This unity is a sign to the world that Jesus was sent by God to save us all.
We also need to consider the culture of our lives. What is the culture of your world? What do you do, and what do you allow to be done around you? If you don't like the culture you're living in, you have the power to change it. It's called a culture shift. If you don't like the crop your life is producing, plant different seeds. This series will help you take control of your life and define the culture you want to live in.
Finally, we must decide whether we will live for Jesus or for ourselves. Jesus is not just there to make us happy; He wants us to be holy. Are you living for Him or for yourself? This is a decision we all need to make. Jesus paid the price for our sins, and by accepting Him, we can have eternal life. Let's pray together and commit our lives to Him.
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Key Takeaways
- 1. Enjoy God's Creation, But Keep Him at the Center: It's easy to get caught up in the blessings of life and forget the One who provides them. Whether it's a new house or a day at the lake, remember to keep God at the center of it all. Enjoy His creation, but don't let it distract you from Him. [57:26]
- 2. **Being in the World vs. Being of the World**: God created the world for our enjoyment, but sin has corrupted it. We are designed to be in the world but not of it. This means enjoying what God has given us without letting it rule our lives. We must focus on redeeming what has been corrupted by sin. [70:16]
- 3. Unity as a Testimony: Jesus prayed for us to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world that Jesus is indeed God's Son. Division and disunity harm the body of Christ, especially new believers. Strive for unity with each other and with the Lord. [78:55]
- 4. Defining the Culture of Your Life: The culture of your life is defined by what you do and what you allow to be done. If you don't like the culture you're living in, you have the power to change it. This series will help you take control of your life and define the culture you want to live in. [89:04]
- 5. Living for Jesus or Yourself: The decision to live for Jesus or for yourself is crucial. Jesus is not just there to make us happy; He wants us to be holy. By accepting Him and committing our lives to Him, we can have eternal life. This is a decision we all need to make. [01:32:10]
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