Navigating Cultural Currents: Living as Exiles in Faith
Summary
In today's message, we embarked on a journey to explore the pervasive influence of culture on our lives, often without us even realizing it. We live in a world that constantly bombards us with messages about success, significance, and happiness, much like a sugar rush that leaves us empty and exhausted. This cultural formation is not inherently good or evil; it simply is. We are all being shaped by the world around us, and without intentionality, we drift into captivity rather than flourishing.
The Apostle Paul's words in Romans remind us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation requires us to actively resist the cultural currents that seek to shape us. We explored the concept of cultural evolution, from superstitious beginnings to structured religious frameworks, and now to a post-Christian, individualistic society. In this third culture, we often find ourselves disconnected from the shared moral framework that once guided us, leading to a society where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
We also touched on the emergence of a fourth culture, where politics have taken on the fervor of religion, and compromise seems impossible. This cultural shift has left us with a deepening divide and a mental health crisis, especially among young people. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, there is hope. God is using the pain and brokenness of our world to draw people to Himself, reminding us of our need for Him.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live as exiles in this post-Christian world, making waves not with judgment but with love and civility. We must examine where we are drifting and make intentional choices to align our lives with God's will. We are people of grace in a world without it, and our lives should reflect the hope and love of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Cultural Formation and Drifting: We are constantly being shaped by the culture around us, often without realizing it. This formation can lead to captivity if we drift without intentionality. We must actively resist cultural currents and seek transformation through the renewal of our minds. [28:08]
2. The Evolution of Culture: Our society has evolved from superstitious beginnings to structured religious frameworks and now to a post-Christian, individualistic culture. This shift has led to a lack of shared moral framework, resulting in a society where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. [33:15]
3. The Fourth Culture and Political Ferocity: In the fourth culture, politics have taken on the fervor of religion, leading to deep divides and a lack of compromise. We are asking politicians to do what only God can do, resulting in a mental health crisis and societal unrest. [48:10]
4. Hope in Brokenness: Despite the chaos, there is hope. God is using the pain and brokenness of our world to draw people to Himself. We must care for others in their pain and recognize that the pain we experience is a reminder of our need for God. [51:25]
5. Living as Exiles: As followers of Jesus, we are called to live as exiles in a post-Christian world. We must examine where we are drifting and make intentional choices to align our lives with God's will. Our lives should reflect the hope and love of Christ, making waves with love and civility. [52:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:22] - Cultural Overload
- [28:08] - The Danger of Drifting
- [31:26] - Patterns of the World
- [33:15] - Cultural Evolution
- [38:10] - Distortions of the Kingdom
- [40:16] - The Illusion of Pluralism
- [43:32] - Kingdom Without the King
- [44:51] - The Problem with Values
- [45:39] - Digital Dystopia
- [46:41] - The Secular Age's Promise
- [48:10] - The Fourth Culture
- [50:14] - Personal Story of Transformation
- [51:25] - Hope in Pain
- [52:35] - Living as Exiles
- [53:24] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul mean by "the pattern of this world" in Romans 12:2, and how does it relate to the cultural influences discussed in the sermon? [28:08]
2. How does the sermon describe the evolution of culture from superstitious beginnings to a post-Christian society? [33:15]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of how politics have taken on the fervor of religion in the fourth culture? [48:10]
4. According to the sermon, how is God using the pain and brokenness of our world to draw people to Himself? [51:25]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of "renewing of your mind" in Romans 12:2 be applied to resisting cultural currents that lead to captivity? [28:08]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the lack of a shared moral framework in a post-Christian culture affects society? [33:15]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of politics in the fourth culture, and what implications does this have for Christians living in such a society? [48:10]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between personal pain and spiritual growth or awareness of God? [51:25]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you might be conforming to the patterns of this world? How can you actively work on renewing your mind in those areas? [28:08]
2. Consider the cultural influences you encounter daily. How can you be more intentional about recognizing and resisting those that lead you away from God's will? [28:08]
3. In what ways can you contribute to bridging the divide in a society where politics have become a substitute for religion? How can you engage in conversations with conviction, compassion, and civility? [48:10]
4. Think about a time when you experienced pain or brokenness. How did it affect your relationship with God? How can you use your experiences to support others in their spiritual journeys? [51:25]
5. As a follower of Jesus, how can you live as an exile in a post-Christian world, making waves with love and civility rather than judgment? [52:35]
6. Identify one area in your life where you might be drifting without intentionality. What steps can you take this week to align that area with God's will? [52:35]
7. How can you be a person of grace in a world that often lacks it? What specific actions can you take to reflect the hope and love of Christ in your community? [44:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Resisting Cultural Drift
In a world that constantly shapes us, often without our awareness, we must be vigilant to resist the cultural currents that lead us away from God's truth. The Apostle Paul urges us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation requires intentionality and a conscious effort to align our thoughts and actions with God's will. Without this intentionality, we risk drifting into captivity, losing sight of the freedom and flourishing that God desires for us. [28:08]
"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." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one cultural message you have unconsciously accepted. How can you actively resist this message and align your thoughts with God's truth today?
Day 2: Navigating Cultural Evolution
Our society has undergone significant cultural evolution, moving from superstitious beginnings to structured religious frameworks, and now to a post-Christian, individualistic culture. This shift has resulted in a lack of shared moral framework, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. In this context, it is crucial to recognize the cultural influences that shape our values and beliefs. By understanding this evolution, we can better navigate the challenges of living in a society that often prioritizes individualism over community and shared values. [33:15]
"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a personal value or belief that has been influenced by cultural evolution. How can you ensure that this value aligns with God's principles?
Day 3: The Challenge of the Fourth Culture
In the emergence of a fourth culture, politics have taken on the fervor of religion, leading to deep divides and a lack of compromise. This cultural shift has contributed to a mental health crisis and societal unrest, as we often look to politicians to fulfill roles that only God can. In this environment, it is essential to remember that our ultimate hope and security lie in God, not in political systems or leaders. By placing our trust in Him, we can navigate the challenges of this divided culture with grace and wisdom. [48:10]
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a political issue that has caused you stress or division. How can you shift your focus from political solutions to trusting in God's sovereignty?
Day 4: Finding Hope in Brokenness
Despite the chaos and brokenness of our world, there is hope. God uses our pain and struggles to draw us closer to Him, reminding us of our need for His presence and guidance. In times of difficulty, we are called to care for others and recognize that our pain can be a catalyst for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. By embracing this perspective, we can find hope and purpose even in the midst of suffering. [51:25]
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent painful experience. How can you see God's hand at work in this situation, and how can you use it to draw closer to Him?
Day 5: Living as Exiles with Love and Civility
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live as exiles in a post-Christian world, making waves not with judgment but with love and civility. This requires us to examine where we are drifting and make intentional choices to align our lives with God's will. By living as people of grace in a world often devoid of it, our lives can reflect the hope and love of Christ, serving as a testament to His transformative power. [52:35]
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one way you can demonstrate love and civility in your community today. How can this action reflect the hope and love of Christ to those around you?
Quotes
"Today, I want to shine a light on the curriculum of culture that we are all swimming in, whether we realize it or not, whether you would call yourself a Christian or not, in hopes that you can at least make a conscious choice about the way that those influences are informing and shaping your life and decisions." [00:24:49] (19 seconds)
"You and I are being formed. That's not a statement of good or evil. That's simply a statement of fact. We are all being formed into something by something. And so many of us, we live with so little personal margin that coasting and drifting through the influences around us feels like the only option, but you can only drift into captivity." [00:28:31] (21 seconds)
"The Apostle Paul, he wrote a letter to the early church a couple of thousand years ago, and it represents the greatest single piece of literature that has ever captured the good news of Jesus. And in it, in one of the most pivotal points in the entire book, he says this. He says, Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." [00:29:58] (25 seconds)
"Division, vengeance, like, we have aced the test of the implications of a broken world that Paul sets out in the book of Romans. So when we see things in our culture today, it shouldn't be a surprise. We shouldn't be like, oh, wow, I thought that we could drift towards the best life ever." [00:32:04] (20 seconds)
"Now we were never a Christian nation, but we are rooted as a nation in a Judeo-Christian ethic. We had a common moral framework that the United States was actually developed based on as imperfect and incomplete as that ethic has been applied particularly to marginalized people through atrocities like slavery and the devastating delay of equal rights for women." [00:34:51] (22 seconds)
"Remember none of these cultures are the kingdom of God, which is the true citizenship for anyone that chooses to follow Jesus now and forever. But our culture has unique distortions. In other words, this side of heaven, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are in exile. Okay. will never feel like you're perfectly at home because you're not." [00:41:09] (20 seconds)
"Thanks to the internet, news has become biased entertainment where our attention is itself the product. And we increasingly give our attention because we are fueled by fear. Somehow we have been convinced that the same institutions that have made us so afraid are the only ones that can solve our fear." [00:46:22] (20 seconds)
"We've moved past pushing from the second culture into the third culture and deconstructing. In this fourth culture, it's all about politics and the politicalization of everything. In this one, it's not really rejecting the third. It's built on the third while still rejecting the second culture." [00:47:31] (22 seconds)
"His perspective of life couldn't make sense of the suffering that he was experiencing. He had finished a successful career. His kids were out of the house. He lived in a nice town. But his headstrong attitude couldn't hold up to the physical suffering of disease, to the disappointment. Of his own life that he was living in the middle of." [00:50:18] (21 seconds)
"Living as exiles in a post-Christian world, we're going to make waves. As a matter of fact, the more you faithfully follow Jesus, the more you're going to stand out in a culture that doesn't. Not with judgment, but with love, with civility." [00:52:40] (16 seconds)
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