Standing Firm in a Changing Cultural Landscape

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the profound cultural shifts that have occurred over the past decade and their impact on the church and Christian values. We began by reflecting on the legacy of R.C. Sproul and how his steadfastness provided a foundation for Ligonier Ministries to continue its mission without losing its identity. This constancy is crucial in a world that seems to be rapidly changing, often in ways that are contrary to Christian values.

We delved into the historical perspective of these changes, noting that while some historians focus on continuity, the recent cultural shifts represent a significant break from the past. The Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage marked a pivotal moment, moving society away from a cultural commitment to Christian values to a post-Christendom era. This shift has led to an environment where anti-Christian views often dominate, as illustrated by the backlash against a Catholic speaker at a Catholic university.

The discussion highlighted the role of higher education in propagating ideologies that challenge traditional Christian beliefs. The rapid changes in cultural norms, especially regarding identity and gender, have left many feeling disoriented. However, this moment also presents an opportunity for a purer form of Christianity to emerge, one that is not reliant on cultural acceptance but on timeless truths.

We emphasized the importance of standing firm in these truths, particularly for the younger generation who are facing unprecedented challenges. The call to "speak the truth in love" remains vital, even when it is unpopular or misunderstood. This involves not only proclaiming the gospel but also living it out in a way that is compassionate yet uncompromising.

Finally, we addressed the temptation within the church to dilute the gospel to make it more palatable. This has been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by a desire to be seen as loving according to worldly standards. However, true love involves telling the whole truth of the gospel, even when it is difficult.

Key Takeaways:

- The legacy of steadfast leaders like R.C. Sproul shows the importance of maintaining a clear identity and mission in the face of cultural change. This constancy allows ministries to thrive without losing their foundational values. [00:37]

- The cultural shift away from Christian values is significant and has created a post-Christendom environment. This presents both challenges and opportunities for the church to return to a purer form of Christianity. [03:41]

- The rapid changes in cultural norms, especially regarding identity, have left many feeling disoriented. However, these challenges also provide an opportunity to reaffirm the timeless truths of the gospel. [08:21]

- Speaking the truth in love is essential, even when it is unpopular. This involves proclaiming the gospel boldly and compassionately, trusting that God will honor faithfulness. [12:14]

- The temptation to dilute the gospel for cultural acceptance is a long-standing issue. True love involves telling the whole truth of the gospel, even when it is difficult. [20:52]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Legacy of R.C. Sproul
[01:24] - Cultural Shifts and Identity
[02:07] - Historical Perspectives
[02:56] - Post-Christendom Era
[03:41] - Challenges and Opportunities
[04:23] - Anti-Christian Views
[05:07] - Cultural Antagonism
[05:58] - Rapid Cultural Changes
[06:46] - Ideologies in Education
[07:32] - Timeless Truths
[08:21] - Challenges for the Young Generation
[09:04] - Historical Cultural Shifts
[09:46] - Influence of Media
[10:22] - Peer Pressure and Love
[11:26] - Encouragement to Stand Firm
[12:14] - Speaking Truth in Love
[13:20] - Cleverness in Truth-Telling
[14:47] - First Century Analogies
[15:30] - Identity Crisis
[16:54] - Proclaiming the Gospel
[18:22] - Misunderstanding Compassion
[19:14] - Withholding the Truth
[20:19] - Historical Compromises
[21:30] - The Whole Truth
[22:57] - Faithfulness Over Results
[23:23] - Faithfulness and Metrics
[24:06] - Conclusion and Thanks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 2:8-10 - "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."
2. 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 cultural changes were highlighted in the sermon as significant shifts away from Christian values? [03:41]
2. How did the legacy of R.C. Sproul contribute to the stability and identity of Ligonier Ministries? [00:37]
3. What role does higher education play in the propagation of ideologies that challenge traditional Christian beliefs, according to the sermon? [06:46]
4. How does the sermon describe the current cultural environment's attitude towards Christian moral values? [05:07]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Colossians 2:8-10 relate to the sermon’s discussion on the deceptive philosophies prevalent in today's culture? [16:54]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can return to a "purer form of Christianity" in a post-Christendom era? [03:41]
3. How does the concept of "speaking the truth in love" from Ephesians 4:15 apply to the challenges faced by Christians in today's cultural climate? [12:14]
4. What are the potential consequences of diluting the gospel to make it more culturally acceptable, as discussed in the sermon? [20:52]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to conform to cultural norms that conflicted with your Christian beliefs. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [10:22]
2. How can you personally contribute to maintaining a clear identity and mission within your church community, similar to the legacy of R.C. Sproul? [00:37]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you can practice "speaking the truth in love." What steps will you take to ensure your approach is both bold and compassionate? [12:14]
4. Consider the cultural shifts discussed in the sermon. How can you prepare yourself and support others, especially the younger generation, to stand firm in their faith? [08:21]
5. What practical steps can you take to resist the temptation to dilute the gospel in your conversations with non-believers? [20:52]
6. How can you engage with educational or media content critically, ensuring it aligns with the timeless truths of the gospel? [06:46]
7. Think of a person in your life who may be struggling with their identity. How can you share the message of being "complete in Christ" with them in a meaningful way? [17:37]

Devotional

Day 1: The Legacy of Steadfastness
In a world of constant change, the legacy of steadfast leaders like R.C. Sproul reminds us of the importance of maintaining a clear identity and mission. This constancy allows ministries to thrive without losing their foundational values. As cultural shifts challenge Christian values, the unwavering commitment to the truth becomes a beacon of hope and stability. The steadfastness of leaders who have gone before us provides a foundation upon which we can build, ensuring that the mission of the church remains intact despite external pressures. [00:37]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life has been a steadfast example of faith? How can you emulate their commitment to truth in your own spiritual journey today?


Day 2: Navigating the Post-Christendom Era
The cultural shift away from Christian values has ushered in a post-Christendom environment, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the church. This new era calls for a return to a purer form of Christianity, one that is not reliant on cultural acceptance but on timeless truths. As society moves away from a cultural commitment to Christian values, the church is challenged to stand firm in its beliefs while also seizing the opportunity to redefine its mission in a way that is authentic and true to the gospel. [03:41]

"For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to a purer expression of Christianity in your community, especially in areas where cultural values conflict with biblical truths?


Day 3: Reaffirming Timeless Truths Amidst Rapid Change
The rapid changes in cultural norms, especially regarding identity, have left many feeling disoriented. However, these challenges also provide an opportunity to reaffirm the timeless truths of the gospel. In a world where ideologies shift quickly, the church is called to be a steady voice of truth, offering clarity and hope to those who are searching for meaning. By holding fast to the gospel, believers can navigate the complexities of modern life with confidence and grace. [08:21]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one timeless truth of the gospel that you can hold onto today, especially in the face of cultural pressures that challenge your faith?


Day 4: Speaking the Truth in Love
Speaking the truth in love is essential, even when it is unpopular. This involves proclaiming the gospel boldly and compassionately, trusting that God will honor faithfulness. In a world where truth is often compromised for the sake of acceptance, believers are called to stand firm in their convictions while also demonstrating the love of Christ. This balance of truth and love is crucial for effective witness and ministry. [12:14]

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice speaking the truth in love in a specific relationship or situation today, even if it might be misunderstood or unpopular?


Day 5: The Whole Truth of the Gospel
The temptation to dilute the gospel for cultural acceptance is a long-standing issue. True love involves telling the whole truth of the gospel, even when it is difficult. The church must resist the urge to compromise its message in order to be seen as loving by worldly standards. Instead, believers are called to proclaim the full counsel of God, trusting that the power of the gospel will transform lives. [20:52]

"For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:27, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been tempted to dilute the gospel for the sake of acceptance? How can you commit to sharing the whole truth of the gospel with those around you?

Quotes


But just R.C.'s constancy, and the way that he had kind of given that perspective of what it means to stand firm, allowed the ministry to take its next step into service without him at the helm. And, and so much of what Ligonier has been doing over the past several years, what we see at Reformation Bible College, and Dr. Godfrey, you stepping in to be chairman, we've really not sought to do anything innovative. We try and get the Word out in innovative ways, but we've not changed the message at all. [00:53:48]

And normally, I'm a lumper. I like to see continuities and how one thing prepares for another, one leads into another. But I really have a chopper moment, and that is that with the reaction to the Supreme Court decision about gay marriage in America, we had a moment where America moved from having a formal and dominating cultural commitment to certain Christian values, to a moment where we moved utterly away from that. And we really are in a pre-, in a post-Christendom moment. [00:193:20]

And we saw that illustrated powerfully with the reaction to the speech that this football kicker from the Kansas City Chiefs got. He's a conservative Catholic. He's asked to speak at a conservative Catholic university. He gets a standing ovation from the student body for the speech he gives. About 150,000 people signed a petition that he should be fired for expressing Roman Catholic views to Roman Catholic students at a Roman Catholic college! That shows how antagonistic the culture has become to Christian moral values. [00:286:52]

And that's why I think, in one sense, it's, it's all the more exciting to be talking about this, to be able to say that we have timeless truths that we need to stand on. We speak of the historic Christian faith. We speak of historic Christian orthodoxy. We speak of the Reformed faith. We speak of the Reformed classical tradition, that these are time-tested truths that we just need to hold on to. [00:458:72]

And so, what we see unraveling in the 1960s, what the culture realized in the 1960s, is that the greatest peer pressure tactic they could use to try to convince Christians and try to convince those who held to the traditions of our forefathers is the peer pressure tactic of love. Because they realize that if they can use the word "love," love according to the world's definition of love, well, then they can pressure us into becoming more like them. [00:616:08]

And so, all we have to do as Christians, to be faithful and to be unwavering is speak the truth and not be afraid of speaking the truth. Speak it gently, not harshly, but speak it boldly, ultimately, because God is the One listening and God is the One we're striving to honor. So, just do it. Just speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may. The Spirit will take care of the rest. God is sovereign. God will protect you. [00:772:48]

And I come back to Paul. I was thinking about this as Dr. Thomas was preaching from Colossians, and in Colossians 2, and Paul says that "You've been taken captive. This, this vain philosophy has deceived you," in Colossians 2:8. And then he turns immediately to say who Christ is, and that in Christ he is, "the whole fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form." It's one of the most succinct Christological formulas in all of Scripture, the God man. [00:1020:08]

We have to begin saying to our kids in church, in the church, "Your identity is in Christ. You are complete in Christ. If you have Christ, you have everything you need." We cannot tell them that truth enough and then turn around also and speak that truth to culture. These other things are not freeing. Actually, it's just going to drive you further into bondage, further into shame, further into guilt, further into dysfunction. [00:1057:00]

And, yeah, people aren't going to like it. But, Jesus experienced that, as we see so clearly in John 6, which I call "Jesus' Great Church Shrinkage Seminar." Have you ever been to a church shrinkage seminar? Nobody puts on a church shrinkage seminar. But Jesus in John 6 starts with five thousand people, and ends up with eleven. And the point is not that smaller is better; the point is Jesus tells the whole truth and then says, "Do you believe it or not?" [00:1348:16]

And there's something about being American. We are so, our metrics is always results. And we, we don't like the idea that we no longer have a seat at the table, that, that politicians don't want to have us come and, and do the prayer breakfasts, and give the prayer at the inauguration. Like that really bothers us as American evangelicals, because our metrics is power and numbers. And, and that's never been the metrics. It's always been faithfulness. [00:1432:48]

And, as we're faithful, God bless us. [00:1459:80]

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Transcript
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