Striving for Reformed Truth in a Changing Culture

 

Summary

In our final discussion, we explored the nuanced relationship between Reformed and evangelical Christianity, emphasizing that these are not rigid categories but rather points on a continuum. Each of us may find ourselves at different places along this spectrum, influenced by both traditions. While the ideal church may never be fully realized, striving towards the Reformed ideal can bring us closer to biblical truth and stability. This pursuit is not about triumphalism but about drawing strength from the Reformed heritage, which offers profound insights into God's Word, equipping us for the challenges of our time.

We examined how Reformed Christianity often stands in contrast to American culture, which tends to be pragmatic, individualistic, and emotionally driven. In contrast, Reformed Christianity is principled, communal, and disciplined, focusing on the ordinary rather than the extraordinary. This principled stance is crucial as we navigate what may be a third American Revolution characterized by radical, secular individualism. As Christians, we must be prepared to live in a culture that may become increasingly hostile, drawing strength from the assurance that Christ's return is imminent and that our time of waiting is short in the grand scheme of eternity.

The historical example of early Christians transforming sexual ethics in the Roman Empire serves as a reminder that change is possible, even when it seems unlikely. This transformation was achieved through the power of preaching and the steadfastness of Christian ethics, which offered a message of liberation and human dignity. Today, we must renew our commitment to the centrality of preaching, ensuring that it remains a powerful means of grace that speaks to the hearts and minds of God's people.

Finally, we must build strong Reformed churches grounded in confessions and catechisms, drawing on the wisdom of the saints throughout history. These churches will be vital as we face increasing cultural opposition, providing a community where believers can support and encourage one another. In a world that may turn against us, the church must become our family, offering the fellowship and strength we need to persevere.

Key Takeaways:

- The relationship between Reformed and evangelical Christianity is not binary but a continuum. Each believer may find themselves influenced by both traditions, and while the ideal church may never be fully realized, striving towards the Reformed ideal can bring us closer to biblical truth and stability. [01:11]

- Reformed Christianity often stands in contrast to American culture, which is pragmatic, individualistic, and emotionally driven. In contrast, Reformed Christianity is principled, communal, and disciplined, focusing on the ordinary rather than the extraordinary. This principled stance is crucial as we navigate cultural shifts. [02:28]

- The historical transformation of sexual ethics in the Roman Empire by early Christians serves as a reminder that change is possible, even when it seems unlikely. This transformation was achieved through the power of preaching and the steadfastness of Christian ethics, offering a message of liberation and human dignity. [13:37]

- Renewing our commitment to the centrality of preaching is essential. Preaching should remain a powerful means of grace that speaks to the hearts and minds of God's people, rather than becoming mere instruction or entertainment. [17:01]

- Building strong Reformed churches grounded in confessions and catechisms is vital as we face increasing cultural opposition. These churches provide a community where believers can support and encourage one another, becoming a family in a world that may turn against us. [20:56]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Understanding the Continuum
[01:11] - The Reformed Ideal
[01:51] - Insights from Reformed Heritage
[02:28] - Reformed vs. American Culture
[03:05] - Communal vs. Individualistic
[03:40] - Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
[04:23] - Realism in Reformed Faith
[05:04] - Facing a Third American Revolution
[06:36] - Freedom of Speech Challenges
[07:57] - Cultural Shifts and Christian Response
[09:55] - Assurance from Revelation
[12:10] - Lessons from Roman Empire
[14:56] - Message of Liberation
[16:18] - The Power of Preaching
[19:35] - Building Strong Reformed Churches
[22:21] - The Church as Family

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 1:1-3
2. Mark 10:23-30

---

Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Reformed and evangelical Christianity? What does it mean to be on a continuum between these two traditions? [00:33]

2. What are some of the contrasts mentioned in the sermon between Reformed Christianity and American culture? [02:28]

3. How did early Christians transform sexual ethics in the Roman Empire, according to the sermon? [13:37]

4. What role does preaching play in the Reformed tradition, as highlighted in the sermon? [17:01]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that striving towards the Reformed ideal can bring believers closer to biblical truth and stability? [01:11]

2. How might the principled stance of Reformed Christianity help believers navigate cultural shifts, according to the sermon? [02:28]

3. What lessons can be drawn from the historical transformation of sexual ethics in the Roman Empire for today's cultural challenges? [13:37]

4. Why is the centrality of preaching emphasized in the sermon, and how does it serve as a means of grace for believers? [17:01]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own position on the continuum between Reformed and evangelical Christianity. How have both traditions influenced your faith journey? [00:33]

2. In what ways can you adopt a more principled, communal, and disciplined approach in your daily life to align with Reformed Christianity's values? [02:28]

3. How can the example of early Christians transforming sexual ethics inspire you to engage with today's cultural issues? What specific actions can you take to promote human dignity and liberation? [13:37]

4. Consider the role of preaching in your spiritual life. How can you ensure that you are open to receiving the Word of God through sermons? What steps can you take to prioritize listening to and applying biblical teachings? [17:01]

5. How can you contribute to building a strong Reformed church community that supports and encourages its members? What specific roles or activities can you participate in to foster a sense of family within your church? [20:56]

6. Reflect on the assurance from Revelation that Christ's return is imminent. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [09:55]

7. In what ways can you draw strength from the Reformed heritage to face the challenges of living in a culture that may become increasingly hostile to Christian values? [01:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating the Continuum of Faith
The relationship between Reformed and evangelical Christianity is not a simple binary but a rich continuum. Each believer may find themselves influenced by both traditions, and while the ideal church may never be fully realized, striving towards the Reformed ideal can bring us closer to biblical truth and stability. This journey is not about achieving perfection but about drawing strength from the Reformed heritage, which offers profound insights into God's Word. By understanding where we stand on this spectrum, we can better appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ and work towards unity in our shared faith. [01:11]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Consider where you find yourself on the continuum between Reformed and evangelical Christianity. How can you embrace the strengths of both traditions in your daily walk with Christ?


Day 2: Counter-Cultural Christianity
Reformed Christianity often stands in contrast to American culture, which is pragmatic, individualistic, and emotionally driven. In contrast, Reformed Christianity is principled, communal, and disciplined, focusing on the ordinary rather than the extraordinary. This principled stance is crucial as we navigate cultural shifts that challenge our faith. As Christians, we are called to live counter-culturally, drawing strength from our community and the timeless truths of Scripture. In a world that values individualism, we must remember the importance of community and the call to live according to God's principles. [02:28]

"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: In what ways does your life reflect the values of Reformed Christianity in contrast to the surrounding culture? How can you further cultivate a communal and disciplined approach to your faith?


Day 3: The Power of Preaching and Ethics
The historical transformation of sexual ethics in the Roman Empire by early Christians serves as a reminder that change is possible, even when it seems unlikely. This transformation was achieved through the power of preaching and the steadfastness of Christian ethics, offering a message of liberation and human dignity. Today, we must renew our commitment to the centrality of preaching, ensuring that it remains a powerful means of grace that speaks to the hearts and minds of God's people. Preaching should not be reduced to mere instruction or entertainment but should challenge and inspire us to live out our faith authentically. [13:37]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively engage with the preaching you hear, allowing it to transform your life and influence your ethical decisions?


Day 4: The Centrality of Preaching
Renewing our commitment to the centrality of preaching is essential. Preaching should remain a powerful means of grace that speaks to the hearts and minds of God's people, rather than becoming mere instruction or entertainment. It is through preaching that we encounter the living Word of God, which has the power to transform lives and communities. As we listen to sermons, we should be open to the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, allowing the message to challenge and encourage us in our faith journey. [17:01]

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

Reflection: Reflect on a recent sermon that impacted you. How can you apply its message to your life this week, allowing it to shape your actions and attitudes?


Day 5: Building Strong Reformed Communities
Building strong Reformed churches grounded in confessions and catechisms is vital as we face increasing cultural opposition. These churches provide a community where believers can support and encourage one another, becoming a family in a world that may turn against us. In times of cultural hostility, the church must be a refuge and a source of strength, offering fellowship and guidance to those who seek to live faithfully. By drawing on the wisdom of the saints throughout history, we can build communities that are resilient and rooted in the truth of God's Word. [20:56]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to building a strong, supportive community within your church? What steps can you take to foster deeper connections with fellow believers?

Quotes


I would want to argue passionately, and I think it is a big part of what Ligonier Ministry is about is that the more we approach the Reformed ideal, I think the more biblical we are and therefore the more stable we are, the stronger we'll be. Again, I don't want a Reformed triumphalism, even though I sound very triumphalistic, but I am so passionate about believing that the Reformed heritage has such insights into the Word of God that will strengthen Christians for the difficult time in which we live. [00:01:38]

America is pragmatic where the Reformed are principled. I am going to go through this quickly; we could spend a lot of time trying to unpack all of this, but I just want you to have some sense. America tends to be anti-intellectual. Only America could probably have a political party called the "Know Nothing Party," whereas Reformed Christianity is confessional and doctrinal and committed to the whole counsel of God. American culture tends to be very individualistic, and Reformed Christianity at its best is very communal where we are connected. [00:02:41]

American culture is focused on the extraordinary, what is new, what is exciting, what's different, and Reformed Christianity focuses on the ordinary. Michael Horton has a new little book out on the ordinary, an important theme. American culture tends to be democratic, and Reformed church life has structure and authority and office. American culture tends to be emotional, and Reformed Christianity tries to surgically remove all emotions…now that's not true. It only appears to be that way. Reformed Christianity wants to control emotions. [00:03:35]

I think we are seeing now what may turn out to be a third American Revolution, which will be radical and secular in its individualism. I think some of the moral issues that are going on in the country right now illustrate that. It's not enough apparently for the Left in this country that homosexuality be declared to be normal and homosexuality to be protected in law. It now must be true that no one may criticize homosexuality. [00:05:28]

We as Christians have to be prepared to live a world like that, which may mean we have to suffer. Things have changed dramatically. In 1960, homosexual activity was illegal almost everywhere in the United States, and the American Psychological Association said homosexuality was a mental disorder. Fifty-five years later, homosexuality is fully legalized, and critics are being silenced far and wide. [00:07:57]

One of the strengths we need of course comes from the book of Revelation. I am always intrigued with the way the book of Revelation begins. "The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants the things that must soon take place." That is the first verse. Then the third verse is, "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy for the time is near." [00:09:55]

What he studies there is how over the course of two centuries, ethics-dominant attitudes towards sexual ethics in the late Roman Empire moved from being pagan to being Christian. Christian ethics wasn't a perfectly biblical ethic, and I don't want to romanticize this or overstate it, but what I found so intriguing was that Christians came along as a persecuted minority, challenging a profoundly perverse pagan sexual ethic, and in the course of about 200-300 years, they were largely able to turn ethical thinking about sex around. [00:12:37]

I think sometimes today we get so discouraged as Christians, we think the whole thing is hopeless. What is point of even speaking up? You know why they were able to do that? They were able to figure out the ways in which pagan sexual ethics undermine the image of God in man. Pagan sexual ethics said, "We are all just determined by the stars as to what we are like sexually. There is no point fighting against it." It was profoundly deterministic, and the Christians came along and said we are not controlled by the stars. [00:13:40]

I think we need to be renewed, and this is another great witness of Reformed Christianity. We have to be renewed in the centrality and the importance of preaching to the people of God. Reading books is important. An educated laity is a great thing, but God has appointed preaching as a means of grace. He has appointed preaching as a way in which he operates amongst his people, and we need to again exalt preaching. [00:16:40]

The problem is preaching has really been debased in many places in our time. Preaching has become happy, clappy stories, or preaching has become the preacher's personality. Preaching has become clever illustrations. What preaching is with power is opening the Word of God and applying the Word of God to the minds and hearts of people. Preaching even that appears to be fairly good can descend into just instruction. [00:17:17]

The only way we are going to have strong Christians is if we have strong churches where the Word of God is ministered and fed on and believed and built into the heart. So, I think this can be an exciting day. I think in the last 20 or 30 years, we have seen a significant renewal of interest in Reformed theology, and certainly the work of Ligonier has been phenomenal in providing resources for churches to advance the cause of knowing Reformed theology. [00:21:04]

We need that community, that congregation where brothers and sisters support us and encourage us, pray for us, provide for us, are with us through the joys and the sorrows of life, and in a world that may more and more turn against us, more and more the church is going to have to be our family. [00:22:21]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 20, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?