Transforming Culture Through Spiritual Renewal and Repentance
Summary
In our ongoing series, "One Nation Under God," we explore how to engage with a culture that often seems divided and combative toward biblical values. While political transformation is relatively easy and happens at the ballot box, true change requires spiritual transformation, which is a much harder and longer process. The first-century church offers a model for us, as they operated within the Roman Empire, a vastly different political system, yet managed to influence the culture over time through spiritual means. The church today can learn from their example by focusing on heart and cultural change rather than just political change.
Today, we delve into the issue of idolatry, a problem as prevalent now as it was in ancient Rome. While we may not have physical idols like the Romans, anything that takes precedence over God in our lives can become an idol. Idolatry is not just about worshiping bad things; it can also be about elevating good things, like family or career, to a supreme position in our lives. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue in his letters, urging believers to fully submit to God and not be swayed by cultural ideas that contradict biblical truths.
Paul's message in Romans 1 highlights the confusion that arises when people refuse to worship God as He truly is, leading to a distorted understanding of Him. This confusion is evident in our world today, where people often create a version of God that aligns with their desires rather than the truth. This leads to a life filled with brokenness and dysfunction, as idolatry ultimately leads us away from God.
In Acts 17, Paul addresses the Athenians, who had a shrine to an "unknown god," using it as an opportunity to introduce them to the one true God. He emphasizes that God does not dwell in man-made temples and does not need anything from us, unlike idols that demand sacrifices. Instead, God offers us life and breath, and our response should be to repent and turn to Him.
Repentance involves changing our minds about our sin and idolatry, recognizing the harm they cause, and turning back to God. It's a call to examine our lives, identify the idols that have taken root, and make God the supreme focus of our affections. By doing so, we align our lives with His will and experience the fullness of life He offers.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual vs. Political Transformation: True change in our culture requires spiritual transformation, which is a long and challenging process, unlike the quick fixes of political change. The first-century church's influence on the Roman Empire over centuries serves as a model for us today. [00:42]
2. Modern Idolatry: Idolatry today may not involve physical idols, but anything that takes precedence over God in our lives can become an idol. This includes good things like family or career when they become supreme. [07:20]
3. Confusion from Idolatry: When we refuse to worship God as He truly is, we create a distorted understanding of Him, leading to confusion and dysfunction in our lives. This is evident in our culture today, where people often create a version of God that aligns with their desires. [09:23]
4. Repentance and Change: Repentance involves changing our minds about our sin and idolatry, recognizing the harm they cause, and turning back to God. It's a call to examine our lives and make God the supreme focus of our affections. [42:18]
5. God's Supremacy: God does not dwell in man-made temples and does not need anything from us. Unlike idols that demand sacrifices, God offers us life and breath. Our response should be to repent and turn to Him, making Him the supreme focus of our lives. [32:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Political vs. Spiritual Transformation
[03:15] - Sanctity of Life and Cultural Values
[05:04] - Idolatry in Ancient Rome
[07:20] - Modern Idolatry Defined
[09:23] - Confusion from Idolatry
[10:26] - False Ideas of God
[13:06] - Consequences of Idolatry
[16:18] - The First Commandment
[19:01] - Prioritizing God
[22:03] - Paul's Missionary Journey
[24:44] - Paul's Address at Mars Hill
[29:04] - The Unknown God
[32:34] - God's Supremacy
[39:01] - Identifying Personal Idols
[42:18] - Call to Repentance
[49:14] - Invitation to Know God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:21-23
- Acts 17:16-31
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 1:21-23, what does Paul say happens to people's understanding of God when they refuse to worship Him as He truly is? How does this relate to the concept of idolatry discussed in the sermon? [09:23]
2. According to Acts 17:16-31, how does Paul use the Athenians' altar to an "unknown god" to introduce them to the one true God? What does this reveal about his approach to sharing the gospel? [29:04]
3. The sermon mentions that idolatry can involve elevating good things to a supreme position in our lives. What examples were given, and how do they compare to the idols of ancient Rome? [07:20]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between political and spiritual transformation, and what example from history is used to illustrate this? [00:42]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the root cause of confusion and dysfunction in people's lives today, according to Romans 1? How does this relate to the modern understanding of God? [09:23]
2. In Acts 17, Paul emphasizes that God does not dwell in man-made temples and does not need anything from us. How does this contrast with the nature of idols, and what implications does this have for our understanding of God's character? [32:34]
3. The sermon discusses the importance of repentance in turning away from idolatry. How does the Greek definition of repentance, as mentioned in the sermon, deepen our understanding of this concept? [42:18]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the potential for good things, like family or career, to become idols in our lives? What does this suggest about the nature of idolatry and its impact on our relationship with God? [07:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "good things" that you might have elevated to a supreme position, potentially becoming idols? How can you begin to realign your priorities to make God the supreme focus of your affections? [07:20]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of repentance in addressing idolatry. What specific steps can you take to change your mind about any idols in your life and turn back to God? [42:18]
3. Consider the cultural influences that may have shaped your understanding of God. How can you ensure that your view of God aligns with biblical truths rather than cultural ideas? [09:23]
4. In what ways can you actively participate in spiritual transformation within your community, following the example of the first-century church? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [00:42]
5. Paul used the Athenians' altar to an "unknown god" as a starting point for sharing the gospel. How can you use elements of your own culture or environment to introduce others to the one true God? [29:04]
6. The sermon mentions that God offers us life and breath, unlike idols that demand sacrifices. How can this understanding of God's character influence your daily worship and relationship with Him? [32:34]
7. Reflect on the two tests for identifying idols in your life mentioned in the sermon: where you spend your money and time. What changes can you make to ensure these resources reflect your commitment to God as your supreme focus? [39:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Transformation Over Political Change
In a world where political change can be swift and often superficial, true transformation requires a deeper, spiritual shift. The first-century church provides a powerful example of this, as they navigated the complexities of the Roman Empire not through political power but through spiritual influence. Their focus was on changing hearts and minds, which ultimately led to a cultural shift over time. Today, we are called to follow their example by prioritizing spiritual transformation in our communities. This involves engaging with others in a way that reflects the love and truth of God, rather than relying solely on political solutions. [00:42]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize spiritual transformation in your interactions with others this week, rather than focusing solely on political or social issues?
Day 2: Identifying Modern Idolatry
Idolatry is not just a relic of the past; it is a present-day challenge that can subtly infiltrate our lives. While we may not bow to physical idols, anything that takes precedence over God can become an idol. This includes things that are inherently good, such as family, career, or personal achievements, when they become the ultimate focus of our lives. Recognizing these modern idols requires introspection and honesty about what truly holds the highest place in our hearts. By identifying and addressing these idols, we can realign our lives to prioritize our relationship with God. [07:20]
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you may have unintentionally elevated above God? How can you begin to shift your focus back to Him today?
Day 3: The Confusion of Distorted Worship
When we create a version of God that aligns with our desires rather than His true nature, we fall into the trap of idolatry. This leads to confusion and dysfunction, as our understanding of God becomes distorted. In today's culture, many people shape their beliefs about God based on personal preferences rather than biblical truths, resulting in a fragmented and incomplete view of Him. To avoid this confusion, we must seek to know God as He truly is, through His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This clarity will lead to a more authentic and fulfilling relationship with Him. [09:23]
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your understanding of God is based on His true nature rather than your own desires or cultural influences?
Day 4: The Call to Repentance
Repentance is a vital step in addressing the sin and idolatry in our lives. It involves a change of mind and heart, recognizing the harm caused by our misplaced priorities, and turning back to God. This process requires humility and a willingness to examine our lives honestly. By repenting, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing Him to reshape our hearts and align our lives with His will. This leads to a deeper experience of the fullness of life that God offers. [42:18]
"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? How can you take a step towards repentance today?
Day 5: Embracing God's Supremacy
God is supreme and does not dwell in man-made temples or require anything from us. Unlike idols that demand sacrifices, God offers us life and breath, inviting us to respond with repentance and devotion. Embracing God's supremacy means recognizing His rightful place as the ultimate focus of our lives. This involves surrendering our idols and aligning our affections with His will. By doing so, we experience the peace and joy that come from living in harmony with God's purpose for our lives. [32:34]
"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." (Acts 17:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make God the supreme focus of your life today, and what changes might this require in your daily habits or priorities?
Quotes
1. "One of the things we've said over the last few weeks that I'll remind you about today is this, that spiritual transformation is hard, but political transformation is easy. Political transformation happens at the ballot box. It happens every two years or four years. And we can see changes. And we think this is gonna be enough. And I wanna remind you a few years ago when Donald Trump was, the president, not only was he president, they also controlled both houses. And it did not usher in a revival in our nation, a move of God's spirit that brought our culture significant change. And so the question becomes, if we wanna see change in our world, what do we need to do? And to me, the answer is it's gotta be more than political. It's got to be a heart change. It's gotta be a cultural change." ([00:00:33] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "In Rome, idols were everywhere. Roman culture was accustomed to adopting the practices of the culture they were absorbing. So when Rome would conquer, there were some principles they would instill, but then they gave a lot of freedom to the culture they were absorbing. And so, to just bring your values with you into the culture. And that included God. So Rome had literally a pantheon of gods, multiple gods that they worshiped. And they had temples for these gods. But then when they would conquer a people, they would allow those people to keep their gods as well. And so they would simply just add to the gods. So they had literally a multitude of gods that they worshiped." ([00:04:24] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Idolatry is allowing anything to be supreme in my life instead of God. So if there is anything in my life that is supreme other than God, I've got an idol problem. It's anything. We tend to think it's just bad things. Well, if I worship the devil, obviously that's bad. Well, yeah, by the way, that is bad. Just to clarify. But that's what we think idol worship is. It's serving another God. Well, idolatry, for the purpose of our conversation, is simply maybe taking a good thing and making it supreme. It's not worshiping bad things." ([00:06:41] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "And what they've done is they have a false idea about who God is. They've projected their idea of who God is and they go, well, this is God. No, no, you are serving an idol right now. That is not God. You've got an idea of God who's permissive of all the things you want to do. And it's convenient. What we've essentially done is said, hey, God is loving. So God would never condemn somebody to hell. God wants me to be happy. So God is going to be okay with me doing this or this or this. And what we've done is we have taken our ideas from the culture and brought them in. And it's overridden what the word of God actually says about who God is." ([00:10:43] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "I think God is intentional. God is specific. And when God said, commandment number one, you will have no other God but me. It was a priority. And I think, I truly believe that every other commandment rests on this commandment. That if I truly will worship God for who he is as number one, that he is supreme in my life, that there's no other affection vying for my attention and my heart but God, every other thing begins to fall into place." ([00:16:50] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "And Paul says, hey, I noticed you've got a shrine for an unknown God. I noticed you've got a shrine for a just-in-case God. Let me talk to you about that. Oh, I love this so much. He said, this is the one I'm telling you about. He said, the God that you don't know, I do. Let me introduce you to my God today. Verse 24, he is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is the Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples." ([00:29:10] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "The gods they served lived in a temple. It was their place. That was where they lived. And if they were going somewhere, somewhere else, they had to be taken somewhere else. And so what Paul is doing is he's saying, hey, let me show you the powerlessness of your God, and let me show you the power of my God. Let me show you the lack of authority that your God has and all the authority that my God has. And he begins dialing this up. He begins talking through this with them so that they can see that there is a difference, that he is not just a God to be added to the pantheon, that he is the God, that every other god, every other god bows to and bows before. He's talking about the supremacy of God, the authority of God." ([00:31:31] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And what God wants us to do is to think differently about our idolatry, about the things that maybe aren't bad, but we just love a little too much. They've become too supreme in our lives that we need to marginalize and push aside, maybe get rid of, maybe lay down entirely. We need to repent of those things and turn to him. I love the fact that he said, hey, you have this unknown God, this just-in-case God. And if I'm gonna be honest, for a lot of years, God was a just-in-case God for me." ([00:47:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "So I wanna encourage you, today's the day to say, I'm gonna change my mind about my sin, about my idolatry. I'm gonna change my behavior and I'm gonna turn to him. So if you would, bow your head. I'm gonna close your eyes all over this room. Lord, thank you for loving us like you do. I pray that in these next few moments, you would speak into us, and God, I pray that you would reveal our idols to us. You'd show us the things that have taken hold of our hearts, the things that have encroached in our hearts and taken your place." ([00:48:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Today, if you're here and you're not in relationship with Jesus, you're not serving God, maybe you're the person that you have a just-in-case God, an unknown God, I've got good news for you today. Today is the day God wants to know you and he wants you to know him. So if you're here today and you've never really surrendered your life to Christ, maybe you're religious, just like the Athenians were, but you've never really surrendered your life to Jesus, today's your day." ([00:49:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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