Relationships week 6
Notes
Transcript
Relationship with Community and culture
Relationship with Community and culture
We live in a strange time. years ago the world was a much more christian place
The world has gone through many different cultural field. christendom, Renaissance, enlightenment, modernism post modernism, post christendom
we live in a time which can be described as post modern and post Christendom and this is not a bad thing per-say it just means we as a culture have moved away from God and the average person is no longer a christian. the church is no longer a major voice in the culture.
we are now faced with the tension of how do we related to our culture and community while holding fast to biblical truths
Definition
Definition
A group of people that live in close proximity to each other. This includes their land, social institutions, resources, and community institutions
We are going to discuss the global community, local as well as our specific community here
Culture
Culture
as christians one thing that is absolutely beautiful in my mind is that there is no cultural barriers it does not matter what race, social status, back round, wealth or anything. God is above it all
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
The culture for christians is not based on our race of skin colour rather our shared loved for the lord, this enables us to embrace love and appreciate every nation.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Examples: Glads Black ( we get to celebrate)
No place for racism God’s community
What binds the christian communities of the world is not an outward symbol or location rather that all of us have received the holy spirit and love the Lord.
So as christians we belong to a local community of believers that will have a unique culture, as well as the global church which transcends all cultures
Christian cultural values
Christian cultural values
As with any culture there are certain things that we see as valuable christians universally can agree on these points of value
Generosity: being kinds loving and giving to others and the church
Love: christians above all should be loving and caring
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Life: We believe as christians that everyone is valuable, we believe from the smallest to the greatest every living person is valuable and created in the image of God
Diversity: not only in races but in thoughts and all aspects of life
Identity: True identity is not found in our selves but rather is found in christ
Cultural Values
Cultural Values
Culture is not necessarily against these things but rather they are not for these things
Life: a modern western view point is that there are some lives not worth living, abortion and MAID
Love: love is love but only love the ones that love you back and hate everyone else
Diversity: everyones opinion matters unless it is difference to yours
Generosity: to some but not to all but we can forget about generosity because that means putting some one else first.
As christians we live in a world that Values a lot of things
Wealth: money is everything
Power: we all want to be on top
sex: Sex is everything
Identity: we worship identity and forget our true one
success: you need to win at all costs
While all these things can be good when they become our focal point the can over shadow the Gospel especially when preverted.
the bible calls us
2 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.
Our response
Our response
What do we do when we are not liked by our culture ?
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
there are going to be times where we are not loved and liked by the world around us because of what we believe. and that is okay
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
So in the face of trials we need to realize we will not always go along with what the world is doing
but we need to stand up for what is right regardless
Generous
loving
caring
kind
humble
standing up for the value of life
slow to anger quick to forgive
we are called to be salt in light. bringing light to a dead world that has turned its back on God.
it is a dark place we need to be the light.