Story Wars 1

The Cosmic War Around Us

Text: Romans 12.2 & Acts 17:22-34

Introduction

A worldview functions like: eye glasses, a map or a giant puzzle (you learn where to fit the pieces by referencing the pic on the box).

Two competing worldviews: Christian theism & Secular humanism

Worldview meta narrative = creation, fall, redemption, and consummation (Jesus comes back and makes all things right).

Secular humanism = evolution (men are not fallen, only miss-informed), men will eventually make everything right.

Arizona Christians University Cultural Research Center Report - February 2023

Only 4% of Americans hold to a biblical worldview. The report also found a decline in biblical worldview in almost every demographic subgroup in America, with the most striking shifts among born-again Christians. Barna, who has measured the worldview of American adults for more than 30 years, said these new lows could effectively spell the “extinction” of biblical beliefs in the nation.

Barna Group - September through November 2003; Nation wide telephone interviews of a random sample of 2033 adults.

(The data from the 2003 survey was compared with figures on worldview possession compiled from Barna Research Group surveys conducted in 2002 in order to assess the reliability of the new data.)

The Biblical worldview definition they based their survey from:

Believing that absolute moral truths exist; that such truth is defined by the Bible; and firm belief in six specific religious views. Those views were that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life; God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and He stills rules it today; salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned; Satan is real; a Christian has a responsibility to share their faith in Christ with other people; and the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.

Showed only 4% of adults have a biblical worldview as the basis of their decision-making, researcher George Barna described the outcome. “If Jesus Christ came to this planet as a model of how we ought to live, then our goal should be to act like Jesus. Sadly, few people consistently demonstrate the love, obedience and priorities of Jesus. The primary reason that people do not act like Jesus is because they do not think like Jesus. Behavior stems from what we think – our attitudes, beliefs, values and opinions. Although most people own a Bible and know some of its content, our research found that most Americans have little idea how to integrate core biblical principles to form a unified and meaningful response to the challenges and opportunities of life. We’re often more concerned with survival amidst chaos than with experiencing truth and significance.”

The research indicated that everyone has a worldview, but relatively few people have a biblical worldview – even among devoutly religious people.

9% of born again Christians

The numbers were even lower among other religious classifications:

Protestants (7%)

adults who attend mainline Protestant churches (2%)

Catholics (less than one-half of 1%).

The denominations that produced the highest proportions of adults with a biblical worldview were non-denominational Protestant churches (13%), Pentecostal churches (10%) and Baptist churches (8%).

Biblical worldview with those who do not. The former group were:

31 times less likely to accept cohabitation (2% versus 62%, respectively)

18 times less likely to endorse drunkenness (2% versus 36%)

15 times less likely to condone gay sex (2% versus 31%)

12 times less likely to accept profanity (3% versus 37%)

11 times less likely to describe adultery as morally acceptable (4% versus 44%)

Less than one-half of one percent of those with a biblical worldview said voluntary exposure to pornography was morally acceptable (compared to 39% of other adults), and a similarly miniscule proportion endorsed abortion (compared to 46% of adults who lack a biblical worldview).

Question — Who is impacted by these numbers?

Question — Who is currently basing their every day decision on a biblical worldview?

John 18:37–38 “37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?

1) The Gradual Decline From A Worldview (v16-23)

Paul had noticed that every thought within their mind and motion of their body was determined by a particular worldview.

Superstitious: piously religious adj. — having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity.

A. People don’t automatically end up with a worldview! It starts when you are a child!

14000 instructional hours in school. Students are being taught worldview. They don’t even know it.

(The nation study of youth and religion — Christian Smith) Some main tenants of professed youth Christianity today: Moralistic therapeutic deist:

A God exists and watches over human life on earth.

God wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other as taught in the Bible. (all religions teach the same thing)

The central goal of life is to feel good about one’s self.

God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem. (they learn this at home)

Good people go to heaven when they die.

Parents right now will think more about their kids secular education than their spiritual education. When you move to a new neighborhood, the first question asked is about the schools, not the churches.

Kids can tell you more about what is expected of them regarding their education not about their spiritual aspirations or discipleship.

85% of youth agree with the statement, “What is true for one person in a given situation might not be right for another person in the exact same situation; situational ethics.

62% agree with the statement, “Nothing can be known for certain except the things you experience in your life.”

Parents will make a grave mistake by determining how your children behave by your authority being present in their every day activity. What happens in the 14,000 you can never get back they spend in the school system. What about when they move off to college and ultimate move and start a family of their own where they will share the ongoing generations? They must be took further than obeying, but learning how to think biblically on their own.

2) The Origin Of A Worldview (v23-28)

A. Paul understood that without a biblical worldview, his efforts in sharing the gospel would fall flat.

Romans 1:18–20 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Creation is where you must begin when revealing who the God of Heaven is!

To not understand His position as creator, will bring about failure to our mission to persuade the world to receive His saving grace provided through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

(v26) A Biblical worldview helps us all understand there is no racial differences across the globe! While there may be ethnic, color, language, and cultural differences, God tells us of a human face of “one blood.”

(v26) A Biblical worldview provides a higher value and purpose to the existence of every generation of people.

We learn how God’s sovereignty leaves no room for random meaningless chance.

God lovingly places everyone in a time and place for a far greater eternal purpose than “natural selection” leaves you with.

(v28) Once you learn about the true God who is ruling in a sovereignty of holiness, righteousness, goodness, and grace, it brings an overwhelming sense of purpose for you very existence. It drives your soul to discover how to have a relationship with this God.

The normal thought process of people today when they see youth taking liberal views on important issues is, “Pastors aren’t preaching good enough and the church isn’t putting forth enough effort.”

Without a biblical worldview, the sermon becomes just a sermon, not imperative truth for my life in order to glorify God.

Paul did not just give them a sermon, he gave them foundational truth they could base future decisions on that would effect themselves, their family life and society!

People need to learn how to think not just rest your thoughts on a sermon you heard. It’s like learning how to play one song or music principals that can be applied to every song.

If you are dependent on a sermon to be preached on every issues in order to operate as a Christian on every issue, you will live crippled!

Paul had to grow their knowledge of the truth before they could be impacted spiritually by it.

“Head knowledge” is not a bad word in Christianity! Look back at Romans 12:2 “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

How do you find the will of God? Not staring up in the sky and waiting on an answer.

GROW IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE AND TALKING WITH OTHER BELIEVERS.

Before you can love God, you must learn of Him.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Ephesians 4:17–24“17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

People within Corinth could find anyone to agree with their worldview!

Christians will look around locally or on YouTube and find a preacher who will validate their worldview. We are not to find someone who agrees with our worldview, we need to have a worldview that God agrees with.

3) Application Of A Worldview (v30)

A. Application of the secular worldview

Why should your kids learn how to read?

So they can do better in their studies.

So they can better advance the scoring level of the school.

So they can be better readers.

Why should your kids learn how to write?

So they can do the necessary work in school to advance their education.

So they can spell their name and sign documents.

So they can be a good writer one day.

Why should your kids learn math and science?

So they can advance science and get the better high paying jobs.

Why should your kids learn history?

They don’t have to. But if they want to they can.

B. Application of the Biblical worldview

Why should your kids learn how to read?

So they will have the ability to read and understand God’s revelation of His redemptive work on their behalf so they might come into a relationship with Him by faith.

After coming to faith, they would read and understand what the Christian life is all about.

Why should your kids learn how to write?

Because God is a person who communicates and therefore they should learn how to communicate.

They were created to communicate.

So they go into the world communicating about God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ.

Why should your kids learn math and science?

God created science.

God is the sovereign creator. Math and science come from one divine mind and therefor both work together.

True science (observable science) allows them to discover more about the amazing God who created everything.

In a general sense, God desires to be discovered through creation.

Why should your kids learn history?

So they would learn about faithful providence and come to trust God providence throughout the span of their own life.

So they would observe the fatale flaw of sin in human history.

C. A worldview determines your evangelism (v30-34)

A Biblical worldview will prompt you to always pursue leading others to Jesus Christ.

Quote: (John MacArthur) “Every idea we have, every relationship we cultivate, every belief we cherish, every fact we know, every argument we make, every conversation we engage in, and every thought we think presupposes that there is such a thing as ‘truth.’”

Conclusion

A Biblical worldview gives everyone transcendent purpose and value!

We need to have a solid worldview so we can evangelize more effectively! Know yours, identify the worldview of others, and then direct them to God.

John 18:37–38 “37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.”

John 1:14 “14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel of TRUTH!