Culture in the Community

This morning I want us to turn to Philippians 1:27- 2:4 Let’s take a minute to talk about church culture.

Philippians 1:27–2:4 NKJV

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Introduction: In this text I want us to notice:

Paul is doing more than correcting two women who have a difference with one another.

He is doing more than promoting unity for the sake of church growth.

He is doing more than promoting selfless service.

He is creating an environment or culture where each person takes on the attitude of Christ.

And, therefore, they place the needs of others above their own.

They no longer do things out of selfish ambition or conceit.

They have a sincere concern, not only for their own welfare, but the welfare of others.

He is promoting an environment or culture of safety, love, support, fellowship, growth, unity, and, spiritual formation.

Now, who doesn’t want to live in this kind of community? So, let’s answer these questions: What is culture? Why is it important? How do we develop this culture?

What is Culture?

I have already addressed this some in the opening statement, but I want you to look back with me at verse 27. You see the phrase, “Let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel.”

We should know the word conduct well. It means behavior, and the idea is how we conduct ourselves.

He is saying let the way you do things in the church at Philippi be worthy of the Gospel. And, I believe scripture is speaking through time to LifePoint Church of Elizabethtown, saying, “Let the way you do things, and treat one another be worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”

Wow, what a high standard for our culture. We hold nothing higher than the Gospel of Christ!

I want you to hear the definition of church culture that resulted from a google search.

Church culture is the unique atmosphere, personality, and "way we do things here" within a specific congregation, encompassing shared beliefs, unspoken rules, behaviors, values, rituals, and attitudes that shape the member experience, influencing everything from worship style to leadership and community engagement. It's the collective feeling, often more felt than stated, that dictates how people interact, learn, worship, and serve, acting as the church's operating system.

Culture is that thing that is operating in the background, and felt by everyone who comes into our community.

It sends that felt sense that, I want to be part of this community or the red flag that warns to flee.

That is why our text today says in Philippians 2:1

Philippians 2:1 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

All of these are attached to feelings or a vibe.

So, culture is that invisible framework that influences whether people feel welcomed, challenged, or disconnected. It effect how decisions are made and how we handle conflict.

So, Why is Culture Important?

I believe in defining culture, we touched on this but, here is why culture is so important. Culture gives shape and motivation to what we do.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were counter-cultural.

When I was a teenager in high school, our culture was athletic. If you played football, basketball, and baseball, you were in. You were part of the primary culture of the school. But, there were sub-cultures like: academia, band, skateboarders, headbangers, or gothic.

The sub-cultures were always out on the pericope. They didn’t always fit in. Now, I’m not saying this is right, but it demonstrates the power of culture. We see this in our national culture. If you don’t believe in a certain way, you are made to feel stupid. We don’t have two competing political ideas in America, we have two competing cultures.

Culture shapes the way we feel about certain values. The challenge for the church is building a culture that honors biblical values, behaviors, and outcomes.

Listen to the importance of culture according to Peter Drucker, the author of “The Effective Executive.” He said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

Do you hear what he is saying? All of our strategies, plans, desires, and visions will fail if the ethos of the church is not in accord with them. Culture will win the day! Culture will override our strategies! Culture will dictate whether people stay, grow, feel safe and vulnerable, and connect with their faith.

The text here in Philippians is saying the same thing. If there is not a culture of love, unity, brotherly kindness that is absent of self-ambition and self-interest. If there is not a culture that holds the life of Jesus as the model, then there will be no power or demonstration of the Spirit. Strategy alone will not accomplish the work of the Kingdom!

Someone has said, “A bad culture will consistently undermine an amazing mission, vision, and strategy.”

A Biblical Culture is Vitally Important!

How Do We Develop This Culture?

We must get a real Biblical picture of what church culture should look like.

How is the church described?

Building of God

Bride of Christ

Family of God

Pillar and Ground of the Truth

What has been valued?

Scripture

Discipleship

Leadership

Accountability

How do we treat one another?

Like family

Selflessly

Lovingly

Restoratively

Correctively yet lovingly.

Patiently

Appreciatively

First, we must get a Biblical picture of culture among the people of God.

Second, we must be honest about our current culture.

Honest doesn’t mean critical and condemning. It means honest!

In considering this we must consider our contribution and role. It is easy to look at church as us and them.

I love what one pastor said about membership. He said membership means that we’re all members in the ship together, if it sails we all sail together, and if it sinks we all sink together.

Third, we have to model the change that we want to see in our culture.

I love this about Philippians:

Paul gives himself as an example.

He gives Timothy as an example.

He then give Epaphroditus as an example

And ultimately he give Jesus Christ as the example of all examples. Listen to Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5–11 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Oh to have a culture where self-interest is dead and everyone looks out for the interest of others. A culture where Christ is exalted and every member is expected and helped to shape their lives into His image.

It starts with me, and it starts with you.