Audio from Associate Pastor Josh Carpenter on Sunday morning March 5th, 2017.
Culture: Customs, arts, achievements, social institutions, attitudes or behavior of a people
Josh's definition: A way of life.
The 'way' of this world. Not to be confused with God's intention.
Genesis 3:8-9 NIV
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
As followers of Christ, we are confronted with worldly culture.
Our confrontation is not with people.
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
John 16:13 NIV
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
As followers of Christ will we be culture consumers or Culture Bringers?
Galatians 5:17 NIV
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Matthew 7:26-27 NIV
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 6:10 NIV
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Kavanah - Direction, intention and devotion.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
A 'Culter Bringer' in the Text:
King Joiah's Reforms
2 Chronicles 34