#BibleLesson. Timeless Truths - Start of a New Culture
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:9-12 - New International Version
Traditionally cultures are defined geographically. But generational groups define our cultures now.
- Seniors. World wars and depression shaped their culture. They fought evil and won. They understand poverty.
- Builders. The silent generation. Atomic bombs and Korea influenced them. The red menace was THE threat. Great achievers and organizers.
- Boomers. Idealists. The Vietnam War, civil rights, and JFK influenced them. Personal freedom is a driving force.
- Gen-X. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the Challenger disaster, and the Gulf War influenced them. They have high divorce rates. Latchkey kids, AIDS began with them. They are looking for authenticity in relationships. They are reactive more than proactive.
- Millennials. The first to embrace the Internet. 9/11, digital communication, and rap music are shapers.
God is critically important,
- but 70% of church members don't attend.
- but today’s world doesn’t see the relevance of the church
The church culture most church attendees grew up with is dead.
- There must be a change in our outreach strategy.
- The church as an institution doesn't matter to people anymore.
- Bigger and better church is not the answer.
- You have to reconsider how you engage the world.
Peter lived in a non-church world like today, so there are close ties to Peter's culture and today.
- You are chosen, royal. Chosen doesn’t mean selected or liked better. Chosen means you are given a mission. That mission is to reach the world by proclaiming God's mighty acts.
- You have a purpose: to spread God’s plan and do ministry in the world around you. You are not a special person, but you have a special job.
- You live in a world that is not yours. You can't become too comfortable in the world you live in. You need to live as an alien exile in your world. DON'T BE COMPLACENT.
- You need to live a changed life so your world can see what God does for you. Your real ministry is outside the building.
You need to be salt and light making a difference in the world.
- You have to change the way you do some things if you're going to change your impact on the world.
- You must proclaim your radically transformed life to others.
Thanks to Dr. Scott Peterson for the primary teachings in this post.
Next: Releasing God's People - Isaiah 49:1-6
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