CULTURE

CHRISTIAN CULTURE

BONE & MARROW: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD IN A CULTURE OF COMPROMISE

BONE & MARROW: COMMUNICATING THE WORD TO A CULTURE OF COMPROMISE

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

6 Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Word of God” “the truth of God revealed in Scripture that humans speak to each other with reliance on God's help to understand it and apply it.”-John Piper “Living and Active” - Produces effects

Pierces & Divides “Soul and Spirit” “Joints and Marrow” Joints - the thick, hard, outer part of the bone. Marrow - the soft, tender, living, inner part of the bone

Soul -Invisible dimension of our life that we are by nature. Spirit -what we are by supernatural rebirth

Where are we going? The Gospel does not need help

10 The Gospel does not need help It is the word of God that reveals to us our true selves.

11 The Gospel does not need help It is the word of God that reveals to us our true selves. Piercing reveals the marrow

12 The Gospel does not need help It is the word of God that reveals to us our true selves. Piercing reveals the marrow We need help

What is culture? Culture- the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values and knowledge which constitute the shared bases of social action. -Paul & Priscilla Reid “How can we be culturally relevant and also counter cultural and still effective?” -Priscilla Reid

The Tenor of Culture Social Media Conversations

16 Steve Jobs “ Your time is limited, so don ’ t waste it living someone else ’ s life. Don ’ t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people ’ s thinking. ” Sometimes I believe in God, sometimes I don ’ t. I think it ’ s maybe, ” “ But ever since I ’ ve had cancer, I ’ ve been thinking about it more. And I find myself believing a bit more. Maybe it ’ s because I want to believe in an afterlife. That when you die, it doesn ’ t just all disappear. The wisdom you ’ ve accumulated. Somehow it lives on. ”

17 Einstein “I want to learn how God created the world. These or those phenomena in a range aren’t interesting to me..... this or that element. I want to know his thoughts. The rest is details.”

Kingdom Culture Every church has a culture! One of the most decisive and important functions of leaders is the creation and management of its culture. – Paul Reid Are we known more for what we stand for, or are we known more for what we stand against?

"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth then actual lies." –Nietzsche

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul’s adaptability to culture.

Philippians 4:8-9 THINK and put into practice: True, Noble, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent, Praiseworthy

“Culture is not shaped by talking about it, it is shaped by behavior.” -Paul Reid It is Modeled by LEADERSHIP.

This is the value: “Under the guidance of Holy Spirit, the church develops its life and ministry in culturally appropriate ways. Effective in reaching lost and unchurched, by employing relevant methods to engage and transform culture.” –Paul Reid

Cutting the Bone and Marrow 1. The art of Double Listening “One ear to God’s word and one ear to God’s world.” -John Stott

25 Cutting the Bone and Marrow 1. The art of Double Listening “One ear to God’s word and one ear to God’s world.” -John Stott 2. Be relevant, not recent

Cutting the Bone and Marrow 3. A Hallmark of Compassion

27 Cutting the Bone and Marrow 3. A Hallmark of Compassion 4.NEW UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH No more FIGHT OR FLIGHT "The church does not exist for us, we are the church - the church exists for the world." -Erwin McManus IMPERFECT EXCELLENCE No more FIGHT OR FLIGHT "The church does not exist for us, we are the church - the church exists for the world." -Erwin McManus IMPERFECT EXCELLENCE

Cutting the Bone and Marrow 5. Broadcast your LIFE SONG "Churches in the future will know that we can’t bring life to the city by avoiding the city, or by becoming the city." Alan Scott

29 5. Broadcast your LIFE SONG "Churches in the future will know that we can’t bring life to the city by avoiding the city, or by becoming the city." Alan Scott Life-Song- The melody of your life as heard and perceived by others

*A life-Song that breaks Bone & pierces Marrow creates an attractive melody. What is the opposite of melody/harmony? Antagonism, Cacophony, Discord, Conflict, Dissension, Hostility, Contention, Contest, Compulsion,

Jesus Engaged Culture A new vision, a different agenda, a life worth living. Jesus identified the Life-song of others even before they recognized it themselves.

WHAT IS THE CULTURE OF OUR CHURCH? BE PRESENT BE PATIENT BE PREPARED