The Story of Pete

Universal Definition of Sin & Standard of Love  Romans 3:23 – All have sinned…  Romans 5:12-21 – Sin reigned in all, death reigned in all  Matthew 22:37-40 – Love God, Love People  Galatians 5:6,14-26, Romans 8 – Law of Love, Law of Spirit  Romans 13:8-10 – “Love is the fulfillment of the Law”

10 Commandments: Fuzzy or Clear?  Stealing – Need to eat vs. breaking law  Honoring Mother & Father – Papua New Guinea vs. America  Coveting – Sharing (Collective Culture) vs. Individualism

Sin & The Question of Conscience  Everybody has a conscience  Romans 2:14-16  Acts 10:1-7, 34  Jesus is the Judge & will judge all men’s secrets – central to Paul’s gospel (Acts 17)  God does not show favoritism, accepts all men from every nation who fear Him & do what is right…

Culture & Conditioning the Conscience  How culture conditions conscience… Ie. Polygamy, Smoking, Drinking, Male Dominance, Music, Dancing, Entertainment, Talking About Sex Publically or PDA)

Culture & Conditioning the Conscience  The Corinth Issue – “Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial… Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” 1 Corinthians 6:1 1 Corinthians 8:9-13  Example of Christ – Freedom & Restraint  Knowledge of Christ & Restraint of Love

Culture & Conditioning the Conscience  The Roman Issue – “Peace, Mutual Edification & Acting in Faith” An issue of Faith, Food & Days Romans 14:19-23  If we can’t do it in faith it is sin for us  It is a matter of faith, love & mutual edification

Towards A Biblical Morality & The Role of the Holy Spirit  A Lesson From Galatians  Galatians 3:1-14 What was the basis of the Gentile Galatians reception of the promised Holy Spirit? Holy Spirit circumcises the heart (Rom. 2, 8; Gal. 5-6) If God did not put Jewish Religious & Cultural standards on Gentiles in order for them to receive the Spirit then why do we do it with American Christianity?

Towards a Biblical Morality & The Role of the Holy Spirit  Job of missionary – Discern the work of the Spirit that is already happening  Cultural Transformers Through the Spirit & a Biblical Lens MLK: Slavery William Willberforce: Slavery  No existing culture is entirely pleasing to God  What may seem natural for you may be a violation for another

Towards A Biblical Morality & The Role of the Holy Spirit  The more multi-ethnic a group the more opportunity there is for offense  Biblical Standards, The Law of Love & The Law of the Spirit must be our guides  You are not to take the role of the Holy Spirit  Teach natives to study the whole of Scripture, not with our American lens, but with the help & guidance of the Holy Spirit

Living It Out  Discerning: Biblical Sin vs. Cultural Value  Asking the Holy Spirit what He is doing  Compatible Cultural Values w/ Christian Faith vs. Troublesome to You  Learn Ethical System of the culture & know yours  Strengths & Weakness of both cultures  Live a loving life by the culture standards you are in (biblical commands & conscience)

Living It Out  Patiently preaching repentance in areas the Holy Spirit is already convicting  Expect the Holy Spirit to move in their lives  Ask Them to share what He is doing  Trust insights from the native believers  Teach new believers to obey & rely on the Bible & Holy Spirit

Group Discussion  Identify clearly what the problem is  Identify the issues at stake  Clarify facts as well as feelings  Consider case from different angles  Dig for resources What assets are available and can partnering/networking be used?  Make some assertions