Out of the World
The Post-Christian challenge: Overcoming the World
by Dr. Alfred Mohler
Massive changes around us: post-Christian culture. Not remotely Christian culture. Vacuum filled with contrary values. Our goal: Be a faithful Christian in a post-Christian world.
John 17: Jesus speaks of His Church as being out-of-this-world. Out of the World" may sound like escapism, but it's not! In the Biblical context it actually makes sense.
Carl Sagan said (1980), "the cosmos is all there is and ever will be." 1996: millions of cosmic accidents, and amazing wonders...
How is God glorified in the cosmos? Not through the eyes of Sagan and other anti-Christian promoters of a cosmos without our God! He has provided us with "one planet, one sun demonstrate His glory. (fundamental contrast between Sagan and Christian Truth Claim.
Behind heaven and earth: only people made in His Image. All exist for one purpose: to glorify God! We believe in a fundamentally different conclusion.
In the world but not of the world. Living in the midst of a moral revolution. Urgent: worldview transformation. Vast moral revolution.
How is God glorified in the cosmos: by one planet, one sun that demonstrate His glory.
Urgent: Worldview transformation: Vast moral diversion. Revision of the moral code.
(Strange times: Cataclysmic Moral Revolution. Moral reversal. Moral change as moral codes and principles are bent.)
Moral reversal -- take place right now... Moral judgment is changing fast in favor of the world system, not God's domain.
(Chart on moral vs. normal changes.... shift takes place)
More than that: for a vast moral reversal is taking place right now - complete when something once condemned is now celebrated. And refusing to go along spells anger, rejection and hostility...
(Moral reversal: something once condemned is now celebrated. Rom 1: who do not only do such things but approve it (Ez. 8:18?) Discover how the world has changed! New foundation under our feet!
(What was unthinkable 20 years ago is now acceptable. What was right and good in God's eyes is now forbidden!)
(evacuation and evaporation of Biblical Christianity. Distinction between the church and the world! If you can create a (more acceptable) culture, you can deceive both the world and the ....
Freedom of worship is freedom of religion. An enclave where we can speak among ourselves.
Liberal Protestantism- the church should accommodate the culture. Rescue religion from the ... in order to accommodate the combined....
Strategy of withdrawal -- denial of facts delivered to the saints?
Christianity headed to the desert -- separate and withdrawal. But you can't actually withdraw; you're still here. False option.
Romans 1 provides an excellent model of lives that are lived for and through our Lord in the midst of a corrupt world: Total moral reversal is taking place right now in America:
Ro 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations...(1-5)7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ...So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also....(?)16 "...I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passion...s. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." (Ro 1:1-32)Moral reversal - upside down. ...World changed fast - what was unspeakable then is accepted now. Christian truth-telling.... We are not in a safe place.... evacuation of Biblical Churches
Bible-minded Christians - riding on a Christian Culture. Cultural Christianity: delude the world and churches simultaneously.
Cultural Christianity: delude the world and Churches simultaneously
Threats to liberty: freedom of worship, free only to talk to myself. Freedom of words. Not into public square. Freedom of religion: speak among yourselves
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2. Accommodation, withdrawal or ... either accommodate or difficult... Protestant liberation: rescue from.... Fosdick: Christian publisher
In 1730s World, flesh and direct.... talk Madonna obscene doctrine of
Proper view: John 17:1-26) Faith! "He is the mediator of a new covenant!"
Praise to father through Holy Spirit. High Priestly prayer. Prayer from Son to Father revealed to us.
Last v. of Chapter 16: "I have said ... in this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
(Prayer from Son to Father revealed to us, last verse of John 16: said these things. I have overcome the world.... v. 16 out of the world into the heavenly world.)
First prayer: some declaring he knows...
Phil. 2: "emptied Himself" ... forfeited His glory. Jesus' Prayer: v. 6 -- I have manifested Thy name, yours they were.
John 17: Church defined: those who are out of the world.... gift from the Father: we are given to Jesus
Father possess a definite church: His believers (people) belong to the Father -- given from Father to Son
John 6: all that the Father gives to me will come to me." v. 44> "No one can come to Me unless my Father draws me.
3. The world expressed in different ways
Out of the world - Distinction between church and world: I am no longer in the world... in the world, out of the world. We are out of the world, drawn by His sovereign act and perfect love.
Transferred into the everlasting Kingdom
13: joy, 14, world has hated Him. The world now hates us
15-18 The world now hates us
We have to live in ... we have been preaching... If you send children to college, Bible believing Christians....
Now the message in Biblical Christianity is considered hate speech
In the world.... Pray churches be sanctified in Truth.... Unity in Church: a unity in the Trinity
Scandal of false gospel.
father will ... Church by the Word ---- In sovereigns assignment
Church is found when gospel is rightly preached
v. 18. Christ is sent into the world - in by sovereign assignment. Father
21. So that the world may believe that you sent Me....
State church - in the world
Elizabeth 2 defined the faith from ....
Charles will not accept the Faith -- New Age monarch
Liberal accommodation: United Methodist: Too divisive to ....
We have responsibility to speak the Truth in love; send us into the world
What then must we do.... distinguish between church of the world and Church of God
Must see the collapse of Cultural Christianity...
2. Unity in Church and Truth. Maybe sounds strange...
3. Exhibit ... stand out not in the world
4. Preach the gospel; God ye into all the world....
Hobby Lobby is hated by world but loved by Christians
Colleges - Intervarsity; refuse to bow the knee
Stripped of American exceptionally but not of God's Word.
His Kingdom: A mighty Fortress is our God
Before the world was created: Jesus' prayer Not for the world
Jesus said, "I am no longer in the world. Drawn out of the masses. by His perfect work and selection
Chapter 15:18 If you were in the.... Pray that the church will be preserved.
Now Christians are accused of hate speech. But we're in the world, not of it! Like those who fled to the catacombs.
Pray for the Church . Sanctify them in Thy Truth
Scandal of false gospel. . Church: together in the Truth.
Church sent... as you sent me into the world.... v. 21 "So that the world may believe that you sent me."
The state church (in the world) Prince Charles declared himself to be against the church.
What must we do -- distinction between church and world. We are in the world but not of it!
Maybe some strange people in jail: "stand out from the world - Preach the gospel. John 17: go ye into all the world - refuse to bow to evil. Challenges to religious liberty but take heart: I have overcome the world.