- A.R. Bernard
God in Culture in the Person of Jesus Christ
Educate, encourage & empowered
Lk 11:52
Knowledge is the key in life
We're limited by our knowledge in our attitude & character
Christ in culture
Four stages in Life that we go through as a believer
1. Nature: do not know God
2. Unlearned: saved
3. Carnal: know God but live like a nature
4. Spiritual: maturity
There're general & specific revelations in the world
This universal of law & order tells us that there's intelligence out there!
We need to move from this general revelation to specific revelation of ourselves
So God will want us to know what exactly He wants us to do as His children: a specific revelation of us in God with Jesus
As Israel gets baffled by the way Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah the church become the agent to show who God is
We need to represent to the world who is Jesus - & methods of representation has changed
Visions should determined the methods
Let it be a dynamic representation! A Prophetic voice!
2 different Prophetic models:
1. Antagonistic: cries out & spares no one (Isaiah)
2. Relationship - Joseph & Daniel: do not go against but work changes in the society
Daniel was also a provision for God's people yet was greatly respectable by non-believers
Daniel understands the way of the Babylonians but he did not eat their food!
Jer 29:11
As we seek to be prophets for the Lord in the world in the future, we can face our future with 2 kind of attitude
Either with apprehension - because of internal fear,
Or anticipation - because of faith.
Jer 29:4-7
Jeremiah was in captivity by Babylon & God gave this hope!
Captivity is not the issue!
Because God thrive in anywhere!
It says in the scriptures to pray for peace of the country so that you will also have peace & prosperity!
It's now!
Pentecost says the spirit will be pour over all flesh!
Not just believers!
See the goodness & orders in chaos!
Relationships precede our ministry!
We can’t speak into lives of others when there is no trust between people
We're living in Babylon now!
We've work to do!
The people in the world are our mission!
The word ‘World’ has 3 different meanings in the Greek language
Matt 13:22
1. World: aion (Gk.) [age (Eng.)] - a period of time in human history marked by distinctive characteristic & achievements = Culture
Currently the world’s culture overshadows God’s word
But do not worry! We're protected! By Jesus who is in us!
Matt 13:39
Matt 24:14
2. World: oikumene (Gk.) - land, territories
God wants us to conquer different in His name
Mk 16:15
3. World: Kosmos (Gk.) - social order & arrangement of things: politics, education, economics, church, family, arts & entertainment
These 7 aspects are recognized to be the pillars of any society & we can seek understanding of any society by studying these 7 pillars of institutions.
They also tell you the spiritual health of the society
Love not the Kosmos (social order) but preach to them!
Jesus brings a new social order to the sinners!
We should be the experts of the marketplace: build it not destroy it
We do not lead people whom we fear
This is a world of negativity but we do not need to fear it & hide behind the church walls
Matt 12:28
We do not fear as Jesus has brought the future kingdom of God into the present through His miracles
Lk 10:8-9
Not the fullness nor the totality but it is the future experienced now!
So whenever we do Jesus' miracles, we're bringing the Kingdom of God into the presence
Ignorance is weakness
The only reason for ignorance in our times is stubbornness = refusal to be taught
Pro 1:11
Articulate our faith! We can only run with what we can read & understand.
Symbiosis = living together in close association of 2 dissimilar entities
Our greatest value to God is not going heaven but here!
So we were to live in the world but not of the world!
Freedom comes from active submission to God = thru Him, we have power
How not to be consumed by the world
By being in touch with the Word, wisdom & character of God!
- CHC @ Expo Hall 8; Fri Conference @ 8pm
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