How should we impact the culture?

I sent this to my church after preaching on a similar topic this past Sunday.

Calling all Christ Followers –

I would like to implore all those who receive this email and especially those who attend MHCC to consider the biblical model of church and how God worked when things were done His way! As many people are bemoaning the moral degradation of our nation and wondering what we individually or collectively can do to make a difference, it seems wise to consider how the church was intended to impact the culture in the first place. Immediately after Peter’s preaching of Christ at Pentecost we read the following description of the church in its purest form.

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

A few verses later we see the fruit of doing things God’s way – Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

A couple diagnostic questions to help us individually and as a church –

Are you continuing steadfastly in “the Apostle’s doctrine”? Are you committed to the lifelong learning from the scriptures about Who God is, what He has done to save us and how we should structure our lives and church in response?

Are you continuing steadfastly in “the fellowship”? Not just hanging out! Throughout the scriptures we read about the need to encourage one another in the faith. The doctrine we learn as we study the word will be contrary to our natural fleshly desires so it is no surprise we read: Heb. 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Having fun, eating together, meeting people’s physical needs are all good, but we must see people’s spiritual needs as primary since they are the ones that impact eternity and are the main focus of the fellowship as defined in the Bible.

Are you continuing steadfastly in “the breaking of bread”? This is a reference to Lord’s Supper - celebrating/recognizing the body that was broken and the blood that was shed for us as Jesus Christ bore our sin on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is not what saves us, but Jesus Himself designated this as a regular way to remember His work. How important is this to you? Is it simply a religious ceremony or a way to remember the reality that defines who you are and drives all you do? In other countries people risk death to receive the Lord’s Supper with fellow believers while meeting illegally in the woods or elsewhere. In America, many who call themselves Christians don’t seem bothered by missing this precious time. Do you understand and value it?

Are you continuing steadfastly in “prayer”? Is this about asking God’s blessing before a meal? It may include that, but consider some of the last words Jesus told His followers: Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Later we see this idea applied to all believers, in case we had any doubts: 2 Cor.5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. Would we dare take on the role of Christ’s witnesses/ambassadors on earth without being committed to prayer? Is God’s call important enough to keep us continuing steadfastly in prayer as individuals and as a body of believers?

Will it work? It is God’s world to direct as He sees fit, it is our job to believe and follow as He calls. Clearly the things He says do, individually and as a church, we should do and how He blesses it is up to Him.

If you feel you are doing all these exactly as directed by God’s word, please have patience with the rest of us. For those of us who aren’t perfected yet, let’s continue to devote ourselves and call the church as a whole to be devoted to these most primary and basic things. Our salvation is 100% secure if we believe upon the work of Jesus Christ on the cross to save us, but let’s not sell ourselves or our church short by not being what He calls us to be now!

God’s blessing today Ambassadors for Christ!

Thanks