Faith For Exiles – Week 3
18 – 29 YEAR-OLDS THAT GREW UP AS CHRISTIANS
22% ARE PRODIGALS
30% ARE NOMADS
38% ARE HABITUAL CHURCH GOERS
10% ARE RESILIENT DISCIPLES
- ATTEND CHURCH AT LEAST 1 TIME PER MONTH AND BE ENGAGED INSIDE THAT CHURCH MORE THAN JUST ATTENDING
- TRUST FIRMLY IN THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE
- THEY ARE COMMITTED TO JESUS PERSONALLY AND BELIEVE HE DIED AND ROSE FROM THE GRAVE AND CONQUERED SIN AND DEATH.
- THEY DESIRE TO SEE THEIR COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY CHANGED THROUGH JESUS
5 PRACTICES OF RESILIENT DISCIPLES
- THEY EXPERIENCE INTIMACY WITH JESUS WHICH FORMS A RESILIENT IDENTITY
- DEVELOP MUSCLES OF CULTURAL DISCERNMENT IN A COMPLEX AND ANXIOUS CULTURE
KNOW AND EXERCISE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAYS OF CULTURE AND THE WAYS OF GOD
CULTURE: THE WAY OF LIFE, ESPECIALLY THE GENERAL CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS, OF A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE AT A PARTICULAR TIME
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. THEN you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
INSTANTANEOUS ACCESS TO INFORMATION DOES NOT EQUAL WISDOM
NOT ALL ADVICE IS OF GODLY WISDOM
“So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshipped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the King! You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyer, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, your majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:7-12 NLT
“Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Adebnego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what God will be able to rescue you from my power?” Daniel 3:13-15 NLT
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 NLT
IT TAKES GREAT FAITH TO BELIEVE GOD IS GOING TO DELIVER YOU FROM SOMETHING, BUT IT TAKES EVEN GREATER FAITH TO SAY, EVEN IF HE DOESN’T ITS ALL GOOD
“Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than the usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” Yes, Your majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3:19-25 NLT
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around then and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. The didn’t even smell of smoke!” Daniel 3:26-27 NLT
CULTURAL DISCERNMENT MEANS TAKING PART IN A ROBUST LEARNING COMMUNITY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE IN ORDER TO WISELY NAVIGATE AN ACCELERATED, COMPLEX CULTURE.
- ATTEND CHURCH CONSISTENTLY
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT
- GET IN A LIFEGROUP
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
- BUILD YOUR LIFE ON THE BIBLE
330,222,422 Americans as of 2020
9% = 29,720,018
Approx. 205,000,000 proclaimed believers of Jesus in America
29,720,018 = 14%
- THE BIBLE DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD
- THE BIBLE GIVES US DIRECTION
“YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO GUIDE MY FEET AND A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.” PSALM 119:105 NLT
- THE BIBLE REMINDS US OF HIS PROMISES
- THE BIBLE REMINDS US OF WHAT GOD THINKS ABOUT US
“..BUT YOU ARE GOD’S CHOSEN TREASURE – PRIESTS WHO ARE KINGS, A SPIRITUAL ‘NATION’ SET APART AS GOD’S DEVOTED ONES. HE CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS TO EXPERIENCE HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT, AND NOW HE CLAIMS YOU AS HIS VERY OWN…”1 PETER 2:9 TPT