It can be fun spending time in a different culture. It also can feel strange. It’s not too difficult to learn some of the customs and try to play along. But, you definitely feel like you stand out. And when you go home, you usually go back to your ways of doing things. It just seems more comfortable. Being polite while you are with the group is one thing, actually changing your culture is hard!
And yet that’s what we are all trying to do as believers. Obviously, there are parts of our culture that are neutral, that we are not too concerned about changing. But, there’s a lot that isn’t. It’s actually based on a way of thinking that is different from the gospel we have embraced, and part of growing as Christians and as a church, is going back and deliberately applying what we believe to how we think and live and act.
It’s like we are striving together for a new normal. But because it wasn’t normal for us before we were saved and because it’s not really normal to the unsaved people around us, it’s not always comfortable for us at first.
If we are going to change our culture, we need to know how and we need to know why.
This Sunday we are going back to the Scriptures to look at one of the fundamental ways the Bible picture the church as a motivation for pursuing a ‘different than the world around us way’ of living together as believers.
We are going to see that the Bible says we are family, why it’s hard for us sometimes to live as family, and one practical way we are going to pursue a ‘culture of siblings’ here at Cornerstone Bible Church this next year.
Come ready! Come expectant! Come praying!
Joshua
I know I mentioned we were going to finish looking at Ephesians 4 last week. If you happen to remember I said that, we are going to look at it a little, but we are actually going bigger and broader than just Ephesians 4. If you don’t remember, that’s good. But if you do, I am sorry if me saying that last week makes what we are doing this week confusing at all. It’s just that eventually I do want to get back to Luke and so I’m wanting to keep pressing forward with this series!
Also, we are going to be looking at a number of passages. I included them in the other document I sent out, along with some important quotes. It might be helpful for you to print that out and bring it with you this week, so that it’s easier to keep up.
I’ve included some things in the sermon brief document that I think will help you and your children benefit from the message this Sunday. Check them out. Print out what’s helpful. Or perhaps you can come up with a better plan yourself. For the younger children this Sunday, you can have them listen for the word, family. To encourage them, my wife Marda will have some treats afterward.
Every blessing,
Joshua
Order of Worship
Welcome, Announcements and Call to Worship
Singing:
Elder Update - Life Groups
Scripture Reading (1 John 4:7-21) and Pastoral Prayer
Preaching of God’s Word: “A Family Word” Selected Scriptures
Singing: