Our service started, as always, with praise and worship. Pastor then introduced and welcomed nine congregants who had become ‘new members’ – a very happy event.
The new sermon series is called Culture Shift. Pastor reflected how people born before 1900 saw lots of changes- planes, rockets, computers and other technology. Meanwhile the culture of the home has changed drastically over the past half century. God was removed from schools in the 1960s and efforts have been made to remove Him from homes and public institutions ever since. This has resulted in a group of young adults who have not been raised in church.
Since the Columbine shooting in 1999 we have a generation now being raised with violence and the threat of violence. Prior generations may have gone through bomb air raid drills in school, but we did not have drills to protect ourselves from possible mass shootings. Even Oprah says America ‘has lost its core moral center’. Basics that used to be taught in church are no longer reaching the fuller community.
Today’s news is full of emphasis on divisions in society and ideologies. This is a new norm.
Daniel chapter 1 tells how the people of Jerusalem and articles of the temple were delivered into the hand of the enemy. Daniel 1:1-6. God allowed it for His plan and purposes.
God equipped Daniel and his friends to become servants in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. God specifically equipped Daniel to be able to respond to King Nebuchadnezzar’s demand for recital of and dream interpretation. Daniel Chapter 2.
Nebuchadnezzar set up a big idol but Daniel’s friends refused to bow down to it. They were put into the fire. Three men were put into the furnace but four were seen in the flames. When the three came out unharmed, King Nebuchadnezzar praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel Chapter 3.
Like Daniel and his friends, we must be prepared to move in the society where we are set or led, but we must also stand firm on the word. You cannot go AND stay where you are.
The Point: We must lead people by our lives, to the real Jesus of the Bible.
God's word is firm; it does not change. John 1:1. God sent His son into the world to save it. The enemy sows condemnation and division; Jesus sets people free.
Pastor asks: Do you need to know the real Jesus again or for first time?
I think this song fits - whether we have to walk through the waters, the flames or face the giants, we do not need to be afraid!
Verses for TodayDaniel 3:28-29 (NIV)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
I pray that I will always trust God to see me through the circumstances of my life.
