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Family CROSSroads Lesson 4: “Jesus’ Teaching on Truth, Children, Discipleship”

Note: Family CROSSroads is a Wednesday evening study for the fall quarter at North Charleston. Below are slides and helpful resources pertinent to our class discussions.

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[highlight]Lesson #04: THE BRIEFING – CROSSroads: Jesus on Truth, Children, & Discipleship (September 24, 2014)[/highlight]

SUMMARY: In previous lessons, we have seen that we live in a culture that attacks absolute truth and God’s pattern for the family. Lesson three focused on the solution to these problems: discipleship. If Christians, disciples of Jesus, don’t stand up to defend God’s Word and to spread Christ’s light in our dark world, then who will?

This lesson focuses specifically on the teachings of Jesus relative to all three of these previously-studied topics. We will see how the truth, our families, and discipleship all tie together as we examine two major areas of emphasis:

  1. INFORMATION about Discipleship
  2. An ILLUSTRATION of Discipleship

Looking at these two areas of interest, three important concepts will come to light. First, we will see “the big three,” three things that Christians cannot afford to forget in our Christian journey. Second, we “none of self, all of Thee.” There is no room for self in discipleship. It’s all about Jesus. Finally, we will notice the little children discussed in Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-14.

SLIDES:

RESOURCES:

[button color=”orange” size=”medium” link=”http://roberthatfield.net/family” ]Family CROSSroads Series Page[/button]

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Family CROSSroads Lesson 3: “The Solution: Discipleship”

Note: Family CROSSroads is a Wednesday evening study for the fall quarter at North Charleston. Below are slides and helpful resources pertinent to our class discussions.

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[highlight]Lesson #03: THE BRIEFING – The Solution: Discipleship (September 17, 2014)[/highlight]

SUMMARY: Do we have to accept our culture’s morality as an inevitable normality, or can we take action to produce change? In the Old Testament, Joshua made a decision for his family: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh 24:15). Why can’t we do the same?

Some have said – and accurately so – that the solution to our culture’s problems lies in restoring our greatest moral pillars: family and integrity (see Wells, linked below). In my estimation, all of this and more is encapsulated in one important concept: discipleship. We are to go and make disciples of all the nations (Mat. 28:19). In this lesson, I want to challenge you to begin fulfilling that great commission call in your own family.

SLIDES:

RESOURCES:

[button color=”orange” size=”medium” link=”http://roberthatfield.net/family” ]Family CROSSroads Series Page[/button]

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Family CROSSroads Lesson 2: “The Target: Young People & Families”

Note: Family CROSSroads is a Wednesday evening study for the fall quarter at North Charleston. Below are slides and helpful resources pertinent to our class discussions.

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[highlight]Lesson #02: BRIEFING – The Target: Young People & Families (September 10, 2014)[/highlight]

SUMMARY: The term “teenager” wasn’t coined until the late 1930s to early 1940s. Not long thereafter, the culture began to see that it had been neglecting a prime market for too long. Today, teenagers there are two forces that could potentially shape the lives of teenagers: the home and culture. This lesson focuses on three areas:

  1. The origin of the teenagers
  2. Living in a Millennial world
  3. “As for me and my house…”

It’s time for us to recognize that our families and our young people are in Satan’s crosshairs. It’s time to reclaim our families.

SLIDES:

RESOURCES:

[button color=”orange” size=”medium” link=”http://roberthatfield.net/family” ]Family CROSSroads Series Page[/button]

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Family CROSSroads Lesson 1: “The Attack on Truth”

Note: Family CROSSroads is a Wednesday evening study for the fall quarter at North Charleston. Below are slides and helpful resources pertinent to our class discussions.

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[highlight]Lesson #1: BRIEFING – The Attack on Truth (September 3, 2014)[/highlight]

SUMMARY: Our culture is void of truth. A mindset of relativity permeates our existence and challenges the Christian belief in the Bible as the absolute, inerrant, and inspired Word of God. This lesson seeks to answer four questions:

  1. How did we get to this point?
  2. Where is this logic coming from?
  3. How do you know that God exists?
  4. How do you know that the Bible is from God?

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). But Jesus had already answered that question during His ministry: “[God’s] word is truth” (John 17:17).

SLIDES:

RESOURCES:

[button color=”orange” size=”medium” link=”http://roberthatfield.net/family” ]Family CROSSroads Series Page[/button]

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Is Wealth Linked with Unfaithfulness?

Money

Evidence of the secularization of our culture continues, with little hope of change in the future. One in five Americans now say that faith does not play an important role in their lives. This data comes from the most recent faith poll conducted by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal. NBC News reporter Carrie Dann released her article on Wednesday titled “Losing Faith: 21 Percent Say Religion ‘Not That Important’.” This number is up from 16 percent of Americans in 1999 who said that religion did not play an important role in their lives, and from 14 percent who admitted this in 1997.

The reason I said that there is little hope of change in the future is because of the demographics identified in the news piece.

The poll showed that these less religious Americans are more likely to be men, have an income over $75,000, to live in the Northeast or West and to be under the age of 35.

This data agrees with that from the Pew Research Center released one week ago today, on March 7, 2014. In their report titled “Millennials in Adulthood: Detached From Institutions, Networked with Friends,” the Pew Research Center found that the youngest generation of adults, known as the Millennials (those born after 1980), are less likely to be religious. Roughly 20 percent of adult Americans have no religious identification. Of the Millennials, 1 out of 3 classify themselves as “nones,” that is, they have no religious affiliation.

I know that, statistically speaking, many people become more religious as they age, but we have to remember that the Millennial generation (of which I am a part) is statistically the lowest when it comes to religion.

 These are at or near the highest levels of political and religious disaffiliation recorded for any generation in the quarter-century that the Pew Research Center has been polling on these topics (Pew report, p 4).

As the youngest adults in America today, the trends of the Millennials are actually the trends for America’s future. Religion is on the decline socially speaking, and secularism is on the rise.

Dann’s report repeats these same findings. The least religious Americans are under 35 years old and male. They live in the Northeast and in the West, and make over $75,000.

In his daily podcast, The Briefing, Dr. Albert Mohler identifies four salient points from the NBC News report:

  1. Gender: Men are more likely to be secular than women.
  2. Income: Those likely to be secular are likely to have an income over $75,000.
  3. Geography: Those more likely to be secular are more likely to live in the Northeast and West.
  4. Age: Those who tend to be secular tend to be under age 35.

Each of these four points is worthy of consideration, but the issue of income is the one that rises to the top in my mind. As a preacher, I am more dedicated to preaching about wealth and stewardship of wealth than I have ever been before. Preaching about money is often like preaching about worry. Both of these are important topics on which God has spoken in His Word. However, I find that many of us try to shake off these sermons. It’s as if some are implying “I know you need to preach that because it’s in the Bible, but we don’t really need that sermon here in America.” If there is anything that I have learned from traveling to foreign places and experiencing their culture it is that American Christians need to hear those topics the most.

Today, I am prayerfully considering the following verses. I want them to challenge my thinking and my view of the “American dream.” I’m begging you to do the same.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful (Mat. 13:22).

And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mat. 19:24).

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21).

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim. 6:6-10).

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

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Countering the Porn Problem

It’s no secret that pornography is a problem in our culture.

  • There are well over two BILLION searches for pornography each year.
  • 1 in 5 mobile searches are for pornography.
  • 24% of smartphone owners admit to having pornographic material on their mobile handset.
  • 9 out of 10 boys were exposed to pornography before the age of 18.
  • 6 out of 10 girls were exposed to pornography before the age of 18.
  • The average age when young boys are first exposed to pornography is 11 years old.
  • 50% of all “Christian” men and 20% of all “Christian” women say they are addicted to pornography.

These stats indicate the problem is not just in our culture. Tragically, it is also in our churches.

[highlight]Does the Bible have anything to say about pornography?[/highlight] Take a look at these Scriptures and you can tell me whether they’re appropriate to regulate what we consume through our eyes.

I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1)

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me (Psalm 101:3).

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28).

I don’t know whether you – or someone you know – struggles with pornography. Statistically speaking, it’s possible that someone reading these words is a regular viewer of pornography. What can you do to overcome the sin of pornography? My purpose in this post is to offer some resources that all of us would do well to check out, if for no other reason than to prevent this sin from creeping into our lives.

[highlight]Internet Filters:[/highlight]

  • Covenant Eyes Web Content Filtering – Paid software that will actually block the bad stuff from your computer screen. This is great for families who want to be sure that nothing accidentally pops up on screens in front of young eyes. But it’s not just the young eyes that need to be guarded!
  • InternetSafety Filtering – A similar resource to the one mentioned above.
  • K 9 Web Protection – FREE software to install on your computer that will block the bad sites, force safe searches on all search engines, set time parameters for online use, and much more.

[highlight]Accountability:[/highlight]

  • Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability – This service tracks websites you visit on your computers, smart phones, and tablets, and sends them in an easy-to-read report to someone you trust. This makes it easy to talk about the temptations you face online.
  • Here’s a non-techy option: get an accountability partner. This is someone, whom you trust, in whom you can confide regarding the sin of pornography. You can check in with that person periodically and they can check with you to see how things are going. This is a Biblical solution (James 5:16; Galatians 6:2). If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

[highlight]Informational Resources:[/highlight]

Pornography has been scientifically proven to be addictive. Don’t be a slave to sin. Take control of your life by surrendering your entire existence to God and to His will for your life (Rom. 12:1-2; cf. Rom. 6:12-13).

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Photo Credit: Tim Parkinson on Creative Commons

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Living Godly in a Godless Society, Part 2

Yesterday, we identified the problem of godlessness in our society and we introduced the solution to the problem. What about those of us who are trying to live the Christian life? What should we do? Here are four imperatives to remember as you and I seek to live godly in a godless society:

First, the Word is forever (Psa. 119:89). Cultures will shift as imperfect people continue to be carried away by sin (James 1:13-16), but God’s Word will never change. Read it (Eph. 3:4), study it (2 Tim. 2:15), soak it in (Psa. 119:11), and live it (Psa. 119:17).

Second, the world won’t understand (1 John 3:13). John reminds us that we shouldn’t find it strange if the world hates us. In fact, the world hated Jesus (John 15:18; 17:14). “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We are strangers and pilgrims here (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11; 4:4), because our home is in heaven. Today, we work and we suffer for the cause of Christ, but in the bright tomorrow, we will rest (Rev. 14:13), reap (Gal. 6:9), and realize that it was worth it all (Rom. 8:18; cf. 2 Pet. 2:9).

Third, we exist to share the message (Mat. 5:16; 28:19-20). Paul reminds us that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10). If the message will be spread, we – and only we – will be the ones to spread it. If we decide to hide that message, then we are veiling it “to those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 4:3-7). This is serious business.

Fourth, love is imperative (Eph. 4:15). It doesn’t matter how well we speak, what talents we have, or how seemingly selfless we may be; if we lack love, our work is pointless (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Love neither excuses sin nor compromises God’s truth. Instead, love introduces the sinner to God’s only way of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-4, etc.).

Of this I am sure: Jesus is the only hope for our godless society. In what ways are you reflecting His light today (1 Pet. 2:21-24)?

 

[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]Parts 1 and 2 of this article were originally published in the Ichthys magazine, which is available from my friends over at The Ministry Source. Check out their website to read this month’s issue of Ichthys and to find more information and resources.[/box]

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Living Godly in a Godless Society, Part 1

We live in a godless society. That is not to say that God is not present with His people or that God is not aware of what is happening in our culture; we know that He is (1 Pet. 3:12; Heb. 4:13). Instead, we call our society “godless” because of the moral decisions it makes. Let’s briefly illustrate.

On June 26, 2013, the United States Supreme Court found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional. In the majority opinion, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Court found that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to refuse to recognize a “same-sex marriage” that is legal on the state level. The majority argued that DOMA was passed in 1996 (unanimously by the House and by President Clinton, by the way) out of hatred and hostility toward the homosexual community in an effort to ostracize them from society. DOMA defined marriage as between one man and one woman. With DOMA’s demise, the cultural acceptance of the sin of homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) gains further support in America, while the Christian’s worldview becomes less and less popular. So, what do you think? Is it fair to describe our society as “godless?” I think the answer is an unavoidable and emphatic “YES!”

Ours is not the first “godless” society. Think of the many pharaohs, kings, and other rulers who failed to bow before the Great I AM in the Old Testament. Coming into the New Testament, we realize that, even when Immanuel (God with us) ministered on earth, the majority response to His teachings was nothing more than godlessness. Was it not that godlessness that put Jesus on the cross? And what about when the elders bribed the guards of Jesus’ tomb to cover up the truth, that the Lord had risen from death (Mat. 28:11-15)? Think about the Roman Empire, and the godless society that permeated early Christianity as a result of its wicked rule. Don’t feel hopeless or helpless as you consider the godlessness that permeates our culture. Instead, understand that Christians are, by design, counter-cultural. We are called to shine as lights in our dark world (Phil. 2:15; cf. John 3:19-21).

What is godly living? Those two words – godly living – sum up all of the New Testament’s instructions for the Christian’s life. Clearly, it’s much easier to sum it up in words than to practice in life. I think Paul offers some insight into what it means to live in a godly way. He writes,

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age (Titus 2:11-12).[/box]

So, godly living has to do with adding some things (sobriety, righteousness, godliness) and removing other things (ungodliness and worldly lusts). Godly living is not a once a week notion, but a lifestyle that God expects of His people (Rom. 12:1-2). Note two important points about the godly way of life.

First, this is a lifestyle that will determine your destiny. The heavenly reward is promised to those who give their entire lives to Jesus (Luke 9:23; cf. Gal. 2:20). These are people who do not “love their lives to the death” (Rev. 12:11; 2:10; cf. Mat. 16:25). They fight the good fight, remain steady on the course, and finish the Christian race (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Do you want to go to heaven? Then that godly lifestyle is a must.

Second, this is a lifestyle that will make a difference. Some people wonder whether our society is too far gone. Would it do any good to try to counter our culture with Christianity? Absolutely! That is our culture’s only hope! This was the answer even in Isaiah’s day.

[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isa. 1:16-17).[/box]

Being made clean from our sin-stained souls, ceasing to do evil, and learning to do good weren’t just the answers for Isaiah’s hearers, they are the key ingredients to turn our society around, too!

NOTE: In a special post coming tomorrow (Lord willing), I have four imperatives that we must remember as we seek to live godly lives.

[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]Parts 1 and 2 of this article were originally published in the Ichthys magazine, which is available from my friends over at The Ministry Source. Check out their website to read this month’s issue of Ichthys and to find more information and resources.[/box]

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Losing Your Soul Over the Super Bowl?

Matthew Vos is not interested in the Super Bowl because of his love for all things manly and athletic. Instead, his interest is piqued by observing our society’s behavior surrounding these major sporting events – especially when such an event falls on the Lord’s day.

Vos is a denominational sociologist. He watches the Super Bowl to watch the fans rather than the games. He observes the people on the sidelines, the advertisements on the television, and the subliminal messaging that permeates the entire event to compile his trained view on the state of our culture. He is particularly interested when the societal areas of sport and religion collide in an event like the Super Bowl. In a blog post published this past Friday (which I cannot recommend to your reading due to some of the language he uses), Vos voices his concerns with the Super Bowl.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing inherently sinful about a football game. However, our culture has a way of taking good, wholesome activities and turning them sour. Exhibit A: game time. How many church assemblies will be extra low tonight because some folks decided to stay home and watch? Perhaps football enthusiasts will DVR the game to watch later. Even still, these people will run into some struggles in their own time – especially if they are men. That brings us to exhibit B.

As a sociologist, Vos’s main concern regarding the Super Bowl is the way it portrays women. Vos contemplates any social situation with these thoughts regarding women:

  1. Where are the women in this situation?
  2. If they are not present, why?
  3. If they are present, what exactly are they doing?
  4. How do they experience the situation?
  5. What do they contribute to it?
  6. What does it mean to them?

Take a second or two to consider those questions for yourself. Vos says that the way we consume events such as the Super Bowl illustrates what we really think about any subject – in this case, women. Consider the ads upon which so much attention (and money) is focused during the Super Bowl. Are they not filled with sensuality?

Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Add to that the words of the Psalmist: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes” (Psa. 101:3). Finally, it comes down to this: “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11). “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20).

It seems as though it would take a lot to be able to look past all of this if one were actually interested in the football game itself. Perhaps with the right kind of technology that could censor the bad stuff, it would be possible to enjoy the game. The real question, in my judgment, is this: Are you willing to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain your relationship with God?

Perhaps we would do well to stop passively living our lives so that we could simply observe the culture in which we live – and, unfortunately, the culture to which we sometimes contribute.