Sermons About Culture
An Enduring Community
Jesus addresses the Church of Smyrna, a suffering church who endured to the end. Pastor JR challenges the people of Apostles Church to overcome the temptation of assimilation, dreaming in a different language of the culture.
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The Letter to the Church at Pergamum and our problem with Pornography
Pornography is a rampant problem within our culture and the church. Israel faced this problem, as did the church in Pergamum in their own ways. Satan seduces by the inappropriate things that our eyes see.
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Useful?
The 7th church to be addressed in our study, receives the harshest criticism. All the other churches seemed to recognize that they were in a "war-zone" spiritually speaking. The church at Laodicea however, felt that they were doing quite well, and that they didn't need a thing! Rather than living as exiles, waiting for the deliverance of Jesus, they had settled in and were quite comfortable with life in the here-and-now. As such, they were no longer useful to the Master, and He was ready to "spit them out." The Laodicean letter is sobering, because it hits so close to home. I hope and pray that God will call out the "dangerous" spirit of exile among us? How much do we LONG for the kingdom to break in? How much do we pray? Do our songs reflect this longing? Are we anchored to the promises of God? Have we given up? Key Passage: Revelation 3:14-22
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Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Feb. 15, 2009 Sunday AM message by Pastor Rae Orozco - "Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil"
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Biographies, Vouchers & Socialism
Gary opens the show highlighting role models for today's young people. From these examples in the real world, Gary demonstrates the effectiveness and success Christians have made we should know more about. "Kids today need to get back to some of these inspiring stories," says Gary.
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Godly Living in a Secular Age
Godly Living in a Secular Age Scripture: Daniel the first chapter Drive through the suburbs of modern Baghdad today and you will find the scattered ruins of ancient Babylon. In this new series based on the book of Daniel, we’ll see, through the paintbrush of scripture, Babylon rise from the dust, robe herself in riches, and paint her face like a woman of the night. Make no mistake: she aims to seduce. Posing as the beautiful life, she morphs into the current image of what every worldly man or woman wants to be-deserves to be. She is popular. She is desirable. She is intoxicating. And did I say religious? Ah, yes. She believes in so much of everything that one would be hard-pressed to tell if she believes in anything. To worship self is to worship her. She is dressed for success, but underneath she is a lifeless mannequin, a fake, a poser. Her prop is the devil himself. Few could resist Babylon’s charms but Daniel holds his place in Scripture because he was one of the few. Join us as we develop alarms for Babylon’s charms, Sunday’s January 25th – April 5th What happens when the sins of the culture become the sins of the church and God says, “Enough?†(Verse 1, 2) He sends us back to revisit our past long enough to repent. Four powerful influences to compromising with the Babylonian culture 1. Enticing integration (Verse 3) 2. Wholesale indoctrination (Verse 4) 3. It seems cool to compromise (Verse 6) 4. We face identity confusion (Verse 7) We are surrounded by a Babylon of our own. 1. We place a high premium on age, appearance, intelligence and social status. (Verse 4) 2. We no longer blush or have shame over sin (Jer. 6:15) 3. Complete self absorption and self worship. “I am, and there is none besides me.†(Isa. 47:10) 4. There is nothing more dangerous then a friendly Babylon 5. In spite of Babylon’s charms it never stays friendly. We all are in danger of becoming spiritually irrelevant without resolve. (Verse 8-21) 1. Resolve that you will never be ashamed of Jesus in all your relationships and activities. 2. Resolve that you will have your entire learning process pass the grid of God’s revealed truth. 3. Resolve that you will bring moral clarity to all your choices. 4. Resolve that you are of royal seed and a King’s kid. Sources: The Preachers Commentary – Sinclair B. Ferguson Daniel – Beth Moore The Message of Daniel – Arthue Petrie,Th.D The Prophecies of Daniel – Lehman Strauss Word Bible Commentary – John E. Goldingay Daniel – Arno C. Gaebelein, D.D.
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Trojan Horses
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."
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