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Is The Church Being Influenced By Culture? (And if so, how?)

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

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For those who are here on a regular basis, if I were to ask a question based on the title, you would know the answer.  We emphasize this regularly and I will remind you at the end of this lesson, but in this lesson my primary focus is on how the world answers this question.   How is a church shaped by our society?

 

1. Churches are influenced by:
   1. Culture – is descriptive of the times and place where we live. If you examine some of the more popular churches today, you will find them influenced by things we find around us – entertainment driven, casualness and informal, visual effects, the latest technology, inclusiveness and social engagement.  Advertisements promote these things.  Other parts of the world will project a different environment, but again there is a reflection of their culture.
      1. While we certainly need to adapt to our culture in some ways, what we find often goes beyond what is authorized.
      2. Revelation 3:14-17 – the church at Laodicea was saturated with its culture – wealthy, materialistic, lukewarm and compromised. A study of Laodicea of that time finds it was a wealthy city that was known for its banking, medical school (especially ophthalmology) and textiles (especially black wool native to the region).  Many of these traits are alluded to in this short letter to them.  They were also called to repent because they were not the church God intended them to be (vs. 18-13).
      3. 1 Corinthians 9:22 is often used as the justification for adapting to society. Paul noted, “I have become all things to all men.”  And I would use this passage to tell us we need to consider our environment as we function as the local church (within limits).  But an examination of the context shows that Paul did not compromise the truth.  Notice vs. 22,  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;   The NASU adds the phrase, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;”  Paul did what he could as a Jew, but he realized that he was no longer under the Old Law.  So he did NOT compromise his faith or THE faith to appease culture.  He clear about that in his letters.
      4. Churches pick up the causes of culture – churches that become political or focus on solving social problems.  In so doing they redefine what the work of the church is.
         1. Note John 18:36 – His kingdom is spiritual. Romans 14:16-17 – the kingdom is not eating & drinking; Luke 17:21 – the kingdom of God is within you.
         2. Paul described the work of the church as “the pillar and ground of truth” – 1 Timothy 3:15. All that we do is related to supporting the truth of the gospel.
         3. Ephesians 3:10-11 describes the church as part of God’s eternal plan and a manifestation of His wisdom. He created the church to function just how He intended it to be.
         4. We must respect its boundaries – 1 Corinthians 4:6 – do not think beyond what is written.
      5. Some even seek to assimilate into culture by supporting causes that are contrary to scripture – e.g., pride churches, women preachers and leaders, etc. Ephesians 5:25-27 describes how Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might present her to Himself, without spot or blemish and that she should be holy.
      6. Paul was not trying to let culture determine truth. He was trying to bring TRUTH into the culture. 
   2. Tradition – some are rooted in creeds and history.
      1. Catholicism & orthodoxy are rooted in this. Such will go to a creed rather than scripture, or BEFORE scripture.  This becomes their foundation.   For example: In the news these past 2 weeks, we have heard about the conclave to elect a new pope.  It was a procedure steeped in tradition.  It was interesting to watch, BUT you do NOT find any of that in the first century.   Yet how many THINK that is what God wants to elect a pope (the very concept of the pope is not found in scripture either)?
      2. It was a problem in the first century. Matthew 12:1-2 – Jesus criticized for plucking grain on Sabbath.   He responded by noting: 1) Their inconsistencies & 2) He appealed to the purpose
      3. Matthew 15:8-9, on another occasion, Jesus declared how worship to God was vain because they taught as commandments the doctrines of men.
      4. Traditions (if scriptural) are not wrong within themselves (2 Thessalonians 2:15), but when we bind what is left to discretion we have a problem.
         1. NOTE: Tradition for the sake of tradition is the concern. g., putting a cloth over the LS emblems, demanding a certain song book or times of meeting on Sunday, etc.
         2. And when we adopt as tradition that which is contrary to God’s pattern, that is a concern – cf. 2 John 9-11.
         3. ALSO, eliminating tradition just for the sake of eliminating it is equally concerning. There are times we need to adapt, but if something is NOT a better way, why change it?
   3. Personality – some churches revolve around a personality.
      1. There are churches built by individuals that revolve around them – e.g. Joel Osteen, etc. Joseph Smith & Brigham Young will always be associated with the Mormon church.  In fact, they are revered by them.  The same is true of Mohammed and Muslims.
      2. But even more, some gravitate toward a particular man who in their minds can do or say no wrong.
         1. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. In vs. 12 Paul describes how they were divided based upon a person – some “followed” Paul, or Apollos, or Peter or Christ.  What is interesting about this, is that each of these was teaching the same gospel and they did NOT want them to be followed (except Jesus and we know WHY He calls for it).  Note vs. 13 – Paul is clear, do NOT do this!
         2. John the Baptist is another example of this – John 3:22-30 describes the concern of some of his disciples had. Because people were leaving him to follow Jesus.  He is clear that is what HE intended.  Yet we find disciples of John decades later in Acts 19:1-5, etc.
      3. Sometimes there are ungodly men seeking to amass a following for themselves. They desire to “run the church” and control it.  And they will divide a congregation if they do not get their way.  3 John 9-10 – Diotrephes was one like this.
   4. Philosophies of men – we could address numerous philosophies that become standards for churches & individuals. Here I just mention them as time does not permit a detailed address of these.
      1. The end justifies the means – some argue that as long as the result is positive, the way we get there does not matter. Entertainment to attract crowds is an example of this.
      2. The Bible does NOT say we cannot do things this way – the appeal to silence. When we examine the boundaries God has placed in scripture, it becomes clear that silence is not a safe source of authority.
      3. Crowds – many will say, “surely, so many people cannot be wrong.”  But the Bible very often tells us that the faithful are a minority.  Matthew 7:13-14 notes that the way to destruction is travelled by many and the way to eternal life is traveled by few.
      4. Popularity – “Everybody else is doing it!” Just because the majority does something a certain way does NOT mean it is the right way.  Sometimes preachers (and elders) read the books about successful “mega churches” and look for ways to imitate what they are doing.  That is following the “philosophies of men.”
      5. “At least we are doing something” – some reason, that doing something, even if it is the wrong way is better than doing nothing at all. While “doing nothing” is not acceptable, that is no justification to do/teach/tolerate error.
2. WHAT should be our foundation?
   1. God’s word – 1 Timothy 3:14-15. This MUST be the defining characteristic of the church belonging to Christ.   Again, the church is to support the truth of the gospel.  Paul was clear about that in Galatians 1:6-9.
   2. Our aim is to only do what God has taught us to do – Colossians 3:17 – by His authority;
      1. Matthew 4:3-4, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceed from the mouth of God.
      2. John 5:19 – even Jesus ONLY acted in accord with God’s word. Jesus followed God’s will and law to the cross (His demise). There was NO compromising God’s word.
   3. This is why it matters, not only what we do but HOW we do those things. g., This is WHY we do not use instrumental music.  God tells us HOW to worship Him in song – Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:15, etc.
   4. NOTE: This ought to characterize Christians in our homes and lives and groups as well.
3. What should we do about the culture that we live in?
   1. Understand that we are influenced by our culture. There are elements of the times in which we live that factor into what we do and how we do the work God has assigned for us to do:
      For example: We live in an electronic age with electronic resources.  We do not dress in robes and tunics as they did in the first century.  We use song books with shaped notes, PowerPoint presentations, print out materials, etc.  We may preach lessons on subjects today that were not needed 50+ years ago (remember when cell phones came out – and how we encouraged that members put away ALL electronic devices?  But now, we use those devices as our Bibles).  We even have a substantial web presence with our website, YouTube and Facebook pages.  There are churches (and individuals) using social media very effectively.  AND in so doing, we are considering our culture and even adapting to determine what is the best way to effectively reach others.  But, I can justify each of these practices with Biblical principals, WITHOUT violating God’s intended purpose for the church.
   2. We must stand for the true pattern while adapting to our culture.
      1. Acts 13-14 records Paul and Barnabas on their preaching journey. You find Paul preaching differently in different places.
      2. In Antioch of Pisidia we find them preaching to Jews in the synagogue (Acts 13:13-41). Their lesson is similar to Acts 2 on Pentecost.  IT was a Jewish audience and what they needed.
      3. Acts 14:8-18, they are in a pagan city. Their message was different and adapted to that culture.  It is what was needed.
      4. This is an example of HOW we adapt to our culture.
      5. This is Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. All things to all men.
   3. We are NOT called to isolate ourselves from the world (like the Amish).
      1. We are called to share THE truth in the time and culture we are part of.
      2. John 17:13-18 – Jesus makes a distinction between being OF the world and IN the world.
      3. When Jesus gave “the great commission” is was to GO into all the world (Mark 16:15-16).
   4. We can even be properly influenced by traditions. But let our tradition always subject to evaluation – based upon God’s word.  2 Thessalonians 2:15.
   5. We need to test the truth by God’s word – Galatians 1:6-9, 1 John 4:1.
   6. The ONLY way we can assure we are right with God is if we agree on the standard. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 17:11. This IS the only way to true and lasting unity.

Far too many today are seeking a church that is based upon their preferences.  And that is why there is so much division and diversity, because, WE are different.  But what I want and what you want is NOT the basis of true unity and never will be.  We do not ignore culture, tradition or even personalities, but we must put God’s word above all of these.  What about you?  What is YOUR standard for the church you are a part of?  ARE you a part of His church?

Understand that His church IS important.  He died to purchase it – Acts 20:28. But may we always resolve to ensure it is the church He built and is over (Matthew 16:28-29).  Think about it!