Lake Region Bible Church | Sermons
LIVING AS A MISSIONAL CHURCH: in a Pluralistic and Postmodern Culture (1Cor 9:19-27 * Message #8/9) 04-18-10
INTRODUCTION. 1. Some Definitions: Missional Church: *emphasizes the following – among other things [and in contrast with some church growth methods]: 1) start with the question “what is the gospel” not “what makes the church grow”; 2) look first for what God is doing & how God works before engaging in strategic planning; 3) recognize the narrative foundation of theology & the gospel over a rational/propositional one; and 4) seek an inclusiveness of diversity in the church, not homogeneous subcultures [*adapted from Gailyn Van Rheenan – see: www.missiology.org]. Pluralism: the acceptance and promotion of diversity within society regarding religion, ethnicity, and other social groups. Religiously speaking, pluralism embraces many beliefs about God, revelation, and paths to salvation (the truth, moral living, etc.). Postmodernism: a pluralistic movement that has rejected the modernist worldview of the previous two centuries (which rose out of the Enlightenment era of the 1700’s). Modernists exalted human reason as the means of discovering and knowing truth (rejecting our need for God & His revelation), and believed that through human reason, humanity had the ability to usher in a worldly utopia (heaven on earth). Postmodernism rose up in the second half of the 1900’s, rejecting universal or absolute truth (or our ability to know it), and embracing pluralism. 2. The Church of God in Corinth: The city of Corinth was a prosperous trading town, with a pluralistic mixture of subcultures, philosophies, lifestyles and religions. The culture was driven by selfish-ambition and famous for its sexual immorality. Founded by the Apostle Paul on his 2nd missionary journey (c. 50-52 A.D.; Acts 18:1-18), and probably made up of several house churches. *The church was largely divided between the haves and the have nots. Some were seeking to live faithfully in Christ, but many of those in leadership or influential positions (i.e. hosts of the house churches) were driven more by the selfish-ambition & worldly wisdom of their Corinthian culture, then they were living for Christ and embracing the humility, shame, wisdom and power of God found in the cross. “In Corinth, no countercultural impact, so central to the preaching of the cross (1:18-25), is evident. Their faith appears not to have created any significant social and moral realignment of their lives. They face little or no social ostracism, and the lack of external pressure contributes to their internal dissension . . . The problem was not that the church was in Corinth but that too much of Corinth was in the church” (*taken from 1 Corinthians, by David E. Garland, pp.1-21). EMBRACING A MISSIONAL HEART. 1. thru Gospel Humility: v19; 2. with Gospel Flexibility: vs20-22; 3. for Gospel Priorities: vs23-27; LIVING AS A MISSIONAL CHURCH: in a Pluralistic & Postmodern Culture. 1. with an Authentic-Gospel Witness: ● Experienced in loving relationships; ● Empowered by the Holy Spirit; ● Devoted to God’s kingdom & glory. 2. by Proclaiming the Biblical Gospel: ● Introducing people to Jesus Christ; ● Letting the biblical “story” speak; ● Lifting up the Cross & the Resurrection.