Evangelizing In a PostChristian Era

1
Evangelizing In a Post-Christian Era

• A call to arms defending the Christian faith to
  a post-Christian society.

2
Introduction

• This country (U.S.) is displaying clear signs of
  a post-Christian society.
• It has manifested itself through special interest
  groups, prominent social figures, media giants,
  local-federal politicians.
• This culture has been raised by the destruction
  of Christian principles in every realm of our
  society (including the pulpit).

3
Introduction

• What makes our society post-Christian is this
• No longer do Christian (or Judaeo-Christian)
  values rule the lives (culture) of citizens in
  the U.S.
• Instead, it is being replaced ironically with
  science and relativism (whose doctrines
  contradict each other!).

4
Introduction

• But the blame falls squarely on Christians who
  idly while morals and freedoms continue to erode
  to a point of no return. cp. Gen. 1822-33
• Our eyes are closed, hands folded, and lives
  comfortable it doesnt disturb us to the point
  of action.
• What is worse is that some Christians have come
  to spurn or judge against their brethren for
  taking leadership roles in their respective
  communities!
• In other words, we have not taken seriously
  enough our freedoms that are eroding each day.

5
Introduction

• As Christians we must reclaim our God-given roles
  to receive His blessings when going forth with
  His word.
• To do this we need to know what the
  (post-Christian) enemy looks like.
• We need to shed off the post-Christian influences
  (that have crept into the church unaware) and put
  on the whole armor of God.

6
What The Post-Christian World Looks Like

• NOTE The world is always pre, post, or
  anti-Christian.
• The world always has and always will be in direct
  rebellion to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. cp.
  Jn. 1246
• The point is that a society can generally accept
  the moral laws of Christianity such as the
  founding of the United States.
• Thus, post-Christian simplistically means that
  the established laws of based on Christian
  principles are no longer generally accepted by
  our culture.

7
What The Post-Christian World Looks Like

• Note the shift from a Christian based culture to
  our secular based culture. 1 Cor. 119-21
  319-21a
• The role of science in creating this culture.
• While the practice of science has evolved and
  many of natures questions have been answered,
  the ripple effect has also displayed negative
  ramifications.
• The ramifications ultimately lead to a belief
  system God does not exist. Rom. 118-21
• The universe was not created or created by
  chance.
• Man evolved from a single cell organism into his
  current state.

8
What The Post-Christian World Looks Like

• Note the shift from a Christian based culture to
  our secular based culture. cp. Col. 28 (1 Tim.
  620)
• The role of social science in creating this
  culture.
• Secular education dominating the minds and
  life-long paths of our children.
• The redefining of marriage same sex marriages.
• Feminism roles blurred or lost among men and
  women.

9
What The Post-Christian World Looks Like

• It is a society of self-degradation a
  self-centered, self indulged society where God is
  minimized or excluded altogether. cp. Prov.
  2319-21
• Entertainment (music, movies, events, etc.) no
  longer wholesome but full of hatred lust
  paganism self-indulgence.
• Recreation 24/7 in watching or participating
  doing things that indulge in self-fulfillment
  God left out.

10
The Influence of A Post-Christian Culture on the
Church

• Beliefs and behaviors We Christians somehow
  interpret and justify the following beliefs
  today.
• Women in the workplace rather than simply staying
  at home to raise children. Tit. 24-5
• Smaller rather than larger families desired. Psa.
  127 (cp. Exo. 17 Gen. 301-2)
• Christians labor so hard to experience the
  pleasures of this life, rather than laboring for
  the pleasures of eternal life. Jn. 627

11
The Influence of A Post-Christian Culture on the
Church

• In the spreading of the gospel.
• Relativism Many interpret the biblical text from
  a current perspective (thus twisting the text
  into something it was not), not the authors
  perspective.
• Suppression told (ordinances, laws, public
  pressure) not to preach in public
• Christians content to preach in confined areas
  not preach in public.
• Preachers content to preach softly so as not to
  offend anyone living in sin.

12
The Challenge Stand Fast in the Lord

• Men restore the ancient ways and gird up your
  loins prove yourselves to be men. 1 Ki. 22-3
• Reclaim the leadership role God intended for you
  lead souls to our God.
• Preach the word in season and out of season. 2
  Tim. 42
• Do not fear man, but fear God. Matt. 1027-39

13
The Challenge Stand Fast in the Lord

• Women restore the ancient ways be the keepers
  of the home God ordained.
• Reclaim the submissive role under the headship of
  men. Gen. 316 1 Cor. 113
• Wives, humbly submit to the headship of your
  husbands. Eph. 522, Tit. 25
• Be influenced by the teachings of Christ not by
  the culture of this post-Christian world.
• Until we reclaim the God ordained roles we will
  not be able to be the kind of servants our God
  wants us to be. Rom. 223-24 (Tit. 25)

14
Conclusion

• A war exists, but many Christians are ignorant to
  it or have not yet put on the whole armor of God
  to fight against it.
• We want Gods blessings but are unwilling to
  wholly submit to Him.
• Instead, we continue to have fellowship with the
  post-modern culture we live in rather than by His
  God ordained roles.
• Thus, the name of God is blasphemed among the
  Gentiles rather than glorified and brought near
  to Him when His word is proclaimed throughout
  this land.
• We need to humbly bow down and repent before we
  can begin to effectively preach the gospel to
  this futile society we live in.