Tough Business!

Sometimes Pastors have to step up to the plate and preach on some tough issues.  That's the way I feel about this next series of messages.  Sometimes we have to be warned about the pitfalls of our culture.  They have a sneaky way of creeping into the theologies of our churches, and watering down our Core Values.

"To be forewarned is to be forearmed."  I have often said that it would surprise even the most avid reader of the Bible how influenced he is by his culture.  We are often more by-products of our culture then we are of our religious beliefs.

When I first started out as a pastor I was told by a Mentor to be careful not to preach a "Reader's Digest" type of Gospel.  He said, "Stick to the Word.  It will never let you down."

The meaning of the word culture is the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people.  When your nation or continent is made up of a hodge-podge of beliefs and practices, from New Age to Eastern Mystical beliefs and practices, from the religion of psychology and philosophy to Fundamentalism, the truth can be quite confusing to say the least.  The Word of God has never been as important to our rule of faith and practice as it is today.

Sunday's message is a precursor to the new series of messages on the book of Jude that will start on February 27.  It will take its 'Good News' from Joshua 24:1-15; focusing on Joshua's instruction to "choose whom you will follow."

We have spent the last two months reviewing our Core Values.  They should help to protect us from the various cultural influences that might infiltrate our weakness and water down our beliefs.  Now, it is good to openly talk about some of those destructive influences.

Helen is leading the Study Program from the Beth Moore series entitled, "Breaking Free".  I believe that my messages and this series of lessons will compliment each other as we focus on turning away from negative influences and placing our full faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Take time to reflect upon Joshua 24:15 as preparation to Sunday's message.  God has given you the 'liberty of free will' for a purpose.  Can you figure it out?  The answer will be shared in Sunday's message.

Blessings,

-Leo