The Clash Of Cross And Culture Part 1

Rain forests looking to Jesus phoned her many Christians active in politics find themselves increasingly culture. That's because the cross of Christ is inherently at odds with the culture.

Today we begin a series on Christians politics and the cross state, the Moody Church in Chicago this morning with Dr. Erwin Sir, whose clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line.

Pastoralists are every election year. We wonder if getting involved in politics is any good. Give us a look ahead into this crucial series date throughout the years I've read what many other Christians have said about politics, some of them really emphasize politics. They think that America is going to be changed through politics, others say no. The only thing that matters is the gospel. Here is my view.

I think that politics is very very important. Should people get involved in the political system absolutely. That is our privilege that is our duty and we can have a tremendous impact, but at the same time. Politics is not all important. The end of the day is all of us know it is the cross of Jesus Christ that we must stand for it is the gospel that we must defend and if America is to be changed. It will be changed through the gospel. So I think that we have an obligation to both realms. So as we open our Bibles today and that begin a series on Christians politics and the cross. I hope that it will be helpful in helping all of us thinking through our role, especially during this political season sure I don't need to tell you that the cross has always clashed with popular culture. Come with me to the year A.D. 410 Rome is lying along the Tiber River majestically asleep when the citizens awake that morning.

They have no idea that traders are within their gates. Alaric the Goff some of his soldiers overpowered the soldiers that were stationed at the solarium gate and now they are within the walls of the city of Rome. They spend three days trashing the place they take works of art, gold, silver, they load their carts, and three days later. They leave they did not burn Rome, they only destroyed it. They did not destroy entirely the city but they wanted to humiliate it and they did. The question that the people and the citizens of Rome asked as they thought about it after the three days of horror were over what is this who is to blame. Who's to blame and most of the citizens of Rome said that it is the Christians who are to blame their God is responsible for this.

Rome is the city of Christendom and God did not take care of his own city in his own people in order to understand why the Christians were blamed.

We need to go back nearly 100 years before that to the year 312 Constantine is coming to Rome and about the concrete and he sees the vision in this sign conquer and he assumes that this is the Christian cross marches his men to the river has them baptized as Christians and puts the cross of Christ on their shields and then goes to battle and wins thanks to his influential and famous mother, Helena, who urged him to make Christianity the religion of the Empire, Constantine does.

And by the next generation.

The whole city of Rome in the Roman Empire is quote Christianized pagans resented it.

Resented it. Some of them said we are going to continue to worship our own gods and they did other said if we have to worship the Christian God. At least we can take some of our pagan practices and we can continue to worship those two. And that's where you have a lot of paganism coming into Christianity.

Rome was pagan, polytheistic, they had a God of your to go on a journey, you were supposed to pray to that.if you were to sell something you were to pray to that God well Christianity couldn't absorb all those different gods, but they accept the idea that saints would now take over those responsibilities and so many of the people who became Christians did so resentfully and only outwardly, and they were not genuinely converted and now Rome had adopted this Christian God who did not defend and the pagans said our God could've done a better job order for us to understand what really happened. Let's put ourselves into the picture.

What is supposed that the religious right in America really got what they wanted. The criminalization of abortion mandated school prayers. Let us suppose that we had a Christian, Congress sent a distinctively Christian president and a Supreme Court that acted in a Christian leeway and judges who gave Christian decisions. Let's suppose it were to happen, and in the middle that there would be an economic collapse, banks would be closed.

People would be laid off what you would find his huge soup lines. Can you imagine what people would say they would say you Christians. You're the ones that wanted to take over America and the minute you take it over here is this economic crisis and use told us you promised us that if only you could have quote America back then things would be different and righteousness when abounded. God would bless this place and look at what is happened and it's your bold and you just hear it believe it would happen now in order to defend the Christian God and in order to give some perspective to what happened. There was a man by the name of Augustine sometimes pronounced Augustine and he wrote a book and you heard me tell you several months ago. It is one of the great influential books of all time minutes entitled the city of God city of God. Augustine said that really, in order to understand this, we must see that there are two cities, there is the city of man and the city of man goes by man's rules. The city of man lives, according to man's standards and as far as the city of man is concerned, it is what man build. It is the art and the buildings and the paintings and the sculptures and the beauty of Rome that is the city of man, but there is another city is called the city of God, the city of God is the God of the apostles that is the God of the prophets. It is the God of all those who trust Christ and it is is city and we seek that city whose builder and foundation is God, and of course because there are two cities there are also two different kinds of citizens there are those who became angry when Rome was trashed because this is their life.

They are materialistic, they are filled with greed, wealth and pomp and the creature comforts represents all that they live for and when that is taken away. They think that that which is most precious has been taken from them than their Christians and at the Christians. They did not lose a whole lot when Rome was looted and they didn't lose it because that's not where their heart is. They have treasure in heaven, where moth and rust does not corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal and there's nothing but a lyric and his hordes of barbarians can do to touch.

What is particularly precious to them. It is secure. I don't need to tell you today that in America there is increasing antagonism between the city of man in the city of God, they are in conflict today in America. The city of man is based on the self absorption, radical individualism, the idea that I have the right to create my own truth to have my own standards to make actually exited below my own religion by combining whatever bits and pieces of other religions that I care to, or to believe nothing at all. Every one is into their rights and into their freedoms. The city of man in America is based on human nature and the desires of human nature doing your own thing, best summarized perhaps in the words of Woody Allen, the hard ones. What it wants and whatever it wants. It should get that. Of course it is based on the lie of Eden that basically you shall be your own God. You shall be your God. When we do folks. What do we do that is the question of the hour and that is the purpose of the series of messages that I am beginning today. What does America need at this critical hour. What is our answer. As we cast about reading the newspapers and seeing everything that we once counted dear being tossed aside, what is the answer.

What I want you to know today that the Bible has an answer for us as it always does, and I need to encourage you by reminding you that most of the epistles of the New Testament were written to little pockets of righteousness in the midst of the sea of paganism. The Christian church today is not facing any challenge that the church in the past has not based true Christianity has always been a minority, it is never usually been a friend to government and government has never been a friend to it. There is always been this clash that we shall continue to talk about next week and as a result of that, I want you to know that God is able to work in and through us. And yes, perhaps in his grace. Things can still be turned around. But the question is how and what are we to be doing want you to take your Bibles and turn to Philippians chapter 3 for just a moment. The apostle Paul is sitting in jail in Rome and he does not have a righteous ruler in Rome. As a matter fact did you know that as Paul was sitting there penning this epistle in Rome sitting in jail Nero was rolling Nero. After all, was the man who had his own mother murdered Nero was the one who, when Rome burned blamed it on the Christians in a number of years ago my wife and I were in Rome just outside of Nero's palace.

We were actually in the palace to the ruins. But outside the palace and it is said that Christians lit his palace as they had pitch poured on them and they were lighted and there they burned. He was an evil evil ruler. We've not seen the likes of them we'd not seen the likes of them in this country and the apostle Paul, now is talking about the two different cities and you'll notice in chapter 3 we pick it up in verse 18 he is speaking about the fact that our citizenship, our polis. That's the great word in our politics verse 20 is in heaven. That's the city of God. Our politics is in heaven, and very briefly five contrasts between the city of man and the city of God as outlined in these verses.

First of all, notice that Paul says we walk in different directions. We walk in different directions.

For many walk, all of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. True believers walked toward the cross we submit to the cross. The theme of my messages during these next weeks is the cross which I'm going to explain because it is the centerpiece of God's agenda and we love the cross, God forbid that we should glory except in the cross of Jesus Christ.

Those are enemies.

They are not walking with the cross. Now I want you to know that very probably Paul was not talking about the pagans. There he was talking about the Judaizers were filled with legalism. Did you know that you don't have to be a pagan to be an enemy of the cross. All that you need to do is to distort the cross add to the cross. Think of the cross is not sufficient for salvation, and in other ways distorted its message and you become an enemy of the cross of Christ. Notice the contrast of the city of God.

We love the cross, the city of man despises the cross. One of my messages is going to be entitled what men think of the cross and why second contrast we have different appetites whose end is destruction, whose God is there appetite.

Whatever desires I have in the body. I shall fulfill whatever I want to do. I will do what seems good in my site is sufficient for me.

They know nothing about the fact that there is meat to eat that they know not all of, and that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. They do not understand that because they are headed for destruction. Different appetites different appetites and then I want you to notice that we have a different language. It says, whose glory is in their shame and what a commentary on some of our trash talk shows. Today, people who should be embarrassed to let anybody know what they've done and they're gloating about it on national television. There glory is in their shame they set their mind on earthly things and that's all that they can talk about is those earthly things and what about us well we have a different language out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

And we talked about the glories of Christ. We talk about his wonders. We love God and we confess our love to him and then notice another contrast we live by different aspirations, different aspirations, our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We want him to return because we love him. On this recent tour to Israel. Somebody said you know I want Christ to return. But what about those who are not ready for his appearing and that is a conflict. Indeed, we wonder about those and that therefore it is with mixed emotion that we refer to the return of Christ, but over and above all things we desire his appearing because we are anxious to see him as he is and I hope that if you are a part of the city of God that that is your desire that his respiration is not what the world is looking forward to. They're looking for one more opportunity to make more money so that they can live comfortably so that they can live isolated from the traumas of life and somehow eat out just a little bit more pleasure in the years that they might happen to have.

And then of course there's a different destination.

You'll notice it says it will transform the body of our humble estate into conformity with the body of his glory by the exertion of the power that he has even to subject all things to himself. And what about the end of those who know not God will pick it up there in verse 19 who is and is destruction.

Now Sid Augustine, the city of man and the city of God, they interact in eternity past, there was only the city of God because of the fall of man. Now there is the city of God and the city of man and we are citizens of both realms and in the future they shall be separated again forever one to everlasting destruction and the other to everlasting lists, but the challenge before you and me is this present moment. It is their interaction and the question that is before us is how shall the city of God live in the midst of the city of man, what is our agenda at this very critical moment of American history. That's the question before us. What do we do.

People are asking Christians are asking what is God's answer. Well, do we withdraw after the Scopes trial in America.

Fundamentalism tended to withdraw from culture. It had its Bible studies it preached at sermons largely go to itself. There was really no bridge to culture because the world was deemed to be evil in the best way that you separate yourself from the world is to be isolated from it. While it does not seem to be the problem today. There is another extreme that people are falling into and that is to say let's do this.

Let's capture the city of man.

Let's take over. Let's elect a Congress that is distinctively Christian. Let us elect a president who is distinctively Christian.

Let us make sure that our judges of the land become Christian and we will be in charge and you will see the changes that will be made in America will be great again. Maybe if we can capture the city of man we can turn it into a paradise, but I want you to know the day that history does not bear out the possibility of it being successful will my friend today don't interpret my words is saying that politics isn't important, but the simple fact is that even if we were to take over the whole political system.

What we would find his tremendous opposition and what we must do is to infiltrate the political system, but at the same time. We always need to recognize that it is the message of the cross that transforms people by the way, did you know that the predicament that we are in is not unusual. Christians have always struggled between the relationship of the flag and the cross. Whatever country they may belong to.

I've written a book entitled Christians politics and the cross Christians politics and the cross. I really do think that it will help all of us think through the relationship of the flag and the cross. Here's what you do for a gift of any amount. It can be yours. You go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337. I'll give you that information again. In just a moment, but we all need to be reminded of the fact that we have a message and the best news that people will ever hear will never come from Washington it'll come from the lips and the lives of believers who represent Jesus Christ. Christians politics and the cross can be yours for a gift of any amount. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 and can I thank you in advance for helping us the ministry of running to win is heard throughout many countries of the world because people just like you and I know for another chance for you to ask Pastor lutes or a question you may have about the Bible or the Christian life issues of marriage have prompted a listener named Charles email us these questions. Dr. Luther, he asks after divorce is remarriage allowed and what place to the remarried have in the church does it matter if they come to Christ after their divorce, rather than if they had been divorced as Christians and can they be restored to fellowship well. Thanks so much for your email. Charles and of course you're asking some very, very interesting and far-flung questions but very simply am going to begin with your middle question know it really doesn't make any difference whether you accept Jesus Christ or not in relation to the marriage bond you the question of whether or not the bond is broken. I don't think is a whole lot to do with whether or not you were a Christian when you married or whether you became a Christian. Afterwards, in answer to your other question is divorce allowed well. I believe it is under certain conditions.

Certainly when there has been prolonged adultery. And when one partner reading Mary's. I think the other is free to remarry that you'd better check with your pastor because not everybody is agreed on that. But finally you asked the question.

Can somebody who is divorced or has been divorced, can they be restored to fellowship.

Yes, of course, they can be of forgiveness is available for divorce as it is for other sins but we have to distinguish air between fellowship and also the question of ministry because while you may be restored to ministry. You may not be able to have certain functions or roles within the church.

For example, here at the Moody church. We have an informal rule that someone who's been divorced can't be on the elder board.

Other churches have different policies so you have to stick with that church, but always remember that yes God is a God of new beginnings.

And so if you're the one to whom this question applies what you need to do is to assess the past receive forgiveness in those areas where forgiveness is needed and move on some wise words of counsel from Dr. Erwin Blitzer thank you pastor Luther if you'd like to hear your question answered. Go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask Pastor lutes or or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us at running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614. The cross of Christ is inherently in conflict with our culture, especially when the media wants immorality as normal politicians vied for position on the issues the Bible settled long ago. Thankfully, the cross can do what politics can't next time I'm running to win. Dr. Luther will continue listing the conflicts between what he's calling the city of man in the city of God. Plan to join us for more of the class of cross and culture. Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin Blitzer this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the Moody church