Who Will Meet My Needs?Who Will Meet My Needs?

The Gospel in Today’s CultureThe Gospel in Today’s Culture

Part 5Part 5

Philippians 4:11-19Philippians 4:11-19

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

Our Culture’s FocusOur Culture’s FocusWe have developed and nurtured a culture of We have developed and nurtured a culture of “ME”“ME”– Our litigious reaction to injury or insult is based in a Our litigious reaction to injury or insult is based in a

rights-centeredrights-centered mentality mentality– Our lust to have even the smallest “need” met Our lust to have even the smallest “need” met

instantly has made us prey to the enemyinstantly has made us prey to the enemy1 John 2:161 John 2:16

– Even our greed stems from this base motivationEven our greed stems from this base motivation– Our relationships are initiated by “what can she (or Our relationships are initiated by “what can she (or

he) do for me?” he) do for me?” The relationship soon deteriorates due to resentment at The relationship soon deteriorates due to resentment at being manipulated!being manipulated!

Entire countries go to war because the “rights” of Entire countries go to war because the “rights” of certain groups or individuals are violatedcertain groups or individuals are violated

Three Categories of “Needs”Three Categories of “Needs”Physical – Matthew 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 6:6, 8Physical – Matthew 6:31-32; 1 Tim. 6:6, 8– FoodFood– ClothingClothing– ShelterShelter

Soulish (Mind, Will, Emotions) – Eph. 5:21-32Soulish (Mind, Will, Emotions) – Eph. 5:21-32– SecuritySecurity

Knowing you are unconditionally, permanently loved (Knowing you are unconditionally, permanently loved (agapeagape))

– SignificanceSignificanceLasting, positive, meaningful impact on the lives of those you Lasting, positive, meaningful impact on the lives of those you care forcare for

Building legacy of Truth into future generationsBuilding legacy of Truth into future generations

Spiritual – Matthew 5:6; Philippians 4:11-19Spiritual – Matthew 5:6; Philippians 4:11-19

““Religion” Seeks to Meet 4 NeedsReligion” Seeks to Meet 4 Needs

1.1. The Desire for KnowledgeThe Desire for Knowledge

2.2. The Desire for CommunityThe Desire for Community

3.3. The Desire for Freedom from The Desire for Freedom from GuiltGuilt

4.4. The Desire for Eternal LifeThe Desire for Eternal Life

* When Worldviews Collide, Ergun Caner, Lifeway Press, 2005.

The Desire for KnowledgeThe Desire for KnowledgeSo many questions – so few satisfying answers! So many questions – so few satisfying answers! – Why? How? When? Who?Why? How? When? Who?

Theism: God (or gods) have or will communicate the Theism: God (or gods) have or will communicate the answersanswersBuddhism: Enlightened people will discover the answersBuddhism: Enlightened people will discover the answersDeism: Don’t ask! Seek peace instead of answersDeism: Don’t ask! Seek peace instead of answers

In the Bible God tells us to seek In the Bible God tells us to seek wisdomwisdom – Proverbs 1 & 2Proverbs 1 & 2– Wisdom: Seeing my situation from God’s perspectiveWisdom: Seeing my situation from God’s perspective

The Gospel is the communication of God’s truth The Gospel is the communication of God’s truth to an ignorant and foolish world to an ignorant and foolish world – 1 Corinthians 1:20-241 Corinthians 1:20-24

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Desire for KnowledgeThe Desire for Knowledge

So many questions – so few satisfying answers! So many questions – so few satisfying answers! In the Bible God tells us to seek In the Bible God tells us to seek wisdomwisdom – Proverbs 1 & 2Proverbs 1 & 2

The Gospel is the communication of God’s truth The Gospel is the communication of God’s truth to an ignorant and foolish world to an ignorant and foolish world – 1 Corinthians 1:20-241 Corinthians 1:20-24

We find the way to “knowledge” and Truth We find the way to “knowledge” and Truth in Scripturein Scripture– 2 Timothy 3:16-172 Timothy 3:16-17

We find the basis for all knowledge and We find the basis for all knowledge and wisdom in Christ Himselfwisdom in Christ Himself– Hebrews 1:1-2Hebrews 1:1-2

Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

The Desire for CommunityThe Desire for CommunityNote the redefinition of Note the redefinition of familyfamily in our culture. in our culture.

Note also the “hyphenation” of our societyNote also the “hyphenation” of our society– ““I am an ____-American!”I am an ____-American!”– ““I am a born-again Christian!” I am a born-again Christian!”

Is there another kind?Is there another kind?

In a dizzyingly expanding world of media & In a dizzyingly expanding world of media & communications, there is a gnawing desire to communications, there is a gnawing desire to belongbelong – somewhere, where I am comfortable,somewhere, where I am comfortable,– to some group, who will accept me,to some group, who will accept me,– to understand to understand who I amwho I am

The Desire for CommunityThe Desire for CommunityNote the redefinition of Note the redefinition of familyfamily in our culture. in our culture.In a dizzyingly expanding world of media & In a dizzyingly expanding world of media & communications, there is a gnawing desire to communications, there is a gnawing desire to belongbelong

For Christians, the Church touches this For Christians, the Church touches this need – Phil. 4:10, 14-16need – Phil. 4:10, 14-16– Acts 2:41-47; 4:31-35Acts 2:41-47; 4:31-35– Most people who leave a church do so due to Most people who leave a church do so due to

a break in a break in fellowship, fellowship, not a dispute over not a dispute over doctrine, etc.doctrine, etc.

– Philippians 2:1-4Philippians 2:1-4– Not only is our Not only is our fellowshipfellowship found in the Church, found in the Church,

but our but our identityidentity is found is found in Christ Himselfin Christ HimselfActs 17:28; Colossians 2:9-10Acts 17:28; Colossians 2:9-10

The Desire for Freedom from GuiltThe Desire for Freedom from Guilt““I’m okay – you’re okay”I’m okay – you’re okay”– But she’s a little suspicious!But she’s a little suspicious!

Evidence:Evidence:– Growth industries: Growth industries:

psychotherapy, psychotherapy, psychologists, psychologists, medications for anxiety and depression, medications for anxiety and depression, self-help books and seminars,self-help books and seminars,

– Elevated suicide rate – across the populationElevated suicide rate – across the population– ““Feel-good” mega-churches (but mini-Feel-good” mega-churches (but mini-

prophets)prophets)– Disintegration of our familiesDisintegration of our families

The Desire for Freedom from GuiltThe Desire for Freedom from Guilt

The Bible says: our awareness of sin is The Bible says: our awareness of sin is caused by our common guilt in Adamcaused by our common guilt in Adam– Romans 5:12-21Romans 5:12-21– We are by nature sinners (Rom. 3:23) and We are by nature sinners (Rom. 3:23) and

thus separated from God (Isaiah 59:2; Rom. thus separated from God (Isaiah 59:2; Rom. 6:23) 6:23)

Guilt Guilt vs. vs. ConvictionConviction– Guilt can be a tool of Satan to keep you away Guilt can be a tool of Satan to keep you away

from Godfrom God– Conviction is a ministry of the Holy Spirit to Conviction is a ministry of the Holy Spirit to

restore you to fellowship with God – John restore you to fellowship with God – John 16:8, 1 John 1:916:8, 1 John 1:9

The Desire for Freedom from GuiltThe Desire for Freedom from Guilt

The Bible says: our awareness of sin is caused The Bible says: our awareness of sin is caused by our common guilt in Adamby our common guilt in Adam

Guilt Guilt vs. vs. ConvictionConviction

The cure for guilt:The cure for guilt:– Confession! (1 John 1:9)Confession! (1 John 1:9)

““Confess” = agree with Confess” = agree with – say the same thing as God says about your sinsay the same thing as God says about your sin

Ezra 9:6-7, 13-15Ezra 9:6-7, 13-15

Daniel 9:3-17Daniel 9:3-17

Psalm 51:10-13Psalm 51:10-13

– Repentance! (2 Chron. 7:14; Luke 13:3-5)Repentance! (2 Chron. 7:14; Luke 13:3-5)

The Desire for Eternal LifeThe Desire for Eternal LifeEvery belief system and philosophy seeks Every belief system and philosophy seeks to establish a legacy that lasts beyond our to establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal lifetime. mortal lifetime. – Even social clubs and civic groups dedicate Even social clubs and civic groups dedicate

things to recognize an individual’s things to recognize an individual’s contributionscontributions

– Are these things eternal? Will future Are these things eternal? Will future generations truly remember them?generations truly remember them?

Major world religions all strive to deal with Major world religions all strive to deal with eternityeternity

The Desire for Eternal LifeThe Desire for Eternal Life

Every belief system and philosophy seeks to establish a Every belief system and philosophy seeks to establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal lifetime. legacy that lasts beyond our mortal lifetime.

Major world religions all strive to deal with Major world religions all strive to deal with eternityeternity– Hinduism/Buddhism: reincarnation – getting it right Hinduism/Buddhism: reincarnation – getting it right

the next time; achieving nirvanathe next time; achieving nirvana– Islam: 100 levels of heaven, where you will be Islam: 100 levels of heaven, where you will be

depends on your worksdepends on your works– Modern Judaism: peace and tranquility at last!Modern Judaism: peace and tranquility at last!

The Christian The Christian hopeshopes for for moremore than a meaningful than a meaningful earthlyearthly legacy by which they are remembered legacy by which they are remembered

The Desire for Eternal LifeThe Desire for Eternal Life

Every belief system and philosophy seeks to Every belief system and philosophy seeks to establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal lifetime. lifetime. Major world religions all strive to deal with Major world religions all strive to deal with eternityeternity

The Christian The Christian hopeshopes for for moremore than a than a meaningful meaningful earthlyearthly legacy by which they legacy by which they are rememberedare remembered– Hope Hope is resting on the promises of Godis resting on the promises of God– Faith Faith is acting on the commands of Godis acting on the commands of God– Grace Grace is the power to accomplish the will of is the power to accomplish the will of

GodGod

The Desire for Eternal LifeThe Desire for Eternal Life

Every belief system and philosophy seeks to Every belief system and philosophy seeks to establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal establish a legacy that lasts beyond our mortal lifetime. lifetime. Major world religions all strive to deal with Major world religions all strive to deal with eternityeternityThe Christian The Christian hopeshopes for for moremore than a meaningful than a meaningful earthlyearthly legacy by which they are remembered legacy by which they are remembered

God has provided the Way to Eternal LifeGod has provided the Way to Eternal Life– John 3:16-18John 3:16-18– John 14:6John 14:6– John 17:3John 17:3– Acts 4:10-12Acts 4:10-12

Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead …

12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

The Life of ContentmentThe Life of ContentmentPaul learned that if he was rightly related to God his Paul learned that if he was rightly related to God his needs would be fully metneeds would be fully met– Phil. 4:11, 13Phil. 4:11, 13– Our circumstances need no longer dictate our attitude Our circumstances need no longer dictate our attitude

toward life or toward otherstoward life or toward others– Colossians 2:9 – we need nothing else besides Christ Colossians 2:9 – we need nothing else besides Christ

Himself – we are Himself – we are completecomplete!!!!

Paul also learned that as we seek to meet the needs Paul also learned that as we seek to meet the needs of others our own needs are fully met – v. 19of others our own needs are fully met – v. 19– The “poor” churches in Macedonia: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5The “poor” churches in Macedonia: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

When Jesus is Lord we find true contentment When Jesus is Lord we find true contentment and complete satisfactionand complete satisfaction