Cultivating the Culture of Heaven

In this final message of the series, we explore the profound concept of cultivating the culture of Heaven on Earth. We will take a closer look at the transformative power of faith, hope, and love as we navigate through various biblical narratives and teachings.

Reviewing Previous Messages

To set the stage, let’s briefly recap the previous messages in this series. The first message addressed the theme of Paradise Lost and restored through the gospel. The second focused on the potential for cultural transformation even in difficult situations, emphasizing how the missionary gospel can change lives without altering external circumstances. The third message delved deeper into the expectation of a bleak future, encouraging us to recognize that God’s light can shine even in the darkest times.

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We examined the story of Ernest Gordon, who described life in a World War II prison camp, where despair and hopelessness were prevalent. Yet, in the midst of this darkness, the seed of the gospel awakened within some prisoners, leading to a remarkable cultural turnaround. This narrative illustrates that internal change can lead to external transformation, regardless of the circumstances.

The Importance of Differing Perspectives

In our journey, we must acknowledge the value of differing perspectives within the church. Many believers hold varying views on non-essential matters, and it is essential to celebrate this diversity. Instead of running from disagreements, we should engage in discussions that foster growth and understanding.

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Throughout history, Christians with different theological backgrounds have united in their devotion to Jesus Christ. The Great Awakening serves as a prime example, showcasing how Calvinists and Arminians worked together despite their differences. If we can focus on our shared beliefs in the essentials of the faith, we can effectively address the challenges facing our culture today.

Awakening the Seed of Christ

As believers, we possess the seed of Christ, which signifies our new birth and transformation. However, this seed must be nurtured to grow and flourish. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, we read, “Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” This passage serves as a framework for cultivating the culture of Heaven.

Cultivating Faith

Faith is a fundamental aspect of our relationship with God. It is not only about believing in God’s existence but also trusting in His promises. Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come to fruition.

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We must awaken our faith and recognize its power to influence our lives and the lives of those around us. Faith can lead to miraculous outcomes, as we see in the stories of biblical figures like Noah and Enoch, who acted on their faith despite the challenges they faced.

Lighting the Flame of Hope

Hope is essential for sustaining our lives and our communities. Proverbs 13:12 reminds us that “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” When we lose hope, we become discouraged and may even give up on our dreams and aspirations.

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We must actively cultivate hope within our church and community, encouraging one another to persevere through trials. Just as Abraham believed in hope against hope, we too must cling to our hopes for the future, trusting that God will bring about our breakthroughs.

Building a Culture of Love

Finally, love is the cornerstone of cultivating the culture of Heaven. 1 Corinthians 8:1 states, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” In our quest for knowledge and understanding, we must ensure that our pursuit of truth does not lead to arrogance but rather fosters unity and compassion among believers.

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We are called to be servants of one another, reflecting the love of Christ in our actions and interactions. When we prioritize love, we build a strong foundation for a vibrant and transformative church community.

Restoring a Vision of Hope

As we restore our vision of hope for the future, we turn to the story of the judges in the Old Testament. The Book of Judges presents a cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, illustrating God’s faithfulness even when His people falter.

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Despite the darkness and despair depicted in these narratives, we see that God raises up deliverers like Samson and Samuel. Their stories serve as reminders that even when all seems lost, God is still at work, orchestrating a plan for restoration and hope.

Conclusion

In cultivating the culture of Heaven, we are called to embrace faith, hope, and love as foundational elements. By nurturing these virtues within ourselves and our communities, we can transform our surroundings and reflect the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

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As we move forward, let us commit to awakening the seed of Christ within us, fostering a culture rich in faith, hope, and love. Together, we can create an environment where the culture of Heaven flourishes, impacting lives and communities for the glory of God.

Cultivating the Culture of Heaven Pt. 4

(Preaching Outline)

1. This is the third message in a series on cultivating the culture of heaven.
   1. The first message discussed the paradise lost and restored through the gospel.
   1. The second message explored the possibility of transforming culture without within a difficult situation and changing the culture through the missionary gospel that changes the situation.
   1. The third message wrestled with questions about Ernest Gordon’s story.
      1. The picture of a death camp is what many Christians believe is a reasonable expectation for the future.
         1. Even when all light had gone out, the seed awakened and culture was transformed.
         1. We discussed the importance of a culture with differing perspectives on non-essentials like Wesley and Whitefield for a great awakening.
      1. We wrestled with Messianic prophesies, whether they are to be expected today or are for a future age.
      1. We asked questions that are meant to be life questions:
         1. If these things are true, then why do we see culture moving in the wrong direction?
         1. Can we turn the tide of history?
         1. Even if the world were to fall into darkness, is there any hope?
2. Awakening the seed of Christ in the church to grow the culture of heaven.
   1. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) — 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
   1. Lighting the flame of hope in the church today.
      1. Proverbs 13:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
   1. Lighting the flame of faith in the church
      1. Hebrews 11:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Now faith is the substance (assurance ESV) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
         1. 1. substance, nature, essence; 2. LN 31.84 trust, confidence, being sure^[1]
      1. Hebrews 11:5–7 (ESV) — 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
      1. Jude 3 (ESV) — 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
   1. Lighting the flame of love in the church
      1. 1 Corinthians 8:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
      1. Matthew 23:11–12 (ESV) —11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
3. Restoring a vision of hope for the future from the time of the judges 1076 – 1060 BC
   1. The message of the book of Judges: Why are there 2 appendices about Levites at the end?
      1. Micah and the Levite
      1. The Levite and the Concubine
   1. The book of Genesis ends with an Exodus account from bondage to the Philistines.
      1. God took the initiative without repentance – 2 Nazarites and the ark.
   1. 1 Samuel 7:7–14 (ESV) — 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, (from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.)
   1. Thus, the theme of a radically new beginning is present with Samuel as with Samson. There is a third aspect to God’s work at this time, and it is the capture of the Ark (1 Sam.  4- 6).  As a Substitute for His people, God Himself goes into captivity to    All the parallels here are with the exodus from Egypt, as God wars against and disgraces the false gods, as He visits plagues upon and as the Ark is sent away adorned with spoils.  The Philistine understood this fully (1 Sam.     This new bondage and exodus makes possible a new beginning for Israel. Just as the Angel offered Himself as a sacrifice to make possible the birth of Samson, so the Ark goes into captivity and oppression to make possible the freedom of Israel. It is the beginning of a deliverance that will culminate with David and Solomon.
   1. From the perspective of 1 Samuel, Israel is able to defeat because of a whole burnt sacrifice that  takes  away  their  sin  (1  Sam. 7:8-11)    From the  perspective  of Judges,  that  same  victory  is due  to the  final and  mightiest   work  of  Samson,   the  Savior,  who   shattered    and  made  their  defeat  certain.  Both perspectives are true, and both are necessary.
4. Nazarites and the Burnt Offering
   1. Samson’s birth
   1. The resurrection of Benjamin in the appendix to Judges.
   1. The victory of Israel under Samuel
   1. Rededication and the atonement of Christ
   1. Cultivating the culture of heaven – a river of life from the church
   1. Many people are out of church because they are burnt out by legalism
   1. A culture of faith, hope and love
   1. This series has about biblical ideas that cultivate the culture of heaven, arguing that it is possible.
   1. In all three of these stories, which happened simultaneously in the history of redemption, we see God working to grant resurrection out of judgment and death.  Israel had not repented, but God gave them Samson.  Israel was in moral blindness, but God wiped out Eli, took the judgment upon Himself (in Philistine exile), and raised up Samuel.  Israel was dead, having cast herself out of the land, but God raised up a true  king David) in spite of man’s sin.

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^[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).