HOW TO IMPACT YOUR CULTURE FOR CHRIST!

HOW TO IMPACT YOUR CULTURE FOR CHRIST!

Acts 4:13-20

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

          The Duck Dynasty controversy has swept our American culture like a hurricane! Everyone seems to have an opinion about patriarch Phil Robertson’s comment regarding the Bible’s views on gay and lesbian relationships. An interviewer asked his opinion and he gave it. The firestorm that it produced has revealed a nation that still has conservative roots. What Phil has done you can do too.

          Peter and John created quite a stir when they healed a crippled man at the beautiful gate of the temple. It was a simple act of faith which God honored and the establishment hated. While they could “say nothing against it,” the rulers decided to threaten punishment so that faith in Christ would “spread no further.” The threats simply did not work. Peter and John did not heal the man in order to create a controversy but the events provide a pattern for impacting our culture.

          First, live your faith every day! If you do this you will eventually upset the opposition and find yourself threatened or worse. The witness of most believers dies at this very first point because they do not live their faith every day.

          Next, live fearlessly! Never compromise your faith for the sake of comfort. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim 3:12

          Be firm but respectful in your refusal to conform!  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Rom 12:2

          You don’t have to be very smart or sophisticated to make a difference. Peter and John were judged to be “ignorant and unlearned men” but it was clear that they had been with Jesus. Phil Robertson, whatever you may think of him, does not claim to be a theologian but a simple man who serves a big God.

Dear Lord, let me live my faith every day and let me be willing to suffer the consequences of doing so. AMEN