The Bible and Our Culture

How did Baal and Asherah tempt people into worshipping them.

Gideon had to confront the temptations we face.
What did the false gods, Baal and Asherah, promise to tempt people into worshipping them?
We are an over-sexed society.  
The Bible records Gideon's battle at home before he faced the Midianites.

Finding our adequacy in God.

Where did Gideon's true strength come from? 
What are characteristics of the people God uses?
Judges 6:7-24

Who does God call?

Gideon’s Calling - A Setting for Revival
What are your qualifications for ministry.
The nature of the book of Judges

The economic advantage God gave believers.

The Golden Rule (Mt. 7:12) affects every area including economics.
Every group is bettered by practicing the Golden Rule. 
Jesus' warnings about wolves in sheep's clothing is serious and relevant for today. 
Mt. 7:12-20

A Biblical Church speaks out against injustice

What is "the Church" as Jesus intended the term?
Take the narrow path only a few find.
Jesus looks to divide holy from common.

Family Policy Institute of Washington

Interview with Brian Nobel

Following the Crowd is a sign you're on the wrong path

Matthew 7:13-14; 2 paths
Choose One: the Many or the Few.
The "Golden Rule" is part of the narrow path, but at times it means swimming upstream.

The harvest is so ripe, it's rotting.

We are bait--sent out as sheep among wolves.  Lambs don't consider defending themselves.  Our only the Shepard is our defense.
Much of the dysfunction in our society today is because of a rotting harvest!
If you don't act like you know Jesus, Jesus will return the favor before the Heavenly Father (Mt.10:33).
It's not difficult to have a conversation about the after life that will naturally lead to talking about Jesus.  Practical steps on how to have a conversation about Jesus!

Shake of the dust against those who resist the message.

Don't doubt the power of your testimony!
Wining back the Culture 1 testimony at a time!
Don't concern yourself with doing it "wrong" but concern yourself with doing it. 

What Jesus might say to today's hypocritical, external, people-pleasing, self-deceived oppressors.

How might Jesus rebuke Pharisees today?
"Kind'a" part 2 of last week's show.