Countercultural Convictions: How We Counter Culture
Frank Switzer
All Redemption Church AZ congregations have reintroduced and restarted the series we were in the middle of in March 2020 when the pandemic shut things down. Click here to listen to the first message reintroducing the series. In this message, Pastor Frank looked at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-12 and compared it to how today’s culture would write each verse:
Sermon on the Mount V 3:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Culture/World V 3:
“Affirmed are those who glory in their pride, for vanity is the currency of our world.”
Sermon on the Mount V 4:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Culture/World V 4:
“Adulation is for those who revel in their sin, for they will be adored on social media for their audacity.”
Sermon on the Mount V 5:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Culture/World V 5:
“Righteous are those who yell the loudest, for they win their arguments by drowning out any opposing viewpoint.”
Sermon on the Mount V 6:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Culture/World V 6:
“Smug and haughty are the self-righteous who firmly believe they have ‘made it’ in today’s ‘purity culture,’ for their satisfaction comes from thinking they know best.”
Sermon on the Mount V 7:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Culture/World V 7:
“Ironic are the cruel and merciless, for they somehow think they are loving.”
Sermon on the Mount V 8:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Culture/World V 8:
“Blessed are those who pass the culture test 100%, for they will never be cancelled.”
Sermon on the Mount V 9:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Culture/World V 9:
“Satisfied are those who cause antipathy and division, for that is the only way they can secure power.”
Sermon on the Mount V 10:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Culture/World V 10:
“Self-assured are those who persecute Christians because, well, they are pretty easy targets.”
Sermon on the Mount VV 11 – 12:
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Culture/World VV 11 – 12:
“Blessed are you when you revile others, persecute them, and speak ‘your truth’ to them on account of their faith in Jesus. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is that worldly praise and exultation that . . . well . . . actually . . . is gone in an instant like the mist of your breath on a chilly morning.”
To go back and listen to the three messages we completed prior to the shutdown in March 2020, click here for Love, here for Jesus, and here for Bible.
You can also read the blog post reintroducing the series here.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the series:
- September 12: Gender
- September 19: The Vulnerable
- September 26: The Biblical Sexual Ethic
- October 3: Generosity
- October 10: Salvation
We hope you will join us for this series.
In addition to the series, there are two companion events that we believe will be helpful:
Inside Redemption Live: The Body, Sex & Gender Identity
Tuesday, September 21 from 7-8:30pm at Redemption Tempe. You must RSVP to attend in person, or you can join via the livestream.
“Is God Anti-Gay?”
Wednesday nights, September 22 – October 6 from 6-7:45pm in the Sanctuary at Redemption Arcadia. Dinner is provided, so please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Frank Switzer
Research has clearly shown, but is not widely disseminated, that the “three-legged stool” of family, work, and faith are the key to a livable, successful society and culture.
And yet, it is those very things that are under attack in our world.
Aaron Baer will be with us to share why these three things are so important, why they are under attack, and how we should responsibly respond.
Guest Speaker
As artificial intelligence and digital technology continue to push boundaries, Christians need to remember what it means to be human.
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