Sociologists tell us that because of the internet and increased globalization that culture changes every eight to nine years. In decades past, it took culture fifty years or more to change. The Bible belt that many of us grew up in no longer truly exists. The days of Andy Griffith values and Leave it to Beaver families are fading with every passing moment. We are indeed living more and more in a world of “nones” where people claim no real religious affiliation. A great question that the church must continually answer is, “How do we minister effectively in this context?”
Thankfully, the early church had to minister and share the gospel in a very similar culture. In fact, the stories and patterns in the book of Acts are more applicable to us in today’s world than they ever have been before in terms of our culture. We must ask the question, “How do we put the gospel on display?” In our world today, how do we show Christ to our community? How do we reveal the Christ that dwells in us? Through a series of converts in Acts 16, we will learn today that love is our most convincing witness to much of our culture.
Today concludes the Plumb Lines series. My prayer has been since the very first week that we would clearly see the path set before us as a church. We have some big challenges ahead. God definitely is building something.
May the foundation that we are building be firm and strong as we trust in the Master builder, our Lord Jesus!