Sessions Overview What is Post-Modernism? The Power of the Gospel in the Hearts of Post-Moderns

Sessions Overview

1.What is Post-Modernism?

2.The Power of the Gospel in the Hearts of Post-Moderns

3.Reaching Post-Moderns with the Truth in Love

4.Designing Church to Disciple Post-Moderns

Apologetics for a Post-Modern World

Today:

Is the Gospel Still Powerful in Hearts that Do Not Recognize Truth and Certainty?

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to

the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. (John 18:37-38)

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will

set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

How Did Post-Modernism Come About?

Age of Reason

Age of Science

Age of Skepticism

1500-1700 1600-1960 1940-today

•The Good News can be relied on / trusted in

•The Good News is powerful and life-transforming

•The Good News reaches every sort of person

•The Good News is God gifting rightness to people

Romans 1:16-17

•(v18) The Good News message is either:

• Foolishness

• Power

•(v19-20) Philosophers make it appear that they have the

upper hand on God. God has other plans!

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

•(v21) made sense in Paul’s day, it makes sense now.

Most of Western Civilization didn’t see this.

•(v23) Christ Crucified

• To Jews: stumbling block

• To Gentiles: foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

•(v24) Jesus is what Jews and Greeks are looking for

They don’t even realize it

We have realized it… let’s show them Him

•(v26-29) How would this entice mr-smarty-pants-

philosophy-major to seek Jesus?

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

•(v30-31) God has accomplished it all, He gets all

glory, praise, and attention.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

•Sum it all up:

• God’s transforming power can change the hearts and

minds of anyone (race, gender, language, culture)

• We present Him as He is, He will work in lives

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

•(v6-8) Our message is a mystery

• What does “mystery” mean?

•(v10) God reveals to us through His Spirit

•(v13) Our message isn’t human, its spiritual

•(v14) Natural humans do not and cannot understand

•(v15-16) Christians have God’s perspective, Christ’s mind

1 Corinthians 2

Tradition

Christianity: the Legs of the Table

Christianity

Scripture

Spirit

Community

Tradition

Christianity: Checks-and-Balances

Scripture Spirit

Community

Tradition Spirit Scripture Community

Tradition SpiritScripture Community