Romans 12 Week 3

Separated from the World’ values

What has been your favorite movie in the last 12 months? (Iron Man)
Movies are part of our culture as are the following:
Oprah, JLo, Anderson Cooper, Tony Romo, Justin Beeber, Lady GaGa, Housewives of New Jersey, Horoscopes, iPhone, facebook, the economy, Tea Party, Wall street, Casey Anthony, Don’t Ask – Don’t tell.

The scripture we will consider today addresses all of these (and many other) cultural issues.
I wanted to list some of the popular culture ideas and people as a backdrop for the verses we will go through today.

Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Luke 9:25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

What does Paul say the result of this transformed mind?

Can you give any examples where Christians are tempted to go along with cultural values that violate scripture? (movies, TV, Sports)

Jesus was tempted by some of the things of this world, but overcame temptation. Let’s see how he did it.
Matthew 4:1-8 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

How did Satan tempt Jesus? 3 things – Bread, Testing God, and Earthly prestige.
How did Jesus resist? By remembering God’s word.

How can we resist the temptation to conform to the culture in which we live?

John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.