Cultural Drift
For this reason, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.—Hebrews 2:1–4
Drift is the slow, continuous movement from one location to another, which is never good. We don’t drift into a better place. Positive movement requires clarity and intentionality; we neglect that truth at our peril.
In previous weeks, we discussed drifts that can occur in organizations, relationships, and spiritually. Today, our focus is on cultural drift. Believers are vulnerable to cultural drift when they lose equilibrium in the push/pull tension of being set apart from the world in holiness yet immersed in the world as a change agent. This is only possible when we are clear and intentional.
Drift is the slow, continuous movement from one location to another, which is never good. We don’t drift into a better place. Positive movement requires clarity and intentionality; we neglect that truth at our peril.
In previous weeks, we discussed drifts that can occur in organizations, relationships, and spiritually. Today, our focus is on cultural drift. Believers are vulnerable to cultural drift when they lose equilibrium in the push/pull tension of being set apart from the world in holiness yet immersed in the world as a change agent. This is only possible when we are clear and intentional.
Discussion Questions: Hebrews 2:1-4
1. Describe a time when you had to go against peer pressure or a popular trend.
2. Read Leviticus 19:1-2, Leviticus 18:1-5, Ezekiel 11:12, and Romans 12:1-2. What do these verses teach about God’s expectations of us?
3. Holiness is “the quality of being set apart.” In light of these verses, what practical, everyday ways can we make our lives holy? What pressures make that problematic?
4. Read Genesis 12:1-3, Isaiah 42:6-7, Matthew 5:13-16 and 1 Peter 2:9. What do these verses teach about God’s intention for our relationship with the world? Make a list.
5. Pastor Russell described the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat, saying one reflects the temperature while the other controls it. How does this analogy apply to the believer in the world?
6. In this series, we have used the graphic below to illustrate the importance of clarity and intentionality in avoiding drift. How does living with clarity and intentionality help us to be change agents (thermostats)? What do we need to be clear about? What does it mean to live intentionally?
7. Imagine the daily life of a believer at their place of employment. Using the graph, describe that person’s choices using each of the four quadrants. In other words, how does that person behave if they are clear but accidental, accidental and confused, or intentional but confused?
8. How will you adjust your life toward clarity and intentionality?
9. Quoting theologian John Stott, Pastoral Russell cited three ways our culture challenges us. They are: Pluralism, Materialism and Moral Relativism. Which one is the hardest for you? Has that changed over time?
10. What are your core values? How do they shape your daily choices? Do any of them need adjusting?
2. Read Leviticus 19:1-2, Leviticus 18:1-5, Ezekiel 11:12, and Romans 12:1-2. What do these verses teach about God’s expectations of us?
3. Holiness is “the quality of being set apart.” In light of these verses, what practical, everyday ways can we make our lives holy? What pressures make that problematic?
4. Read Genesis 12:1-3, Isaiah 42:6-7, Matthew 5:13-16 and 1 Peter 2:9. What do these verses teach about God’s intention for our relationship with the world? Make a list.
5. Pastor Russell described the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat, saying one reflects the temperature while the other controls it. How does this analogy apply to the believer in the world?
6. In this series, we have used the graphic below to illustrate the importance of clarity and intentionality in avoiding drift. How does living with clarity and intentionality help us to be change agents (thermostats)? What do we need to be clear about? What does it mean to live intentionally?
7. Imagine the daily life of a believer at their place of employment. Using the graph, describe that person’s choices using each of the four quadrants. In other words, how does that person behave if they are clear but accidental, accidental and confused, or intentional but confused?
8. How will you adjust your life toward clarity and intentionality?
9. Quoting theologian John Stott, Pastoral Russell cited three ways our culture challenges us. They are: Pluralism, Materialism and Moral Relativism. Which one is the hardest for you? Has that changed over time?
10. What are your core values? How do they shape your daily choices? Do any of them need adjusting?
Dig Deeper: Ambassadors for Christ
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”—2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB 95
Living with clarity and intentionality enables believers to do God’s work as His ambassadors – a high responsibility.
Ambassadors live in a foreign land among people who usually speak a different language, have a different tradition, and follow another way of life. Christians are always like that. We live in the world; we take part in all the life and work of the world, but we are citizens of heaven. To that extent, we are strangers. Those unwilling to be different cannot be Christians at all.
Ambassadors speak for their own country. An American ambassador says on behalf of the United States. Christians speak for Christ. In the decisions and counsels of the world, our voices must bring Christ’s message to the human situation.
The honor of a country is in its ambassador’s hands. Nations are judged by their ambassadors. Their words are listened to, and their deeds are watched. The ambassador has to be persona grata with both countries (the one he represents and the one he goes to). It is our task as “ambassadors for Christ” to translate this message into culturally sensitive forms without allowing the content of the message to be shaped by the culture. This translation is essential for our neighbors across the globe and our neighbors across the street.
Living with clarity and intentionality enables believers to do God’s work as His ambassadors – a high responsibility.
Ambassadors live in a foreign land among people who usually speak a different language, have a different tradition, and follow another way of life. Christians are always like that. We live in the world; we take part in all the life and work of the world, but we are citizens of heaven. To that extent, we are strangers. Those unwilling to be different cannot be Christians at all.
Ambassadors speak for their own country. An American ambassador says on behalf of the United States. Christians speak for Christ. In the decisions and counsels of the world, our voices must bring Christ’s message to the human situation.
The honor of a country is in its ambassador’s hands. Nations are judged by their ambassadors. Their words are listened to, and their deeds are watched. The ambassador has to be persona grata with both countries (the one he represents and the one he goes to). It is our task as “ambassadors for Christ” to translate this message into culturally sensitive forms without allowing the content of the message to be shaped by the culture. This translation is essential for our neighbors across the globe and our neighbors across the street.
Posted in Sermon Notes