A Community of Holiness in a Culture of Moral Relativism | Future Church E4
Sep 29, 2023
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Explore the challenges of moral relativism in a society and the importance of a community of holiness. Discuss moral decline, Darwinian materialism, and postmodernism. Emphasize the significance of holiness and honoring God with our bodies, specifically in the area of sexuality. Introduce the practice of fasting as a path to joy in God.
Living in a secular society without a transcendent moral authority poses challenges, requiring individuals to find ways to align their lives with God and Scripture for freedom, harmony, and holiness.
Fasting is a transformative practice that deepens spiritual formation, amplifies prayers, and allows individuals to align their bodies and souls with God's loving presence.
Deep dives
The Importance of Honoring God with Our Bodies
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the importance of honoring God with our bodies. The episode highlights that our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord. It emphasizes the significance of aligning our lives with the teachings of Jesus and Scripture to live in freedom, harmony, and holiness. The podcast emphasizes that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and by surrendering ourselves to God, we can experience His love, joy, and peace. The episode also touches upon the moral convulsion occurring in America and the rise of moral relativism.
The Impact of Moral Relativism and Cultural Shifts
This podcast explores the impact of moral relativism and cultural shifts on American society. It notes that America goes through moral convulsions every 60 years and describes the common denominators during these periods, such as widespread moral decline, distrust in institutions, and a new generation's zeal for change. The episode highlights the contradictory nature of the current moral landscape, where America is becoming both more moral and more immoral simultaneously. It discusses the role of Darwinian materialism, French postmodernism, and Marx's power analysis in shaping moral relativism. The speaker also reflects on the challenges of living in a secular society without a transcendent moral authority.
The Definition and Significance of Holiness
This podcast delves into the concept of holiness and its importance in the life of a follower of Jesus. The speaker clarifies that holiness is not just about morality but also about consecration and setting oneself apart for God's purposes. It highlights that holiness involves aligning our entire being, both mind and body, around our relationship with God and living in harmony with His design. The episode emphasizes the transformative power of holiness, which allows us to experience intimacy, generativity, and communion in our relationships. It challenges the cultural narrative of following personal desires or societal norms, encouraging listeners to pursue the sacred order and transcendent moral authority found in God.
The Practice of Fasting for Spiritual Formation
In this podcast episode, the practice of fasting is presented as a way to deepen spiritual formation and experience a greater sense of union with God. Fasting is described as a practice of denying the flesh and feeding the spirit, allowing us to grow in holiness and power in the Spirit. The episode emphasizes that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but about praying with our bodies and offering ourselves more fully to God. It highlights the reciprocal relationship between holiness and power, noting that fasting amplifies our prayers and helps us stand in solidarity with the poor. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to engage in fasting as a practice to align their bodies and souls with God's loving presence.
How do we love others in the moral decay of the modern West? John Mark argues that the world needs a community of holiness as the counter-culture to the mainstream. John Mark explores the concept of holiness, a theology of the body, and the practice of fasting as a path to joy in God.
Key Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 6v12-20
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kayla from Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Cory from Oakland, California; Mason from Dallas, Texas; Seth from Hood River, Oregon; and Adam from Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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