Devo Notes: Introduction to Cultural Toxins (Intro: Soul Detox)

Oct 22 Mon- Gen 3, Mt 7

Oct 23 Tues- 1 Cor 15; Rev 21

Oct 24 Wed - Mt 5-7

Oct 25 Thr– Luke 9

Oct 26 Fri- Gal 5; 2 Cor 5

Oct 27 Sat – Rom 12

PRAYER:A - Adoration(prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession(prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving(prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication(prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOPand listen... give God some time to speak to you--- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

A. Cultural Toxins? Cultural = normal in society; Toxin = Poison causing Disease

Is it possible that many things in society are "normal" that cause you disease?

Is it possible the world itself is "cursed" and thus so are the "ways of the world"?

- Illustration: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe;the curse of the White Witch

- Narnia is in "continual Winter" until Aslan arrives; even then, slow melting

B. The Fall, The Curse, and The Consequences

1. Gen 3:13-19, "What have you done? Cursedis the land because of you ....

a) Ever wonder why weeds grow instead of the prettiest flowers?

b) Ever wonder why "Mother Nature" seems so "angry" at times?

2. People often ask "WHY!?", not understanding the answer is already given

a) the Fall of Mankind = a curse on both humanity and our world

3. Mt 7:13-14 - this is why the "easy path and wide gate" leads to destruction

a) the Natural Way = the easy path and wide gate; do NOT lead to life

C. The Incarnation of Christ began "Great Reversal"; His Return will Complete It

- Foundational Purpose of Jesus = Remove the Curse (both now and forever)

- 1 Cor 15:21-28 = Jesus is methodically and inexorably reversing the curse

D. In the meantime? (How are we to live, as we are caught in-between?)

- Mt 5-7 – Sermon on the Mount and The Great Reversal

- world’s way usually opposite of what leads to abundance-blessings

- Beatitudes Mt 5:3-7 -Latin “beatitudos” - Good Life; blessing, abundance in life

1) The Great Reversal = a truly blessed life must fight the world's-natural way

a. Humility (The Poor in Spirit and the Meek) vs. Pride, Rude, Aggressive

b. Forgiveness/Gratefulness (Those who mourn) vs. Resentment-Victim

c. Self-Control (The Merciful and the Peacemakers) vs Anger

d. Fullness (Pure in Heart; Thirst for Righteousness) vs. Never Satisfied

- The Entire Sermon on the Mount Mt 5-7 - "You have heard it said, but...

a. 5:21 - "Anyone who is angry has already committed murder"

b. 5:28 - "Anyone who lusts has already committed adultery"

Point? There is a REASON (curse) discipleship is hard; it's counter-cultural

- Culture itself is cursed and filled with toxins; thus, why only Jesus leads to life

The Plan? Rom 12:2, "Don't be conformed to patterns of this world!"

- Luke 9:23-25, "To be my disciple, you must deny yourself

- Gal 5:24-25, "nail your sinful "nature" to the cross; instead live by the Spirit

- Eph 4:22-24, "Put away your old, corrupted, former self... be made new

- 2 Cor 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, the old (fallen) self is gone, the new is here