Shifting Influence and Reforming Culture
Lead Pastor Will Ford
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If you would like to learn more about our culture, how you connect with God, get plugged into community and begin your journey to encountering God daily, MC Connect is your next step!
Text CONNECT to 59090 or visit mercyculture.com/connect
Text CONNECT to 59090 or visit mercyculture.com/connect
Welcome to Mercy Culture Church!
We are so excited you're here.
Text NEW to 59090 so we can connect with you.
For everyone that texts NEW, we will donate $10 to The Justice Reform, an organization that is answering the cry for justice by bringing reformation from city to city.
We are so excited you're here.
Text NEW to 59090 so we can connect with you.
For everyone that texts NEW, we will donate $10 to The Justice Reform, an organization that is answering the cry for justice by bringing reformation from city to city.
It's not to late to be baptized today!
Text BAPTISMS to 59090 to register and meet us in the lobby.
Water baptism is the public declaration that you are a new creation in Jesus Christ!
When you are water baptized breakthrough happens, identity from God is declared, and the supernatural exchange of dying to our sin and living in the Spirit is released.
Text BAPTISMS to 59090 to register.
Text BAPTISMS to 59090 to register and meet us in the lobby.
Water baptism is the public declaration that you are a new creation in Jesus Christ!
When you are water baptized breakthrough happens, identity from God is declared, and the supernatural exchange of dying to our sin and living in the Spirit is released.
Text BAPTISMS to 59090 to register.
We are so excited for what the Lord is doing at Mercy Culture East Fort Worth!
At this Interest meeting we will be sharing the vision of Mercy Culture Church, history of this building and the beautiful story God has orchestrated, and how to get involved!
Join us from 2-3PM today.
Text EASTFW to 59090 to register!
At this Interest meeting we will be sharing the vision of Mercy Culture Church, history of this building and the beautiful story God has orchestrated, and how to get involved!
Join us from 2-3PM today.
Text EASTFW to 59090 to register!
Cards
2 Kings 22:1-2
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1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
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God is raising up Josiahs, who, in spite of their upbringing, are becoming today’s reformers.
Jesus warned about outward reformation without inward transformation.
Matthew 12:29
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29 Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
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The enemy binds the strongest spiritual authority in order to steal valuables in the house: marital relationships, children.
Ultimately the enemy wants to steal your spiritual inheritance and rob you of your future.
Ultimately the enemy wants to steal your spiritual inheritance and rob you of your future.
Matthew 12:43-45
BSB
43 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
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Jesus is confronting not only individuals, but also religious facades in culture and society that look “garnished” or “decorated” on the outside, but are empty and eventually demonized on the inside.
How do we see this played out in culture and society today?
In our nation, our city? In our homes? In our personal lives?
In our nation, our city? In our homes? In our personal lives?
“A pre-Christian civilization may produce a Caligula or a Nero. But a post-Christian civilization will produce a Stalin or a Hitler.”
- Jonathon Cahn, TheReturn of the Gods
- Jonathon Cahn, TheReturn of the Gods
Sustained influence is a spiritual force affecting atmospheres until cultures are formed.
Original definition of influence = An ethereal fluid which flows from the stars, and affects the actions and behaviors of mankind.
Today's definition of influence = to sway
Today's definition of influence = to sway
Judges 5:20
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20 From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera.
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Genesis 15:5
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5 And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
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Daniel 12:3-4
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3 Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
4 But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
4 But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
BSB
Celebrities VS Stars
Celebrities rely on earthly appeal or the kingdom of darkness. Stars submit to God and the Kingdom of light.
Celebrities use their influence to benefit themselves; even their charitable works are self-serving, because they receive the glory. Stars use their influence solely to please God and benefit others; they are happy to serve in secret, and they give all the glory to God.
Celebrities entertain people by saying what they want to hear. Stars provoke people by proclaiming what God says they need.
Celebrities are swayed by public preferences and compromise. Stars are rooted in principles and unwavering conviction.
Celebrities surround themselves with yes-men and entourages. Stars surround themselves with honest counselors and truthful mentors; stars are teachable.
Celebrities hire PR firms to hype and protect their reputations. Stars make themselves ofreputation (dead to self).
Celebrities seek worldly success. Stars pursue godly significance.
Celebrities use people to serve their authority. Stars use their authority to serve people.
Celebrities use their influence to impress society’s somebodies. Stars use their influence to empower society’s so-called nobodies.
Celebrities seek crowds and crowns. Stars seek God and lay down their crowns; when God exalts them, it is because of their humility.
Celebrities build their own kingdoms. Stars build God’s Kingdom.
Ford III, William L.. Created for Influence (pp. 47-48). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Celebrities rely on earthly appeal or the kingdom of darkness. Stars submit to God and the Kingdom of light.
Celebrities use their influence to benefit themselves; even their charitable works are self-serving, because they receive the glory. Stars use their influence solely to please God and benefit others; they are happy to serve in secret, and they give all the glory to God.
Celebrities entertain people by saying what they want to hear. Stars provoke people by proclaiming what God says they need.
Celebrities are swayed by public preferences and compromise. Stars are rooted in principles and unwavering conviction.
Celebrities surround themselves with yes-men and entourages. Stars surround themselves with honest counselors and truthful mentors; stars are teachable.
Celebrities hire PR firms to hype and protect their reputations. Stars make themselves ofreputation (dead to self).
Celebrities seek worldly success. Stars pursue godly significance.
Celebrities use people to serve their authority. Stars use their authority to serve people.
Celebrities use their influence to impress society’s somebodies. Stars use their influence to empower society’s so-called nobodies.
Celebrities seek crowds and crowns. Stars seek God and lay down their crowns; when God exalts them, it is because of their humility.
Celebrities build their own kingdoms. Stars build God’s Kingdom.
Ford III, William L.. Created for Influence (pp. 47-48). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Luke 10:19
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19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
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Exousia = right, rule, domain, authority and ability to enforce delegated influence
Dunamis = supernatural power
Dunamis = supernatural power
Ephesians 6:12
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12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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Sustained influence creates atmospheres.
Yad = Hand, agency, means and influence
Proverbs 18:21
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21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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Atmospheres are about attitudes.
Feelings good or bad, produce a set of attitudes.
Sustained attitudes become prevailing moods.
Prevailing moods become climates!
Feelings good or bad, produce a set of attitudes.
Sustained attitudes become prevailing moods.
Prevailing moods become climates!
Climate = a prevailing mood of a time period or era
Belief system = Habit of mind, influenced by a pattern of related forces or attractions.
“The philosophies taught in the classroom in one generation will determine the philosophy of government in the next.”
- Abe Lincoln
- Abe Lincoln
“...the controlling force in politics is no longer business but ideology. Those who marched on the English department are now in the White House, bringing with them the radicalized secular ideologies they learned in the classroom. This is a trend that will continue long after the current president leaves office. Modern societies are knowledge-based societies, where information and expertise are as critical as economic resources. Those with the authority to define what qualifies as knowledge wield the greatest power.”
- Nancy Pearcey, Saving Leonardo
- Nancy Pearcey, Saving Leonardo
Stronghold = fortified place
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
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3 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
4 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5 We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
4 The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5 We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
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Strongholds can be good or bad.
“... a mindset impregnated with hopelessness, that accepts as unchangeable situations we know are contrary to the will of God.”
- Ed Silvoso
- Ed Silvoso
Culture = the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group
Cultus = Latin for adoration or worship
Nation = culture and time
A nation is, fundamentally, culture plus time: a culture extensive enough and complex enough to be passed on through multiple generations and retain its distinctive identity.
A nation is, fundamentally, culture plus time: a culture extensive enough and complex enough to be passed on through multiple generations and retain its distinctive identity.
1 Peter 2:9
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9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
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