Gender wars, can we do better?

• What is Mission?
• Jesus' Mission
• Our Call to Mission
• Arenas of Mission
  • What is Evangelism?
    • How to Introduce People to Christ
    • Loving Your Muslim Neighbour
  • Making Disciples
    • Who are you praying for?
    • DBS - 3 Columns
    • DBS - Seven Questions
    • Scripture Passage Themes
    • Disciple Making Movements
    • Church Planting
  • Church Planting
    • Your First Church Plant
    • City, Regional or National Initiative
  • Missional Communities
    • Renewal in Mission
    • Congregational Leadership
  • Social Impact
• Writing Your Personal Mission Statement
• Rhythm of Life and Mission

Truth or Lies? - Ezekiel 28:11-19

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:25)

The Renaissance is hailed as the 'Age of Enlightenment.' People threw off 'worn out religious doctrine,' embracing a leap forward in human achievement. Truth was what could be scientifically verified. Yet a new (or old) spirituality grew alongside technological advances. Belief in magic, 'Mother Earth,' and connecting with the spirit world apart from the biblical God has gripped Western Europe. France boasts of being the most secular nation in Europe, while at the same time still identifying itself as Catholic. To the French, Christianity = "the church" = "religion," and most are not interested as empty Cathedrals testify. Human pride - commitment to personal fulfillment, and confidence in human ability to find solutions for the world's problems apart from God - is the essence of rebellion. The French epitomise this. Yet they also identify themselves as deeply spiritual. France reports more registered spiritist healers than doctors, lawyers, and priests combined. 

Even in our rebellion, God does not abandon us. The largest church in Paris has an African pastor who preaches Christ with power, and people come to see. They are looking for spiritual power, and are rediscovering the God of the bible. An Algerian Muslim living in Paris, now following Jesus, marvelled that pocket New Testaments sold from corner stores were difficult to keep in stock. She said, "Something is changing. People want to know about Jesus."  Secularism will not endure. Nothing but God's Kingdom is permanent.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our pride. Thank you for continuing to seek us when we have not wanted you. Show your strength and goodness to those seeking spiritual power, and draw them to you.