A.      In our society, the term “culture war” has been used to describe the ongoing struggle that exists between people with differing moral values.

                                                             1.      Typically, the conflict is between people who hold to traditional moral values and those who reject those values.

a.       Some would describe the combatants as conservatives versus liberals or traditionalists versus progressives.  These terms are stereotypical and not entirely accurate, but they will suffice for the sake of conversation.

b.       Some have termed the struggle as culture versus counterculture, but it is now often difficult to determine which is the culture and which is the counterculture.

                                                             2.      Some see this as a political struggle, but the issues involved in the culture war are often muddled by politicians.

a.       Partisan politicians seek to polarize their parties on every issue, while campaigning politicians will not take a stand on either side.

b.       Because of this subjective bias, it is best not to let politics decide any moral issue.

B.      We who are Christians need to recognize that our fight goes beyond the scope of mere cultural matters.  Truly, we are engaged in a spiritual war.

                                                             1.      The term “culture war” suggests a conflict that is limited to the world.  However, the spiritual war in which we fight will have eternal consequences that will endure long after this world is gone.

                                                             2.      Christians are not engaged in a contest of wits to see who can win popular opinion, but rather we are fighting for the eternal spiritual wellbeing of the souls of men, including our own.

                                                             3.      The issues involved in this spiritual war are clear.  They are not matters of personal opinion or politics, but rather they are objectively understood through our righteous God and His truthful word.  The spiritual war is the struggle between right and wrong, righteousness and sin, and truth and falsehood.

C.      In this first lesson of this series entitled “Beyond Culture War,” let us consider the nature of this spiritual war and the way God has directed us to fight and win.

II.      BATTLEGROUND

A.      The spiritual war in which we are engaged is fought within the hearts of men.

                                                             1.      Notice 2Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

a.       In this context, Paul directed the Corinthians not to judge him by the flesh or appearances (his was unimpressive), but rather to recognize him as a powerful spiritual warrior.

b.       For our purposes, notice that the battleground for spiritual warfare is not the flesh, but rather it is realm of speculations, knowledge, and thoughts.  In other words, the spiritual war is waged in the hearts and minds of men.

c.        Those who attempt to fight a spiritual war by means of swords and guns will never win.  As Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52).

                                                             2.      Now let us notice 2Corinthians 5:11 – “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.”

a.       Here Paul explained that although his work was done among men, it was God who recognized him for it.  His hope was that the Corinthians would recognize him also.

b.       Let us take from this passage that Paul’s work as a spiritual warrior involved the persuasion of men.

i.         In the fear of God, He preached the gospel to persuade men to believe in Christ, knowing that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2Cor. 5:10).

ii.        This same word “persuade” (Gr. peithō) is used in several examples of Paul’s work (Acts 17:4; 18:4; 19:8).

                                                             3.      Therefore, we see that in this spiritual war we are striving to persuade the hearts of men unto belief in God while fighting against those who would turn men’s hearts away from God.

a.       Our goals for ourselves and others are believing hearts that result in righteousness and confessing mouths that result in salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

b.       The goal of our enemies is to use deceit to create unbelief in the hearts of men that will result in their utter corruption and ungodliness (see Rom. 1:18-32 – We will focus more on this passage in later lessons).

B.      The forces involved within this realm are the powers of God and the powers of Satan.

                                                             1.      Notice Ephesians 6:11-12 – “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

                                                             2.      Satan’s power in this realm is significant, but God’s power is unrivaled.

a.       Satan is called “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30), “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and “the god of this world” (2Cor. 4:4).

b.       However, God the Father has placed Christ “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21).

                                                             3.      Therefore, let us fight this spiritual war with a healthy fear of Satan’s power and a supreme confidence in “the surpassing greatness of (God’s) power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:19).

III.   HOW THE WAR IS WON

A.      Let us first understand that the outcome of this war on God’s behalf has already been determined.  Christ overcame Satan long ago.

                                                             1.      Jesus overcame death through His resurrection that “He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).

                                                             2.      Therefore, we give thanks to God – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 15:57).

B.      For our part, faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world.

                                                             1.      Christ has secured the victory, but we can only take part in His victory through faith in Him –   “…and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith” (1John 5:4).

                                                             2.      By faith in Christ, we can overcome everything the power of Satan brings against us – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37, see vv. 31-39).

                                                             3.      Remember that the battleground is in the hearts of men.

a.       Satan’s forces are competing against God’s forces to win our hearts.  Which influence will we follow – that of the world or that of heaven (Jas. 3:13-18; 1John 2:15-17)?

b.       Victorious faith in Christ within the heart will manifest itself through faithful works that are evident in our words and deeds (Jas. 2:14-26).

C.      Beyond ourselves, the war is won by persuading others to follow Christ.

                                                             1.      Christians must be diligent to present godly examples to counteract the constant, destructive influences of Satan in this world.  See Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:15; 1Peter 2:11-12.

                                                             2.      Christians must also preach the word of God so that those who are in opposition to God “may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2Tim. 2:24-26).

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      In the following lessons, we will notice some of the spiritual battles that are going on around us and their temporal results.

                                                             1.      Our nation is plagued by an agenda to eliminate God from our consciences, a propensity for violence and abortion, a philosophy of self-love and self-indulgence, and an obsession for immorality of all kinds.

                                                             2.      We must not stand by idly and allow these things to destroy ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our nation.  If Christians will not fight this spiritual war, then who will?

B.      Let us always remember that regardless of what we may see in our society, victory is in Jesus.