I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Previously, we began a series of lessons based on 2Timothy 3:1-9 to help us deal with the current times that make it difficult for us to save souls.

                                                             1.      In the first lesson, we considered the importance of gaining an understanding of the modern culture, the church, and the true problem – souls are lost.

                                                             2.      We also stressed the necessity of each Christian becoming actively involved in the spread of the gospel.  This thought will be expanded throughout the series.

B.      For this lesson, let us seek to gain an understanding of some of the modern cultural obstacles that present difficulty to us in sowing the word of God in the hearts of men.

                                                             1.      Understanding these things will be helpful for us as we attempt to fight against them and overcome them.  If nothing else, this understanding will at least answer some of our doubts and questions about spreading the word of God in today’s culture.

                                                             2.      This lesson is not presented to be a complaint or a lamentation about the modern culture or the plight of today’s church.

a.       Certainly, many Christians from the past (and present) have lived in more contrary cultures and more difficult circumstances than we do, and yet they persevered.

b.       This lesson is presented as a simple observation of the way things are so that we may approach our task with our eyes opened.

II.      CULTURAL OBSTACLES

A.      One of the most potent obstacles to the reception of God’s word has always been the love of money.

                                                             1.      The Scripture is filled with warnings against the dangers of loving money, for it draws men away from God and toward evil.

a.       Paul wrote to Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang” (1Tim. 6:10).

b.       In 2Timothy 3:2, Paul told Timothy that men would be “lovers of money” during the difficult times when men would reject the truth.

c.        An example of this attitude is seen in the Pharisees, who were “lovers of money.”  They rejected the Lord when He said, “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13-14).

                                                             2.      Our nation is one of the most affluent in the history of the world, which increases the danger of loving money and becoming insensitive to the word of God.

a.       In the United States, over 70% of the people own their own homes, almost everybody who wants a job is employed (approx. 95%), and food, shelter, and clothing are readily available and easily acquired.

b.       These blessings are from God and are good, but they present an opportunity for Satan to tempt men away from God.  The Lord warns us about this, saying that “the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22).

                                                             3.      The lack of physical and material needs tends to remove our sense of spiritual need and reliance upon God.

a.       When Israel was in such a prosperous condition, it led to their ruin.  God said, “As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me” (Hos. 13:6).

b.       This is why it is difficult to appeal to a wealthy and satisfied culture through the word of God.  They often have forgotten God and have no regard for His word.

B.      Another obstacle to the reception of God’s word that is often closely related to the love of money is the love of pleasure.

                                                             1.      To many, the love of money is an extension of their love of pleasure, for money is a means for them to acquire the pleasure they love.

                                                             2.      Paul gave the proper perspective on this when he said that men would be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2Tim. 3:4).

a.       There is nothing wrong with wholesome activities that give us pleasure, but the love of pleasure itself at the expense of God is sinful.

b.       The essence of the love of pleasure is for a man to do that which pleases himself rather than that which pleases God.  He chooses his own pleasure over God’s pleasure.

                                                             3.      As a result of the widespread love of pleasure, we live in an instant-gratification, attention-deficit, pleasure-obsessed culture that requires spectacular entertainment in order to give attention.

a.       Such a culture has little consideration for the preaching of the gospel, for preaching lacks the fantastic, carnal appeal of worldliness.  Consider 1Corinthians 2:1-5.

b.       This cultural environment also does not encourage one to embrace the gospel message, which commends self-denial and sacrifice as the path to a delayed, future reward.

C.      Beyond these, there is also the difficulty of appealing to a culture that is already saturated with religion.

                                                             1.      In our nation, there are innumerable varieties of churches, most of which claim to be representing God and teaching the gospel of Christ.

a.       Almost everyone has been exposed to one or more of these churches and various parts of their teachings.

b.       These numerous churches present confusing and conflicting messages that distort the true meaning of God’s word rather than the unified “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

                                                             2.      Because of this saturation and exposure to many varying doctrines, many have closed their ears to any further religious messages.

a.       Many are like the Jews of the first century, most of whom rejected the gospel of Christ because they had already set their minds to believe otherwise (Acts 7:51-8:3; 13:42-50; 14:19-20; 17:5-9, 13-14; 18:4-6; 19:8-9; 21:27-28).

i.         Their reliance on the traditions of men and their preconceived ideas about Christ and His kingdom prevent them from seeing the truth about Jesus and His church.

ii.        This appears to be the characteristic Paul described when he wrote that men would be “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2Tim. 3:5).

iii.      When Christians encounter difficulty in reaching members of denominations, it is very similar to the difficulty encountered by early gospel preachers in reaching the Jews, who had zeal without knowledge (Rom. 10:2).

b.       Others consider that all churches are essentially the same.  Therefore, if they have heard a message from one church, then they figure that they have heard from all.

D.      Not only is the culture saturated with religion, but most of that religion is committed to pleasing men rather than teaching the truth and pleasing God.

                                                             1.      Although the New Testament church is described as the “pillar and support of the truth” (1Tim. 3:15), many modern churches and denominations are more concerned with conforming to the times rather than adhering to the Scriptures.

a.       The older, mainstream denominations were founded on the ideas of men who promoted their own peculiar doctrines in addition to or apart from the Scriptures.  They are now struggling to redefine themselves in light of the modern culture.

b.       Most of the new mega-churches and so-called community churches are experiencing phenomenal growth because they are almost completely devoted to satisfying the desires of men for socialization and entertainment.  These things are deceivingly packaged and falsely labeled as spirituality.

                                                             2.      Such churches parse Scriptures together and edit their message for political correctness in order to conform to the desires of men.

a.       Again, we find that Paul warned Timothy of similar times, saying, “For the time will come when they will no endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away theirs ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2Tim. 4:3-4).

b.       With such churches soothing the consciences of men and offering what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear, it is difficult to compete for the hearts of men.

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      By considering our modern culture, the Scriptures, and history, we see that the world is really no different now than it ever was.  As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

B.      With this understanding, we are better equipped to go forward with courage and spread the gospel.