Getting Used to the Dark

2. We are not here to learn how to live in the dark. We are here to learn how to walk in the light. Getting Used to the Dark

3. Romans 12:2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4. Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible) Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

6. Conforming • To harmonize • To blend in • To not look “out of place” or “out of opinion” • Give in to “peer pressure” • Nobody else does it anymore • Feeling good/public consensus

7. Expounding Rom 12:2 Galatians 1:4 (NLT) 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. • "This world"=this age (Greek-αιων). • In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we learn that Satan is the "god of this world (age)." Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (age). • Galatians 1:4. When we were unsaved we were a part of this evil, Satanic age/world, but God has delivered us out of it. • Demas, who was considered to be a loyal believer in Colossians 4:14 was later described by Paul in these tragic words, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Tim. 4:10--"present" indicating that it is here now but will not last long; it is very temporal). • Finally in Titus 2:12, believers are taught by grace to live godly in this present age. We are in this world, but we are not to live as those who are "of this world" and who are part of this world system which is in opposition to the true and living God.

8. … expounding Rom 12:2 • "Be not conformed” - the verb means "to be formed like, to be molded by, to fashion or shape one thing like another." Paul is saying, "Don’t be letting the world squeeze you into its mold!" Don’t be molded by the mannerisms, speech, expressions, styles and habits of this world! "Stop assuming an outward expression which is patterned after this world, an expression which does not come from, nor is it representative of what you are in your inner being as a regenerated child of God."

9. … expounding Rom 12:2 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. • "Be ye transformed” - this verb means to be changed, to be transformed. The Greek is metamorphosis. Here and in 2 Corinthians 3:18 the word is used of the transformation process which takes place in the Christian life as the believer is more and more conformed to the image of Christ (more like Him today than I was yesterday; more like Him tomorrow than I am today). In 2 Corinthians 3:18 the word is used with reference to the change produced by the Holy Spirit resulting from the believer beholding the glory of the Lord Jesus through His Word and being gradually (from one stage of glory to the next) transformed into the likeness of Christ. We have already seen in the Book of Romans that God’s purpose is to conform us to Christ’s image (Rom.8:29). It’s a process which will not end until we are with Christ (1 John 3:2). It is something that God does in and through us. We are to trust Him and allow Him to do what only He can do.

11. What’s happening around us that is against the Scripture? What’s happening in the world that Christians are not bothered anymore? What values have we compromised?

12. Luke 24:45Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

13. John 3:19-20 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

14. The Evil Age We Are In – We Are Not Seeing Ordinary Moral Corruption These Days. Pornographic Blatant Corruption Terrorism Gay/Lesbian Massacre Idolatry Incest

15. Church offers marriage and baptism in one Story Highlights LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Church of England is offering unmarried parents who want to tie the knot the option of having baptisms for their children at the same time. Statistics show an increasing number of couples live together before their wedding day, the church says. The offer is a response to demand after church-sponsored research showed that 20 percent of couples getting married in a church already had children, whether together or from a previous relationship, the church said. It is also a way to make the church more welcoming for unmarried parents and their families, a church spokesman said. The church is issuing new guidelines to priests that encourage them to offer parents the option of having a baptism or thanksgiving service for their child's birth at the same time as their wedding. The guidelines also advise priests on how to perform the dual ceremonies, the spokesman said. "Patterns of relationship and marriage within society are presenting new opportunities for the church," said Bishop of Wakefield, Stephen Platten, who chairs the Church of England's Liturgical Commission. "We are therefore offering guidance on how thanksgiving for the gift of a child, or indeed baptism, might be incorporated within a marriage service so that the church can respond pastorally to our changing world if a priest feels it would be advisable to offer this option." It has always been possible to hold both ceremonies at the same time, but priests didn't always know how to go about it, spokesman Howard Dobson said. The guidelines make it easier for priests to know how to offer and perform the dual ceremonies, he said. Research from Britain's Office of National Statistics shows that for many couples, having children is now the first major milestone of adult life, ahead of marriage -- in contrast to their parents' generation, the church said. Statistics also show an increasing number of couples now live together before their wedding day, the church said. The Church of England said it hopes the ideas "will help churches show their welcome for couples with children, and give the whole family a special occasion and a new beginning."

18. The biggest danger to the evangelical church is not false religion or atheism, but compromise; it always has been a tool of the enemy. When compromise occurs, we can have church growth but no depth; numbers, but no character; enormous buildings, but small hearts. We “play” Christian, but have the tendency to compromise everything for which Christ stood. We have riches, wealth, and prosperity, but neglect the weightier matters: love, mercy, and forgiveness. When compromise reigns, we easily can become insensitive, indifferent, ineffective,  unforgiving, unloving, unmoved, and self-righteous. (Shane Idleman)

19. Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” “Light and darkness, right and wrong, good and evil, truth and error are incompatibles… when they compromise it is the light, the right, the good, and the truth that are damaged.”

20. Are we there yet? Adultery is free love. The drunkard is a respectable alcoholic. Sodomy & homosexuality have been elevated into good society. The murderer is temporarily insane. Parents say, “What is the use? I can’t use discipline. Nobody uses it.” Pastors quit preaching on sin. These things are here to stay they say. Might as well accept the status quo and live with it.

21. IN CLOSING • We are living in a world that loves darkness. • We must not get used to the darkness around us. • Our walk with Jesus must be always about examining our ways and renewing our mind so that we are able to walk in God’s perfect will.