The document discusses the contrast between the values of evangelical Christians and the political landscape, posing critical questions for voters of both Republican and Democratic parties regarding social issues, justice, and influences on governance. It emphasizes the biblical teachings regarding the hostility Christians may face from the world, highlighting the spiritual implications of their identification with Jesus and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers. Additionally, it critiques seven prevalent lies in society concerning individual rights, marriage, tolerance, the arts, the role of Christians in culture, media, and spirituality, urging Christians to challenge these misconceptions with a biblical worldview.

1. John 15:18-16:4

4. “ How to be Evangelical Without being Conservative” Roger E. Olson (PhD, Rice Univ.) Prof. of Theology at Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University “ Food for thought” before we vote

5. 5 Questions to consider before voting Republican: 1) What will happen to the poor in a Republican administration? 2) Will a Republican administration pursue world peace? 3) How will a Republican administration promote mercy, compassion and justice for all? 4) Will a Republican administration be unduly influenced by large corporations? 5) Can a Republican administration show respect for every person's dignity and rights?

6. 5 Questions to consider before voting Democratic: 1) What will happen to the not-yet-born in a Democratic administration? 2) Will a Democratic administration keep America and others safe from terrorism? 3) How will a Democratic administration promote security and safety for Americans and others? 4) Will a Democratic administration be unduly influenced by liberal special interest groups? 5) Can a Democratic administration show respect for traditional family values?

7. The Hatred of the World John 15:18-25

8. Friends of God are hated by the world John 15:18 NIV "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. Friends of the world are God’s enemies James 4:4 NIV You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Two Initial Observations

9. The world in John’s gospel System of organized society hostile to God & under Satan’s power John 14:30 NIV I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming.

10. Believers might be surprised by this hostility 1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (13) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Jesus was hated from birth (Herod the Great tried to kill him) to death

11. The reason for the world’s hatred lies in our differences John 15:19 NIV If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 1 Peter 4:4 NIV They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

12. We have left one kingdom & been transferred into another Colossians 1:13-14 NIV For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Believers have new purpose, hope & love We have new certainty, truth & standards

13. We’ve been chosen out of the world by Christ & we belong to him John 15:16 NIV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. We don’t belong to the world so it hates us

14. We cannot expect better treatment than Jesus received John 15:20-21 NIV Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (21) They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

15. Jesus reminded His disciples of an earlier statement John 13:16 NIV I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

16. Earlier he was urging them to imitate his humble service Here, he makes another application: Those who persecuted him will persecute us Those who obeyed him will listen to us The root cause of the world’s hatred is our identification with Jesus They hate Jesus because they do not know the Father who sent him

17. The world has no excuse for rejecting Jesus John 15:22-23 NIV If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. (23) He who hates me hates my Father as well. Jesus came as the revelation of God If Jesus had not come, their sin would not be so great

18. The next two verses amplify the thought in verses 22-23 John 15:24-25 NIV If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. (25) But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' Jesus’ miracles were so distinctive that their import was unmistakable

19. The nation should have honestly confessed with Nicodemus John 3:2 NIV He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

20. But the nation rejected both Jesus and the Father John 3:19 NIV This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

21. The nation thought it was serving God in rejecting Jesus John 16:2-3 NIV They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. (3) They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

22. In reality it was serving Satan John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. We know better – we’re a Christian nation! Or are we?

24. Who would have expected to hear a candidate for President say: “ Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.” Barack Obama, June 28, 2006 If he is correct, what are the implications: About our relationship to the world? About our role in the world?

25. This PowerPoint is designed for use with church leaders, small groups, or adult classes. Approximately 30 minutes long, it can be used before, during, or after a regularly scheduled meeting.

26. This book, adapted from a selection of Charles Colson’s BreakPoint radio commentaries, helps us examine cultural currents in the light of God’s truth. Special offer! Order this book at a discount by going to http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/ product?p=1023747&item_no=301669 . Book Summary: Lies That Go Unchallenged in Popular Culture

27. The group PowerPoint presentation begins on the following slide.

29. Rights of the Individual Lie #1: We have the freedom of choice to be who we want and to do what we want

30. Rights of the Individual Underlying Worldview: Individuals are responsible to no higher authority, and are free to pursue their own destinies as long as they don’t hurt others

31. Discuss What are the right and wrong ways to think of individual rights? Give examples of both. What does God’s authority have to do with our rights?

32. Marriage and the Family Lie #2: Marriage can be between any two people, and it lasts only as long as both are happy

33. Marriage and the Family Underlying Worldview: Marriage is not a sacred lifetime covenant between a man and a woman but a contract between any two individuals that should be dissolved when mutual benefits seem to cease

34. Discuss What problems occur when marriage isn’t limited to one man and one woman? Why should a couple continue their marriage if both are unhappy?

35. Society and Toleration Lie #3: We’ll live in harmony if we tolerate the beliefs of others

36. Society and Toleration Underlying Worldview: We tolerate all relativistic beliefs and behavior in an amoral world in which we band together to better achieve our own personal fulfillment

37. Discuss In what ways is tolerance an insufficient way to hold society together? What happens if tolerance is our only value?

38. The Arts Lie #4: Art should break traditional norms and challenge outworn beliefs

39. The Arts Underlying Worldview: Because there is no ultimate good, art both replaces God and helps us to create and revere what is beautiful; it allows us to express our individuality and to challenge conventional norms, thus redefining reality

40. Discuss How can art be destructive instead of constructive? What kind of art has stirred you to honor and revere God?

41. Christians in Culture Lie #5: Christian beliefs are a private matter

42. Christians in Culture Underlying Worldview: The Christian faith should remain private and internal; it should not be applied to culture because of its absolutist, intolerant message and its history of oppressing those who disagree

43. Discuss What’s wrong with the idea that Christian beliefs should remain private? If society adopts Christian beliefs, can it still be tolerant? Why or why not?

44. The Media Lie #6: Entertainment is a vehicle to help us fulfill personal desires

45. The Media Underlying Worldview: We need larger doses of entertainment that break useless taboos, accompanied by advertising of products that stimulate our primary desire for self-fulfillment in the pleasures in life—sex, possessions, and power

46. Discuss What are some dangers of entertainment? How should Christians view entertainment?

47. Spirituality in Culture Lie #7: God accepts us as we are, and there are many ways to him

48. Spirituality in Culture Underlying Worldview: God is an impersonal evolving force, and we become emanations of that God as we fulfill our own self-appointed destinies that contain no ultimate judgment

49. Discuss What is wrong with society’s view of God? What can we do to challenge these ideas in a positive way?

50. Of the seven lies we discussed, which one do you struggle with the most? How can we avoid being sucked in by society’s lies? What are some ways we can promote biblical worldviews in our society? Application

51. Ordering Information Order Lies That Go Unchallenged in Popular Culture by Charles Colson at http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/ product?p=1023747&item_no=301669 . Visit ChristianBibleStudies.com for downloadable Bible studies and other tools to help your Sunday school class or small group learn and apply God’s Word.

52. The Comfort of the Spirit John 15:26-16:4

53. Jesus does not leave us to fend for ourselves John 15:26-27 NIV "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (27) And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

54. Two competing temptations in the face of opposition Separation (monasticism) a believer might be tempted to try to escape from the world Silence – a believer might be tempted to just keep his faith to himself Both too common in church history

55. Two names for one Holy Spirit “ Counselor” conveys helping, encouraging & strengthening work of the Spirit “ Spirit of truth” points to teaching, illuminating & reminding work of the Spirit The Holy Spirit ministers to the head & the heart – and both dimensions are important

56. Jesus’ word to the wise John 16:1-2 NIV "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. (2) They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. Why was Jesus telling them these things? Expecting trouble beforehand would help them remain true to God’s will

57. Christians quickly became ostracized Christians excommunicated & killed Stephen Acts 7:59 NIV While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." James Acts 12:1-2 NIV It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. (2) He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

58. Saul was convinced that he was doing the right thing Acts 26:9-11 NIV "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (10) And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. (11) Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

59. Misguided zeal Throughout church history some have been motivated to persecute believers because of a misguided zeal for God Romans 10:1-2 NIV Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (2) For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

60. The real problem boils down to ignorance & rejection John 16:3-4 NIV They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. (4) I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you. They do not recognize the Father at work in Jesus

61. Jesus’ warned of persecution in order to strengthen their faith He did not give this warning earlier since the world’s hatred was directed at him He shielded them with his presence, but now we are his body on earth Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

62. Things every Christian can expect We live in an unregenerate world 1 st Century – persecution; 21 st Century ambivalence Holy Spirit equips us to live in this world Wisdom as Counselor; insight as Spirit of Truth We can either choose to … Buy into the world’s lies or expose them to the truth Which do you choose? Hostility of the world as Jesus’ disciples? Friendship of the world as God’s enemies?