Love Before Lecture - What One Pastor Got Right That Others Missed - 236

Cultural shifts pull us toward extreme reactions - either condemning those with different views or accepting everything without question. But what if there's a better approach?

The new "Unshaken" series explores how Christians can remain steadfast in their faith while engaging lovingly with a changing culture. Through the compelling story of a pastor's encounter with a tailor who practiced a different religion, we see a powerful contrast in approaches. While previous Christians had condemned the man's idols and even told him he was "going to hell," this pastor chose relationship first. The result? Both the tailor and his cousin eagerly accepted an invitation to church.

This approach mirrors Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery. Rather than condemning or condoning, Jesus extended compassion while challenging her to "go and sin no more." His example teaches us that truth without grace is mean, but grace without truth is meaningless. True Christian witness requires both.

The prophet Daniel provides another timeless example of navigating this tension. Thrust into Babylon's pagan culture as a young man, he maintained his convictions without becoming judgmental or self-righteous. Through respectful determination and unwavering faith, he influenced four successive emperors and ultimately secured freedom for his people.

Today's believers face similar challenges: How can we uphold biblical truth without alienating others? Can we engage with culture without being corrupted by it? Is it possible to love unconditionally while maintaining moral boundaries? This series addresses these tensions by demonstrating that effective Christian witness isn't about choosing between truth and love – it's about embodying both simultaneously.

Ready to stand firm without compromising love? Subscribe to hear more episodes in this thought-provoking series that will equip you to remain unshaken in a culture of compromise.

Daniel Dilemma - CH

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Unshaken Series
• 2:37 The Tailor's Story: Love Before Lecture
• 8:08 Truth and Grace: The Woman Caught
• 13:41 Navigating Cultural Tensions as Christians
• 17:38 Daniel's Example in Babylon
• 22:50 Standing Firm Without Compromising Love
• 23:48 Episode Wrap-Up and Call to Action

Transcript

Daniel Moore: 0:06

When societal norms undergo shifts, as they inevitably do, we are often pulled towards extreme reactions, as they may appear simpler and demand less of us. In response to these changes, we may experience feelings of anger, threat and frustration that lead us to either isolate ourselves from the culture entirely, lashing out and condemning those who hold differing viewpoints, or we may become fatigued by the ongoing battles and opt for an all-encompassing acceptance that avoids any potential conflicts with the evolving culture. This week, on Connecting the Gap, we start a new series called Unshaken. Holding fast in a culture of compromise. We'll be interview people that have a story. Welcome to Connecting the Gap. This is a podcast about marriage, bible and book studies. We interview people that have a story. I'm Daniel Moore, your host. Thank you, guys for joining us this week. If you're not familiar with our show, you can check out our website, wwwconnectingthegapnet. For our platforms. Our YouTube and Rumble links are there. We're also on the Christian podcasting app, edify. You can also visit us on social at Facebook, instagram and X at ctgaponline. If you're a fan of the show, please subscribe. Feel free to leave a comment on our platforms. Give us a thumbs up or a five-star review on Apple Podcast. We'd be eternally grateful to you for doing that Well. This week, as I mentioned here in the intro, we're starting a brand new series and this is going to be based on fighting the culture war, but doing it with love and doing it without compromise. We call this new series Unshaken. This week we are going to be doing episode one Love. Before Lecture. What one pastor got right that others missed.

Daniel Moore: 2:37

A pastor once told a story of how he was gifted a very expensive tailored suit by a church member. He had never had anything that nice before. Ever since he was a kid, he had always just gone to JCPenney and picked out the cheapest three-piece suit on the clearance rack, and that was always as nice as it got. Well, the day came for him to go to the shop to pick out all the options, he took his wife, as there was no way that he'd be able to pick all that stuff out without help, and he walked in the door. As soon as he stepped through the threshold he gazed around the room at all the suits and clothing hanging on racks and lining the wall. Then something caught his eye. In the back of the room, high up close to the ceiling, was a gap in the clothing. There sat three idols staring down blankly at him. It kind of caught him off guard. He diverted his gaze back to the face of the tailor and extended his hand out for a handshake. Good morning, pastor and Mrs Pastor.

Daniel Moore: 3:39

The man named Joe said in a soft-spoken voice he was a dark-skinned man from a foreign descent and had a slight accent. He had a sparkle in his eyes that eagerly grabbed the pastor's hand and shook it vigorously. Let's go back into my fitting room and we'll get this started. Well, they walked into a room filled with bulky rolls of fabric, sewing machines and fluffy wool. It smelled of starch and fabric softeners. Joe got the pastor all measured up, even measuring angles, that he didn't realize that he even had. Using a stubby pencil, he finished scribbling numbers down on a worn tablet. He then stood up and said well, you're ready to go. I'll get started on these as soon as possible.

Daniel Moore: 4:25

They shook hands once again and suddenly Joe looked the pastor right in the eye and said you know, you are not what I expected. You are much different than other pastors I have talked to here in my place. The pastor questioningly looked into the tailor's eyes. What do you mean by that? He asked. Well, when other pastors or Christians have come into my place and they see my people's gods up there on the shelf, they always want to tell me that they aren't real and that they will never be able to do anything for me. One man in particular who this guy is, a well-known pastor you may know, so we're not going to name here even asked me out to dinner once and wanted me to tell him why I thought my gods were real. When I couldn't give him an answer, he agreed with, he looked me straight in the eye and told me I was going to hell. Joe's voice faltered a little bit with emotion. You, on the other hand, have not judged me or said anything about my idols, and you've been very nice to me. You are not what I expected. Well, I'm very sorry you have had such negative experiences with the other Christians you have met. The pastor said that is not the heart of Jesus and the way he would treat you. The people in my church understand the goodness of God to all people and they would welcome you with open arms. Would you like to visit my church sometime? You mean you want me to come to your church? Joe asked, his face beaming Sure. The pastor said you can sit with my wife and I on the front row as our special guest. We'd love for you to come and visit us. Joe had the biggest smile on his face, to which he replied to the pastor Sure, I would love to come. Thank you for inviting me to visit.

Daniel Moore: 6:12

About ten days later, the pastor returned for the final fitting of his personally tailored suit. When he walked in the door, joe met him with an outstretched hand and said hey, pastor, meet my cousin. His cousin looked to be a few years younger than he was. After sharing hellos, the pastor revisited the invitation he had extended to Joe to visit the church. Then, out of the blue, the cousin asked if he could come too. Sure, you can. The pastor said We'd love to have you both. We really appreciate that, pastor. They said with excitement, shaking his hand and looking like he had just invited them to the Super Bowl instead of a sermon series.

Daniel Moore: 6:54

The pastor pondered why Joe and his cousin had responded differently to him than the other pastors and Christians they had come across before, especially since they had basically received the same invitation After all. The pastor deeply admired the leader that had taken Joe to dinner and considered him to be a strong man of God. Upon thinking about the differences between the two encounters, the pastor realized that the other leader's style of reaching out to people was more confrontational than his. While he totally agreed with the other leader's beliefs, he questioned his technique In his confrontation with Joe. The other leader was without doubt correct, but he wasn't helpful. Joe had left that conversation feeling judged and with the feeling that a door that had been slammed in his face. And you know, that seems to be a problem that we have today. As Christians, we mean well with our interactions with people that are lost, but when it comes down to it, we just don't love very well.

Daniel Moore: 8:08

An excellent example of this thought process is in John 8, with the woman that was caught in adultery. The religious leaders had literally dragged her into the street from her lover's bed, where they confronted Jesus, trying to trip him up, reminding him that with the law of Moses, they were bound into stoning her to death for what she had been caught doing. Moses, they were bound into stoning her to death for what she had been caught doing. The Pharisees were trying their hardest to trap Jesus between what was soon to be considered the old law and the newfound grace that Jesus had been teaching. But what Jesus said to them left them speechless. The scripture says they kept demanding an answer. So he stood up again and said All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone. The scripture says they kept demanding an answer. So he stood up again and said All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone. Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away, one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you? No, lord, she said. And Jesus said neither do I Go and sin no more. That's John, chapter 8, verses 7 through 11. That's John 8, verses 7-11. I mean, isn't Jesus' response awesome here? Instead of condemning her, jesus showed love and compassion towards her and, above all, he showed her grace. He said to the crowd Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw that first stone at her. Jesus' response to the woman showcased his unwavering attitude of love he exemplified in every encounter he had with people, even in the face of sin. Jesus did not condemn, but called the woman to repentance and transformation. He showed her grace and forgiveness, while also challenging her to go and sin no more. Jesus' love is not based on performance or perfection. He loves us in our brokenness and sin, but he also calls us to a higher standard and a life of following him. In every interaction, jesus demonstrated love that seeks the best for each person, leading them to a life of faith and obedience. That seeks the best for each person, leading them to a life of faith and obedience. We should hold this story close as an example of how to interact with the diverse people that we encounter daily, just like Joe, who had a different cultural background, or the same sex couple that just moved in next door, or that very liberal person that wants to debate and argue with us on every topic that we talk about. And that challenge remains the same we have to learn to stand firm in what God has called us to, but at the same time, we have to learn to love them. Well, there is something that we need to remember Truth without grace is mean. Grace without truth is meaningless. Truth and grace together well, they are life changers, you know. You need to remember that because, wrapped up in a nutshell, that's what this new study is going to be all about. In today's world, it is more important than ever to show love to others and share the message that we are all flawed and in need of a Savior. Jesus came to this earth to live a perfect life and ultimately sacrifice himself on the cross, providing us with the opportunity to have a relationship with a holy God. Through his forgiveness and the grace of God, we can find hope and freedom. It is our duty to spread this good news to everyone, regardless of differences, and share the message of God's love and salvation with all of those around us. Our responsibility as believers is to navigate the balance between upholding the truths found in God's Word and embodying His loving acceptance and transformative grace. This means following Jesus' example of showing compassion, forgiveness and acceptance, as demonstrated in the story that we shared of that woman that was caught in adultery. Striking this balance is challenging, and it often pushes us outside of our comfort zones, and we don't really like that. The tension between standing firm in faith and showing love that can be a little overwhelming. While we aim to express God's love, help those in need and spread the gospel message. We must also be mindful of not condoning or becoming complicit in behaviors that go against God's standards. Amidst rapidly changing cultural norms, it requires discernment, wisdom and prayer to navigate this tension effectively. Consequently, many believers may find themselves feeling disoriented and unsure of their place in a rapidly changing world. The conflicting messages that they hear in church and encounter online can lead to feelings of frustration and confusion. This inner turmoil stems from being pulled in different directions, torn between the desire to reach out to those in need of God's love and guidance just as much as we do, while also staying true to their convictions and biblical principles. This struggle can create a sense of being stuck between two extremes not wanting to alienate or judge those who are seeking spiritual guidance like themselves, while also not wanting to compromise their faith and beliefs. It can be challenging to navigate this tension and find a way to engage with others authentically while remaining grounded in one's own values and beliefs. This inner conflict exposes the importance of finding a balance between sharing God's love and upholding personal convictions. We grapple with challenging questions for which there are really no simple solutions. Some of those questions are such as this what is my role as a disciple of Jesus in today's ever-evolving culture? Or how can I stay steadfast in my faith while also connecting with individuals who may seem vastly different from me? How should I respond when others criticize my Christian beliefs as unloving? How does the message of Christianity apply to everyone, given the wide array of cultural, ethnic, lifestyle orientation, political and spiritual differences? Is the entirety of the Bible still relevant, or are some sections outdated due to cultural changes? Can the scriptures be trusted? Does God love and compass all individuals? Didn't he send his son to die so that all could be redeemed? If I uphold the truth, how will I be perceived by others? How can I guide my children to engage with culture without losing them to its influences? And another question how can I navigate the constant influx of changes in our world? Well, when societal norms undergo shifts, as they inevitably do, we are often pulled towards extreme reactions, as they may appear simpler and demand less of us lashing out and condemning those who hold differing viewpoints. Or we may become fatigued by the ongoing battles and opt for an all-encompassing acceptance that avoids any potential conflicts with the evolving culture. When faced with cultural changes, individuals can find themselves gravitating towards polarized responses due to the emotional and mental strain caused by societal transitions. Emotional and mental strain caused by societal transitions. The extreme reactions can manifest as either wanting to fiercely reject and condemn differing beliefs, or succumbing to exhaustion and passively accepting everything without critical evaluation. Both responses can hinder effective engagement with the changing culture, emphasizing the importance of finding a balanced approach that allows for discernment, open dialogue and respectful interaction amidst societal transformations. Now the gospel brings us hope that we need not be immobilized by extreme reactions. We have the ability to remain composed even during turbulent cultural shifts. Here in the Bible, we witness this response not only in the actions of Jesus, but also in the life of a figure facing challenges shockingly similar to our own times. This example demonstrates how an ordinary individual found himself in extraordinary circumstances and the difficulties he encountered that compelled him to uphold a faith rooted in God's truth and characterized by his grace. This man is the prophet Daniel. When we study the life of Daniel and the dilemma that he was put into with the captivity he was in, we learn that we can stand in our faith without compromising our belief in God. We learn that we can stand in our faith without compromising our belief in God. Daniel faced significant challenges in a culture that was drastically different from his own and was characterized by immorality and corruption, similar to our modern society. Despite these difficulties, daniel remained steadfast in his faith and upheld his convictions in a shifting and decadent culture. In his faith and upheld his convictions in a shifting and decadent culture, daniel's example teaches us valuable lessons on how to navigate and engage with the culture that challenges our beliefs and values. By remaining steadfast in our faith, upholding moral principles and seeking God's guidance, we can endure and thrive in the midst of a diverse and shifting cultural landscape, just as Daniel did in one of the most decadent cultures in history, that would be ancient Babylon. This is how it happened. Following the rule of King David and his son Solomon, israel divided along geographic and tribal lines. Over time, the ten northern tribes turned away from the true God and began worshiping idols. Despite numerous warnings from God, they continued in their disobedience. Eventually, god allowed the Assyrians to conquer the northern kingdom, the southern kingdom, judah, along with the tribe of Benjamin. And, of course, the southern kingdom was where Daniel lived. They witnessed the downfall of the northern brothers, but still straight from God, prophets like Jeremiah, habakkuk and Zephaniah. They all warned Judah of impending judgment, but their messages went unheeded. The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, captured Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, looted the temple and took the people as captives. Israel was left in ruins, its people exiled from their homeland and forced to adapt to a foreign way of life. Daniel, along with many other Jews, was taken as captive to Babylon at a young age, possibly around 16. Despite the challenging circumstances, where there was no hope of revolt or legal help, daniel remained steadfast in his faith in God. He trusted in God's guidance and remained humble while standing by his beliefs. Daniel's behavior stood out for its respect and determination. He did not blindly follow the customs of Babylon, but also did not act self-righteous or judgmental. He understood that the goal was not just to be right but to have a positive influence, knowing that righteousness and correctness are not always synonymous. Over the course of 70 years, daniel encountered numerous life-threatening trials, witnessing friends endure trials like surviving the fiery furnace and spending a night among lions. Despite being surrounded by a foreign culture, daniel remained unwavering in his faith Due to his steadfast devotion to truth and grace. God displayed his supernatural power by blessing Daniel with the favor of four Babylonian emperors. Ultimately, the final emperor, cyrus, granted freedom to the Jewish people, allowing them to return to their homeland. Now that's influence. Daniel remained steadfast and showed love to those around him, mirroring the actions of Jesus. This is the example that we are called to follow when faced with shifts in culture. Balancing truth and grace during times of significant cultural change is challenging. It may be tempting to disengage completely or to pass judgment on those with differing views. On the other hand, it can also be tempting to simply conform and accept everything without question. However, as followers of God, we are called to be set apart while also spreading the message of Jesus. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by cultural shifts, we must find a way to remain rooted in our Christian beliefs when faced with rapid changes. How should we react to cultural shifts? Should we adapt to them and go along the prevailing tide? If not, how can we engage meaningfully with a world that may seem at odds with our beliefs? Since his arrival in Babylon, daniel remains steadfast in his faith, serving as a timeless example of living a righteous life in a corrupt society. We can emulate his approach without compromising our values or conforming to a permissive mentality. It is possible to uphold our beliefs while maintaining respectful relationships, avoiding the pitfalls of either passivity or self-righteousness. Striking this delicate balance necessitates humility, compassion and a firm reliance on God, while challenging. By staying connected to God's Spirit for guidance, we can authentically reflect His character of both righteousness and love. You know, just as Daniel served as a catalyst for positive change, each of us has the potential to impact our current era. In the same way we can strive to be influential individuals who prioritize effectiveness over being right. By fostering meaningful relationships with people, particularly those who differ from us, we can make a noticeable difference. Us, we can make a noticeable difference. Embracing a spirit of generosity and willingness to help those in need, we can embody the compassionate nature of a loving God. We can be a people who stand firm and we can be a people that love. Well, well, that's going to do it for this week's episode. As we kick off this new series called Unshaken, holding Fast in a Culture of Compromise, please subscribe to be sure that you don't miss any of the episodes in this series, as well as the episodes from our marriage side of this platform. That's going to end this week's episode. I'm Daniel Moore. Thank you for listening this week. This show really wouldn't be possible without you. If you're a fan of the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Or, if you'd like to help us out, just take a few seconds to give us a five-star click and please subscribe to us on your favorite platform, and the links for those are in the show notes. Well, that's all for this week, and we believe that God's Word never fails us. God's Word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.

Aria: 23:40

You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast. In this world, there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives. This podcast is birthed from the desire to share hope and restoration of the power of the gospel by being transparent and open in our biblical walk with God. Each week, we take a few moments as we navigate God's Word and peer into other people's testimonies and encourage each other to connect the gap. We upload a new audio podcast every Thursday and a video version of it on YouTube and Rumble. We are also on the Christian podcasting app Edify. You can subscribe to our podcast on many of the available podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcast, spotify, amazon Music, iheart Radio, tunein Radio and more. We are also available on your Alexa-enabled devices. If you would like to contact our ministry for any reason, visit our contact page and send us a message. We hope you are blessed by this ministry. This is a production of Connecting the Gap Ministries. Thank you.