A Change in Heart: Communing with Christ to Transform Culture
Focus: The long road to transforming community and culture is safeguarded by the Christ-centered, transformational disciplines of our hearts, minds and wills
As co-heirs with Christ and fellow workers with God, we’re called into a partnership with the Holy Spirit that reshapes culture—not by force, but by the Christ-centered transformation of our hearts, minds and wills. God's promise to empower us to disciple the nations is ultimately on Him to fulfill. Our primary task is to submit to His work in our lives and the rest will follow.
My 30s were spent probing this premise over and over again. What does it mean to serve God fully and submit to the Holy Spirit’s work in transforming my whole self? So consider this sermon as my own testimony as well.
A lot of what I’ll share is structured around Dallas Willard’s book, “Renovation of the Heart”. It has helped me navigate the complexity of this foundational process so I also want to extend it to you. All in all, when it comes to the sanctifying work of God, use whatever resources work for you!
Let’s set the stage first with one of the final scenes before Jesus ascended to the Father:
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and whatever poison they drink will not harm them; they will place their hands on the sick and they will be well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. They went out and proclaimed everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through the accompanying signs.”
Mark 16:15-20 NET
God's heart is to redeem culture.
Though the world is not inherently condemned, sin permeates culture today - it is inescapable. All have fallen short of God's glory even if God's glory fills the earth. As Paul says in Romans 1, though the earth and all of physical reality contain signs and evidence of God, humans have been suppressing this knowledge and have therefore become futile and darkened in our thinking and ways.
It doesn't take much to lose focus, more so, completely lose sight of Christ's reign in the world. Just open Instagram. In mere seconds, the lust of the eyes and the desires of our flesh will be awakened. Even more pervasive are the narratives we're deeply living in everyday as we simply navigate the world: greed for power and money, culture's focus on "self-will", and the deliberate secularization of all schools of thought are only some examples.
So before we dive into the disciplines, I want to anchor us on the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper, guiding us carry out our roles as God’s co-laborers in culture:
"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Romans 8:12-17 ESV
Christians are not just spectators in the world but active participants in God’s redemptive plan. As we read in Mark 16 and Romans 8, not only are we tasked to proclaim the Gospel as servants of the Master. As adopted children of God and co-heirs of Christ — we will carry the same responsibility as Jesus to ensure everyone knows that the kingdom of God is here as we partner with the Holy Spirit.
Where it starts and ends.
Let's be clear: doctrine isn't discipleship. Anyone can learn about Christianity. What makes all the difference is how we ourselves as Christians partner with the Holy Spirit to become like Christ in our innermost being.
All Kingdom deeds arise from a quality of life that's been transformed. It's not about external conformity to rules, laws, and structures. Transforming culture and communities starts with the transformation of our lives, and that can't happen without being in communion with Jesus.
More so, change isn't passive. It doesn't just happen. There is active work for us to carry out as a response to God approaching us with grace. Isn't that what grace truly is? - God working in and with humans? This is our starting point.
Transforming culture doesn't happen overnight, and the Christian life has its seasons.
Romans 5 says that righteousness is a free gift that comes to anyone who has put their faith in Christ. As much as this is the case, maturing in our faith will cost us time and an ongoing personal activation of our communion with God. Each of us has our own singular stories of salvation and sanctification that no other person can write.
These are the very seeds God uses to plant and propagate in culture. We need to patiently water, nurture, prune and protect them from the "thorns" and "birds". Think of yourselves as different parables, unique stories about God's kingdom acting like yeast in the world: "small" agents creating lasting change. Our lives on their own can function as stories that non-believers can "compare and contrast". See how Paul encouraged the city folks of Corinth and Ephesus:
“The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.”
2 Corinthians 3:2-6 NLT
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV
Simply put, if you have a heart and vision for yourself, your family, your work place, and every other aspect of your own "kingdoms" (where your will has effective capacity to act on), the disciplines that you build around your life are nonnegotiable. This is where Eugene Peterson helps us understand the difference between simply being "spiritual" and "religious" to being a true disciple. In "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction", he warns against the quick-fix mindset:
“There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for the long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness.”
Disciplines safeguard our faith and hope.
So what does this look like? How can our lives as disciples really look like if we are to transform culture? Our lives being hidden in Christ means we live and experience the world under the fold of His communion with the Father: as we embrace these disciplines and become like Christ from the inside-out, our hope is that our faith and hope start to mirror His relationship with God.
In our most intimate relationships, there is less effort in trying to figure out what the other person needs and desires on a day-to-day basis as we get to know them better. Likewise, as Dallas Willard says, "to identify with the mind of Christ, to the point where we are prepared to step forward and do his work without being told what to do, is fundamental to our ability to be persistent in serving the Lord.”
When Peter asks us to defend our hope, he's not merely asking us to demonstrate any theology. More profoundly, he's talking about the deepest hopes of our hearts as it's been aligned with Christ's:
"..but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
And this is the sustained, character-building hope that Paul echoes as we respond to the free gift of grace:
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 ESV
Three disciplines:
These disciplines allow us to safeguard this hope. These will not be anything no Christian has heard before, but a reinforcement of what we've always learned. Why do we need to keep revisiting these? Because our times will continue to become more disorienting. Cultures and communities will continue to shift its focus away from God.
As we engage with the world, these forces can seep into the seams of our lives. Unless we mindfully and willfully practice these disciplines, tuning into the Spirit's leading, we will end up like chaff that the wind blows away.
Simply put: as Christians, we're never guaranteed smooth sailing without coming up against aspects of culture that will threaten our faith. These disciplines put us in the offense so that we're not caught off guard. Faith is ultimately faithfulness in responding to God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
1. Disciplines of a transformed heart: solitude, scripture, and prayer
Even without consulting trained therapists, or having to do deep reflections at remote spiritual retreats, we instinctively know that we’re formed by our experiences and choices. Everyone’s character - whether they believe in a god, Jesus or not - takes shape the moment their consciousness interacts with the world. Dallas Willard, in his book, "Renovation of the Heart", says:
“Our lives and how we find the world now and in the future are, almost totally, a simple result of what we have become in the depths of our being—in our spirits, will, or hearts. From there we see our world and interpret reality. From there we make our choices, break forth into action, try to change our world. We live from our depths—most of which we do not understand.
Indeed, the only hope of humanity lies in the fact that, as our spiritual dimension has been formed, so it also can be transformed. Now and throughout the ages this has been acknowledged by everyone who has thought deeply about our condition—from Moses, Solomon, Socrates, and Spinoza to Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Oprah, and current feminists and environmentalists.”
The greatest need of humanity then is the transformation of our innermost beings before anything happens in the external. As Christians, we’ve been told this. The question then is: how should we keep it top of mind? Paul’s central message in Romans anchors on the change that continually has to happen from our hearts:
"So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him."
Romans 8:12-17 NET
So how do we work out our salvation as we deal with life’s realities? Let’s start with these disciplines of the heart: solitude, scripture, and prayer
Verses:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”
Psalms 139:1, 6-7, 17 NLT
“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”
1 Corinthians 2:7-12 NLT
Points:
Is “soul” still relevant?
Acknowledging our emotions before God: we all have "seasons of Faith"
Intentionally caring for our souls: we live from our hearts.
Practicing regular silence and solitude: allowing God to give us a new name
Praying poetry in the Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, the Prophets, etc.
Speaking the Word as reality.
2. Disciplines of a transformed mind: study, worship, and Christ-centered relationships and community
We live from our hearts - our souls and deepest beings. Connected to our souls, though most of the time, it’s hard to distinguish as a separate function - is our minds. In this sense, our thoughts - our ability to think - comprise all the ways our consciousness processes and engages the world: information, ideas, perceptions, beliefs, and yes, even memories.
Again, in Romans 8, we see Paul referencing our individual and collective thought life. Though very subtle, we see many references to his considering and “knowing”:
"For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.
Romans 8:22-27 NET
There is not enough time today, nor enough space in these notes to decipher all the forces that our minds and thoughts interact with everyday. That fact is enough of a starting point to acknowledge that the ongoing discipline of our minds is critical as we co-labor with God to transform culture.
As Christians, we also come from a diverse set of backgrounds. Though we have been “delivered from the domains of darkness” that rule our surroundings, we need to consciously submit to the Spirit-driven transformation of our minds, starting with our knowledge of God through communion with Him A. W. Tozer did not exaggerate when he said:
That our idea of God corresponds as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us. Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence. Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent and vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is. Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God. A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well.
Maturing in our faith then necessitates a transformation of our minds as we seek out who God is - His character - within the very contex of our lives. If we are to be responsible co-laborers with Christ, we need, to put it simply, refine how we use our minds daily and intentionally examine our thought life. Paul rightly starts to close Romans with a reminder that living as sacrifices, we can’t just yield to the “age”, but renew our minds.
Here is Martin Luther:
Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.
Let’s break down the core disciplines of our mind that honor the God-designed reasoning that is inherent in all of us: study, worship, and Chris-centered relationships and community
Verses:
Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand 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 rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NET
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38: 4-7 ESV
Points:
The power of our minds to create kingdoms.
Conscious unlearning is critical because of the formation that is unconsciously happening in our hearts from day 1.
Deception from our desires - to prove we’re right, have our own way, and to overconfidently protect our pre-existing knowledge - risks attacking the finality of the Gospel: Jesus' absolute victory over sin and death, and the Spirit’s sanctifying work in our lives as our reality. [notes on God’s dynamic creative power reigning and ruling reality, so truth is also emergent in communion with Him]
Pride over our “doctrine, tradition and practices” likewise can easily be as dangerous when we don’t respond, as Paul did, to the daily renewing of our minds.
Study: set our minds on the Gospel, and with faith, seek the facts and information humbly. It’s all there. BUT, we need to also be aware of how our hearts can deceive us. Our minds, more often, can override how we feel. But our hearts, especially deep-seated biases and blindsides, can hijack and direct our minds to false interpretations and even undermine the truth of Christ’s finished work.
Worship: this is why dwelling intelligently upon God, living in awe of His powers and His supreme reign is an important discipline.
Christ-centered relationships and community: “Spiritual formation cannot, in the nature of the case, be a “private” thing, because it is a matter of whole-life transformation. You need to seek out others in your community who are pursuing the renovation of the heart.” - Dallas Willard
3. Disciplines of a transformed will: fasting, sabbath, and service
If I can summarize one practical key learning over my 30s, as I myself continue to commit (and recommit) to these disciplines, if we don’t establish means around our lives to commune with God with our full selves, the vision we have our of our transformed hearts and minds will not come to life. This is where our our wills come in:
“And our will is simply our capacity for “consents” and “non-consents.” It is the core of our nonphysical being. It is, strictly speaking, our spirit—the human spirit, not divine—though it comes directly from God and is meant to be in his keeping through our trust in him.From it the whole self or life is meant to be directed and organized, and must be if it is to be directed or organized at all. That is why we recognize the will to be the same as the biblical “heart” or center.”
Dallas Willard
So when it comes to the transformation of our wills, it’s about the rhythms of our lives that we must reconfigure through fasting, keeping the sabbath, and carving out resources for service.
Tested and proven Christian character, again, echoing Paul, develops from training our wills. When we practice these disciplines, we validate the grace of God already at work in our lives.
Feelings (heart), thinking (mind) and doing (will) leads to character. Every human follows this cycle and/or process. For us Christians, this begins and ends with Christ as we repent and submit to His will. Like any habit or even skill (think of athletes or other certified professionals), character-building takes time. More so, character re-building!
Verses:
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
1 Timothy 6:12-14 NLT
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 2:20-21
Points:
Our wills = capacity to act. Central to being humans is our ability to
Self-will vs. a transformed will. The key term for us Christians is “surrender”.
Fasting.
Sabbath.
Service.
Conclusion
Cultural transformation doesn’t start in the White House, the boardroom, or social media. It starts in your hearts and mine. More importantly, it's not through instant wins but through long faithfulness to the disciplines of our hearts, minds, and wills.
Our faith going through seasons means it’s sometimes hard to see the vision God has for our lives, more so our cultures and communities. But that’s the beauty of walking with God in communion: He meets us where we’re at. Every single point. Our part is to begin there with the best we can give.
We are heirs and co‑workers called into partnership
Transformation begins in deep communion with God
Cultural resistance demands vigilance and long formation of our whole selves
Our daily work on our hearts, minds and wills matters — God works out salvation through us
Resources:
Fasting: Every Nation’s robust library of devotions over the years we’ve done annual the fast
