1. Why do Church?...because Alt-Culture Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2.10) We’re resident aliens in the culture

2. Why do Church? You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. (1 Peter 2.4) The church is not a building...because Alt-Culture

3. Why do Church? The church is a living temple. God is present here when we’re together. Individually you’re the temple of the Spirit. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Cor. 6.19a) Individually you’re the temple of the Spirit. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Cor. 6.19a) This influences what we do with our bodies....because Alt-Culture

4. Why do Church? The church is a living temple. God’s presence is here when we’re together. Together we’re the temple of the Spirit. Together, we’re his house...We are carefully joined together in Jesus, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. (Eph 2.20-21) Together we’re the temple of the Spirit. Together, we’re his house...We are carefully joined together in Jesus, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. (Eph 2.20-21) We worship and sacrifice, pray and sing, do life together and dedicate ourselves to God....because Alt-Culture

5. Why do Church? The church is a living temple. Jesus is the cornerstone. Each of us must line up to him....because Alt-Culture

6. Why do Church? The church is a living temple. Jesus is the cornerstone. Each of us must line up to him....because Alt-Culture

7. Why do Church?...because CounterCulture Alignment is critical for a team. I define how to live by imitating Jesus.

8. Why do Church? As “stones” we’re interdependent on each other. We do life together and build up each other....because Alt-Culture

9. Why do Church? We’re also a counter-culture. God has made us a brand new people-group, an ethnos. Peter took OT terms that referred to Israel and applied them to the church....a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession... (1 Peter 2.9a) Learn to value ROOTS like God does....because Alt-Culture

10. Why do Church? We “royal priests”. A priest talks to God about people, and to people about God. This is why prayer and witnessing are so important in a believer’s life....a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession... (1 Peter 2.9a)...because Alt-Culture

11. Why do Church? Each of us is a living commercial for God. You’re the fifth gospel. You’re the first Bible someone reads. You make others hungry and thirsty for God, or furious about him.... that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2.9b)...because Alt-Culture

12. Why do Church? As a counter-culture, we’re like travelers or pilgrims, moving through. When you come to Christ, you become an outsider to the culture. You don’t fit any more.. Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2.11)...because Alt-Culture

13. Why do Church? The early church didn’t fit in the culture. Christians didn’t go to the blood-thirsty entertainment. They didn’t believe in abortion or infanticide. They valued children. They treated women well, empowered them, gave them places of honor and work. They opposed sex outside of marriage. They were against same sex relationships. They were radically for the poor. They valued slaves. They mixed races and classes together. They believed Jesus was the only way to God....because Alt-Culture

14. Why do Church? You have a continuing struggle raging within against the desires of the culture. Lust is I must have it all, right now. You must battle the world, the flesh and the devil during your time on earth.. Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires/lusts that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2.11)...because Alt-Culture

15. Why do Church? Christians and church either get absorbed into or separated from the culture. But there’s a third way: loving your neighbor. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world [lit: the day of his visitation]. (1 Peter 2.12) The “day of visitation” might be when God encounters them in the here and now....because Alt-Culture

16. Why do Church? How to live this way? Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Don’t dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare. (Jeremiah 29.5-7) Pray and plant yourself in the culture, to transform it for Jesus. Love it for Jesus’ sake....because Alt-Culture

17. Why do Church? And you? Are you......a living stone, fitting into God’s church?...interdependent with others in ROOTS?...in the culture but not of the culture, and transforming the culture?...because Alt-Culture

18. Why do Church? And us, ROOTS? How can we......be living commercials for Jesus this week?...transform the cultures we’re in?...because Alt-Culture