Transforming Culture with Worship & Prayer
God wants to use you to impact the world around you, and it all starts by learning to be a priest.
Earlier this month I had the privilege of teaching at Garden City Church in Columbus, Ohio. Their community has been studying the biblical idea of the priesthood on Sunday mornings, and they invited me to teach for one of their services focused on “Priesthood and Culture”. Check out the full sermon in the video above.
Here’s a quick 1-2-3 for those who want a few highlights.
Three Practical Ways Priestly Ministry Impacts The Culture
Worshipers Are Transformed in God’s Presence
Those who spend times in God’s presence are transformed from glory to glory. Transformed people transform the world around them. Believers rooted in prayer are tenderized, sanctified, emboldened and supernaturally empowered to demonstrate God’s kingdom in their families, jobs and spheres of influence.
Worshipers War in the Spirit
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Our praise shifts the atmosphere. Angels and demons move at the sound of our voices. Our prayers are acts of spiritual warfare that prepare the way for the Gospel to take root in people’s hearts in our cities and nations. When we worship, things are happening in the unseen realm that have real impact in the world.
Worshipers Receive their Marching Orders
The disciples at Antioch were “ministering to the Lord” when the Holy Spirit spoke and launched the first missionaries into the nations. In an environment of worship, God releases assignments, wisdom, guidance and insights to His praying believers. A priestly community is a greenhouse for cultivating laborers to be launched into the harvest field with power.
“When the church comes back to ministry to the heart of God, revival comes back to the church. When revival is in the church, then the church transforms the world!” -Sean Feucht & Andy Byrd (from the book Fire and Fragrance)
More Key Takeaways From the Teaching
Our original and eternal purpose is to be a kingdom of priests unto God.
What we cultivate privately will manifest publicly.
Intimacy with Jesus and excellence in stewarding our gifts are both important for effective influence.
The tabernacle of David represented a different priesthood and a new way of worship for Israel.
Cultural shifts often happens generationally, requiring a long-term commitment to cultivating a priestly people.
Jesus is the ultimate Davidic King and High Priest, and through him, the kingdom of God is coming to earth - bringing transformation and cultural impact.
Practical ways to engage in your priestly calling include growing in the secret place, engaging with worship, being a part of a praying community and being sent in power.
Video Timestamps
00:00Introduction and Background
03:23Our Original and Eternal Purpose
09:59David's Discovery of the Power of God's Presence
16:13The Tabernacle of David
30:06The Impact of David's Tabernacle
32:03Cultural Shift Happens Generationally
36:01The Hope of Jesus and the Kingdom of God
39:22Practical Ways to Cultivate Priesthood
49:36Potential Responses