Sunday, December 7, 2025
“Culture of World Subversion” | Pastor Dave Barringer
The ultimate goal of the Christian life isn’t just believing in Christ—it’s becoming like Him. “Christoformity” is about more than behavior modification or spiritual improvement; it’s the lifelong process of being shaped, molded, and transformed into the image of Jesus. And what we want here at Kfirst is a culture where that happens in all of our lives.
In this series, we’ll discover what it means to let Christ be formed in us (Galatians 4:19)—to allow His character, His love, His humility, and His power to take shape in every part of who we are. From our thoughts and habits to our relationships and reactions, the Spirit is at work forming Christ’s likeness within us.
Through Scripture, reflection, and practical application, we’ll learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this sacred process of transformation—so that others might see Christ in us, the hope of glory.
“Culture of World Subversion” | Pastor Dave Barringer
The ultimate goal of the Christian life isn’t just believing in Christ—it’s becoming like Him. “Christoformity” is about more than behavior modification or spiritual improvement; it’s the lifelong process of being shaped, molded, and transformed into the image of Jesus. And what we want here at Kfirst is a culture where that happens in all of our lives.
In this series, we’ll discover what it means to let Christ be formed in us (Galatians 4:19)—to allow His character, His love, His humility, and His power to take shape in every part of who we are. From our thoughts and habits to our relationships and reactions, the Spirit is at work forming Christ’s likeness within us.
Through Scripture, reflection, and practical application, we’ll learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this sacred process of transformation—so that others might see Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Your Generosity Matters
When you give, our team works hard to steward those resources to make the greatest impact on ministry happening locally and globally. First, your giving empowers Kfirst to exist and to create a life-giving ministry for people in Portage and Kalamazoo, MI. Secondly, your giving enables the gospel to go to the ends of the earth through the ministry of our missionaries and global partners.
Click the button below or text a dollar amount (ex: $5) to 866.985.5011
When you give, our team works hard to steward those resources to make the greatest impact on ministry happening locally and globally. First, your giving empowers Kfirst to exist and to create a life-giving ministry for people in Portage and Kalamazoo, MI. Secondly, your giving enables the gospel to go to the ends of the earth through the ministry of our missionaries and global partners.
Click the button below or text a dollar amount (ex: $5) to 866.985.5011
Acts 17:6 ESV
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also
V. 6 - “These men have turned the world upside down (anastatoō/to stir up, to upset, to unsettle)…”
“anastatoō” historically was used for uprooting cities, political revolts, and turning a place into chaos.
“anastatoō” historically was used for uprooting cities, political revolts, and turning a place into chaos.
1. The Kingdom of God Is a subversive Kingdom.
Subversion - the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution
Subversion - the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution
Genesis 3:1 ESV
…He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
…He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
The playbook the serpent used in Eden is being used today:
- Reinterpret God
- Relocate authority to man, and
- Make rebellion to God feel like enlightenment.
The world says: Jesus Says:
Put yourself first The last shall be first (Matthew 20:16)
Get even Forgive 70×7 (Matthew 18:22)
Hate your enemies Love your enemies (Luke 6:27)
Build wealth Store treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
Seek power Become a servant (Mark 10:43-45)
The Kingdom of God doesn’t run on the world’s operating system. It subverts it.
2. The Gospel subverts the dominant story of the world.
The Gospel is not self-improvement— it is self-surrender.
3. Subversion Is not destruction — It Is reversal.
4. The Church is called to be a subversive community.
We do not subvert the world by shouting louder, but by showing a better Kingdom.
If we preach a Jesus who fits comfortably into the world, we are not preaching the Jesus of Scripture.
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