Changing the Culture | Greg Laurie – TPUSA Faith
How Christians Can Change the Culture: Lessons From Jonah for Today’s Church
In a society facing deep division, uncertainty, and ever-evolving challenges, many believers are left asking: “How can we truly make a difference?” At a recent Turning Point USA Faith event, Pastor Greg Laurie offered powerful, biblical insight on how Christians can shape culture for Christ no matter the opposition, and regardless of the odds.
Pastor Laurie’s message takes us back to the story of Jonah, but his real focus is on how ordinary believers can be used to spark revival and essential change in their families, neighborhoods, churches, and even their nation. Drawing from personal experience, scriptural truths, and a touch of humor, Laurie reveals the timeless principles that allow faith to flourish even when darkness seems overwhelming.
Why Changing Culture Matters to God
Throughout the Bible, we see a God who desires not just personal salvation, but true transformation in families, communities, and entire nations. As Laurie began, he reminded everyone that despite criticism or attack the call to serve God in times of turmoil remains a privilege. In fact, every criticism faced for Christ’s sake is a badge of honor, and every moment spent in God’s service is worth infinitely more than the applause of men.
But Laurie quickly shifted the audience’s focus from earthly approval to what truly matters to Jesus: “What does the Lord rejoice in? Lost people being found.” Jesus Himself said there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people. That’s why, no matter how we feel or how tough things get, Christians are called not only to persevere but to boldly share the hope of the gospel.
The Overlooked Secret: Evangelism Still Changes Everything
It’s easy to assume evangelism is only for the especially gifted or passionate. Even most pastors, Laurie observed, often hesitate to invite people to follow Christ at the close of a sermon, worried no one will respond. Yet, both the Bible and Laurie’s own ministry experience show the results are always in God’s hands not ours.
Jonah’s story, for all its drama and famous fish, isn’t ultimately about miraculous escape. It’s about a miraculous transformation a whole city awakened to repentance through the reluctant obedience of a single man. Jonah ran from his calling, but God chased him down, not just to correct Jonah, but to offer a message of hope to Nineveh. Against a backdrop of violence, cruelty, and moral darkness, Jonah’s preaching sparked what may well be history’s largest revival.
Christians today face cultural powers that seem intimidating: the reappearance of harmful ideologies, attacks on faith, and the encroachment of hostility toward biblical truth. The solution, Laurie emphasized, boils down to two underused strengths: prayer and preaching the gospel. These time-tested weapons are more powerful than any headline, movement, or strategy the world can devise.
If God Can Use Jonah, He Can Use You
Like Jonah, many believers struggle to face their own “Nineveh” those intimidating situations or people God calls them to reach. Perhaps God has placed a task on your heart that doesn’t appeal to you, or sent you someplace uncomfortable. Jonah ran. Jonah resisted. But inside the belly of a gigantic sea creature alone, broken, and helpless he repented, prayed, and surrendered.
After his revival in the fish’s belly, Jonah was literally “delivered” to the very place he tried to avoid. Covered in seawater and the experience of God’s mercy, Jonah preached a simple, unadorned message: “Forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” There were no theatrics, no polished speeches, just the truth delivered faithfully.
And something incredible happened: the people of Nineveh believed God. They repented, fasted, and changed their ways. God saw their hearts and showed compassion. The lesson? When we step forward in obedience even when we’re scared, reluctant, or unsure God brings the power, the results, and the transformation.
The Gospel Is Always Relevant
Culture constantly shifts: from music and technology to worldviews and lifestyles. Laurie joked about how even hairstyles change (he reminisced about his own surfer waves before admitting he now just has “the beach” left of his hair!). But one thing stays the same: every generation needs the gospel. Culture can change, but the soul’s hunger for truth and hope remains.
Laurie quoted Psalm 78: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation.” The evidence is everywhere: self-harm, addiction, and depression are skyrocketing among young people. But the answer isn’t more distraction or watered-down spirituality; it’s the bold, life-changing truth of Christ’s death and resurrection.
As fellow Christian leader Charlie Kirk observed, the youngest generations aren’t looking for fluff or compromise they’re drawn to the unvarnished truth of Jesus crucified and risen. Our responsibility is to pass that message on unhindered.
Passing the Baton: Each Generation’s Opportunity
Every generation no matter its age has a sacred opportunity to impact those who come after. Maybe you’re a “baby boomer” who remembers the wild 1970s, the drug culture, and calls for political revolution. Yet God sent a “Jesus Revolution” thousands turned to Christ in California and beyond. In fact, Laurie’s own journey to faith traces back to that very movement.
Nostalgic humor aside, the point is clear: God can and does ignite revival no matter the era. Whether in the days of Jonah or in contemporary America, the gospel cuts through despair, confusion, and rebellion with the promise of new life. Are you praying for a “Jesus Revolution” in today’s culture? God is not finished!
