The Christian &
Fighting For Morals
by: Matthew H. Allen (parts & some ideas
originally found in Preach the Word by Hiram Hutto)
FILING INFORMATION:
96064
11/17/96
- Cyclone, KY
The Text of
this lesson will be based in Psalms 11.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. We all read the news. The headlines are full of disturbing
news each and every day. They are
full of disturbing news.
B. Other statistics prevalent in our
world: 100 illegitimate babies are
conceived every month in counties on the Mississippi river delta. Just about on a monthly basis, there
are more divorces granted than marriages that take place, according to the
county clerk’s offices all across the country.
C. There are 100,000,000 drinkers of
alcohol in the U.S.A., 57% of all boys and 43% of all girls. There are 9,000,000 alcoholics
nationwide and 45 million people are affected by problem drinkers.
[1]
D.
While I speak there will be 200 unborn
babies killed by abortion. In the
USA, 4,000 per day, 2 million per year, and 45-50 million worldwide.
1. Our former Surgeon General by the name
of Joycelan Elders, who once said, I'm
tired of the radical fundamentalists love affair with a fetus. Every woman has the right to do what
she wants too with her body.
[2]
E. Gambling is a business that "takes
in" more than the combined wealth on many of the largest corporations.
1. States are flirting with the temptation
of gambling everywhere.
F. Pornography is a 2 to 3 billion dollar
a year business.
G.
Promiscuity & Fornication are
prevalent.
H.
In view of these things, one does not need to be very bright
to see that the very foundations of society are being destroyed.
1. let us
go to our text: Psalms 11:3, If the foundations are destroyed, What can
the righteous do?
II. What Can the Righteous Do?
A. Throw up their hands and quit?
1. Some have done this.
2. This is to betray responsibility.
B. Join in with the opposition?
1. This is to betray ourselves and Him who
called us.
2. It is not a live option who love God.
C. Recognize the dangers.
1. Individuals who are guilty will be
lost.
a. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 : "Do you not know
that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
b. Galatians 5:19-21
c. Read Ephesians 5:3-7
2.
Church polluted. (1 Cor 5:6) Have you ever heard the one rotten
potato will spoil the rest?
a.
If a brother is left to continue in sin,
and it is tolerated, soon, his bad influence could spread to others in the
congregation.
b.
church discipline is not used. It seems as if we are scared. But if there is a need, then why
not? We have biblical example.
3. Churches can be lost. (Rev. 2, 3) They were under the command of repent
or else...
4. Why don't people recognize the dangers?
a. Won't listen.
b. Won't believe.
c. Simply don't care.
d. Deceived by Satan.
D. Christians have a responsibility.
1. Sin is out of place with God's people.
a. Our Head is sinless. (Heb. 4:14)
b. The nature of the church.
a. Romans 6:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:17
2. Our Purpose.
a. Hold forth the word of life.
Philippians 1:14-16
1. because of Paul's troubles in jails,
and persecutions, this made them all that much bolder to go out and proclaim
God, and his word.
b. Show forth God's praises - 1 Peter
2:3-9
E. We can resist temptation to conform.
1. Read Romans 12:1-2
2. Holy means to be separated.
3. Ships in water are where they belong,
but water in ships? DANGER. So, the church in the world is right,
but not the world in the church.
4. Areas where there is a tendency to
conform:
a. Dress.
b. Dance
c. Entertainment
d. Marriage
5. Let us read the following passages.
a. 1 Jn. 2:15
b. James 4:4
F. The righteous should set the standard
instead of following the world's standard.
1. What is the Christian's standard? We have been given the standard in the
word of God.
2. Why does the world have so much appeal
that we must follow? Why can we
not show the way?
a. Maybe some reasons that we always don't
show the way is that we feel that we are noticed by the world...
G. Set affections on things above.
1.
it is imperative that we realize that the "end of those things is
death."
2. Where treasure is, there will the heart
be.
H. Take a firm, uncompromising stand in
teaching against every form of evil.
1.
FIGHT! using the word of God.
a. Eph. 6:10-20 - God wouldn’t
have given us spirital armor if he did not intend us to use it!
2. This should be supported by parents if
there are children involved.
3. Should be encouraged by every member of
the church.
I. Look for signs that sin may be creeping
in.
J. Restore the Fallen.
1. Galatians 6:1
K. Finally, cut off those who refuse to do
right.
1. 2 Thess. 3:6 - have nothing
to do with those who do not have a love for God and want to live contrary to
Him.
III. There is much that the righteous can
do.
A. It has been given in God's word.
B. God's word will work - ultimately to
accomplish his purpose.
C. Let us go back to our text. When we get bogged down and depressed
about how bad things are today, read headlines such as I have this morning, See
how Christians are labeled as the fundamentalist wacos, and we ask ourselves
what David did in Psa. 11:3.
Read
on a little further.
D.
Are you in with the group of people that aren't associated with God? If you are, and even if you don't like
to admit it, you are AGAINST God. Matt. 6:24. Now more than
ever, this is true. You may think
that you have friends in the world that will take care of you, but in the end,
they will pass away with the things in the world.
E. If you would like to get out of the
world, it is very easy. God left
us his plan of salvation. If you
follow the steps of it and are baptized and live a faithful life, then you will
have an eternal home in heaven.