Category: Immorality
Subject: Immorality
Sermon: Not Carnality, But Christ
The text of Colossians 3 contrasts the life of the self-indulgent with the better life of a child of God who practices self-denial. Let us choose Christ rather than the fleshly lusts!
The Patternists: Authority & Moral Issues
One of the most glaring departures from God’s will for man comes in the area of morality. Men now champion fornication of all types, have normalized abortion and homosexuality, and have rejected God’s definition of marriage. An earlier contention that homosexuality is a genetic trait has been exchanged by many for a more extreme view that sexual expression is fluid, and that alternate sexual practices should be tolerated and encouraged.
Greed, pride, selfishness and hate have long been encouraged in the business world. These attributes are predominant in positions of power in government circles as well, to the point that any proclamation of humility and selflessness is met with rolling eyes and incredulity.
Continue reading “The Patternists: Authority & Moral Issues”
Sermon: The Reforms of Nehemiah
The three reforms that Nehemiah enacted, as recorded in Nehemiah 13, serve to instruct when applications are made for us today.
Sermon: The Benefits of a Moral LIfe
Regardless of the consequences, we must live a moral life. However, God intends for our lives, lived well, to bring us benefits. We are better if we are sober, monogamous, and compliant with authority.
Sermon: The Death of John the Baptist
John the Baptist’s death teaches us lessons about superstition, marriage and divorce, the importance of virtue, the dangers of seduction and the persecution of God’s people.
Social Media Guidelines
Social Media in our day and time is ubiquitous. In December of last year, Facebook boasted an average of over 1.23 Billion daily users. That is about 4 times the entire population of the United States, every day! Other popular Social Media sites include Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
With such ubiquity comes the danger of abuse and sin. Christians need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of using these sites, lest we “fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).
Invitation: Only a Form of Godliness
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
2 Timothy 3:1-5 reveals that some in the last days will have a form of godliness, but are in reality ungodly. May it be that we are not this way!
The Patternists: Unreasonable Men
There is an interesting passage in 2 Thessalonians 3 where Paul describes the unbeliever. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (1-2).
He is unreasonable. Faith in God (cf. Romans 1:20-23) is the reasonable response to the testimony of nature. His “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Too, faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God is firmly established by the eyewitness testimony of His resurrection.
He is wicked. The end of those who do not believe is wickedness. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…” (Romans 1:28). Without God there is no divine standard of right and wrong. Men are free to determine for themselves what they accept and reject, and most revert to their base instincts.
He oppresses the righteous. We are told that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:13). This at the hands of “evil men.”
The reasonable, righteous man believes in God and His Son Jesus Christ. From him the “word of the Lord” runs swiftly and is glorified. You aren’t reasonable and righteous unless you respect and obey God’s word!
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Our Nation is a Mess!
Setting aside the different views regarding economic policy, and questions regarding the proper response to terrorism, immigration and climate change — it is obvious to those who hold Christian values that our nation has lost its way. The wise man wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
Politically, for a while now our nation has adopted a two party system for governance. And, for a while now, both parties have advocated policies and practices that are characterized by greed, immorality and inhumanity. This is seen in party platforms, and more egregiously in the personal lives, practices and positions of our national leaders. Even those who give lip service to Christian values are quick to compromise those values when it suits them.
In the News: Should We Watch? (Deadpool)
There are many moral issues that have cropped up in the news this past week. Some of these concern the politics of our day, but one in particular is certainly appropriate for this space.
Many younger Christians thoroughly enjoy superhero comic books, and lately, the movies that are being adapted from the material. CGI and other sophisticated special effects make for a much more believable Superman and Batman than cinematic treatments of previous decades.
Marvel has been especially successful in bringing superheroes to the big screen. Characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, Spider Man, the Hulk and Thor have captured the imagination of a new generation, and made hundreds of millions of dollars for the Marvel company.
