Category: Worldliness
Subject: Wordliness
In the News: Are You “Single”?
Friday was Valentine’s Day. Some like it, and some don’t. Some view it as an opportunity to express their love for their spouses or “significant others”, and some think it to be a “made up” holiday designed by card companies, florists and confectioners as an excuse to rake in some extra money. To each his own.
What I noticed this Valentine’s Day, (and have noticed off an on for several years now), is the common use of the term “single” with regard to relationships. With the advent of MySpace, Facebook, and the changing attitudes of our society, the definition of “single” as it refers to relationships, has itself undergone a fundamental and rather unfortunate change.
Sermon: Neither Will I Be With You Anymore
Israel’s Defeat at Ai is examined (Joshua 7), with proper applications made for Christians. In order for us to have God “with us”, we must refrain from taking part in what is accursed by God. There is a clear admonition to faithfulness, and to refrain from worldliness.
Sermon: A Covenant with My Eyes
In Job 31:1, a “covenant” with the eyes is mentioned. By application, we submit that we should not look upon the darkness of sin, or lustful sights that might lead to adultery, alcohol use or the observance of irreverent things.
In the News: A Profane Nation
I received an email a few days ago, from the Bible Questions website (biblequestions.org). They frequently send out examples of the questions and answers that are archived on the site. The question in this email was, “Why is profanity so common?”
I liked the answer given. First, it was noted that the frequency of public profanity has skyrocketed. One stat given was an 800% increase in frequency over earlier periods. Now, the survey date was not given, and the time frames were not clear, but it is obvious that profanity is heard more and more often in public. It is not only uttered by men, but also now by women and children.
In the News: It’s My Child… Not Yours!
Seventeen years ago Hillary Clinton wrote a book titled, It Takes a Village. The book maintained that for a child to develop properly and be successful, they need the help, education and support of their whole society. In other words, it takes a village to raise a child.
Clinton was criticized by many who felt that such a position would erode the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit, with their values and world view. However, the book was well received, and Clinton has maintained an influential voice in American culture.
Sermon: Do Not Be Unequally Yoked Together with Unbelievers
An expository lesson, dealing with Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Sermon: For Such a Time as This
Esther lived, and came to the position of queen during a time of great evil. The Israelites were in peril. The time in which she lived mirrors closely some of the ills of our society:
-
An immoral king
-
A time of drunkenness and immodesty
-
A time where marriage was not respected
-
A time where life was devalued
However, it was also a time where God’s providence was active, and where one person could make a difference. Much like today!
In the News: The World’s Hatred
I find myself irritated from time to time by famous people who claim to be Christians, but show themselves to be fickle in their “faith” when their convictions are tested by circumstance or criticism. Two examples of this recently came to my attention.
The first was a quote from Josh Hamilton, who was the center fielder for the Texas Rangers last season. In an important game last year, late in the season, Hamilton made an egregious and costly error. When his manager asked him what happened, he responded by uttering a profanity. Now, it is obvious that Hamilton has problems. His drug abuse, tattoo covered body, and continued struggles with addiction are well documented. But, he claims to have given his heart to the Lord, and that God leads him in the decisions he makes in his life. His behavior in light of his claims give cause for the world to ridicule the very concept of Christian faith.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Set Your Mind on Things Above
In Colossians 3:1-2, the apostle Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” In light of the corruption that is present in our own society, such words are certainly needed.
The call is for Christians to comport themselves differently because of their relationship with their Savior. We have been raised with Christ. As Paul put it in Romans 6:4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” While not explicitly stated in the text, our leaving the waters of baptism, dead to sin and alive to Christ, is a raising that parallels the resurrection of our Lord. It is a new birth, a renewal, a conversion. We should not longer be as the world, but rather “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
The call is accomplished in the mind. We set our minds on things above. Our focus is not on the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, but on our eternal abode and the things of God.
Why do we do this? Back to Colossians 3:4, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The old man (the man of sin) is dead. Because of this, the new man is to “put to death [his] members which are on the earth” (vs. 5). This is not optional. It is what it means to belong to Him.
Sermon: Associating with the Worldly
The sermon explains the proper relationship the Christian should sustain with those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior.
In the News: Politics and Faith
In the past couple of weeks some have watched with interest the two political conventions that officially kick off what has already been a long and sometimes contentious campaign for the Presidency. In many ways it is the same old same old — with dire warnings of impending doom, fear mongering, and “pie in the sky” promises by both parties.
There is nothing wrong and many things right with Christians participating in the political process. Voting has long been held as a civic duty in our republic, and allows Christians to support candidates who will, at the very least, allow us to continue the free expression of our faith.
Sermon: Perilous Times
The lesson is an examination of Paul’s warning of perilous times in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. The description given of ungodliness is explained, and the warnings to “turn away” from “such people” is noted.
Sermon: Learning from Israel’s Mistakes
The apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians, using the sins of Israel as an example from which to learn. The church today can be guilty of the same mistakes and failings if we do not learn from Israel’s example.
Sermon preached by Josh Cox
Sermon: Characteristics of a Fool
The fool has certain common characteristics he shares with others of his ilk. He denies God’s existence, does not control his base impulses, ignores the dangers of sin, refuses godly counsel because of prideful heart, and never prepares himself for his inevitable death.
In the News: Fun and Happiness
David Feherty is a former professional golfer who now hosts a talk show on the Golf Channel, and is known to be an entertaining and funny person. He is also an alcoholic, who used to down Irish whiskey and prescription pain killers in prodigious amounts. His addictions led to serious thoughts of suicide, and his self-destructive behavior continued for many years until he finally got it under control about six years ago.
