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Church of Christ
Sermons and Lessons for 2012 |
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Bobby Stafford |
Put Not Your Trust in Princes |
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Christian Living |
November 11, 2012 |
Sunday PM Sermon |
Put Not Your Trust in Princes
Introduction:
Before the election, Billy Graham placed a full page advertisement
in the Wall Street Journal in which he made the following
appeal:
On November 6, the day before my 94th birthday, our nation will hold
one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. We are at a
crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly
urge you to vote for candidates who support the Biblical definitions
of marriage between a man and woman, protect the sanctity of life,
and defend our religious freedoms. The Bible speaks clearly on
these crucial issues. Please join me in praying for America, that
we will turn our hearts back toward God.
We know, of course, this did not happen. This election was probably
the biggest loss for religious conservatives in U. S. history (Not
to be confused with political conservatism). In some states
same-sex marriage and marijuana were legalized. The Senate will
probably be able to approve two Supreme Court justices who will no
doubt have liberal leanings, etc.
God’s people must remember the words of
Psalms 146:3-5.
Our trust is to be in the Lord God, not in man. He will guide us
through any, and all, storms which might lie ahead.
Body:
I.
Coming Storms
·
Divine Judgment Because of Legalized Abortion
Someone said, “If God doesn’t judge America, He will have to
apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Numbers
35:30-34)
When innocent blood is shed, the land in which it is shed is unclean
and defiled until the blood of the murderer is shed in
retribution!
It will soon be forty years since the murder of the unborn was
legalized with the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973. Tens of millions
of babies have been killed during that time! Some claim to be
concerned about the poor and less fortunate in our society. But if
they support those who are pro-choice (pro-abortion), then
you don’t truly care about the most vulnerable members of our
society.
Is it possible the increase of natural disasters in the past ten to
twenty years (tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, drought . . .)
is not due to global warming; but due to God’s wrath because of this
terrible sin? [I am not a prophet, but consider.]
·
Divine Judgment Because of Same-sex Marriage
Nothing could be clearer from the Scripture that the only
God-approved marriage is between a man and a
woman. (Genesis
2:21-24,
Matthew 19:4-6)
All others are strictly forbidden. Regardless of what elected
officials say or anyone else promotes, all homosexual behavior is
sinful. (Romans
1:26-27)
·
Divine Judgment Because of Rampant Materialism
Each
passing year our country becomes more focused on feeding its
worldly, fleshly appetites. True spiritual matters are left out and
forgotten. It’s all about the here and now. (Luke
12:13-21)
Joseph Mattera
wrote recently, “A nation that values materialism and pleasure more
than sacrificial love for faith, family, friends, and nation is a
nation in decline; whose best years are behind!”
II.
Future Hope
·
Remember again the words of
Psalms 146:3-5.
·
Our job is to obey the words of
I Peter 3:15-16.
We must define our faith with firmness and gentleness.
·
Satan wants us to keep silent about the issues of our day. We
should never say anything that others might find offensive. The
Great Commission is offensive to many.
·
God’s people are commanded to be the salt and the light. (Matthew
5:13-16)
We can’t engage and influence our culture if we are silent and never
speak up. We must tell the world the reasons for our beliefs
concerning abortion, homosexuality, marriage. . . We want to
persuade others to change their views to the Biblical view.
·
Jesus, our Savior, offended a lot of people. He spoke the truth
that many did not want to hear.
(Matthew
15:7-14
Also see
Matthew 13:53-58)
·
We are not to change the truth in any way; not to “sugar coat” it.
We are to simply tell the whole truth to the world and let the
people decide. (Matthew
10:11-15)
Conclusion:
Our nation may have to experience very trying and stressful times
before it will be open to accept God’s Word. Just remember we are
not to put our trust in princes, but in the True and Living God.
Bobby Stafford
November 11, 2012
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