Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2012
Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title   (Right Click to Download)	Audio   Video  Text    Ipod MS Word	Category	Date Added	Lesson
Bobby Stafford	Put Not Your Trust in Princes		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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