Introduction:
1. Christians have been called to a higher standard.
2. We are to live in the world but not of the world.
3. The great moral questions of our day.
I. The state of America.
A. 1.3 million abortions are performed in the U. S. annually. Pornography is a $13.3 Billion dollar a year industry in the U.S. There are 15 million gambling addicts. Homosexuality is seen as an alternate lifestyle. Public drunkenness is measured in degrees. What to do with the aged is an ever persistent question. Medical ethics seem to be beyond what we have knowledge to answer. Prejudices still are real. Reproductive technology always has its questions.
B. Could this be? 401 college students surveyed said 97% of their colleges taught them ethics but 73% said they were taught that there was no absolute standard of right and wrong. Another survey completed by Barna found that 64% of adults and 83% of teens felt that the truth was relative to the person and the situation.
II. The reason for our problem. We have...
A. Forgotten God (Rom. 1:28; Prov. 2:17; Isa. 65:11).
B. Forsaken God’s word. We have rejected not only the man but his message (1 Tim. 5:15; Prov. 1:29, 30; Eph. 2:2; Rom 2:8).
C. Following godless ways. We have such philosophies as hedonism, narcissism, utilitarianism, pluralism, humanism, situation ethics, etc.
III. The need for Americans/ Christians.
A. Seek the Lord (Is. 55:6; 12:2; 31:3). God is our creator and sustainer and thus has the right to expect that we listen to him.
B. Submit to and stand upon the word of God.
1. The Bible is God’s standard (1 Thes. 2:13). We have been given his mind which outfits us to better serve him (1 Cor. 2:11; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The result is Titus 2:12.
2. God’s law (Rom. 8:2). He warns us of evil (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:3-5) and calls us to live Godly, moral lives (Mt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 5:22).
3. Remember (Isa. 1:19, 20; 55:3).
C. Separate from immorality (Is. 1:16; Rom. 12:2).
D. Don’t support immorality (Eph. 5:2).
E. Spend time in prayer (Ja. 1:5-6; 1 Jn. 5:14, 15).
Conclusion:
1. Follow God’s will in all things and he will take care of you.
Entered on 2/22/2009
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