Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24
Answering Cultural Madness
Intro.
1. Cultural madness, chaos, and controversy have erupted in the US, esp. in recent years. Developing for generations (Hos. 8:7; Gal. 6:7).
2. We must address these evils head on through Biblical lens.
a. Jesus did: Exposed hypocrisy (Matt. 15); Rebuked political extremism (Matt. 22:15-22); and mercifully taught sexual purity (John 8:11).
b. Apostles did: Corrected cultural injustices (James 2:1-13), skepticism (Acts 17:16-34), and immoralities (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
c. We must learn to stand against the present chaos, Eph. 6:13.
3. “The ‘Transing’ of America” (Gary Hamick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg VA, 6/4/23). He noted America has ‘crossed over’ from what we once were to what we are now, a “culture in chaos.”
a. Gender confusion, sexual perversion (LGBTQIA+), “woke” agenda, etc. – We must give a Biblical response to save some (1 Pet. 3:15).
b. This is not a call to hate or harm anyone. Do not hate anyone, do not want anyone harmed, but instead, help from God, Gal. 4:16.
I. WHEN A SOCIETY REJECTS, REMOVES, AND REPLACES GOD, Rom. 1:18-28.
A. Bible Predicted and Explains the Condition and Outcome of Such Societies.
1. God gives them up (over) to the madness:
a. To serve uncleanness (the lie), 1:24-25.
b. To serve vile passions, 1:26-27.
c. To debased (depraved) thinking and conduct, 1:28-32.
2. People become deceived and
delusional, 2 Thess. 2:9-11.
a. cf. same-sex marriage, transgenderism,
etc., Isa. 5:20-23.
b. The lie becomes “truth” and truth is marginalized.
3. It unleashes the demonic, 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Eph. 6:12.
-Demons changed pronouns, Mark 5:8-9, 10-12.
B. Such Societies are Depraved, Deceived,
Delusional, and Demonic.
-The DEVIL is behind this blind madness,
2 Cor. 4:3-4.
II. WHAT CAN WE DO? (Psalm 11:3)
A. Live Holy Lives, 2 Pet. 3:10-12 (Titus 2:11-12).
B. Build Healthy Homes, Deut. 6:7.
1. Pray together, talk about the Bible and make applications.
2. Parents must be gatekeepers and watchmen, educators and disciplinarians.
3. Know their business (avg. screen time 8-12 yr. olds is 5 hrs./day; 13-17 yr. olds is 8 hrs./day). Losing influence to the devices that feed lies into the minds of our children!
4. Fight for your children against the world (Eph. 6:4).
5. National Center for Health Statistics: Most concerned about due to rising suicide rates among middle-school girls.
C. A Strong Stance of Faith, 2 Tim. 1:12. (Do not cave to the culture, Rom. 1:32; John 15:18-19.)
1. Don’t affirm the delusion (i.e., pronouns) – Perpetuates the madness and validating the lies.
2. Not loving to affirm a lie, 1 Cor. 13:6. (cf. “Love has no labels”)
III. BIBLE TRUTH THAT ANSWERS CULTURAL LIES.
God’s word is truth and the standard of all that is right and wrong, John 17:17.
God designed us male and female, Gen. 1:27.
God designed each person with beauty and purpose, being “fearfully and wonderfully made,” Ps. 139:14.
God designed sex within the confines of marriage between a man and a woman, Gen. 1:28.
God designed all races with equal value
and worth, Acts 17:26 (10:34-35).
God loves all and Jesus died for all to save all who would call on the name
of the Lord, Rom. 10:9-13.
Conclusion
1. Call on the name of the Lord, Acts 2:21, 36-41.
2. ive by faith that endures unto heaven’s reward, Heb. 12:1-2.
-From sermon by Gary Hamick, https://tinyurl.com/2xnltkqj
By: Joe R. Price
Posted July 2, 2023