Scripture Reading: Psalm 11
When the Foundations are Destroyed
Intro.
1. Foundation is the support and stay of a structure. When the foundations erodes, the structure fails, Psa. 11:3.
2. Even as it is true of buildings, it is true of individuals, nations and the church of Christ.
I. THE FOUNDATION OF BELIEF IN GOD, Psa. 14:1; Heb. 11:6.
A. The Creator is Ignored and Denied, Psa. 94:8-11.
1. By atheism (humanism, inorganic evolution, idolatry), Rom. 1:20-23
“Humanism is a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity.” – American Humanist Association
2. By false worship, false doctrines and hard hearts, Psa. 95:6; Mal. 1:6; Matt. 15:7-9 (Jno. 4:24).
B. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Heb. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 4:12.
1. Made a mere man, gay man, delusion man, etc.
2. Scriptures give ample evidence of Christ and eternal life, Jno. 20:29-31.
II. THE FOUNDATION OF MARRIAGE.
-25% of Millennials do not get married; Divorce rate is about 40% of first marriages; rate increases with remarriages.
A. Marriage is the Cornerstone of the Family, Gen. 2:18-25.
1. Wife: Helper, Homemaker, 2:18, 20.
-Provide assistance, to benefit (Isa. 30:5), cf. Psa. 54:4.
2. Husband: Leader, provider, Gen. 3:17-19; 1 Tim. 5:8 (Eph. 5:23, 25).
3. Cornerstone, not the capstone (quote).
4. Marriage undergirds society, providing stability and continuity, not only for society, but also for the church, Col. 3:18-21.
B. The Dishonoring and Dissolution of Marriage, Mal. 2:13-16.
1. By eliminating marriage itself: “It’s not for me.”
2. Sexual immorality (premarital, extramarital), adultery, Heb. 13:4.
3. Divorce, Rom. 7:2-3 (Matt. 19:6).
4. Redefining marriage (LGBTQ).
5. Strengthen the foundation of your marriage, 1 Pet. 3:1-7.
-With permanency, commitment and union, Gen. 2:24.
III. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH, 1 Tim. 3:15 (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11).
A. The Church is to Uphold and Secure Itself by the Truth.
1. It is the bride of Christ, Eph. 5:31-32.
2. Means Christians are to be pure, holy, faithful, Eph. 5:25-27.
3. We live by the truth of the word, Jno. 8:31-32; Jas. 1:21-22; Col. 3:17.
B. The Church is Held in Low Regard Today, Even by Christians.
1. Because some Christians have left their first love, Rev. 2:4-5.
a. Become unfaithful to Christ; His bride (the church) is scorned.
b. Love the world instead of God, 1 Pet. 2:11-12 (2 Tim. 4:10).
2. Because some Christians do not want the “old paths” of truth, Jer. 6:16.
3. Because some Christians mistake apostolic tradition with human decisions, 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6-7.
4. Because some Christians refuse to submit to the word of God, Gal. 3:1.
Conclusion
1. Who do you trust? Psa. 11:1 (Heb. 11:6)
a. Yourself? The wicked? The Lord? Psa. 11:2
b. Trust the Lord, Psa. 11:1, 3 (18:2-3).
2. Strengthen the foundations of faith in God and His Christ, of marriage and the church by walking in God’s truth.
__________
Quotations
“Fewer Millennials go to church than any generation before them. And fewer are marrying. Because of that lack of matrimony, for the first time in U.S. history, single adults now outnumber married ones.
“Marriage is becoming extinct. And our generation is leading the way,” said Jennifer Murff of Millennials for Marriage at a speech to other young people concerned about this.”
One reason
many may never tie the knot is the number who have seen or lived through the
trauma caused by divorce.
“They’re concerned and hesitant to jump into a relationship because they don't want to see that same kind of pain and heartbreak in their own lives,” Josh Craddock of Personhood U.S.A. told CBN News.
“25 percent of Millennials do not get married at all,” Murff added. “They don't want to get married. They’ve said ‘this is not for me.’”
Craddock added, “Millennials have considered marriage to be more of a capstone than a cornerstone institution. You have to have education, you have to have a job, you have to have your life together before you get married. That’s just not true. When you get married, that’s something that you're going to build on. You can support one another through getting an education, through getting jobs and all of that. So I find it to be a mutual support system.”
(“Millennials Ditching Marriage and Church,” Paul Strand, 12/15/16, cbn.com)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: December 27, 2016