WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.800
 Thank you, John.

00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:15.240
 I'm going to ask you in advance to give a report to me.

00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:18.760
 Judith and I are going away for a brief vacation.

00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:20.879
 We're leaving after the morning service.

00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:23.320
 We're going down to, where is it?

00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:27.120
 Sevierville, Tennessee, okay?

00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:29.379
 Down near Gatlinburg, et cetera,

00:00:29.379 --> 00:00:31.039
 and we're going to have a wonderful time there.

00:00:31.119 --> 00:00:32.780
 Be back Thursday evening.

00:00:33.379 --> 00:00:37.420
 But I am not going to be here for the youth missions team report tonight,

00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:39.859
 and here's what I am looking for in particular.

00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:45.100
 I want to know whether or not the person who speaks, that's Caleb Gibbs,

00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:51.179
 if he asks you to pray for him, will you report on that?

00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:51.939
 You let me know.

00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:53.120
 You can email me.

00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:54.899
 This is one of those times that you can email me.

00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:58.780
 I want the inbox with lots of people saying, yes, he asked for prayer.

00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:05.099
 Three or four times, he stopped and did it specifically so that you had adequate emails in your inbox.

00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:05.579
 You got it?

00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:05.840
 Okay.

00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:08.879
 Do we believe in praying for those who preach the Word of God?

00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:09.560
 What's the answer?

00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:10.879
 Yes.

00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:11.680
 Yes.

00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:18.220
 I am looking forward to the reports I hear.

00:01:18.960 --> 00:01:22.800
 I know that our missions team has been working diligently.

00:01:23.220 --> 00:01:31.820
 I'm very thankful for what they have been doing and for what all of those who are working with our young people have been doing.

00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:38.039
 It's a great blessing to watch them at work and to see the details that God is bringing together.

00:01:38.979 --> 00:01:42.159
 Well, if I'm going to ask you to pray for me, then let's do it together,

00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:46.699
 and then you can kind of at least three times during the service, and you may sense when it's necessary.

00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:48.199
 You just say, oh, Lord, help them.

00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:50.039
 I don't care if you do it out loud.

00:01:50.419 --> 00:01:51.359
 It won't bother me.

00:01:51.419 --> 00:01:52.819
 I believe it more than you do.

00:01:53.659 --> 00:01:54.419
 That was wrong.

00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:58.219
 But I depend on your prayer, and so I don't care if you say it out loud.

00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:03.559
 Now, some of you are going to do that just because you're perverse, and it won't bother me.

00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:06.179
 There you go.

00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:09.740
 More, more often.

00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:10.400
 Okay.

00:02:11.479 --> 00:02:17.900
 Precious Father, my heart can't help but think about the truth of Zechariah where it said,

00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:21.840
 not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.

00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:37.359
 Preaching is a terrifying business in that while it is the sweet savor of salvation to those who are being saved,

00:02:38.359 --> 00:02:43.139
 it is the odor of death to those who turn away from Christ.

00:02:43.139 --> 00:02:53.719
 And I would ask your power this morning to preach the word with clarity and with the enabling of the Spirit of God,

00:02:53.719 --> 00:03:01.319
 that those who are here today and know Christ would have their hearts strengthened,

00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:07.560
 their resolve increased,

00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:13.180
 their passion for holy living amplified,

00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:18.439
 and their desire to see people come to the Savior strengthened.

00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:22.420
 And pray for those who are here today that do not know Christ,

00:03:22.540 --> 00:03:24.500
 some that are completely deceived,

00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:30.900
 believing that church attendance or something they said decades ago

00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:34.920
 that really has never made any difference in their life

00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:40.459
 is the same as having a personal relationship with the living God and Savior of this universe.

00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:44.859
 And I pray that this morning your Spirit would bring them to conviction,

00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:47.939
 that they would see their need for the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:03:48.019 --> 00:03:50.139
 and they would cry out and be saved.

00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:52.699
 Now help me.

00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:56.039
 I ask it for your glory.

00:03:58.119 --> 00:03:58.519
 Amen.

00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:03.159
 Well, you who know me, I think over 26 years,

00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:06.619
 know that topical messages are not my favorite.

00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:09.159
 I'll just tell you that right up front in case you didn't know it.

00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:13.859
 I would much rather start in chapter 1, verse 1 of Ephesians

00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:16.120
 and work my way through to the end of Ephesians,

00:04:16.219 --> 00:04:19.419
 and then after that, I can tell you I'm already beginning to pray

00:04:19.419 --> 00:04:21.539
 about what I'm going to preach next, Lord willing.

00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:26.580
 And I'll tell you ahead of time that I'm beginning to think real seriously

00:04:26.580 --> 00:04:28.240
 about the book of John.

00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:32.500
 And I don't know, I can't promise that yet,

00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:36.280
 but it's beginning to become a thematic focus

00:04:36.280 --> 00:04:38.660
 in my own private devotions and study.

00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:41.400
 And I love preaching expositionally.

00:04:41.460 --> 00:04:43.220
 Take our time and work our way through the book.

00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:44.340
 That's my preference.

00:04:44.460 --> 00:04:48.200
 But there are times that I believe it is right, it is important,

00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:53.479
 it is responsibility of a person who ministers the Word of God

00:04:53.479 --> 00:04:57.800
 to speak to those matters that are contemporary to where we are.

00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:01.879
 And I don't think there's a one of you here in the room

00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:05.560
 that is not aware of the fact that the Supreme Court,

00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:08.779
 the Supreme Court, the Supreme Justices,

00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:12.360
 are in the process of considering the Defense of Marriage Act

00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:14.000
 that California passed.

00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:18.319
 And there is a high probability that the court is going to,

00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:19.399
 in some way or another,

00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:24.060
 diminish the significance of that law

00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:28.579
 and pose some challenges to the traditional view of marriage.

00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:30.500
 And that being the case,

00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:33.839
 I believed that it was right for me,

00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:35.680
 as a preacher of the gospel,

00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:36.899
 to stand before you

00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:40.300
 and address the issue of homosexuality and the believer.

00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:43.420
 So let me speak, first of all, in broad terms,

00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.699
 in terms of where we are and what's going on,

00:05:46.020 --> 00:05:47.579
 bring it down a little more specifically

00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:50.300
 to what's happening with the issue of homosexuality,

00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:52.879
 and then bring it down to what I believe

00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:54.480
 is the most important part for us.

00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:57.019
 What is it that Christ wants us to do

00:05:57.019 --> 00:05:59.400
 as His witnesses and representatives

00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:02.240
 in this world that He has placed us in?

00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:04.580
 So let's think about it in broad terms.

00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:05.180
 Where are we?

00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:09.379
 First, let's kind of look at the broad state of our nation

00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:11.699
 and what is happening with social norms.

00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:14.379
 Recognize that you may take pleasure

00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:16.860
 in realizing that divorce rates are dropping.

00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:18.079
 How many of you picked up on that?

00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:19.180
 The divorce rates are dropping.

00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:20.519
 Good news, good news.

00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:21.659
 The fact of the matter is,

00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:23.459
 the reason divorce rates are dropping

00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:25.180
 is because people are just not marrying.

00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.079
 And so I wouldn't go around touting the statistics

00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:30.579
 that says,

00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:33.259
 whoo, we're having some kind of modest revival

00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:35.420
 because fewer people are getting divorced.

00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:36.500
 The truth of the matter is,

00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.100
 fewer people are getting married.

00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:41.439
 And more and more people are just cohabiting,

00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:42.100
 living together,

00:06:42.320 --> 00:06:43.939
 and just kind of leaving it out there.

00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:47.300
 Let me give you some very startling statistics.

00:06:48.320 --> 00:06:51.780
 41% of the children in the United States of America

00:06:51.780 --> 00:06:53.580
 live in single-parent homes.

00:06:54.580 --> 00:06:57.360
 41% of children in America

00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.600
 live in single-parent homes.

00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:00.680
 I was doing some research on the web,

00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:03.220
 and I was really struck that

00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:07.439
 one of the primary factors in poverty

00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.439
 is single-parent homes.

00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:12.699
 You look at the statistics

00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:19.259
 and recognize that 29% of Eurasian people,

00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.560
 white community,

00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:22.720
 they come from single-parent homes.

00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.620
 53% in the Latino community,

00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:28.399
 and 73% in the black community

00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.639
 live in single-parent homes.

00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:32.660
 It is devastating to stop and realize

00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:35.100
 how many people grow up

00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:37.340
 without a daddy and a mommy

00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:38.379
 in the same home.

00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:40.540
 It's unbelievable.

00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:44.000
 We are growing into a culture

00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.439
 in which entitlement is a way of life

00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:48.379
 and a perceived right.

00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:49.819
 And if you want to see people

00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.500
 really get animated and really angry,

00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.800
 just suggest to them

00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:53.840
 that you're going to take away

00:07:53.840 --> 00:07:55.280
 any of their entitlements,

00:07:55.900 --> 00:07:56.579
 any at all.

00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:00.180
 Our rate of narcissism,

00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:01.340
 that's a fancy little word

00:08:01.340 --> 00:08:02.939
 for self-focus,

00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:05.720
 has grown by incredible leaps and bounds

00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:07.220
 in the last two decades,

00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:09.740
 and it is at the point

00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:12.780
 where people are culturally consumed

00:08:13.340 --> 00:08:14.259
 with themselves

00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:17.199
 and their own preferences and interests.

00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:19.560
 Our culture's drug use

00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:21.259
 and criminal behavior

00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:22.220
 is up significantly.

00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:23.180
 I sat in here

00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.580
 about a week ago

00:08:24.580 --> 00:08:26.840
 when our homeowners association here,

00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:27.860
 Trebu Woods,

00:08:27.940 --> 00:08:29.180
 we host them once a year,

00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:30.720
 and they had a police officer

00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:31.860
 come in and talk to them

00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.340
 about just common safety

00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:34.519
 and block watch issues

00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:36.759
 because there's so much crime going on.

00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:37.720
 It is going on

00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:39.879
 because of heroin in particular,

00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:42.340
 and they were just giving little tips

00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:43.379
 on what not to do

00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:45.100
 to make your house a ready target.

00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.759
 Let's speak a little more specifically

00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.840
 to what we see happening

00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.379
 in the area of homosexuality.

00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:53.480
 We see there is an aggressive agenda

00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:56.500
 that has sought to unseat truth

00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:58.299
 and to suppress it

00:08:58.299 --> 00:08:59.019
 in news,

00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:00.059
 in entertainment,

00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:01.279
 in classrooms,

00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:03.100
 and in every manifestation

00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.039
 of the public square.

00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:05.720
 Make no mistake about it.

00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:08.259
 Those who oppose our God and Savior

00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.480
 will never be happy

00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.639
 so long as any believer

00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.720
 is capable of standing up for the truth

00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:15.440
 and calling people to repentance.

00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:16.540
 Don't be surprised

00:09:16.540 --> 00:09:18.260
 because we realize

00:09:18.260 --> 00:09:19.500
 that what is really going on,

00:09:19.760 --> 00:09:21.340
 there are two kingdoms in conflict.

00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.280
 Do you understand that?

00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:24.480
 There are two kingdoms in conflict,

00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:26.240
 and don't be surprised

00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:27.100
 at the adversity

00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.720
 that is coming for those

00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:30.220
 who will at any point

00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:31.420
 and any juncture say,

00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:33.600
 hey, that's not right.

00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:36.540
 I am stunned

00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:38.860
 to realize that there's been

00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.420
 a significant shift

00:09:40.420 --> 00:09:41.780
 in public opinion

00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:43.319
 on many fronts,

00:09:43.439 --> 00:09:44.079
 but particularly

00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:45.839
 in the area of human sexuality

00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:47.519
 and self-gratification.

00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.799
 There's been a huge shift

00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:50.759
 in the last 20 years.

00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.879
 I remember when I was going

00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:52.539
 to seminary

00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:54.740
 in the mid-70s,

00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:57.559
 and the predominant focus

00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:59.199
 of my seminary education

00:09:59.199 --> 00:10:00.679
 was on learning the languages

00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:02.860
 and the discipline of exposition

00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:03.519
 and study

00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:05.539
 and pastoral theology,

00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:07.220
 and nobody ever thought

00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:07.839
 to say to me,

00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:09.379
 pastor, before you retire,

00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.019
 you are going to be dealing

00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.980
 with the devolution

00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.059
 of American culture,

00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:14.460
 and you are going to see

00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:15.980
 the church of the living God

00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.279
 become progressively

00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.639
 colder and colder,

00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:20.000
 both to holiness

00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.939
 and to moral purity.

00:10:23.939 --> 00:10:26.240
 We see a futile attempt

00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:29.299
 by social conservatives

00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:31.439
 trying to argue

00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:32.879
 a theological truth

00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:35.000
 without relying on the authority

00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:35.740
 and the sufficiency

00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.419
 of Scripture.

00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:39.139
 And when you turn away

00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.039
 from arguing

00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:41.959
 a theological truth

00:10:41.959 --> 00:10:43.339
 without relying upon

00:10:43.339 --> 00:10:44.559
 the theology of truth,

00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.759
 guess what happens?

00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:47.319
 It doesn't work.

00:10:48.459 --> 00:10:49.299
 I don't know

00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.459
 if you're actually aware of it,

00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.659
 and some of you perhaps are,

00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.159
 but in, let's see,

00:10:53.219 --> 00:10:54.240
 what is it, 2003,

00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.439
 the law against sodomy

00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:59.740
 in the state of Texas

00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.899
 was ruled against

00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:03.439
 by the Supreme Courts.

00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:06.460
 when that was,

00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.820
 when that happened,

00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:11.020
 the reality of the fact

00:11:11.020 --> 00:11:11.700
 is this,

00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:14.860
 is that there was removed

00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.900
 all rational basis

00:11:16.900 --> 00:11:18.980
 for insisting on any kind

00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.900
 of moral behavior

00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:21.120
 in our culture.

00:11:21.780 --> 00:11:23.220
 And be certain of this,

00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:26.020
 that once that has passed

00:11:26.020 --> 00:11:26.940
 by the wayside,

00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:28.220
 the door is open

00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.480
 for every kind

00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.920
 of imaginable perversion

00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:33.559
 as men can imagine.

00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.439
 It's very interesting.

00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:35.379
 I did some research

00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.899
 last several weeks.

00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:37.459
 I've been studying

00:11:37.459 --> 00:11:38.559
 and praying about this subject.

00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:39.659
 But one of the things

00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.399
 that I went back

00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.639
 and began researching

00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.959
 is the vocabulary

00:11:42.959 --> 00:11:43.799
 of acceptance

00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.360
 that has worked its way in.

00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:47.620
 You may not realize this,

00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:48.519
 but first of all,

00:11:48.579 --> 00:11:49.199
 there was a time

00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.639
 when homosexuality

00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:53.279
 was called a perversion,

00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.039
 even in secular fields.

00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:58.059
 Then it was recognized

00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:01.539
 as a psychological difficulty.

00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.379
 And then it was recognized

00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:05.120
 as an alternative lifestyle

00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:06.699
 and a preference

00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:07.860
 that everybody should have

00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.720
 the right to choose

00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.899
 simply because,

00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.240
 hey, that's what I want

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.139
 and why should I not

00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:13.159
 be given what I want?

00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.500
 Listen to me carefully.

00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:16.500
 The same logic

00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:18.759
 is being played out today

00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:20.899
 in the area of pedophilia.

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.500
 And any of you

00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.059
 who don't know

00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:24.919
 what the word means,

00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.919
 you can ask your mother

00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:27.000
 or daddy at home

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.759
 later on.

00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:29.460
 The vocabulary

00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:32.240
 of teaching our culture

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.279
 to be acceptable

00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.939
 to that form

00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:36.799
 of misbehavior

00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:38.439
 is in play

00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:40.319
 and is being advanced

00:12:40.319 --> 00:12:42.240
 aggressively in our day.

00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:44.700
 I have to look out

00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.759
 on our congregation

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.600
 and recognize

00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:47.539
 that there are some

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.159
 of you probably.

00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.559
 I think it probably

00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.399
 will take longer

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.919
 than the next 10, 15 years.

00:12:52.219 --> 00:12:53.959
 But I would not be surprised

00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:54.679
 if we saw

00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.799
 the same argument

00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.500
 play out

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.839
 and the same consequence

00:12:57.839 --> 00:12:58.500
 take place

00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.579
 in the area of pedophilia

00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.559
 that we have seen

00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.159
 taking place

00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.439
 in the area of homosexuality.

00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.339
 And if you think I'm wrong,

00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.159
 ask yourself

00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.639
 historical questions

00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:10.399
 as to what's going on

00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.539
 and where it has gone

00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.699
 and how quickly it has gone.

00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:15.059
 I recognize

00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.879
 that as we think

00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.339
 about what is going on today,

00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.399
 we also recognize

00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:20.379
 the building pressure

00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:21.639
 on professing believers

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:23.240
 and the probability

00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.939
 of wholesale compromise

00:13:24.939 --> 00:13:25.980
 on many fronts.

00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:28.120
 I would not be surprised

00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.240
 if in the next decade

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.779
 it's not just liberal churches

00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:32.159
 that quietly

00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.259
 and tacitly

00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:35.439
 agree with homosexuality,

00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.819
 but a great deal

00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:37.360
 of accommodation

00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.240
 is going on

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:38.639
 in churches

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.620
 all over our country.

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.079
 And I'm not just talking

00:13:41.079 --> 00:13:41.659
 about those

00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.279
 who are liberal

00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.439
 and would tell you

00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:43.980
 that really

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.419
 Jesus did not come

00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:46.339
 to die for our sins,

00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:46.819
 but He came

00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:47.879
 to be a good example.

00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:50.079
 I anticipate

00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:52.039
 that many churches

00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.819
 will compromise

00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.819
 because they simply

00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.860
 will not want

00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.099
 to face the pressure

00:13:56.099 --> 00:13:56.819
 that goes with

00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.439
 the issues

00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:58.099
 that are on hand.

00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:59.339
 So let's come

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:00.219
 to a second question

00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:00.579
 and that is

00:14:00.579 --> 00:14:01.339
 what is going on

00:14:01.339 --> 00:14:02.459
 here in America now?

00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.919
 And I want you

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.659
 to turn in your Bibles

00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.779
 to Romans chapter 1.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.039
 What is going on

00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.759
 here in America now?

00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.740
 Romans chapter 1

00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:13.039
 beginning in verse 18

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.759
 through 28

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.379
 and I'm not going

00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.139
 to take care

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.899
 of an exposition

00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.860
 of the entire passage

00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.000
 but kind of follow

00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.199
 the broad sweep

00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:21.199
 of what is in view.

00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:22.299
 But pick up,

00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:22.719
 if you will,

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.519
 in verse 18.

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.139
 It says,

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.159
 For the wrath of God

00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.799
 is revealed from heaven

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.120
 against all ungodliness

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.120
 and unrighteousness

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:30.559
 of men

00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.639
 who by their unrighteousness

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.019
 suppress the truth.

00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.659
 I want you to recognize

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.500
 that what I believe

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.179
 is taking place

00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.279
 is God is in the process

00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.559
 of displaying His wrath

00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.559
 against those

00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.979
 who are ungodly

00:14:42.979 --> 00:14:44.619
 and are intent

00:14:44.619 --> 00:14:46.539
 on suppressing the truth.

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.119
 Now, do you follow

00:14:47.119 --> 00:14:47.679
 what I'm saying?

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:49.739
 Ungodly

00:14:49.739 --> 00:14:51.639
 but also intentional

00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:53.279
 in their energetic

00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.979
 attempt

00:14:53.979 --> 00:14:55.419
 to suppress the truth.

00:14:56.619 --> 00:14:56.939
 Hey,

00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.919
 all you have to do

00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.319
 is say,

00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:00.299
 I don't believe

00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:01.259
 homosexuality

00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:01.959
 is an acceptable

00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.079
 alternative lifestyle

00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:04.279
 and what happens

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.500
 to you in your workplace?

00:15:06.339 --> 00:15:07.299
 Unless you're a mother

00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:07.879
 at home

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.599
 or you run

00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.339
 your own business,

00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:09.919
 guess what?

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.500
 You're going to face pressure.

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.059
 And everybody else

00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.759
 is wandering around

00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.899
 with these two equal signs

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.879
 that are made out of pink.

00:15:15.979 --> 00:15:16.500
 Do you follow me?

00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:18.419
 It's the way it is.

00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:21.439
 I recognize

00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:22.339
 when we think about

00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:23.139
 God's wrath

00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.399
 that we have to identify

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.479
 there are different ways

00:15:25.479 --> 00:15:26.500
 in which God's wrath

00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.459
 is or has been expressed

00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:29.279
 and eventually

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.039
 will be expressed.

00:15:30.199 --> 00:15:30.599
 For one,

00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:32.299
 we do see illustrations

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.000
 in the Bible

00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.639
 occasionally

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.619
 of God's wrath

00:15:34.619 --> 00:15:36.139
 being directly displayed

00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.439
 as is

00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.599
 or as was the case

00:15:38.599 --> 00:15:39.859
 against Sodom and Gomorrah.

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.800
 You look back there

00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:42.940
 in Sodom and Gomorrah

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.580
 and you recognize

00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.000
 that God reached the point

00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.480
 with their sexual perversion

00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.659
 and wickedness

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.879
 that He finally brought fire

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.279
 from heaven

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.080
 and destroyed them.

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.100
 If you're a student

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.519
 of Scripture,

00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.560
 you also realize

00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.519
 that one of the reasons

00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.740
 that the Amorites

00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.980
 and the Canaanites

00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.720
 were driven out

00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.220
 of the land

00:15:59.220 --> 00:15:59.919
 was because

00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.560
 of their sexual perversion

00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:03.320
 and their murderous treatment

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:04.039
 of other people,

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.460
 their shedding

00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.240
 of innocent blood.

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.039
 In fact,

00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:06.600
 remember,

00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.940
 Abraham was told,

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.080
 you are eventually

00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.799
 going to receive this land

00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:12.360
 and you're not going

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.960
 to get it now

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.480
 because the iniquity

00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.299
 of the Amorites

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.259
 has not filled up

00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.720
 to the point

00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.320
 that I am going

00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.919
 to put judgment on them.

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.340
 I want you to understand

00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:23.120
 also that God's wrath

00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.899
 generally

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.440
 is something

00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.779
 that is released

00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:28.139
 only on occasion.

00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:29.220
 We don't see

00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.500
 many illustrations

00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.460
 of God's wrath

00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:32.519
 in this day and age

00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.480
 and if you were

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.100
 to think back

00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:34.879
 on that subject,

00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.600
 you realize

00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.740
 in Romans chapter 2

00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.840
 it says that God delays.

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.899
 Why does He delay

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.480
 His judgment?

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.299
 What's His reason?

00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.579
 His desire is

00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:45.100
 that no one should perish.

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.879
 He's patient,

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.819
 patient, patient

00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.399
 and in His patience

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.579
 He is giving men

00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.939
 opportunity to repent.

00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.819
 However,

00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.960
 when men

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.019
 disrespect His patience

00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.740
 and temperance,

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.620
 I want you to understand

00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.480
 that the day of judgment

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:58.980
 is coming

00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.899
 and judgment

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.759
 will be amplified

00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.939
 by the amount

00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.480
 of patience

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.340
 and forbearance

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.000
 He has displayed.

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.720
 Ultimately,

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.019
 we do need to understand

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.920
 that God's wrath

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.619
 will be displayed

00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:10.119
 against unrepentant sinners

00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:11.879
 for all of eternity.

00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:15.200
 And that is a terrifying prospect

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.319
 to stop and realize

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.639
 that individuals

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.319
 who rebel against God

00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:21.440
 and refuse the grace of Christ

00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:24.099
 will spend all of eternity

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.759
 in hell.

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.079
 That's important

00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:27.139
 for us to realize.

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.160
 Remember I said

00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.839
 that we are watching

00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:30.759
 God turn His back

00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.299
 on America

00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.599
 and He's releasing

00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:33.480
 this nation

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.099
 to the devolution

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:37.419
 and the unintended consequences

00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:38.039
 of rebellion

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.019
 against God's will.

00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.599
 And I bring this

00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.519
 to your attention

00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.460
 for several reasons

00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.059
 in the text.

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.500
 First,

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.319
 let's look at what we find

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.859
 there in Romans chapter 1.

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.119
 Mark what we see

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.079
 in verse 24,

00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.639
 26 and 28.

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.940
 And let me just draw

00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.599
 attention to you.

00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:52.119
 It says here,

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:53.980
 therefore God gave them up.

00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:56.099
 God gave them up.

00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.980
 God gave them up.

00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:00.099
 And that little statement,

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.039
 that little phrase,

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.579
 identifies the judicial act

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.559
 of God whereby

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.099
 He steps aside

00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.460
 to allow sin

00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.180
 to produce

00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.079
 its horrible

00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.200
 and unintended consequences.

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.660
 How many realize

00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.380
 that when God says

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.240
 don't do this,

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.720
 there's a little subtext

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.279
 that says,

00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.000
 this is going to hurt you.

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.759
 I was reading

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.720
 another interesting article

00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:26.440
 about the coming

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:30.900
 certain economic difficulty

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.759
 in America.

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.660
 And that coming

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.980
 economic difficulty

00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:38.319
 has nothing to do

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.839
 with our national debt.

00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:41.640
 Ooh,

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:43.299
 what is going to cause

00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.900
 our economic difficulty?

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.859
 Guess what it is?

00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.940
 How many of you know

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.200
 it is the birth rate?

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:52.400
 Japan today

00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:54.000
 has more people

00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.420
 in adult pampers

00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:57.299
 than in nappies

00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.960
 for babies.

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:01.000
 And as you get older,

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.880
 guess what happens

00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.920
 to your creativity

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:04.279
 and your productivity

00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.839
 upon which a culture

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:08.099
 depends for economic stability?

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.619
 How many of you heard

00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.859
 that we had too much population

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.380
 going around?

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.960
 You remember hearing

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.900
 all that kind of stuff?

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.819
 The unintended consequences

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:18.839
 of not following God's Word

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.559
 plays out eventually

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.659
 and catches people

00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.559
 in their foolishness.

00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.240
 Same thing happening

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.220
 in China, by the way.

00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:26.659
 Well, you look here

00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.459
 and it says that

00:19:27.459 --> 00:19:29.720
 God gave them up.

00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.579
 Second,

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.740
 notice that in each

00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.919
 of these three instances,

00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:35.059
 God's act of giving men

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.959
 up to their sin

00:19:35.959 --> 00:19:37.480
 results in them

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.459
 doing things

00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:39.500
 that are unnatural.

00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.819
 Look at verse 24.

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.200
 He gave them up

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.759
 in the lusts

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.259
 of their hearts

00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.960
 to impurity,

00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.000
 to the dishonoring

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.099
 of their bodies

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:48.379
 among themselves.

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.859
 In verse 26,

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.379
 God gave them up

00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:52.960
 to dishonorable passions

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.279
 for their women

00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.159
 exchanged natural relationships

00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.539
 with those

00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.419
 that are contrary

00:19:58.419 --> 00:19:58.960
 to nature.

00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.119
 Now, what does it mean

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.839
 to be contrary

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.379
 to nature?

00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:01.500
 Here,

00:20:03.280 --> 00:20:05.180
 my son called me

00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.680
 the other day

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.980
 asking me a plumbing question.

00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:09.860
 I am an informal plumber.

00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.840
 I'm a plumbing pastor.

00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.600
 And it happens

00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.360
 on a regular basis.

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.240
 People call me

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.500
 with plumbing problems

00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.280
 and I will tell them

00:20:17.280 --> 00:20:18.940
 it should run downhill.

00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:21.220
 Keep it going that way

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.960
 and you want it

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.000
 to go towards the curb.

00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.860
 You want it to go away

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.600
 from where you are.

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.040
 But there's something else

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.640
 about plumbing.

00:20:27.040 --> 00:20:27.700
 How many of you know

00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.000
 when you go to buy fittings,

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.420
 they are called male fittings

00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.539
 and female fittings?

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.440
 Duh.

00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.200
 There's a reason

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.480
 for that vocabulary.

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.440
 It has to do

00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.400
 with biology.

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.019
 And when it says

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.140
 that they are doing things

00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.220
 contrary to nature,

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.099
 it's saying

00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:48.180
 they're doing things

00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.740
 contrary

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:51.039
 to the biological structure

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.619
 that God has provided

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.960
 to the male body

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:55.500
 and to the female body.

00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.059
 Look at what it says

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.139
 there in verse 28.

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.559
 And since they do not

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.940
 see fit to acknowledge God,

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.960
 God gave them up

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.759
 to a debased mind

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.480
 to do what ought not

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.259
 to be done.

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.859
 Now when it says

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.960
 ought not to be done,

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.539
 it's not just talking

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.720
 about what is not

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.779
 morally correct,

00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.519
 but it's something

00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.679
 that is destructive

00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:17.539
 to the person

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:19.039
 who engages in it.

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.220
 Third, notice something else

00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.839
 in our text.

00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.119
 The characteristics

00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.500
 that bring judgment

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.200
 are not only rebellion

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.380
 against God's order

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.059
 and the law,

00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.460
 but I want you to notice

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.019
 something else

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.839
 in verse 32.

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.740
 And ask yourself

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.339
 this question,

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.200
 does this not describe

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.140
 what we see happening

00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.799
 in our culture?

00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.940
 for though they know

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.940
 God's decree

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.859
 that those who practice

00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:45.299
 such things deserve to die,

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.299
 they not only do them

00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.339
 but give approval

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.720
 to those who practice them.

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.819
 Hey, you want to get

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.500
 acceptability in our culture today?

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.799
 Just let everybody know

00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.899
 how tolerant you are

00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:58.539
 and accepting you are

00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.599
 of homosexuality

00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.139
 and every other perversion

00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:01.599
 out there.

00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:03.159
 Well, everybody's doing it,

00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:03.579
 you know,

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.480
 I was going to say

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.139
 picking their nose

00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.680
 and chewing it,

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.519
 but I didn't think

00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.259
 I should say that.

00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.599
 So, we'll take that off the,

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.519
 scratch that from the tape.

00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.279
 Okay.

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.279
 I've been praying a lot

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.619
 that I don't say things

00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.319
 I don't need to.

00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.140
 That was one of them.

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.119
 Okay, here we go.

00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.700
 You cannot miss the fact

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.900
 in this passage

00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:25.379
 that God calls homosexuality

00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:28.160
 and its behavior sin.

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.740
 In one sense,

00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:32.599
 it is no more offensive

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.819
 to God's holiness

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.460
 than any other sin.

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:37.880
 In another sense,

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.759
 it profoundly violates

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.160
 God's greater plan

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:43.720
 and has more lasting consequences

00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.920
 like the sin of lying

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.779
 or covetousness.

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.360
 It causes destruction

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:50.400
 to the foundational relationship

00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:51.680
 of the home

00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.840
 and marriage

00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:53.460
 and procurativity.

00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.620
 It harms people.

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.220
 And so,

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.180
 I want you to understand

00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.740
 that the Bible

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.480
 is explicit,

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.140
 undeniable,

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.120
 and clear on the matter

00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:02.620
 of that homosexuality is sin.

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.240
 Now, I've heard people argue

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.319
 and I've listened

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.220
 to some of those arguments

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.180
 and also read them

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.980
 that homosexuality

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.799
 was really something

00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.400
 that was only

00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.420
 an Old Testament edict.

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.140
 It was a problem.

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.160
 The Old Testament,

00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.200
 there was a lot of problems

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.640
 with male prostitution,

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.599
 cultic prostitution,

00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.019
 and so,

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.460
 it really didn't get carried over

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.279
 into the New Testament.

00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:22.000
 Well, Romans,

00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.779
 I would advise you,

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.680
 is in the New Testament.

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.140
 But I want you to look

00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.880
 at another passage,

00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.440
 if you will.

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.240
 Turn in your Bible

00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:30.420
 to 1 Corinthians 6.

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.299
 1 Corinthians 6,

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.200
 and I want you to look

00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.039
 at verse 9.

00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.140
 In fact,

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.240
 this is a good passage

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.980
 to underline,

00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.000
 particularly verse 11.

00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.220
 Do you not know

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.019
 that the unrighteous

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.720
 will not inherit

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.519
 the kingdom of God?

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.579
 Guess what that means.

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.740
 Listen to me carefully.

00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.200
 People who do not know Christ

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.779
 will go to hell.

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.500
 Do you not know

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.460
 that the unrighteous

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.559
 will not inherit

00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.299
 the kingdom of God?

00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.559
 Do not be deceived.

00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:00.299
 Neither sexually immoral,

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.700
 nor idolaters,

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.019
 nor adulterers,

00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.279
 nor men who practice

00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.460
 homosexuality,

00:24:06.599 --> 00:24:07.500
 nor thieves,

00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.200
 nor greedy,

00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:09.039
 nor drunkards,

00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.759
 nor revelers,

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.460
 nor swindlers,

00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.380
 will inherit

00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.319
 the kingdom of God.

00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.660
 Now, look at verse 11,

00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.440
 and that's the one

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.220
 I like the most.

00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:19.579
 And such were some of you.

00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.299
 Isn't that encouraging?

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.920
 Guess what?

00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.819
 There's not a single one

00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.480
 of us in here

00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.920
 that was not born

00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.240
 with perversity

00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.140
 woven into our heart.

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.799
 Agreed?

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.400
 Now, could we have

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.180
 gotten worse,

00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.319
 left to our own devices?

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.660
 That's undeniably true.

00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.180
 The grace of God

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.620
 delivered us

00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:43.559
 from the devolution

00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.480
 that sin brings

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.579
 into an individual's life.

00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.799
 But understand this.

00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:49.380
 The Scriptures make it clear

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:52.079
 that homosexuality is sin.

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.079
 And let me explain something

00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.240
 I already touched on,

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.460
 but just mark it down.

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.559
 Homosexuality contradicts biology

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.319
 and by its nature

00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:01.799
 is part of Satan's attacks

00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:04.039
 on the foundations of culture

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.779
 and its home.

00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:07.920
 I think it's very interesting

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.980
 that when you think about

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.279
 the matter of homosexuality,

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.859
 you recognize

00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.599
 that it's a very attack

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.559
 on the relationship

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.460
 that God ordained

00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.720
 between a man and a woman.

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:18.059
 And God thought

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.980
 that that relationship

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.960
 between a man and a woman

00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.200
 was so important

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:23.019
 that He actually

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:25.019
 kind of changed,

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.319
 didn't forget,

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:27.900
 but He tweaked

00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:29.100
 the normal flow

00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.620
 of His creative process

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.940
 so that men

00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:33.740
 didn't miss the issue.

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.539
 Now, what am I explaining?

00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.220
 I mean,

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.940
 everything else

00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.600
 that He created,

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.380
 how did He do it?

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.860
 Shazam?

00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.559
 I mean, you know,

00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.600
 I mean, bang.

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.619
 He said it,

00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.179
 it happened,

00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.399
 and it all came out,

00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.480
 what, male and female.

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.000
 But with man,

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.799
 how did it happen?

00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.699
 Man alone.

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:54.199
 And then in order

00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:56.859
 to amplify man's identity

00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.980
 of his difficulty

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.119
 in his alone state,

00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.199
 He had him name

00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:00.879
 all the creatures,

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.079
 and as He was naming them,

00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.959
 guess what He kept

00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:03.759
 on looking for?

00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.399
 He was looking for a partner,

00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.059
 and then God

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.500
 helped him realize

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.719
 it wasn't there.

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.639
 And then God created

00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:15.660
 woman out of man

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:18.480
 and brought that woman

00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.360
 to man,

00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:21.660
 and Adam responded with,

00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.259
 I mean,

00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:23.020
 it's probably one of the

00:26:23.020 --> 00:26:23.640
 most expressive

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.320
 little statements

00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:26.040
 in the early parts

00:26:26.040 --> 00:26:26.540
 of Genesis.

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.200
 In essence,

00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:27.560
 it says,

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.240
 wow,

00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.400
 bone of my bone

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.040
 and flesh of my,

00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.500
 do you know what

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:30.920
 He was saying?

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.020
 He was saying,

00:26:32.020 --> 00:26:33.140
 this is it.

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.820
 This is what I need.

00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:36.000
 This is right.

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:40.019
 And Satan has put

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.839
 his energy

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:42.140
 into attacking

00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.319
 the glory

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.640
 and the wisdom

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.839
 and the kingdom

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.680
 of God,

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.759
 and he attacks

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.799
 the foundation

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.940
 when he attacks

00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.539
 the issue

00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.579
 of the relationship

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.440
 that God has ordained

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.980
 between a man

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.420
 and a woman.

00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.740
 And I have to tell you

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.819
 that I watch our culture

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.599
 here in America

00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:59.779
 lunging towards

00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.480
 a futile confrontation

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.799
 with the God

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.460
 of this universe,

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.259
 and I tell you

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.900
 that it will not be good.

00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.660
 I'm reminded

00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.240
 of what it says

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.180
 in Psalm chapter 2.

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:11.220
 Why do the nations rage

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.700
 and the heathen

00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:14.160
 imagine a vain thing?

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.039
 Do you know what vain is?

00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.799
 Stupid.

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.059
 I remember,

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.839
 and the image

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.579
 kind of stands out

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.359
 in my mind,

00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.619
 out in the southwest,

00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.859
 there was a large

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.880
 pile of roadkill

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:29.140
 been hit by a previous semi,

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.119
 and this buzzard

00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:32.279
 had landed down

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.339
 in the roadway

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.500
 and was enjoying dinner

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.819
 early morning,

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.279
 dinner,

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.339
 and just kind of

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.539
 picking at the guts

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.500
 and pulling them out

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.299
 and eating them,

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.680
 and out in the middle

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.119
 of nowhere,

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.599
 and along comes this semi

00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.480
 just kind of tooling

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.319
 along the highway,

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.819
 and the buzzard thought,

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.259
 you know,

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.819
 who is this to take my lunch?

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:50.599
 And instead of flying away,

00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.220
 kind of puffed himself out

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.839
 and stood out

00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.539
 in the middle of the road

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.900
 right in front of that semi,

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.259
 and guess what the outcome was?

00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.200
 New roadkill.

00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:01.799
 And so I got to tell you

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.100
 what I see happening

00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:04.220
 in America

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:06.759
 is we see a culture

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.080
 that is standing out,

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.680
 puffed up,

00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.759
 in front of God,

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:11.100
 and the consequences

00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:12.940
 are going to be undeniable.

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.720
 And let me tell you something.

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.980
 Unto whom much is given,

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.019
 much is what?

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.279
 Say it with me.

00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.640
 Much is required.

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:26.620
 There are lands

00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.700
 all around the world

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.759
 that have not received

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.300
 the blessings

00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:30.540
 that America has received.

00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:32.980
 And I believe

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.560
 those blessings

00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:35.120
 have come to a large degree

00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.320
 because of the humility

00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.040
 and godliness

00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:37.940
 of our forefathers.

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.380
 And this generation

00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.400
 is squandering it

00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.200
 in its violation

00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.460
 and rebellion against God.

00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.660
 Let's come to

00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.640
 the most important part.

00:28:47.280 --> 00:28:48.400
 What's the believer to do?

00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:50.620
 What's the believer to do?

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.400
 Turn over in your Bible

00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:52.840
 if you will

00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:54.600
 to Matthew chapter 5

00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:58.259
 verse 10 through 16.

00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.400
 Matthew chapter 5.

00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.400
 Be salt and light.

00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.800
 I tell you,

00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:05.100
 we live in a day and age

00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:07.500
 that is no more wicked

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.200
 than what the Roman Empire

00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.640
 was like.

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.380
 Do you understand that?

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:13.380
 I see people sometimes

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.180
 wringing their hands

00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.540
 in kind of absolute despair

00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:17.940
 and just broken hearted.

00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:18.860
 No, that's understandable.

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.759
 But the level of anxiety

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.940
 among professing believers

00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.240
 is unfitting.

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.820
 When Jesus said

00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.460
 what He did

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:28.000
 in Matthew chapter 5,

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.080
 look there in verse 13.

00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.620
 You are the salt of the earth,

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.279
 but if salt has lost its taste,

00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.880
 how shall it be salted?

00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:36.320
 How will it be restored?

00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.160
 How will it be turned around?

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.860
 And the imagery of Scripture

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.480
 is clear.

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.680
 When Christ saved us,

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.860
 He did more to us

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.500
 and for us

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.920
 than just deliver us

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:46.320
 from future judgment.

00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.779
 He appointed me,

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.639
 He appointed you

00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.720
 to be His ambassadors

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.639
 and He also appointed us

00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:53.059
 to be His representatives

00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:54.279
 in a broken

00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.879
 and despairing world.

00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.819
 Being His ambassador,

00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.279
 beloved,

00:29:58.659 --> 00:30:01.299
 involves godly living.

00:30:01.419 --> 00:30:02.159
 Mark that down.

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.720
 Godly living.

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:07.600
 Let me just touch on a few texts

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:09.059
 to make this undeniably clear.

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:10.160
 In Matthew chapter 5,

00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.299
 as I recited here,

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:13.059
 being salt and light

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:15.440
 refers to living a godly life

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:17.440
 that lifts up the character

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.980
 and truth of God

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:21.079
 in a dark and desperate world.

00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.400
 Titus chapter 2,

00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.559
 verse 10 through 14,

00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.259
 says this,

00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:26.920
 that we are to adorn

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:28.079
 the doctrine of God

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.620
 by living godly lives.

00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:30.639
 We are to adorn.

00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.679
 We're to make it look good.

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:34.619
 And over in 1 Corinthians chapter 15,

00:30:34.699 --> 00:30:35.759
 I want you to look at this passage

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.539
 just for a moment.

00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:40.399
 1 Corinthians chapter 15,

00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.659
 verse 34,

00:30:45.659 --> 00:30:48.779
 wake up from your drunken stupor.

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.379
 Now,

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:54.139
 I don't believe

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:56.239
 the primary focus of this passage

00:30:56.239 --> 00:30:57.639
 is talking about drunkenness

00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.259
 in the church at Corinth.

00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:01.699
 I think it is talking about

00:31:01.699 --> 00:31:03.459
 carnality and ungodliness

00:31:03.459 --> 00:31:05.799
 that had become so pervasive

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:07.859
 in the body of Christ there

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:09.699
 that they were completely missing

00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:10.959
 their calling.

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:14.399
 Wake up from your drunken stupor

00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:15.500
 as it is right

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:17.479
 and do not go on,

00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.639
 what's the next word?

00:31:19.479 --> 00:31:20.159
 Sinning.

00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:22.119
 Why?

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.199
 Why?

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:29.740
 Because some have no knowledge of God.

00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:34.440
 Can you live a sinful life

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:37.319
 and have a significant testimony?

00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.500
 No.

00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.460
 Can God use you in your sinfulness?

00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.319
 Yes.

00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:47.279
 But is your testimony compromised

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:49.579
 by your impurity

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:51.019
 and your failure

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:53.480
 to be a living representative

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.279
 of Christ

00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.339
 in humility

00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.599
 and tenderness

00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:58.359
 and an affection for godliness?

00:31:58.439 --> 00:31:59.159
 And what's the answer?

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.559
 When you drift away

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:03.019
 from what He wants you to be,

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:04.539
 you lose effectiveness.

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.500
 Now,

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.539
 look at that passage again.

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:11.059
 He says,

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.420
 stop acting that way.

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:18.220
 Don't keep sinning

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.899
 because there are people

00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:21.319
 that don't know Christ.

00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.960
 Let me have you think also

00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.720
 of another factor.

00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.460
 As you think about

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.940
 what is happening today,

00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:28.899
 and remember,

00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.839
 salt and light,

00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.700
 Titus passage

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.599
 and this passage,

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.740
 I got to tell you,

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:35.159
 I think the moral impurity

00:32:35.159 --> 00:32:36.899
 that we see going on

00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:37.639
 in our culture

00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:39.580
 has some roots back

00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:40.640
 in the misbehavior

00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.660
 of the church today.

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.700
 The moral impurity

00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.759
 that's crept into the church

00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.600
 of the living God

00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:47.900
 is unbelievable.

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.520
 Rampant pornography

00:32:49.520 --> 00:32:52.240
 is an undeniable fact

00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.340
 in the congregation

00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:54.580
 of God's saints.

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.080
 Heterosexuality

00:32:57.080 --> 00:32:58.120
 and immorality,

00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.640
 heterosexual immorality

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.660
 is something

00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:02.100
 that goes on all the time.

00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.860
 I remember reading

00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:03.400
 an article

00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:05.700
 in Christianity Today

00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.280
 where there were

00:33:06.280 --> 00:33:07.620
 some young people

00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.739
 that were writing

00:33:08.739 --> 00:33:09.199
 and saying,

00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.579
 listen,

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:11.139
 you old fogies

00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:12.099
 need to get with it

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:13.199
 and just realize

00:33:13.199 --> 00:33:14.239
 that young people

00:33:14.239 --> 00:33:15.379
 are going to have intercourse.

00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.279
 Just don't get upset

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.739
 about it

00:33:16.739 --> 00:33:17.659
 and just be hopeful

00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.599
 that we don't get pregnant.

00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.119
 These are Christians.

00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:22.879
 I remember talking

00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.519
 with a pastor

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.919
 who explained to me

00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:26.059
 that he no longer

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:27.139
 asked young couples

00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:28.199
 who came into his office

00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:29.500
 if they were living together.

00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.519
 It just was too embarrassing

00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.039
 for him.

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:35.180
 Listen,

00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:37.619
 that's not being

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.639
 a faithful shepherd.

00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:41.659
 And when the salt

00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:43.220
 loses its saltiness,

00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.779
 it is ineffective

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.159
 and as a result

00:33:46.159 --> 00:33:48.079
 it gets trodden underfoot.

00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.599
 Let's go on

00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.839
 and recognize something else.

00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.879
 We are to be loving

00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:54.859
 and telling the truth.

00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:58.359
 I make a sad prediction

00:33:58.359 --> 00:34:00.079
 that you're going to see

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.959
 more and more believers

00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:01.819
 just go quiet

00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:03.339
 on this subject

00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:04.599
 and the sinfulness of it.

00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:07.339
 I think it's somewhere in May.

00:34:07.719 --> 00:34:09.039
 No, maybe it's April 19th.

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.319
 I think it is April 19th.

00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.420
 There is going to be

00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.559
 a silent day

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.759
 in public schools.

00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.460
 Do you hear me?

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.799
 Thousands of schools

00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:20.000
 and I would venture to say

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.819
 many of them

00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:21.559
 in our community

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:23.259
 will have a day of silence.

00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.580
 Do you know what the day of silence

00:34:24.580 --> 00:34:25.580
 is to recognize

00:34:25.580 --> 00:34:26.420
 and celebrate?

00:34:28.520 --> 00:34:29.000
 Homosexuality.

00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:32.900
 And many, many Christians

00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:34.280
 will just be quiet

00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.980
 and acquiesce

00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:38.220
 and not make any stink

00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:39.980
 because do you want to seem

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.880
 to be out of sorts

00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:41.620
 in that environment?

00:34:44.660 --> 00:34:45.860
 When people that have been

00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.160
 called by God

00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:49.960
 to declare His truth

00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.060
 sit by quietly

00:34:51.060 --> 00:34:52.380
 in the face of sinfulness,

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:54.760
 they are invariably

00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.640
 or invariably

00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:56.960
 also quiet on the gospel.

00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.119
 Let me explain something here.

00:34:59.079 --> 00:35:00.700
 People who do not know

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.820
 about sin

00:35:01.820 --> 00:35:03.980
 do not need a Savior.

00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:04.880
 Does that make sense?

00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.960
 Can I say that again slowly?

00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:10.039
 People who do not understand

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:11.980
 the sinfulness of their heart

00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:13.460
 don't need a Savior.

00:35:13.680 --> 00:35:14.940
 Let me put it in a frame

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.860
 so you can understand

00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.720
 what Jesus meant.

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.360
 He said,

00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:17.960
 hey listen,

00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:20.840
 those who are well

00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:23.640
 do not need the doctor,

00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:26.380
 only those who are sick.

00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:28.920
 And in Galatians

00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.620
 it tells us

00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:30.780
 that the purpose of the law

00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:32.059
 is to bring conviction.

00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:33.360
 The law doesn't save us

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.780
 but the law lets us know

00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:36.000
 that we're desperately sick

00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:37.900
 and we can't save ourselves.

00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.640
 And beloved,

00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:41.680
 I want you to understand

00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:43.440
 that we have a responsibility

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.280
 of telling the truth.

00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:46.060
 It is an unloving thing

00:35:46.060 --> 00:35:47.300
 to watch people

00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.240
 going about

00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:49.340
 intentionally preparing

00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:50.300
 for their own

00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.460
 eternal suicide

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:53.080
 and just sit there quietly

00:35:53.080 --> 00:35:54.240
 because you don't want

00:35:54.240 --> 00:35:54.940
 to offend anybody

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.700
 in our culture.

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.760
 Do you understand that?

00:35:59.800 --> 00:36:00.880
 Expect adversity

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:03.280
 if you're faithful for Christ.

00:36:04.100 --> 00:36:05.220
 Expect adversity

00:36:05.220 --> 00:36:07.280
 if you're faithful for Christ.

00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:07.940
 Let me have you look

00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.440
 at a passage

00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.220
 that I think just

00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:10.500
 rings the bell on this one.

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:13.240
 Over in 2 Corinthians 2

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:14.659
 verse 14 through 16.

00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.839
 Paul makes a very

00:36:17.839 --> 00:36:18.859
 interesting statement

00:36:18.859 --> 00:36:20.019
 about what it means

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.899
 to be a believer

00:36:20.899 --> 00:36:22.619
 in contemporary culture.

00:36:22.759 --> 00:36:23.719
 In verse 14 he says,

00:36:23.819 --> 00:36:24.699
 but thanks be to God

00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:27.979
 who in Christ

00:36:27.979 --> 00:36:28.879
 always makes us,

00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:29.619
 who leads us

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.619
 in triumphal possession

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.619
 and through us

00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.599
 spreads the fragrance

00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.299
 of the knowledge

00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.079
 of Him everywhere.

00:36:34.879 --> 00:36:36.199
 For we are the aroma

00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:37.379
 of Christ to God

00:36:37.379 --> 00:36:37.899
 among those

00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:38.839
 who are being saved

00:36:38.839 --> 00:36:39.879
 and among those

00:36:39.879 --> 00:36:40.639
 who are perishing.

00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:42.719
 We smell like God

00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:43.819
 to people

00:36:43.819 --> 00:36:45.500
 who are saved

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.539
 and dying.

00:36:47.279 --> 00:36:48.119
 And then he goes on

00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:49.679
 and says in verse 16,

00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.019
 to one a fragrance

00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:52.339
 of death to death,

00:36:52.799 --> 00:36:54.139
 to the other a fragrance

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:55.099
 of life to life.

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.960
 And who's sufficient

00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.739
 for these things?

00:36:59.099 --> 00:36:59.519
 Beloved,

00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:01.859
 if you are faithful

00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:03.039
 to your calling,

00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:05.759
 people will pick up

00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:06.759
 on the aroma

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.679
 of your life.

00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:09.839
 and the aroma

00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:10.919
 of your life

00:37:10.919 --> 00:37:13.739
 becomes hope-filled

00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:15.179
 to those who are desperate

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:16.019
 and despairing

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.679
 in their condition

00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.619
 and it becomes

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.639
 supremely offensive

00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:20.159
 to those who don't want

00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:21.099
 to hear anything

00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:21.919
 about Christ.

00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.899
 Now am I suggesting

00:37:23.899 --> 00:37:25.059
 that you'll go around

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.639
 putting sharp sticks

00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.659
 in people's eyes?

00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.399
 No.

00:37:30.399 --> 00:37:31.679
 But when someone

00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.359
 says to you,

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:32.839
 hey,

00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:34.460
 why are you so happy?

00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.139
 Well you have

00:37:35.139 --> 00:37:36.139
 an opportunity to say,

00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.859
 because Jesus forgave me

00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:38.799
 for all of my sins

00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:40.400
 and granted me salvation

00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:41.940
 through his finished work.

00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:43.099
 And I'd like to have

00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.139
 you know him too.

00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:46.319
 And you offer them

00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:47.539
 the hope of the gospel.

00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:51.619
 If you don't have confidence

00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.659
 that he can save you

00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.339
 from your sin,

00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.579
 I guarantee you,

00:37:54.699 --> 00:37:55.759
 you won't advertise it

00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:56.659
 to anybody else.

00:37:58.659 --> 00:37:59.519
 There's another thing

00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.500
 that I want you to realize

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.039
 that believers

00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:01.659
 should be doing.

00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:02.339
 We ought to grieve

00:38:02.339 --> 00:38:02.900
 as we watch

00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:04.079
 the growing effect of sin.

00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:06.079
 Don't kid yourself.

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.679
 Probably one of the most

00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:09.599
 inaccurate statements

00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:10.519
 in our culture today

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.400
 is the term gay.

00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.739
 It's not.

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:18.119
 Homosexuality is a perversion

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.279
 against nature.

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:21.440
 By the way,

00:38:21.759 --> 00:38:22.400
 I don't want to get

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:22.980
 into genetics

00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.440
 and breeding

00:38:23.440 --> 00:38:24.380
 and all that kind of stuff,

00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:24.900
 but if,

00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:27.179
 how many of you realize

00:38:27.179 --> 00:38:28.559
 that maybe 1.4,

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:30.840
 1.6% homosexual,

00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:32.940
 apart from the Kinsey report,

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.659
 and if really

00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:36.039
 this genetic disposition

00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:37.000
 could be carried on

00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:37.460
 genetically,

00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.360
 guess what would happen

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.460
 when 1.4 of them

00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:40.599
 carry forward the genes?

00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:43.940
 Leave that to your

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.920
 own entertainment.

00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.619
 What is he talking about?

00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.400
 Let's go back.

00:38:48.679 --> 00:38:49.880
 Grieve as you watch

00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:51.360
 for the effects of sin.

00:38:51.740 --> 00:38:53.460
 It says in Psalm 119,

00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.300
 136,

00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:55.880
 my eyes weep

00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:57.300
 when I consider people

00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:58.480
 not following your law.

00:38:59.679 --> 00:39:00.480
 Let me add two more

00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:00.920
 and close.

00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:02.420
 Rejoice that you're

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.059
 an ambassador

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.659
 to rescue sinners

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.280
 from the pit.

00:39:07.320 --> 00:39:08.139
 Do you know what?

00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:08.740
 Life's short.

00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.360
 It really is.

00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:12.619
 When I was about 20,

00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:13.300
 I didn't think life

00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:13.639
 was short,

00:39:13.699 --> 00:39:14.159
 but it is.

00:39:15.300 --> 00:39:15.840
 And you know what

00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:16.219
 I'm learning?

00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:17.000
 The older I get,

00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:18.019
 the faster it goes.

00:39:20.619 --> 00:39:21.639
 And here's the deal.

00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:23.380
 In the time I got left,

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:24.119
 I want to talk about

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:24.920
 things that count.

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:30.360
 I like the fact

00:39:30.360 --> 00:39:31.320
 that in our prayer bulletin,

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:31.940
 when you look at it

00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:32.559
 Wednesday night,

00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.519
 when we're praying

00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.460
 for people that are sick,

00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:35.039
 how many of you know

00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:35.720
 there's always a little

00:39:35.720 --> 00:39:36.639
 point out to the side?

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:38.200
 If the person's unsaved,

00:39:38.260 --> 00:39:39.000
 we put that there.

00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:39.659
 Do you know why?

00:39:41.300 --> 00:39:42.340
 People that are saved,

00:39:42.800 --> 00:39:43.639
 be careful here,

00:39:43.720 --> 00:39:43.940
 I know,

00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:44.440
 get in trouble,

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.659
 don't need to be healed

00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:46.639
 as desperately as people

00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:47.360
 who aren't saved.

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.860
 Because when people

00:39:49.860 --> 00:39:50.599
 are saved,

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.500
 die,

00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:52.300
 where do they go?

00:39:53.260 --> 00:39:53.860
 Hey, come on,

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.440
 say it with me,

00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:55.200
 absent in the body,

00:39:55.740 --> 00:39:56.579
 present with the Lord.

00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:58.679
 Now, do I pray for people

00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:59.159
 that are sick,

00:39:59.220 --> 00:39:59.740
 that are my brothers

00:39:59.740 --> 00:40:00.179
 and sisters?

00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:00.700
 Absolutely.

00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:01.700
 There are a lot of

00:40:01.700 --> 00:40:02.440
 Dorcas's out here,

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:03.579
 and I want to keep them alive.

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.659
 But on the other side,

00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:06.880
 if they die,

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:09.240
 it's okay.

00:40:10.700 --> 00:40:12.420
 When people do not know Christ

00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:13.200
 and they die,

00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.679
 they spend the rest

00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:15.780
 of all of eternity

00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:16.740
 in hell.

00:40:22.679 --> 00:40:24.200
 Look at your passage

00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:26.179
 in 2 Corinthians 5,

00:40:26.279 --> 00:40:26.839
 verse 11,

00:40:28.319 --> 00:40:29.359
 plead with those

00:40:29.359 --> 00:40:30.119
 you love

00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:31.159
 and do so

00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:32.259
 with tears.

00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:38.480
 I really like

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.960
 2 Corinthians 5.

00:40:41.319 --> 00:40:42.000
 Therefore,

00:40:42.799 --> 00:40:44.759
 knowing the fear

00:40:44.759 --> 00:40:46.460
 or terror of the Lord,

00:40:46.839 --> 00:40:48.359
 we persuade others.

00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.860
 you know,

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.460
 there was a time

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:51.059
 in my life

00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.539
 where the pendulum

00:40:52.539 --> 00:40:53.740
 swished over

00:40:53.740 --> 00:40:54.360
 to the side

00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:56.140
 where I had done

00:40:56.140 --> 00:40:56.700
 some training

00:40:56.700 --> 00:40:57.300
 in sales

00:40:57.300 --> 00:40:58.400
 and I could

00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:59.099
 pretty much

00:40:59.099 --> 00:40:59.860
 coerce people

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.780
 into saying yes

00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:01.660
 even when they

00:41:01.660 --> 00:41:02.740
 didn't want to say yes.

00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:03.500
 Now,

00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:07.260
 in selling used cars

00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.180
 and vacuum sweepers,

00:41:08.260 --> 00:41:08.980
 you have a

00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:09.940
 reversionary clause,

00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:10.360
 am I right?

00:41:11.280 --> 00:41:11.640
 Well,

00:41:11.680 --> 00:41:12.599
 when you coerce people

00:41:12.599 --> 00:41:13.599
 into making a

00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:14.360
 provisional

00:41:14.360 --> 00:41:15.559
 profession of faith,

00:41:15.660 --> 00:41:16.300
 guess what happens

00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:17.160
 as soon as you leave?

00:41:19.019 --> 00:41:19.880
 If it ain't real,

00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:20.460
 it ain't real.

00:41:21.740 --> 00:41:22.900
 But on the other part,

00:41:23.039 --> 00:41:23.780
 I recognize

00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:24.840
 that what it says here,

00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:25.200
 it says,

00:41:25.280 --> 00:41:26.100
 look at what it says,

00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:27.180
 read it with me.

00:41:28.120 --> 00:41:29.280
 2 Corinthians 5,

00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:29.760
 therefore,

00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:30.560
 knowing the terror

00:41:30.560 --> 00:41:30.960
 of the Lord,

00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.940
 we persuade men

00:41:31.940 --> 00:41:33.160
 and let me tell you

00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:33.500
 something,

00:41:35.260 --> 00:41:36.640
 your affection

00:41:36.640 --> 00:41:37.580
 for the heart

00:41:37.580 --> 00:41:38.620
 of lost mankind

00:41:38.620 --> 00:41:39.900
 ought to lead you

00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:41.140
 to be more passionate

00:41:41.140 --> 00:41:42.240
 about people

00:41:42.240 --> 00:41:43.380
 who are on their way

00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:43.840
 to hell

00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:45.720
 than any other

00:41:45.720 --> 00:41:47.400
 thing in life.

00:41:51.120 --> 00:41:52.280
 Look at verse 20,

00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:54.100
 therefore,

00:41:55.160 --> 00:41:56.340
 we are ambassadors

00:41:56.340 --> 00:41:57.140
 for Christ,

00:41:57.139 --> 00:41:58.519
 God making

00:41:58.519 --> 00:41:59.619
 His appeal.

00:42:02.059 --> 00:42:03.159
 I understand

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.859
 election

00:42:03.859 --> 00:42:05.960
 by faith,

00:42:06.579 --> 00:42:07.879
 but I understand

00:42:07.879 --> 00:42:08.460
 appealing

00:42:08.460 --> 00:42:11.639
 to God

00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:12.960
 making His appeal

00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:13.819
 through us.

00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:15.359
 We implore you.

00:42:15.659 --> 00:42:15.879
 Do you know

00:42:15.879 --> 00:42:16.779
 what that word means?

00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:18.500
 We're down on our knee

00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:19.219
 begging with you,

00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:20.900
 please don't

00:42:20.900 --> 00:42:22.159
 destroy your life

00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:22.920
 with sinfulness.

00:42:23.420 --> 00:42:24.219
 Come to Christ

00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:25.159
 and discover

00:42:25.159 --> 00:42:26.379
 the complete forgiveness

00:42:26.380 --> 00:42:27.380
 that is in Him.

00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:32.440
 Where are we at?

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.820
 Our culture

00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:37.920
 is going downhill.

00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.720
 Where are you at?

00:42:42.519 --> 00:42:43.820
 If you're a believer,

00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:45.940
 you were left behind

00:42:45.940 --> 00:42:48.039
 to be His living,

00:42:48.579 --> 00:42:50.280
 visible representative

00:42:50.280 --> 00:42:51.660
 of the glory

00:42:51.660 --> 00:42:52.360
 of God

00:42:52.360 --> 00:42:53.620
 that saves sinners.

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:58.060
 He saved you.

00:42:59.200 --> 00:43:00.220
 And He wants you

00:43:00.220 --> 00:43:01.060
 to be like

00:43:01.060 --> 00:43:02.180
 the woman

00:43:02.180 --> 00:43:03.160
 at the well.

00:43:03.260 --> 00:43:03.519
 Do you remember

00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:04.040
 what she did?

00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:06.320
 When she discovered

00:43:06.320 --> 00:43:06.900
 the sweetness

00:43:06.900 --> 00:43:08.040
 of complete forgiveness,

00:43:08.180 --> 00:43:09.360
 she ran into town

00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:10.300
 and she told

00:43:10.300 --> 00:43:11.260
 other people

00:43:11.260 --> 00:43:11.980
 about,

00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:13.380
 come see

00:43:13.380 --> 00:43:14.240
 the man.

00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:18.319
 and if you're

00:43:18.319 --> 00:43:19.500
 not all about that,

00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:22.379
 if you're not

00:43:22.379 --> 00:43:23.259
 all about that,

00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:26.419
 sadly enough,

00:43:26.519 --> 00:43:27.219
 you've lost

00:43:27.219 --> 00:43:29.239
 some of the affection

00:43:29.239 --> 00:43:31.379
 and joy you had

00:43:31.379 --> 00:43:32.819
 in Christ Jesus.

00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:35.860
 and I would plead

00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.700
 with you this morning,

00:43:36.860 --> 00:43:37.519
 humble yourself

00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:38.280
 before God

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:38.640
 and say,

00:43:38.880 --> 00:43:40.080
 it is not to be

00:43:40.080 --> 00:43:40.660
 that way.

00:43:41.519 --> 00:43:42.620
 I am not

00:43:42.620 --> 00:43:44.059
 trudging my way

00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:45.519
 towards my day

00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:46.360
 of death

00:43:46.360 --> 00:43:47.460
 or retirement

00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:48.660
 or vacation.

00:43:49.220 --> 00:43:51.019
 I am on point

00:43:51.019 --> 00:43:52.160
 for Jesus

00:43:52.159 --> 00:43:54.159
 and people

00:43:54.159 --> 00:43:54.759
 who need Him.

00:43:56.159 --> 00:43:56.739
 Is that

00:43:56.739 --> 00:43:57.239
 for you?

00:43:58.699 --> 00:43:59.599
 Let's bow our heads.

00:44:03.980 --> 00:44:04.639
 Without anybody

00:44:04.639 --> 00:44:05.299
 looking around

00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:05.759
 this morning,

00:44:05.839 --> 00:44:06.519
 I want to ask you

00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:07.179
 real quietly

00:44:07.179 --> 00:44:07.759
 and quickly,

00:44:08.239 --> 00:44:09.519
 if you're a believer

00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:10.099
 this morning

00:44:10.099 --> 00:44:10.920
 and you recognize

00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:11.759
 the Spirit of God

00:44:11.759 --> 00:44:12.319
 is addressing

00:44:12.319 --> 00:44:13.319
 an issue in your life

00:44:13.319 --> 00:44:14.599
 and you realize

00:44:14.599 --> 00:44:15.339
 that there is

00:44:15.339 --> 00:44:16.799
 lukewarmness

00:44:16.799 --> 00:44:17.159
 and there's

00:44:17.159 --> 00:44:18.239
 spiritual indifference

00:44:18.239 --> 00:44:19.559
 and you are there

00:44:19.559 --> 00:44:20.339
 this morning saying,

00:44:20.420 --> 00:44:20.799
 I don't want to

00:44:20.799 --> 00:44:21.739
 stay this way.

00:44:22.159 --> 00:44:25.139
 I would challenge

00:44:25.139 --> 00:44:25.940
 you to put yourself

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.639
 on notice.

00:44:28.299 --> 00:44:29.319
 Slip your hand up

00:44:29.319 --> 00:44:29.719
 and say,

00:44:30.440 --> 00:44:30.940
 Pastor,

00:44:31.279 --> 00:44:32.799
 I'm convicted

00:44:32.799 --> 00:44:33.799
 but here I am.

00:44:35.139 --> 00:44:35.500
 Yes,

00:44:36.119 --> 00:44:36.739
 yes,

00:44:37.379 --> 00:44:37.739
 yes.

00:44:37.839 --> 00:44:39.019
 I want to change

00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:40.639
 and I'm willing

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:41.339
 to let God

00:44:41.339 --> 00:44:42.420
 do whatever it takes.

00:44:42.539 --> 00:44:43.619
 I just don't

00:44:43.619 --> 00:44:44.819
 want to stay this way.

00:44:46.079 --> 00:44:47.119
 Is there anybody else?

00:44:48.139 --> 00:44:49.019
 Anybody else?

00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:50.359
 Yes.

00:44:50.360 --> 00:44:52.700
 I wonder

00:44:52.700 --> 00:44:53.300
 if there's someone

00:44:53.300 --> 00:44:54.000
 here that does

00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:54.780
 not know Christ.

00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:55.260
 This morning,

00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:55.940
 your life is,

00:44:56.340 --> 00:44:57.200
 it's a mess.

00:44:59.039 --> 00:45:00.140
 But Jesus died

00:45:00.140 --> 00:45:00.900
 and rose again

00:45:00.900 --> 00:45:04.579
 and he did that

00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:05.160
 that you might

00:45:05.160 --> 00:45:06.240
 have everlasting life

00:45:06.240 --> 00:45:06.920
 and what the scriptures

00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:07.620
 say is true.

00:45:07.720 --> 00:45:08.460
 Whosoever calls

00:45:08.460 --> 00:45:09.039
 upon the name

00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.519
 of the Lord

00:45:09.519 --> 00:45:10.700
 shall be saved.

00:45:13.519 --> 00:45:14.440
 And like it says

00:45:14.440 --> 00:45:15.380
 in 2 Corinthians,

00:45:15.680 --> 00:45:17.039
 we plead with you

00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:17.920
 in Christ's stead,

00:45:18.000 --> 00:45:19.420
 be reconciled to God.

00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:21.440
 And if you need

00:45:21.440 --> 00:45:22.280
 Christ as your Savior,

00:45:22.400 --> 00:45:23.019
 slip your hand up

00:45:23.019 --> 00:45:23.260
 and say,

00:45:23.340 --> 00:45:23.680
 that's me.

00:45:23.900 --> 00:45:24.900
 I need complete

00:45:24.900 --> 00:45:25.760
 forgiveness for all

00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:26.340
 of my sins.

00:45:26.740 --> 00:45:27.680
 I need Christ

00:45:27.680 --> 00:45:28.860
 to save me.

00:45:31.400 --> 00:45:31.880
 Father,

00:45:32.360 --> 00:45:33.559
 work in us

00:45:33.559 --> 00:45:35.500
 that Christ

00:45:35.500 --> 00:45:36.800
 might be glorified.

00:45:37.680 --> 00:45:38.760
 In your precious name,

00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:38.960
 amen.

00:45:39.960 --> 00:45:41.380
 As our band

00:45:41.380 --> 00:45:42.019
 sings together,

00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:42.980
 would you stand together

00:45:42.980 --> 00:45:44.119
 and if God lays

00:45:44.119 --> 00:45:44.980
 a matter on your heart

00:45:44.980 --> 00:45:45.840
 you need to care

00:45:45.840 --> 00:45:46.460
 for publicly,

00:45:46.599 --> 00:45:47.340
 you come forward.

00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:47.380
 Lord,

00:45:47.820 --> 00:45:48.360
 it might be

00:45:48.360 --> 00:45:49.000
 that he's calling

00:45:49.000 --> 00:45:49.440
 to be part

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:50.120
 of our fellowship.

00:45:50.500 --> 00:45:50.880
 It might be

00:45:50.880 --> 00:45:51.559
 that you need

00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.160
 to be obedient

00:45:52.160 --> 00:45:52.660
 to the Lord

00:45:52.660 --> 00:45:53.000
 in the matter

00:45:53.000 --> 00:45:53.500
 of baptism.

00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:54.519
 You know Christ,

00:45:55.420 --> 00:45:55.900
 but baptism

00:45:55.900 --> 00:45:56.980
 is a public declaration

00:45:56.980 --> 00:45:58.059
 of your relationship.

00:45:58.539 --> 00:45:59.120
 It might be

00:45:59.120 --> 00:45:59.640
 that you need

00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:00.519
 someone to counsel

00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:00.880
 with you

00:46:00.880 --> 00:46:01.579
 and pray with you

00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:02.360
 and make the issues

00:46:02.360 --> 00:46:03.440
 of salvation clear.

00:46:03.820 --> 00:46:04.960
 You come forward

00:46:04.960 --> 00:46:06.519
 as we sing this song

00:46:06.519 --> 00:46:08.160
 loudly and enthusiastically

00:46:08.160 --> 00:46:08.700
 as we close.

00:46:08.699 --> 00:46:09.139
 You come forward

00:46:09.139 --> 00:46:10.819
 to ending

00:46:10.819 --> 00:46:10.819


00:46:10.819 --> 00:46:10.819


00:46:10.819 --> 00:46:10.819


00:46:10.819 --> 00:46:11.500
 of a

00:46:11.500 --> 00:46:11.939
 ending

00:46:11.939 --> 00:46:13.619
 of a

00:46:13.619 --> 00:46:13.619


00:46:13.619 --> 00:46:14.359
 of a

00:46:14.359 --> 00:46:14.719
 ending

00:46:14.719 --> 00:46:15.319
 of a

00:46:15.319 --> 00:46:15.319


00:46:15.319 --> 00:46:17.799
 ending

00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799


00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:17.799