Abomination? - cforu.net€¦ · Web viewBut as a nation we NEGLECT God at our PERIL. What is it that MAKES a nation STRONG? - RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is not bravery in war, but RIGHTEOUSNESS

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION

(Copied material compiled and adapted from various sources)

Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

What MAKES a nation STRONG?

As a people, we Aussies enjoy many PRIVILEGES and BLESSINGS.

But as a nation we NEGLECT God at our PERIL.

What is it that MAKES a nation STRONG?- RIGHTEOUSNESS.

It is not bravery in war, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

It is not military might, or weapons, or a submarine fleet, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

It is not government systems or policies, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

It is not the academic prowess of our education systems, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

It is not the mineral wealth of gold or uranium, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

It is not our justice or health systems, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

The REALITY is that our WHOLE WORLD lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19).

RIGHTEOUSNESS is A RARE COMMODITY.It is vital.But it is missing.

When the astronauts in Apollo 13 noticed a major technical fault in the electrical system of one of the Service Module's oxygen tanks, one of them famously reported back to Mission Command, Houston, we have a problem.

AUSTRALIA, we have a problem.WHERE is the RIGHTEOUSNESS?

It’s GONE MISSING.And who’s to blame for this?Where does the buck stop?

Our nation’s leaders at all levels bear some responsibility for our nation’s direction.

- But so also does THE CHURCH.

As a nation we have been weighed in the balance, and we have been found wanting.

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Let us pray...

The themes of this message are SINRIGHTEOUSNESS, andJUDGMENT...

John 16:8

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

1. FIRSTLY, SIN.

AUSTRALIA, we have a problem.A sin problem.

WHERE is the RIGHTEOUSNESS?

WE STAND CONDEMNED... in... How we TREAT the UNBORN, AND How we BRING UP those WHO ARE

BORN.

About one in four pregnancies end in abortion.

There are many SINS that shame a nation, amongst many...

DRUGS AND DRUNKENNESS – it brings a REPROACH.

It’s been said that... Men drink for happiness and become

unhappy, Men drink for joy and become miserable, Men drink for sociability and become

argumentative, Men drink for sophistication and become

obnoxious, Men drink for friendship and become

enemies, Men drink for sleep and awaken without

rest, Men drink medicinally and acquired

health problems, Men drink for relaxation and get the

shakes, Men drink for confidence and become

doubtful, Men drink to make conversation easier

and it slurs their speech,

Men drink to forget and are forever haunted,

Men drink to erase problems and see them multiplied,

Men drink to cope with life, only to invite an early death.

Australia has the highest use of ecstasy in the world. More than 10 percent of the working age population regularly use cannabis. We’re in the top 4 nations of the world in the consumption of cocaine.

As a nation we are addicted to GAMBLING.

Walk into the nearest pokie den and you will find them there. The addicts, blankly staring at coloured lights and entranced by the jingle jangle, as they sink yet another coin in the slot, never to be seen again, edging ever closer to ruination.

People take money away from the mouths of children and from the

livelihood of families, or in other countless ways it could have been better spent.

It is a reproach.

Every day all around us we can see the DISASTER and DEVASTATION in the lives of WOUNDED PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES, RAVAGED by LOST HOPE AND DESPAIR.

It is a reproach.Sin is a disgrace. It is the ruin of any people.

It’s been said that GAMBLING and SPORTS and IMMORALITY were the three downfalls of ancient Rome.

It is a shameful thing. SIN IS A REPROACH.

Australia is addicted to SIN.

The answer to ADDICTION is RIGHTEOUSNESS.

People need the Gospel.

What of... PROFANITY

We have become an ever more CRUDE AND RUDE people. People routinely curse and blaspheme. They think nothing of it.

People DO NOT BLUSH ANY MORE.

Jeremiah 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?

nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush:

SIN is still SHAMEFUL, whether you’re ashamed about it or not.

We have become DESENSITISED.

2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

It’s interesting to see what the world is actually PROUD about.

Notice what is praised and what the world has PRIDE MARCHES about.

2 Timothy 3:3-4 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,

incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

People take pride in their sin.

Our biggest problem as a nation is OUR NEGLECT OF GOD.

RIGHTEOUSNESS is our big need. Yet RIGHTEOUSNESS is not something the secular media talk about, or the politicians.

A FLOODTIDE OF EVIL is sweeping our nation.

HOW CAN WE TURN THE TIDE?

It is only as we turn, each one of us, individually... as WE TURN TO CHRIST.

Our only hope is the saving message of the Gospel, and His righteousness.

So,2. SECONDLY, RIGHTEOUSNESS.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Why is this all happening?

Why? Because.... We have LOST SOMETHING.

As a nation we have LOST THE SENSE OF THE SACRED as we have chased after GAIN AND PLEASURE.

Sin is a reproach... We have LOST VIRTUE We have LOST the BLESSING OF GOD.

Bible based values seem to be tossed aside.

Our generation and the next generation desperately need the Gospel.

It is RIGHTEOUSNESS that exalts a nation.

Down through history it has been Christians who have made a positive impact on society by promoting JUSTICE and COMPASSION.

Christians have built schools, hospitals, and orphanages.

Christians have poured their energies into lifting up the downtrodden.

It is Christians who have fed the hungry, cared for the sick, housed the homeless, provided for widows and orphans, and visited prisoners with the Gospel.

It is Christians who have promoted art, literature, music and science.

For the most part, believers have obeyed Scripture and have been law abiding citizens.

Faithfulness to God brings a change, a personal purity.

And it shows in the nation, where believers exert an influence.

When RIGHTEOUSNESS is MISSING we see a DECLINE in... Law and Order Peace Justice, and Honour.

We see a rise in... Arrogance Selfishness Unbelief Greed, and Hatred.

We have a crying need of RIGHTEOUSNESS.

RIGHTEOUSNESS exalts a nation.

WHAT is RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Here’s A GOOD DEFINITION...

Someone has DEFINED it this way: RIGHTEOUSNESS means RIGHT

CHARACTER according to GOD’S WILL.

RIGHTEOUSNESS SIGNIFIES RIGHTNESS—RIGHT-THINKING and RIGHT-DOING.

RIGHTEOUSNESS stands for what is HOLY and PURE

RIGHTEOUSNESS is seen in principles of GODLINESS, VIRTUE AND HONESTY.

RIGHTEOUSNESS recognises God's law as THE PERFECT STANDARD of TRUTH and JUSTICE, and demands CONFORMITY IN HEART and LIFE to THAT STANDARD.

RIGHTEOUSNESS stands AGAINST SIN, which is A TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW OF GOD whether in ACT, THOUGHT, PURPOSE, WORD OR DESIRE.

RIGHTEOUSNESS lifts up A STANDARD – it declares the right from the wrong. It DIVIDES between good and evil.

RIGHTEOUSNESS says that there is a God who has given a standard of righteousness.

We have THAT STANDARD and you can HOLD IT – IN YOUR HANDS and READ IT whenever you want to. It is God's written Word, the absolute Word of God, the Bible.

Today's society DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE A STANDARD – because if reveals their SINS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

GOD’S WORD declares a just condemnation in the eyes of God. That's why our nation by and large has REJECTED God and His Word.

When a people will PURPOSE IN THEIR HEARTS to KNOW GOD AND WALK IN HIS WILL, God is doing HIS RIGHTEOUS WORK.

When LEADERS AND CITIZENS choose righteousness, the nation will bring out its HIGHEST and BEST.

SIN DESTROYS a NATION – from the INSIDE, OUT. But God’s Word shows us THE BEST WAY so we can have BETTER CITIZENS, BETTER NEIGHBOURS.

God shows us how we can have BETTER HUSBANDS AND BETTER WIVES.

BETTER CHILDREN.BETTER COMMUNITIES.BETTER LIVES.

IT’S TIME TO STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

I’ll say it again:

SIN IS A REPROACH.

Sin will always take you farther than you wanted to go; it will always keeper longer than you wanted to stay and it will cost you more than you wanted to pay.

Nowadays it seems that the ABNORMAL is becoming THE NEW NORMAL.

We are witnessing the end of RIGHT and WRONG. Who decides? If there is no God, then who is to say what is right any more? Values are just opinions. Everything has become relative and subjective.

We are witnessing a war on the family.

A woman was recently kicked out of Planet Fitness for objecting to a man in the women’s locker room. She was accused of intolerance because the man said he felt that he was a woman.

Abomination is now something cool and to be applauded.

Society is becoming... More secular More liberal More beer soaked.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

This leads us to third aspect...

So,3. THIRDLY, JUDGMENT.

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

When what is abnormal is called the new normal it is a reproach, a shameful thing.

When what is wrong is applauded as right, then God pronounces judgment against it....

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,

and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

I ran into an old acquaintance of mine lately. I hadn’t seen Vince for a while. I gave him a lift from hospital, but I had to take him back there.

His body had become so ravaged by years of damage from drink and drug abuse. It had taken its toll.

Australia is a bit like that sick friend of mine.

SIN takes its toll.

It leaves many wounded and hurting in its wake.

You reap what you sow.

This nation faces A REAPING TIME.

When we think of judgment the question really is, WHO IS TO BLAME?

It’s a fair question to ask:

Who is at fault?

We have talked about the national leaders bearing some responsibility.

The fault could be laid also at the feet of the church.

JUDGMENT is at the doors. And where does judgment begin?

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Judgment must begin with the church.

When falsehood abounds we need to be a resounding voice for the truth.

Judgment begins...With the false teachers and preachers.With the false converts.With the false Bibles.

With the false Gospels.With the false prophets.With the false revivals.

While we are in this mess we are in, we can ask, WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

There was an article in a Christian paper (Baptist Challenge, Sept 1995) it reads, tongue-in-cheek how: “Religion has gotten popular! It's sweeping the country!! Juke boxes grind out the latest popular hymns! Movie magazines carry news of religious activities of the movie stars!

“More money is coming into religious treasuries than ever before. Great new church buildings are being built. A greater percentage of folks belong to churches than ever before in history!”

The tragedy is that it has been diluted, streamlined, whopped up, condensed, smoothed out, made palatable enough to meet what the public demands.

A "Carnival" spirit has developed. The bands are playing, the flags are waving, and everyone is on the hay-ride of happiness.

Popcorn, peanuts and paper hats are seen everywhere. Our churches have that "cotton candy" atmosphere.

(End quote)

APOSTASY yields A BITTER FRUIT.

This is what we are seeing today.

Preachers have become diplomats who will not sound forth the alarm.

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet,

and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

In some places church goes right on, as it always has done. Only problem is that THE KING HAS LEFT THE BUILDING.

We have... NEGLECTED to PRAY NEGLECTED to WORSHIP.His Word has fallen in the street (Isaiah 59:12), like a piece of rubbish blowing down the street.

In many quarters the church is compromised and clueless. It has utterly sold out to the agenda of the world.

Judgment is at the doors...

So –

WHAT MUST WE DO?

As we see the principles of JUSTICE and TRUTH being ever more ERODED in our land WHAT MUST WE DO?

WE NEED TO TURN TO GOD.

What was it that THE HEATHEN PEOPLE OF NINEVEH did? They trembled and repented at the divine warnings (Jonah 3).

So can we.

What did PHARAOH do? He scoffed at divine warnings and the nation of EGYPT paid a terrible price.

What did SISERA do? He scoffed at divine warnings and Jael drove a nail through his head (Judges 4:21).

SIN IS A REPROACH.

In other words, sin will bring a nation to its knees. Sin will take it from the heights of glory, down to the depths of degradation and ruin.

People are UNHEEDING OF THE WORD OF GOD, AND OF GODLY COUNSEL.

The HONOUR of our nation’s people DEPENDS ON RIGHTEOUSNESS.

WHAT MUST WE DO?

Let us pray for AUSTRALIA.

As a nation we have GONE ASTRAY FROM THE FOUNDATIONS.

What of our nation?On WHAT do we rest?What is it that we PRIZE or VALUE?

Let us return unto righteousness. Let us be the salt and light our world so desperately needs...

Righteous people live righteous lives. Righteous people reject sinful behaviour. Righteous people select other righteous people to serve in government.

The scripture teaches Christians to be DECENT CITIZENS, to obey leaders (Rom. 13:1, 5; Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15), to pay taxes (Rom. 13:6), and to PAY DUE REGARD, and to PRAY FOR, those IN AUTHORITY (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

JUDGMENT is sure. But it can be avoided if we will but receive God’s pardon.

What a shame it would be TO MISS OUT ON THE BLESSINGS OF GOD...

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;

and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

WHAT MUST WE DO?

It is time to REPENT.We need THE DAILY RENEWAL of God.

God’s law is the perfect standard. His Word.

WHO DEFINES RIGHT AND WRONG? It is God.

OUR TRUE WEALTH is not in mines or industry.

The REAL VALUE of our people is not in ECONOMIC POWER, but in OUR TRUST IN GOD.

RIGHTEOUSNESS is OUR GREATEST NEED.

GODLESSNESS is a great blemish on our nation.

There is CORRUPTION in HIGH PLACES.

Many are... Self indulgent Out of control.

And, again, I say, WHERE IS THE CHURCH?

Nowadays the church of Jesus Christ is being walked on, trodden under the feet of men.

Why so? Because we have become salt without savour.

We are failing to impact our culture. And the prevailing culture that surrounds us is ever more godless.

And so-called Christians are comfortable with it. They no longer COUNTER WORLDLY WISDOM, but just absorb it, and fall into line. As if we are singing to the same hymn sheet

We need to be COUNTER-CULTURAL.THIS BOOK IS.

GODLY PRINCIPLES have been abandoned by and large. We need to think Biblically and have a renewing of our minds.

It’s been said, AS GOES THE CHURCH, SO GOES THE NATION.

It’s going to take a turn around; a work wrought by God.

A GENUINE REVIVAL.

WHAT MUST WE DO?

We must SEEK AFTER GOD.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,

and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Australia is sick, and needs healing.

We must make it our endeavour to PLEASE GOD.

Psalms 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yes, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

WHAT MUST WE DO?

Let us STAND. STAND FAST... as individuals, as family units, and say, along with Joshua...

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.