STATE OF THE UNION Session 1

STATE OF THE UNION
Session 1

INTRO: Much has been written and discussed about the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States.   When the decision was announced on that fateful Friday, my emotions ranged from anger to heartbreak.  I wanted to go out into my backyard and fall on my face in despair.  I have refrained on writing or commenting until I had to chance to settle emotionally, study the subject in detail, and seek the Lord as to how to respond.  The result of that journey is this “State of the Union” series of messages.  This is not intended to be a definitive monograph on the subject for the entire church, but an expression of what this may mean for our local body, Restoration Fellowship.

Some ground rules:

1.  You may not agree with me.  That is OK.
2.  The Scripture says “Let every man be fully convinced in his own conscience”.
3.  Let’s show grace to each other.

TEXT Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

I believe it is important that we do not answer from our souls: our minds, wills, and emotions.  We must look to what the Word of God teaches and tailor our responses along those lines.

Psalm 119:89 (NKJV) Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

For me, the recent rulings were an expression of worldly philosophy and the traditions of men and not the expression of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  To avoid becoming cynical, we need to remember a couple of things…

1.  Natural men can only speak worldly wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:6-14 (NKJV) However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

2.  The Unites States is not a theocracy, and we do not want it to be.  The leaders of our country pledge to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, not a certain religion or belief system.

3.  While this is true, we also believe that...

Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV) Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Psalms 33:12 (NKJV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

We can discuss for hours the concept of Manifest Destiny; if God ordained the United States to achieve all it has become. One thing is sure: God has blessed this nation because this nation was founded on the principles of God’s Word and has sought the Lord and His ways. If we move away from honoring Him, then the blessings will move away also!

Psalms 46:10 (NKJV) Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalms 66:7 (NKJV) He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.

I am in no way saying that the founders of this country were all believers.  I am saying that they recognized the fact that God moves among the nations!  Although they founded a nation where freedom of religion was sacred, they believed it was the Creator that gave the freedoms we enjoy today.

Our nation is moving away from that foundational belief toward a totally secular society where God is not even recognized as real!  This is a dangerous position:

Romans 1:18-23 (NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man‚and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Rejecting God is dangerous.

Romans 1:26-32 (NKJV) For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Hebrews 10:31(NKJV) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The root is always moral. Men reject God because they don't want anyone telling them how they live is wrong!

Psalm 12:8 (NKJV) The wicked prowl on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Isaiah 5:18 (NKJV) Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as if with a cart rope;

Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Jeremiah 2:19 (NKJV) “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.

Let me tell you today that God is not in heaven wringing His hands in worry!  He is laughing!

Psalm 2:1-9 (NKJV) Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us."
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion." 7 "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "

What is our response to be?

Look at the rest of Psalm 2…

Psalm 2:10-12 (NKJV) 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

1.  Trust in the Lord

Romans 12:9 (NKJV) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

2.  Love in truth.

I Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3.  Pray

Pray for our country…

Pray for our leaders…

Pray for the church…

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Pray for revival…

God longs to give His best to all those who come to Him!



Next week we will talk about some of these questions…

What does the Bible say about morals in general and homosexuality in particular?

What does the Bible say about marriage in general and same-sex marriage in particular?

What is the relationship of Jesus to the Law of Moses in the Old Testament?

God made me this way.

Homosexuality is not mentioned in the Bible.