Judgment
Begins
Let me begin today by saying two things.
1. I want to
recognize our veterans today.
2. I want to wish you
all a happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving
is important. It is a holiday with
Biblical values and traditions that are wholesome.
But, today I am compelled to preach on something other than
thanksgiving.
On November 6th our nation voted for our
president. Several things in this
election were historic.
Most importantly, we had no candidate to choose who had a
Biblical View of Jesus Christ. We have
in the past had Presidents who had wrong views of God, but not to this degree
in the past. Both men are Biblically
wrong.
-President Obama
is a part of a denomination that believes the Bible to be filled with errors
that need to be fixed by scholars, science and psychology. In that denomination, there is no requirement
to believe in Jesus Deity, his Virgin birth, or even his bodily resurrection. This denomination also allows its ministers
to teach that Muslims, Buddhist, and Hindus and even good people of no religion
can have eternal life. Thus, what he
personally believes about Jesus and salvation is likely very unbiblical. Furthermore, this denomination in one that
presses its members to forcefully advance the homosexual rights agenda and
Ordains, all types of gay, lesbian and bi-sexual individuals.
-Our other option
was Mitt Romney. As a
Republican, he stands with the party platform that holds to some Biblical
values such as being pro-life, pro-Israel, and pro-traditional marriage. However, as a Mormon, Governor Romney does
not believe in the Jesus, or God, of the Bible either. Mormons believe that our heavenly Father was
once a man like us, who ascended to God status along with his wife. They together have produced the human
race. A good Mormon has hopes of being
married in a Mormon Temple to secure an eternal marriage, make it to Heaven,
Ascend to God status and create a universe or creation of their own that they
will populate as our God did. Mitt
Romney, if he is a solid Mormon, does not believe in an eternal God, and hope
that he will become God one day in the Heaven he may be granted.
Now I know that many evangelical Christians may have voted
for Mitt Romney. I also know that many
liberal Methodists, liberal Presbyterians, members of the United Church of
Christ and liberal Baptists such at the Carnahans, Clintons
Might I suggest to
you, that in the eyes of God two things happened in this election.
1. God is more
concerned with what Bible believing Evangelicals do with the doctrines of
Mormonism and its once human god than we had assumed.
1 Chronicles
16:36Blessed be the LORD God of
Psalm 41:13
Blessed be the LORD God of
Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
Psalm 106:48
Blessed be the LORD God of
2. God has released our nation to its own lusts and desires, which is the greatest from of judgment upon a nation.
Romans 1:18-32
18 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.
26 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,[c] 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,[d] 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.
If we as a nation continue in the
path that we are upon, it is clear that we will fall under God’s judgment. I do not know when that judgment will
begin. But, here are some signs of
judgment that God sent to Israel
1.
Lack of rain. In the days of
Elijah.
2.
Great natural disasters......one after the other.3. Economic selfishness.....and depression. In the days of Ahab and Jeremiah.
4. A lack of safety at our borders. The entire book of Judges.
5. A lack of security against small marauding and attacking bands. Book of Judges.
6. Internal political difficulties......that paralyze good decision making. For instance in the days of King Rehoboam, when the nation was split in two, and Amon assassinated among others.
And again, I do not know when that
judgment will begin. As we see things
Biblically, there are times when a nation will have judgment from God delayed
for as much as four generations.
So, we may not see the full extent
of God’s judgment upon us in our lives, but then again, we might. God’s judgment upon Jerusalem
So, if judgment is on the way, how
will we know and where will it begin?
The answer is in the Word of God!
1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.[d] On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.[e]
Essentially, Peter is addressing persecution. If you suffer for Christ stand up under it. If you suffor for doing good you will be rewarded. But don’t complain if your are suffering for your dumb and foolish errors you brough t upon yourself.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”[f]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Did you catch that!
Where will judgment begin?
“At the house of God.”
The NIV says, “it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God”
How have we seen this principal in
action?
1.
In the OT, judgment came to 2. In the NT, judgment begins with the Church!
Revelation depicts seven churches
in Asia that may fall under the judgment of
God for veering from the Lord. Before
the tribulation of the Jews and the wicked world, the seven churches are judged
and some are found wanting or lacking!
In the Scriptures, the judgment of
God begins with the people of God.
Why?
1.
Because we might be the first to listen to God and repent.2. Because we know the Word the best and should be able to respond the fastest.
3. Because God is faithful to his word and will show his love to a thousand generations of those that love him and is not willing to put his own people to shame.
So, how do we know if we are
falling under judgment?
1.
God gives us over to do what we want.
Remember Romans 1.2. God removes his Holy Spirit’s presence.
-We no longer feel his convicting pressure and pain.
-We no longer have passion to do his work in his power.
-We go through the motions of church and avoid the spiritual parts as much as possible.
3. We develop the inability to self regulate.
-Christians begin to struggle with lust.
-Addictions appear and re-appear.
-Stress begins to overwhelm God’s people.
4. Finally, in our state of sin, our lack of the Holy Sprit’s presence to guide, and our inability to self regulate, we re-interpret the Scriptures to fit our new lifestyle.
So, what shall we, the Church
of America
John the Baptist said to the
believing Jews,
“Repent...Produce fruit in keeping with repentance...
“The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same....
“Don’t extort money and
don’t accuse people falsely—
be content with your pay.”
And then John preached a promise! “The one coming after me...will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
And the Old Testament foretold the
results!!!!!
“A
voice of one calling in the desert,‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”[a]
Paul says about judgement, “If we judge ourselves, we will not fall
under judgement.”
Jesus said to, “Seek first His Kingdom and his
righteousness...”
He did not say seek his kingdom
and his promises, or his kingdom and his peace, or his kingdom and his
prosperity, or his kingdom and his joy, or his kingdom and his power, or his
kingdom and his glory.
It is time once again for us to
rise up in faith and seek the righteousness of God in our lives!
Jesus said, seek his kingdom and
his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”
Let’s Pray.
