A More Compelling Argument

If one were to click this link and listen, at the 4:00 minute mark on, you would hear from the "fair and balanced" folks who are "looking out for us", that besides the Bible, there really isn't a compelling argument against homosexual marriage. While I don't agree with that statement, think about that assertion and you will understand why our civilization is crumbling. The Omnipotent  Sovereign God, created man,  male and female and then God Himself created the Divine institution of marriage and provides instruction on what a marriage is, what it is for, its bounds, its intentions, and how both parties are to act in the marriage. So, beside that, what other argument do you have?

The foundations are gone. Our society is making moral judgments and trying to overturn the basic foundation of human society on emotional argumentation. A people who KNOW what God says about the issue, but just do not care. Only a miracle of Divine grace can save us now. Once the "anything goes" door is open, who is going to shut it and why? Homosexual advocates are not for marriage equality because they don't want a man to marry his brother and his sister. So in five years, what answer will the Supreme Court give to these siblings who want to get married? What arguments will anyone have to say "no, that's not right."? Who is going to shut the door and why? 

When a society is overtaken by sin, as part of Divine judgment, God gives them over to their depraved thoughts. We loose our ability to think and reason and are blinded by our sinfulness. That is what you see before us now. People are given over to their rebellious thoughts and the Divine, authoritative Word of God is not a "compelling argument." We can hear things like "the Bible says that sure, but we are Americans and we believe in FREEDOM!" Without a foundation of moral law and the ability of self-control, freedom will die. Freedom to live in depravity is not freedom at all, it is bondage to sin. The further one goes into this "liberty" the more they are in bondage to their sin. 

 So what do we do now? We need to thump the Bible - more clearly and more authoritatively. We need to study this issue. We need to know what Leviticus says and why. We need to know what Jesus said about marriage and why and what He appealed to in His defense of marriage (hint: 'have you not READ?'). These are exciting times in which we live. Think about it, how many generations have been witness to the decline and fall of a great civilization? I did say exciting, not enjoyable. When we talk about this issue, we should be seen as the "Bible Thumpers" and be unapologetic about it. What is likely to happen is both political parties will want to distance themselves from this issue, and when both Republican and Democrats agree, they have to have someone to blame all this opposition on - and I wonder if there is a group of people out there they could blame? People who just won't listen to "reason" and keep going back to that Book. Who don't make compelling arguments, who just keep going back to that Book. People who won't change with the times, they just keep going back to that Book. That Book that tells me I'm a sinner and need a Savior. That Book that tells me that there is a Creator and I'm not Him. That Book, that reminds me I'm not the judge of right and wrong, and that there is a judgment coming for those who break the laws the Book contains. That Book.  How man hates that Book. Despite the "folks" who are "looking out for us" say, I think "because God said" is a pretty compelling argument. 

Consolation in Christ

It has been four hundred years since there had been a prophet in Israel. The nation was now under the rule of King Herod and under the thumb of the mighty Roman Empire. They were a long way from King David and the glories of Solomon’s reign. The ruling class in the priesthood preached a doctrine of legalism and had gone far from the truth of God’s revealed word of grace and faith found in the law and the prophets. Simeon, who was now an old man, was sorrowful. He sorrowed over the condition of his people. He sorrowed over the condition of the nation. He sorrowed over the condition of his own soul. There was no solace in possible political reform or military upheaval against Rome. There was no comfort in King Herod’s reign or the temple he built. As the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees jockeyed for position and power and as the politicians maneuvered back and forth for power, Simeon a devout man of God sorrowed and waited. Yet he was not as those who had no hope.

Simeon, being just and devout, knew the promises of Scripture. He knew that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. He knew that all the nations of earth would be blessed through the seed of Abraham. He knew that the Seed of David would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and have an everlasting kingdom. He knew that the servant of Jehovah would be wounded for our transgressions and be acquainted with our grief. Simeon had hope and comfort from his sorrows in the consolation of Israel. Simeon knew and looked for what we know and see by faith. Our consolation, our comfort, our hope is found in Christ Jesus the Lord. He forgives the sinner of His sins. He clothes the sinner in His righteousness. Our comfort and consolation is that by grace, through faith, we are in Christ. By the death of Christ and His resurrection from the tomb, we stand in Christ clean, forgiven, and justified. That is consolation. 

The Pen is Mightier than the PC?

There was a very interesting Q&A session at the 2013 Shepherd's Conference. The men discussed their sermon preparation and outlining processes, to wit the use of pen and paper. In fact, it was such an interesting conversation, I'm considering making the switch back. If you are interesting in peeking in the study of preachers and looking over their shoulder at their notes, you will enjoy giving this a listen.

Shepherd's Conference Q&A audio.

Grace & Peace,
Doug