A RIGHTEOUS RESPONSE TO A FAILING FOUNDATION

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" - Psalm 11:3

When contractors begin the process of building a high-rise, much of the work is concentrated on the foundation.  If the foundation is flawed, the rest of the building will be unstable and will ultimately fall.  Safety and security begins with the foundation.  The same is true our individual lives.  Certainly, this truth applies to our nation. 

Typically, we are impressed with the super structure of a building.  However, the most important part of the building is rarely seen --- the foundation.  Without a good foundation, the building will not stand during a storm.  Without a good foundation, the building will not stand the test of time.

Right now, the foundations are being destroyed in America.  The foundation that our forefathers established has been the target for destruction.  Sadly, the American church has been virtually silent while destruction occurs.

In recent days, we've seen lawless acts conducted by citizens.  We've even seen famous men condone such behavior and even encourage it.  When authority is undermined, a nation is in trouble.  Beneath all the talk and rhetoric are issues like racism, hatred, violence, dishonesty and anger.  These are perilous times.  Our nation is in trouble.

It is said that the sign of a termite's presence is rarely seen until the damage has already been done.  The termites of sin have been busy eating away the foundation of our nation. 

Our text asks the question, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  I think that American Christians need to ponder this question today.

Let me share some thoughts about our nation and our eroding foundations.

1.  REALIZE

The first step in addressing our nation's problems is to realize the truth.  It is easy to live in denial and pretend that everything is going fine.  The truth is often difficult to admit and even more difficult to address, but the situation can never improve until we honestly confront the problem.  We need to see things as they are, not as we wish them to be. 

2.  REPENT

Secondly, we must repent of our involvement in the destructive process.  Most believers are guilty of apathy and inactivity.  However, the Bible condemns omission as sin (see James 4:17).

Americans have slept while the devil has been busy.  By and large American Christians have been playing church, but the devil has not been playing at all.  Instead, our enemy has implemented a very clever strategy that targets the very foundation of our lives while believers have remained silent.

It is easy for believers to blame an unbelieving society for the mess that we're in.  However, unbelievers are walking in darkness.  We shouldn't expect unbelievers to stand fast for the truth --- that is our job.  We want to blame politicians or some special interest group for our nation's demise, but the real blame lies at the house of God.  We've allowed our nation's foundation to be compromised during our watch. 

We need to repent.

3.  RESIST

Third, we need to resist.  The Bible says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).  As Christians, we've remained silent too long.  We have permitted many sinful ways to become acceptable, all under the umbrella of "unity" and "love." 

As believers, we should resist evil instead of permitting it.  We should take a stand for truth, even if we stand alone. 

We are more interested in being liked than being right.  Your popularity is meaningless if God is not pleased.  We'd prefer to entertain people than to impact them.

Before a foundation can be reconstructed, the termites must be removed.

4.  RESTORE

Finally, we need to work together to restore the things that have been taken away.  It is easier to maintain a good foundation than to rebuild one.  However, once the damage has been done, it is deadly to delay the work of restoration. 

As believers, there are a number of things we should concentrate on.  First of all, we need concentrate on prayer.  God is the only One who can turn our nation around.  We desperately need Him.  We must begin on our knees.

Secondly, we need to return to the Word of God.  Dust off your Bible and begin reading it again.  We need to have Biblical literacy in our churches once more.

Third, we need to obey the Lord.  It is not enough to know the Bible, we need to believe and obey the Word.  Obedience is missing from the lives of many Christians.  For the believer, there is no substitute for obedience.

Next, we need to restore Biblical doctrine to our pulpits.  It is sad to see how many preachers are preaching false doctrine.  We need a revival of old-fashioned sin hating, Christ-honoring, Spirit-filled, soul-winning, Church-edifying, God-pleasing preaching. 

Also, we need to be bold with our faith.  We need to be bold believers for Jesus Christ.  Our dying world needs the very hope that we have.  We need to stand for God's Word.  We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel and win souls.

Furthermore, we need to make the most of opportunities.  Every time there is an election, Christians should make the most of the opportunity by voting.  I am not promoting one party or candidate over another.  However, it is vital that our decisions be based upon the Word of God.  As important as it is to vote, our nation will not be turned around at the voting booth.  Instead, our nation will be turned around in the prayer closet.  Yet God expects us to make the most of our opportunities.  Make the most of opportunities to let others know what God says. 

Our foundations are being destroyed.  It is time for believers to stand up and begin restoring the foundations.  Begin with your own life.  Work on the foundation of your marriage.  Get busy restoring the foundation of your family.  Let's work together to secure the foundation of our churches.  Finally, let us labor in harmony to see that the foundation of our nation be restore.

Restoring foundations won't happen overnight, but it needs to start.  Today is good day to begin.

BE GIVING WHILE YOU'RE LIVING

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35

There is nothing worse than stingy Christians.  If we are recipients of God's bountiful grace, shouldn't we have generous hearts?  When God fills a heart, He opens the hand to give. 

For unbelievers, Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts.  For Christians, giving is not a once-a-year event.  When God gives to us generously, He gives so that we may give.  Generosity is a reflection of God's character.  When we give, we tangibly demonstrate God's love to others.

Here are some facts about giving:

• We are stewards.  God owns everything, including our money.  He has given us the responsibility to manage the money that has been entrusted to us. 
• Because of sin, mankind is selfish and stingy.  Stinginess is a product of our fallen race.  Children do not need to be taught how to be stingy and selfish, they tend to act that way on their own.  Sadly, adults have not matured much in the area of giving either. 
• Most people feel that ministers and churches try to manipulate them into giving.  It is true that some ministers try to lay a "guilt trip" on their listeners by preaching manipulative sermons.  Sadly, some ministers have become secret millionaires at the expense of well-meaning people; bringing disgrace to Christ and His church.
• The Bible does NOT teach that if you give to a ministry, you will become financially rich.  Although this belief is spreading, it is not Biblically correct.
• Most importantly, giving is not just about money.  Giving of your time and talents is just as important as giving of your money.  In this message, we'll focus on financial giving, since the Bible often addresses this specific issue. 

Since there is so much misinformation being spread, it is time that believers understand what the New Testament actually teaches about financial giving.

1.  GIVE REGULARLY

Paul instructed the Corinthian believers to give on a regular basis (1 Cor. 16:2).  Additionally, Christians are reminded to help the poor and needy (Gal. 2:10).  Giving should not be restricted to one day in December.  Christians are to give regularly.

2.  GIVE LOVINGLY

Although many TV ministers try to manipulate viewers into giving, the Bible teaches believers to give lovingly (2 Cor. 9:7).  I know it goes against the grain to believe this, but if we've received freely from God, we should give freely --- even with enthusiasm!  I believe that stingy Christians are miserable Christians.  Jesus said, "It is more BLESSED to give than to receive" (emphasis added).  The Lord blesses a Christian who gives lovingly. 

3.  GIVE GENEROUSLY

2 Corinthians chapter 9 is a wonderful chapter that concentrates on the subject of Christian giving.  While many use a calculator to determine the amount of a tip at a restaurant or the size of the offering to give at church, God wants us to have an abundance mentality.  Let me illustrate this point.  Most people ask themselves the question: "What is the least I have to give?"  However, the right question should be: "What is the most I am able to give?"  Do you see the difference?  The stingy attitude focuses on legalism, "... the least I HAVE to give..." The generous attitude focuses on opportunity, "... the most I am ABLE to give..." The stingy attitude looks at the least that can be given, while the generous attitude looks at the most that can be given.

Quite honestly, genuine Christian giving isn't determined by a calculator, but with love.  New Testament giving isn't an issue of the wallet, but of the heart.

On December 25th, the unbelieving world focuses on giving.  For the obedient Christian, December 25th is just one of 365 days of giving that occurs in 2014. 

I'm glad that God gives to us daily and not just on December 25th, aren't you?  When we open our hearts to the Lord and obey His leading, we'll find that incredible joy awaits us as we give in His Name.

REPROGRAMMING THE MIND

"...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2

Last week, we looked at the spiritual battleground of Christianity:  the mind.  The strategy of the devil is to infiltrate our thoughts, slowly modify our thoughts and eventually defeat us through our thoughts.

Before our conversion, we were slaves to the devil.  His influence penetrated every aspect of our lives, including our thoughts.  For many years, his sinful influence molded our lives.  When we met Christ, we experienced real, radical change.  Yet we must confess that we still face daily battles with our thoughts.  Our battles include episodes with shame, guilt, fear, lust, greed, jealously, pride, anger, and much more.  We sometimes find that the sinful weeds in our minds have deep roots.  It isn't enough to mow down the weeds; they need to be uprooted. 

Today, we are going to learn how to aggressively respond to the enemy's attacks.  As believers in Jesus, we do not have to be deceived or defeated.  Our text teaches us three things.  First, we are to refuse to be conformed to the world.  The world is attempting to mold our minds so that we will reject God and rebel against Him.  There is an overt attempt to manipulate believers into conforming to sinful attitudes and actions.  Secondly, our text teaches us to be transformed by renewing our minds.  We will focus on this subject in this message.  Finally, believers are encouraged to discover the will of God.  Rather than living after the world's pattern, we are challenged to follow God's plan.

The key to victorious Christian living is found in the phrase, "...be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds..." When our minds are renewed, our lives are transformed.  The key question is, how can our minds be renewed?  Here are a few practical tips I want to share with you.

1.  RENEWING THE MIND IS A PROCESS

Often, we'd like to have a "spiritual experience" that changes us in a split-second, including our thought-process.  However, if you've been struggling for decades, you shouldn't expect overnight results.  Obviously, God is able to accomplish anything in an instant, if He so chooses.  From our text, we should realize that renewing our minds is a process that takes time.   

We need to embrace the process of renewal.  Although the process may not end today, it needs to begin today. 

2.  RENEWING THE MIND REQUIRES PERSISTENCE

The process of renewing the mind will take time, thus, persistence is required.   Self-discipline will be needed.  Even though God has given us the resources necessary to have our minds renewed, it is up to us to implement them.  These resources must be used on a regular basis.  Too many believers seek a band-aid solution for their problems.  Such a superficial approach leads to frustration and failure.

3.  RENEWING THE MIND REQUIRES A PLAN

Your mind does not get renewed by accident.  You must be intentional about renewing your mind.  It requires effort, even hard work, to have a renewed mind.  Self-help books, videos and resources abound, yet what we need most is God's help.  Fortunately, He has provided us the tools needed to renew our minds.  We must use these tools deliberately.  It isn't enough to know about these tools or intend to use them.  We must put them to use.  Secondly, we must use the tools correctly.  Improper use of a tool will not yield the proper results.  Finally, as mentioned before, we must use these tools regularly.  Consistency is the key to renewing the mind.  So, what are these resources and how can we implement them in our lives?  

A.        God's Word. 

The primary method God uses to renew the mind is His Word, the Bible.  There is no substitute for God's Word.  Bathe your mind with the truth of God's Word.  God's Word is the spiritual water that cleanses your mind.  Here are a few suggestions to help you.

Practice meditation.  Superficial reading of the Bible does not yield the fruit that careful meditation does.  God's Word is food for the soul, so slowly digest the Word.  By the way, I suggest that you read from a good Bible that has easy-to-read print.

Practice memorization.  Choose verses that deal with the issues you struggle with.  Write out each verse on one side of an index card, with the Scripture reference on the other side.  Carry the card with you.  Every moment you can, pull out the card and meditate on the verse.  Recite the verse during critical moments of temptation or concern.

B.        The Church

Get plugged into a good, Bible-preaching church.  When you are exposed to the teaching and preaching of the Word on a regular basis, your mind experiences renewal.  Additionally, the fellowship of other believers encourages and challenges you in the renewal process.

C.        Good Christian Books, Audio books and Messages

There are many great Christian books available that God may use to help renew your mind.  It is important to choose the right books to use because there are many bad books on the market.  You may consult with your pastor before investing a lot of money in books.  Here are a few suggestions that I will give you.  Read from a good devotional book regularly.  The best devotional books include, "Morning and Evening," by Charles Spurgeon, and "My Utmost For His Highest," by Oswald Chambers.  Keep in mind that devotional books are not to take the place of reading the Bible.  Also, I recommend great Christian books like, "The Pursuit of God," and "The Knowledge of the Holy," both written by A. W. Tozer.  "All of Grace," by Charles Spurgeon has always been a personal favorite of mine.  More recently, "Radical," by David Platt has been a challenging book. 

In addition to reading, I often utilize my traveling time by listening to Christian audio books and sermons by other preachers.  Good Christian music can also be beneficial in renewing the mind.  In all cases, make sure that the information you are receiving is Biblically sound.

D.            Mature believers

When you spend time talking with mature believers about the Bible, faith and Christian living, you find yourself being blessed, helped and inspired.  Often you can gain valuable insight from those who've experienced so much of God and His Word.  If you wish to become mature, hang around mature people.  The mature thinking of experienced believers may be used of God in the process of renewing your mind.

Finally, let me recommend that you stay away from the things that hinder you from being renewed in your mind.  Abstain from watching TV programs, visiting Internet sites, listening to music or hanging around people that lead your thoughts in sinful directions.  Pray for God's guidance and wisdom so that you'll make wise decisions each moment.

It is God's will for your mind to be renewed.  When your mind is renewed, your life is transformed.  Let the Master reprogram your mind --- beginning today! 

THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." - Proverbs 23:7

In the 1970's, the United Negro College Fund ran public service announcements on numerous television stations.  The closing line of each public service announcement was the motto of the organization:  "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

Certainly, the mind is a terrible thing to waste.  When the mind is wasted, the life is wasted.  The mind is vitally important.  That is why the enemy and the world aggressively attack the mind.  Most Christians tend to be rather oblivious to the war on the mind and ultimately pay a price. 

Christians are involved in spiritual warfare.  The mind is the battleground where many of the battles are fought.  The enemy seeks to turn the mind into a playground.  God seeks to turn the mind into holy ground.

According to our text, your thinking affects the life you live.  You are often the product of your thoughts.  In fact, let's consider several areas of thought that are destructive to our lives.

1.  DECEIT

We can allow our minds to believe a lie.  It is easy to be deceived.  The devil is a liar.  He's always been a liar and will always be a liar.  We tend to be deceived when we listen to the world's sinful propaganda instead of listening to the Word of God.

Many foolish choices can be traced back to deception.  The more we allow our minds to be exposed to the lies of the wicked one, the more likely we are to be deceived.  Be careful what you allow in your mind.  Be very strict about what you allow your mind to meditate on.  If a situation angers you, it is easy for this anger to get out of control by simply dwelling on the situation. 

I know of professing Christians who defend their sinful actions.  They have allowed ungodly counsel and the wicked influences of the world to blind them from the truth of God's Word.  It is important to believe the truth and reject all lies.

The more you expose your mind to lies, the more likely you are to believe the lies and ultimately live a life of deceit.

2.  DISCOURAGEMENT

It is easy for us to dwell on discouraging situations.  The longer we dwell on negative matters, the deeper we sink into discouragement.  Discouragement drains the life out of a person.  Discouragement keeps a person from being productive and fruitful. 

Obviously, we do not need to deny the truth.  There are many negative issues that we must face.  We need to be honest about these matters.  However, the problems we face do not need to destroy us.  We need to properly understand these matters by viewing them through the lens of God's Word. If we simply think on the negative side all the time, we can easily descend into depression.

The more you think about discouraging matters, the more discouraged you'll be.

3.  DOUBT

Doubt is a serious matter.  Doubt is the opposite of faith.  Doubt questions God and His Word. 

The gap between knowledge and experience is often wide.  More often than not, this gap was created by doubt.  We fail to obey God because of doubt.  Whether we like it or not, doubt comes from questioning the integrity of God.

Here are some of the different aspects of doubt.  Often unhealthy fears exist because we question the sovereignty and love of God.  Anxiety thrives because we doubt the power of God.  Often loneliness is felt because we forget about the presence of God.  Worry consumes us because we fail to trust God for future provisions. 

The more we entertain doubtful thoughts, the more fruitless and empty our lives become. 

4.  DISGRACE

Let's face it.  The thought-life of most Americans is disgraceful.  Our entire society is image-based.  Why do fast-food restaurants advertise on billboards?  They know that image of a hamburger will cause drivers to think about food, creating a desire for a hamburger.  We know that more a person thinks about a subject, the more consumed he gets by that subject.  That is why sports produce such fanatics. 

The same is true for sensuality.  Whether it is a young woman who dresses seductively at work or an actress immodestly dressed on a TV show, the image is there for men to see.  The reason that porn is such a problem is that our society has promoted sex to be the ultimate god to pursue. The more a man thinks on sexual images, the deeper into depravity he goes.

Sensuality is promoted on every level in our land.  Even the most spiritual men must admit that it is hard to have a G-rated mind in this X-rated world.  

Jesus said, "...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."  The longer a man looks at a woman and thinks about her appearance and physique, the deeper in sin he goes.  Often men act upon these thoughts, either through adultery, rape or perversion.  Scary, isn't it?

The old children's song is true:  "Be careful little eyes what you see."  We need to guard our minds and thoughts.  The writer of the book of Proverbs warns us: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  This is a great word for all of us men.

What I have written is very convicting and challenging, but it is necessary for us to take responsibility for our thoughts.  Areas of deceit, discouragement, doubt and disgrace need to be addressed.  It is impossible to live a holy life if your mind is an unholy mess.

Lord willing, next week we'll look at ways to get our minds clean before God.  It is vital that we win the war of the mind, because as a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he."  

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.