INTRODUCTION

1. In Philippians 2:15, Christians are directed to "prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."

2. In every generation, it is necessary for Christians to be aware of the current crookedness and perversity against which they must shine.  Therefore, let us consider some current issues so that we may expose these deeds of darkness to the light of God's truth (Eph. 5:11-13).

    

ANGRY MOBS

1. What is going on?

   1. Following a grand jury's decision on November 24, 2014, not to indict a police officer who killed a young man, angry mobs rioted in Ferguson, Missouri.  Since then, angry mobs have formed and riots have happened in other places.  During these events, property was destroyed and stolen, and some people were assaulted and even killed.

   2. These events are driven by anger, avarice, and ignorance.

      1. Some of the rioters were angry over the grand jury's decision, and many were just angry.  They proved the truth of James 1:20, which says that "the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

      2. Some were just using the event as an excuse to steal and pillage.  They were like the riotous mob that formed in Ephesus against Paul where "the majority did not know for what cause they had come together" (Acts 19:32).

      3. Many of them are ignorant of the reasons for the hardships that have provoked them to anger.  No one has taught them the truth of God's word, the consequences of sin, and the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

2. What should Christians do?

   1. Seek to bring peace wherever possible, for the Lord said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9).

   2. Do not ever get caught up in an angry mob.  Consider Exodus 23:2, which says, "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice..."  Don't be carried away in a mob mentality.

   3. When faced with anger, whether your own or others', remember the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1, which says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

   4. Always follow the instructions of Romans 12:17-21, which says,

      ¹⁷Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  ²⁰"But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

       

REDEFINING MARRIAGE

1. What is going on?

   1. State after state has passed laws redefining marriage to include homosexuals.  The trend is moving quickly and is likely to soon become a national standard decided by the federal Supreme Court.

   2. Some churches have succumbed to this trend and have redefined their definitions of marriage.  For example, the Middle Tennessee Presbyterians voted in favor of changing their definition of marriage to "a unique commitment between two people" on January 10, 2015.

2. What should Christians do?

   1. Do not waver due to the pressures of the changing culture.

      1. The word of God remains unchanged concerning marriage and homosexuality.

         1. Marriage is a union formed by God between a man and woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6).

         2. Homosexuality is a perversion and an abomination (Gen. 18:20; Lev. 18:22; 1Ki. 14:24; Rom. 1:26-27; 1Cor. 6:9-10).

      2. We must remain committed to this truth, for the Lord will judge us, not man (2Cor. 5:10).

   2. Parents must teach their children about this matter (Eph. 6:4).  Unbiblical teachings and examples are bombarding young people, and they must be counteracted with the truth (Ps. 119:9).

   3. Do not be afraid to take a stand.  Speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), and be ready to make a defense for your beliefs (1Pet. 3:15).

   4. Gently teach those who are opposed to God's will in this matter.  Consider 2Timothy 2:24-26:

      ²⁴The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, ²⁵with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

       

MUSLIM MENACE

1. What is going on?

   1. Radical Muslims are committing violent atrocities around the world, such as the recent murders in Paris and the brutal beheadings of Westerners and others in the Middle East.

   2. Such atrocities by the Muslims are nothing new, and they are not likely to cease.

      1. The religion of Islam was founded in violence, and its bloody history is well documented.

      2. The difference now is that these atrocities are more widely publicized and more graphically depicted than ever before.

      3. Moreover, these executions are only a small sampling of this Muslim savagery, and those who are responsible have stated their intentions to do much more harm against those whom they consider to be infidels.  It is their application of Islam's Sharia law.

2. What should Christians do?

   1. Follow the Lord's instructions concerning those who seek to do you harm in Matthew 5:43-45:

      ⁴³"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  ⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

   2. Expect the civil authorities to deal with the Muslim menace, for God ordained governments for such purposes according to Romans 13:1-4. Governments exist to bring wrath on evildoers.

   3. Fight against Islam not with carnal weapons but with spiritual weapons as in 2Corinthians 10:3-6:

      ³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, ⁴for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  ⁵We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ⁶and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

       

CULTURE OF DEATH

1. What is going on?

   1. Western culture is becoming increasingly enamored with death.

      1. Death has become a form of entertainment on TV, movies, and video games.  It is not just that death is part of the story, but rather that death is the story.

      2. Abortion is a plague in the United States, where for every 1,000 births there are 219 babies who are not born because they are murdered by abortion.

      3. A movement for euthanasia has swept Europe and is now here. Three states (Oregon, Washington and Vermont) have so-called "death with dignity" laws that permit doctor assisted suicides, and more states are considering similar measures.

   2. These views of death are the result of an increasingly godless culture that disregards the value of life and rejects the ideas of accountability and judgment after death (Acts 17:31; 2Cor. 5:10).

2. What should Christians do?

   1. Don't be taken in by this culture of death.  Christ came to save us from death and give us abundant life (John 10:10; Heb. 2:14-15). "Choose life in order that you may live..." (Deut. 30:19).

   2. Remember that life is the exclusive claim of God (Gen. 9:5-6).  Man has no right to end life other than that which is delegated by God to governments (Rom. 13:1-4) or perhaps for defense (Ex. 22:2; Ps. 82:2-4; Prov. 24:11).

   3. Make life meaningful by serving its true purpose, which is to serve God (Eccl. 12:13; Isa. 43:7; Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10).  Make death precious in God's sight by being godly in life (Ps. 116:15).