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INTRODUCTION
I would like to continue what I started last week hopefully I will finish this message next Sunday.
All false religions/philosophies: humanism, materialism, hedonism, Marxism, extentialism, Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism - have a
diminished, or demoralizing and devaluing view of mankind.
The highest values given to human kind is found in the Judeo-Christian philosophy found in the Holy Bible. Much of what I am saying
you should already know, what I hope is different is you are seeing this evidence as proof of the validity of our Christian faith
as the only true view of life.
Review from last week. We are:
- Created in the Image of God. Genesis 1:26-27
- Cursed with fallenness. Romans 5:12; 7:15-24
- Changed by the Cross of Christ. Romans 7:25-8:3; 5:5
- Cultivation of the creation - Cultural mandate. Genesis 1:28; Eccl 5:18-19
- Commitment to the Sanctity of all of life. Psalm 139:13-16
- Complete hope beyond this life for Believers. Phil. 1:21-23, Luke 23:43
Now, for this week, let us see from God’s Word, that we are given:
7. Compassion for the suffering Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27
- An incentive to care for the poor, widow, orphan, sick, dying.
- It was Christians that started hospitals, researched medical care they are named: Methodist, Lutheran, Mercy, Baptist.
We have medical missions, efficient humanitarian ministries - World Vision, Samaritans’ Purse, etc.
- Best is we offer Christ - seek to evangelize the lost, greatest gift we can give the suffering is eternal hope in
Christ. Romans 8:18
8. Celebration of children Psalm 127:3; Mark 10:13-16
- Many cultures children are seen and not heard, a nuisance, China has one child policy and abortion is rampant, takes
soul away, empty’s life.
- Life begins at conception, baby not tissue in the womb.
- Challenge to teach them - teach deliberately, and don’t let state control.
ILLUS: Be good to your kids eventually have to put their names on your bank accounts, and they pick nursing home.
Hope they have big heart and a big house for all your stuff you want them to keep after you are gone...
9. Class for women - status, position of equality 1 Cor. 11:11; Eph. 5:21-23
- In Islam women are property, NT Christianity really liberated women.
- Equality, joint heirs in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:28
10. Courage for men to be sacrificial leaders Eph. 5:25
- God does have a divine structure for leadership in the home/the church.
- I hope this doesn’t shock you, but that leadership of men is not applied Biblically to government and business -
women can lead here.
- However, I believe in military women should not be in combat, nor is it the place for immoral social experiments -
co-ed and homosexual living.
D of I - 57 men “With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Protection, we mutually pledge our Lives,
our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
11. Covenant of Marriage Genesis 2:24-25; Eph. 5:21-33
- Unique relationship of oneness - love, respect - the goals of marriage.
- Marriage is in all cultures. But in many it is abusive where men are dominating and women are used, or men are weakened
and don’t take responsibility. Christianity: Husbands are to love their wives enough to die for them and wives
are to love their husbands enough to live for them.
- The last four points - Bible is clear on the natural order of relationships. Sinful mankind seeks to devalue children -
abortion, hire out education. Destroy the unity of marriage - divorce, promiscuity, co-habitation They devalue the
diversity of sexual identity - homosexuality, transgender neutrality, and sinful society masculinizes women, feminizes
men.
APPLICATION
No other religion or philosophy can provide you with all of these inherent, divinely given, cherished values. They can come up with
some counterfeits, but they are illusions and lies, and only very temporary not eternal.
What makes the Biblical view correct? The very nature of God. The Immortal, Invisible Almighty God has revealed Himself in
Creation, in His Word, and in the Person of Jesus Christ. We can know Him, and we can know His righteousness.
Do you personally have a relationship with the God of the Universe? Your Creator and Savior?
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