WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN

INTRODUCTION

Finish what I started 2 weeks ago. False religions/philosophies have a diminished, or demoralizing and devaluing view of mankind: Marxism, exetentecism, Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, materialism, hedonism, humanism.

ILLUS: Remember Video - Dr. William Provine evolutionist, atheist, who stated he believed as an evolutionist that there is “No God, no life after death, no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning in life, and no free will.”

What do we believe? 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.

1. Created in the Image of God. Genesis 1:26-27
2. Cursed with fallenness. Romans 5:12; 7:15-24
3. Changed by the Cross of Christ. Romans 7:25-8:3; 5:5
4. Cultivation of the creation - Cultural mandate. Genesis 1:28; Eccl 5:18-19
5. Commitment to the Sanctity of all of life. Psalm 139:13-16
6. Complete hope beyond this life for Believers. Phil. 1:21-23, Luke 23:43
7. Compassion for the suffering. Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27
8. Celebrating children. Psalm 127:3; Mark 10:13-16
9. Class for women - status, position of equality. 1 Cor. 11:11; Eph. 5:21-23
10. Courage for men to be sacrificial leaders. Eph. 5:25
11. Covenant of Marriage. Genesis 2:24-25; Eph. 5:21-33

12. Civility through Just Government 1 Tim. 2:1-2, Rom. 13:1-7

• Order of authority, self-government, social institutions, networks.
ILLUS: Founding Fathers - our nation would only work with Christianity. John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (Foundations of American Government, 7)

Supreme Court in 1811 “Whatever strikes at the root of Christianity tends... to the dissolution of civil government.” (America’s Godly Heritage, 11)

Abraham Lincoln when asked if God was on the Union side of the Civil War: “I know that the Lord is always on the side of right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” (America’s Godly Heritage, 27)

Ronald Reagan August 1984 “Without God there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience...If we ever forget that we’re One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” (In God we Still Trust, 31)


• The works of charity, benevolence, civic duty are best fulfilled with a Christian ethic. Humanism’s values are based on individual selfish preferences (me), not general welfare or the common good (we).
The Declaration of Independence states that we are: “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

13. Consecrating life’s meaning and purpose 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17

• The Catechisms - such as the Westminster and Spurgeon’s Baptist state the very first question: “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”


• And God gives individual meaning through talents, gifts, burdens and passions to serve/achieve. You have tasks to do help make better world.


• To be beautiful is fleeting, money and material goods never satisfy. Selfish pleasures only last for a moment, consequences long term.
ILLUS: What is your reason to get up in the morning? Why do you pray, read Bible, and come to church, work, take care of your family? In the Baptist Beacon- Pseudo Secretary Scribbles - she was drinking lousy cup of coffee and still seeing God’s blessings.


• In whatever you do…give glory to God. That is great purpose. The truly fulfilled find divine purpose in the mundane events of life.

14. Choice - The Freewill of mankind Joshua 24:15; Psalm 25:21

• We are free to make choices. Built into the words “believe” and “do not believe” is the ability to choose to do so. Sure God knows our choice.


• We are not fully sure why Dr. Provine says we have no free-will, I think at least to remove individual responsibility/accountability.


• But God has given us tremendous free will - sadly many people use it to rebel against God, the truly wise use it to honor God.


• Galatians 5:1 - freedom to do what is right


• James 1:5 - we can ask for wisdom to make wise choices.
ILLUS: Some of us heard General Colin Powell a few weeks ago. He talked about being retired so he bought a Corvette. Here is my hope and free choice in 2022 when I may retire: if the rapture hasn’t occurred, and Chevy is still in business, and Corvettes are still being built, and my pension is still viable, and Jeannette says yes - maybe I too can buy a Corvette for my retirement. That is free choice...


• Christians have the freedom to say yes to righteousness, don’t have to be slaves to sin, H.S. through the Word and prayer guides us to do right.

15. Communication with Divinity

• Prayer - Matthew 6:7-15; Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Church - 1 Timothy 3:15. We can know God, have a relationship of eternal love.


• The world’s philosophies are inside a closed box, no contact beyond, they cannot see eternity.


• Communication is because God stepped out of eternity in the person of Jesus to live and die and live again among us in time so we can know and live with Him in eternity. Colossians 2:9,10; 3:1-4


• Do you have regular contact with the divine? Is Jesus your Savior? Do you trust God to work in your life? Our church?

BONUS Curiosity turned into wonder Psalm 19:1

Tonight we begin two lessons on science. Creation vs. Evolution debate. Again, Christianity helps us grasp the wonder of the wonders of this world. Christians in the past and even today lead science, medicine, technology. From what we see in the microscope to what we see in the telescope - our curiosity can be fulfilled with searching for answers from the wonder of knowing this is God’s creation given to us.

Do you believe in the God of wonders?